“You’re irritating me,” she whispered into his ear as they slept together on the small twin bed. There was no space in the lone room where both of them were trapped for the night. “It’s not my fault you’re a grouch,” he whispered back. The couple groaned and turned away from each other. One of Eun Hwa’s legs dangled off of the side of the bed, while Sandeul struggled to keep his lower body on the bed. “You’re so fat.” Sandeul stated. Eun Hwa replied by kicking his calf. “You were so much nicer to me when we were dating.”

“That’s because I wanted to get laid. Too bad my efforts were useless.” Eun Hwa, on the verge of hot tears, kicked him again. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was still in love with him. No matter how many times he denied that he ever loved her, she refused to believe it. She lived in her own world, imagining scenario after scenario of what would happen if the two were still together. She wanted so badly to be told by him again those three words that made her world turn upside down. The room became sullen and placid, not a single sound made. Their friends devised this plan. It was unknown to Sandeul and Eun Hwa, but they were trapped in the storage room of the office building with only a twin bed and no cell phones because their friends were tired of the awkward atmosphere that lingered whenever the two were around each other. 

Sandeul heard Eun Hwa let out a small sniffle. “Are you crying?” he asked, no sympathy in his robotic voice. Eun Hwa answered, “No. It’s just cold.” Sandeul couldn’t help but agree with the fact that it was, in fact, cold in the storage room. Sandeul, suddenly gaining an endearing personality trait, turned around and placed one long, strong arm around Eun Hwa’s waist. His hand found hers and he overlapped them, trying to transfer some of his heat to his ex-girlfriend. Eun Hwa, not wanting any physical contact with him, pushed his arm away and curled up into a ball, trying to heat herself up. Sure, they were adult, there was nothing wrong with sharing the same bed, but…It was awkward for the both of them. Eun Hwa, still unable to forgive Sandeul for breaking her heart harshly, didn’t like the idea of being here with him. But, deep inside of her, she felt as if some sort of void had been filled. Sandeul stayed still as Eun Hwa moved around, trying to get as comfortable as she could. He had absolutely no problem with sleeping on the floor like Eun Hwa had suggested earlier.

He had no existing back problems, or any other chiropractic problems. He just wanted to be by her side. He didn’t want to say anything, but he really did miss her. He was afraid that being with her, staying with her, falling in love with her, would take over his life. He wanted to be free to do whatever he wanted. He didn’t want to be held down by a girlfriend. He didn’t want to be held down by the philosophy of love. He wanted to roam without worrying about what his girlfriend may think. He wanted to party without having to control the amount of drinks he consumed. He wanted to be around girls without having a jealous girlfriend around, trying to take him away from his life and friends. 

He knew that Eun Hwa wasn’t the type to control people, but he couldn’t help but feel afraid of what might happen to him if he were to tell her that he loved her again. The last time he confessed to her, told her he loved her, he regretted it almost instantly. His stomach started to act up, as if it were a sign from God saying that he shouldn’t be with her; that being with her would kill him. Frightened and worrisome, he took back his words. He took back his love that once was, and left her. He couldn’t stay committed to one person. He was not able to stay in a committed relationship. He wanted to be free, though, he couldn’t help but feel empty those Saturday nights without a movie buddy. He couldn’t help but feel a void when he ate Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream without anyone spraying his face with sweet whipped cream. 

He looked over at Eun Hwa who was still turned away from him. His eyes traveled from the top of her head to the nape of her neck. He could easily remember those locks that he as she fell asleep. He could easily remember those massages he gave her after a long, hard day of work. His eyes moistened as he traced her body with them. She was a painting to him; valuable and beautiful; abstract and unique. She was beautiful to him. He slowly turned over to face her back. His hand slowly reached out to tuck her hair behind her small ears. Eun Hwa, already asleep, didn’t stir or flinch when Sandeul moved her hair. She was unconscious; deep in sleep. 

Sandeul, now half-hovering over her, watched her placid face as she took in long and deep breaths. He loved the way , slightly opened, opened and closed with every breath she took. He placed one thumb on her lips, them softly. Her soft skin intrigued him. He wanted to get closer. He wanted to feel her hear beating against his own. He was deprived of the kind of love only Eun Hwa was able to supply him. Tears formed in his sad eyes as he continued to go through all of the memories of their past. He missed holding her hand and swinging it around and they walked. He missed sneaking in secret kisses at the office whenever he could. He missed talking on the phone with her all night. He missed her smell, her touch, her skin against his, her voice, her breath, her being. He purely missed her. 

Silently, one tear drop fell from his eyes, landing on Eun Hwa’s open palm. He her rosy, cold cheeks softly with the back of his hand. Slowly, Eun Hwa opened her tired eyes to see a saddened Sandeul hovering above her. Not alarmed, she calmly asked, “What are you doing?” Her voice was small, as if it were afraid of knowing the answer to the question. Sandeul stayed quiet for a few moments, unable to come up with a legit reason as to why he was staring at her; why he was admiring her. 

Unable to come up with a logical answer, Sandeul leaned forward, coming closer and closer to Eun Hwa’s face. Their lips, just centimeters apart, radiated a certain heat that made both giddy and high. Just as their lips barely touched, Sandeul whispered, “I love you. I’ve always loved you. I always will love you, Eun Hwa. I love you.” He crashed his lips onto hers. Eun Hwa arched her back as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and closer. She could no longer reject him. It was too hard for her to reject him now. Their lips and bodies moved in synchronization as both melted in the heat of the other’s body. Tears slid down the side of Eun Hwa’s cheeks as she recalled all of the pleasant memories she shared with Sandeul. She basked in the happiness that consumed her at the moment, unable to think straight any longer. Her hands played and teased his hair. Sandeul’s hands stayed at Eun Hwa’s waist, trying to keep her from getting up and running away. He lost her once, but he couldn’t do it another time. 

He kissed her chin, the tip of her nose, both of her temples, her forehead and her lips once more before laying down and just holding her tightly in his arms. He was almost suffocating her, not coming anywhere near letting her go. He breathed in her sweet, freesia scent and rested his chin on her shoulder. “San-”

“Shh. Don’t speak, just listen.” 

Sandeul took in a deep breath and intertwined his fingers with Eun Hwa’s. His voice was shaky as he started to speak, but it gained more power and got clearer as he went on. “Eun Hwa, I was scared. I was scared of falling in love and not being able to stay with you. I’m scared of commitment, but with you… with you I just had to tell you. I had to let you know how I felt, how I still feel.” He took in a deep breath. “I love you. There’s no other explanation as to why I continuously get anxious around you. There’s no other explanation as to why I yearn to see you every day, every hour, every minute, every second.” Eun Hwa tightened her grip on Sandeul’s hand. 

She wasn’t able to cry. She wasn’t able to shed her tears of happiness at his words. Her entire body tingled with his words. She wasn’t able to take deep, even breaths. Her heart raced rapidly, and she knew that Sandeul could tell. Sandeul, eager to see Eun Hwa’s face, turned her around so that she could face him. The two looked into each other’s eyes tenderly. “You don’t irritate me.” Eun Hwa said. 

“You’re not a grouch, and you’re not fat.”

“I miss us.” Eun Hwa stated. Sandeul nodded and placed his head on top of Eun Hwa’s. He held her close to his heart. They stayed that way on the small twin bed for one, drowning in their undeniable love for each other. As they fell asleep, both whispered, “I love you.” 

On the other side of the door, their friends had heard everything. They smiled and high-fived each other, walking out of the building to eat late night ramyun, completely forgetting about the couple still locked in the storage room together.