one strange night

The way home was bizarrely too quiet despite how early Kang Haneul excused himself. The night was too early to be called night, added that it’s Saturday, the town was basically flooded by people. He undid his butterfly tie as his gaze lingered to the busy street, a tired sigh followed.

It was a perfect wedding, he believed. Beautiful colors, sweet cakes, strong wine, romantic songs, fluttering dance, everything was undeniably perfect. Too perfect that something inside his chest twitched in a peculiar way.

“Hyung, you sure you’re going home?” a junior from college asked him with a questioning look. He nodded and smiled.

“You’re okay?” the groom asked, confusion plastered on his eyes. Again, he nodded and smiled.

“Yah, what about the after party?” the bride tried. But he only grinned apologetically.

They looked at him worriedly, he could notice it quite clear. And absolutely, there’s nothing wrong with the wedding, he still believed. It’s just him and the foreign twitch that’s been disturbing his chest, and it didn’t seem to get better any sooner if he stayed.

They let him go after he brought up some deadlines and client calls, although he couldn’t dodge the scold. Of course, being a perfectionist himself, works had never been an issue. It’s just him being very strange today, and he wished he could explain better.

“Ahjussi, can you drop me to the nearest McDonalds instead?” and he abruptly changed his direction.

And it seemed like the worst idea now that he stood in a very long line.

He sighed heavily. Not only that it’s Saturday, but also the closest McDonalds just happened to be in the center of the town. Sounded like a terrible plan.

Wearing a black suit completed with leather shoes and butterfly tie on his hand, he looked way too misplaced. Compared to the rest visitors, he stood out too much. And that’s not only what he thought, he believed. The way people looked at him was a strong proof, it’s quite profound. Who was it saying Seoul didn’t care about you? At least their cold stare judged you well. And with his personality, it’s just not easy to handle the embarrassment. He sighed again.

Haneul walked silently to the last empty spot that happened to be in the corner, it’s quite a luck that a bunch of teenagers just got up right when he got his cheeseburger. It’s not his best choice, indeed, but he’s too starving to complain over his lazy decision. He put his tray with a sigh, putting his tie on the table and ignored the world for his meal.

Why the hell I am eating this here?

The question was late, rather sarcastic if he admitted. The twitch was helping though, coming again, reminding him that it’s still there, giving him a strong reason to sit alone in this crowded place. Gulping his coke, he tried disturbing his mind, still believing the twitch wasn’t something he had to concern about.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

Looking up immediately, Haneul locked eyes to a stranger who’s seemingly asking for the empty seat in front of him. Not expecting this, he’s stunned for a second.

“No, please,” his lips moved in reflex. “You can take it,” he completed, gesturing to the seat later, this time he’s much collected.

Don’t accuse him. It’s not because the woman in front of him was too beautiful to come out in such weird day in his life, it’s just she looked rather … misplaced, just like him.

Wearing a white long silky dress, which a second later he realized, revealing her , a woman in long loosened wavy hair was bringing a tray with a meal set. Just like how strange a man in neat black suit sitting in such place, her appearance outshined him.

“No, I mean, can I seat here?” she asked later.

Haneul frowned, he didn’t expect this type of straight forward question, or request-he would rather say.

“As you see, no empty table,” she added, noticing his hesitance.

“Oh right, please,” again, reflex hit him faster than his brain could calculate. Indeed, being naturally born gentle made him easily let people use him, although he’s quite oblivious.

Nodding and thanking him, she placed her tray with a sigh. “I couldn’t even taste their meal,” she grunted right as she sat down.

“Yes?” he responded, again too fast for his good.

Releasing a tired heave, the beautiful lady looked up, looking vividly irritated, “I can’t believe they didn’t even let me eat.”

He still couldn’t grasp. One thing obvious was she’s having problem with meal, and he guessed being hungry could easily provoke you. But he’s not that curious to know what happened, that’s why he retreated fast and tried to hold himself. Quietly, he yes-ed her with a nod, it’s his best way to avoid further conversation.

“I even brought my wedding gift, and it’s not like I wanted to go there,” this time she added an upset groan. “I should have brought back that gift, how stupid!”

Still not sure how to react, Haneul hummed again. He grabbed his burger and started eating it, planning to finish his meal faster.

“She asked me to come,” the lady didn’t stop, not even looking uncomfortable spilling her story to a random stranger. “And I brought the invitation with me, but do you know how they looked at me?”

He’s silenced.

“’What the hell you’re doing here?’ ‘Why is that witch here?’ ‘No shame, how can she come here?’ Their expression was so obvious, like there was nothing to hide.” She finished with a mouthful bite. Not even slightest concerned about her look.

The way she had her meal didn’t really match her dress. She looked utterly stunning to have a mouthful burger. He might believe her if she said she’s a runaway bride. And it wasn’t a complaint though. It’s just strange to him. Maybe it wasn’t the first time he encountered this kind of carefree attitude. But he only knew one person who’s like this. And this woman was the second.

“O-kay,” he commented hesitantly, feeling bad for not having a better word to follow.

Inhaling, she replied him with a sigh, “They didn’t let you eat too?”

“What?”

She pointed at his butterfly tie on the side of his tray, as if knowing.

He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to figure out where that sentiment was leading.

“No, it’s not like what you think,” Haneul quickly corrected her, not wanting unnecessary misunderstanding.

“Well, yeah, certainly,” she smirked amusedly, not buying his denial. And Haneul didn’t like the way she interpreted his reply.

“It is not,” he uttered one more time.  Having a rather unreasonable urge to correct her aga