chapter x. | happy

“She’s literally floating on cloud nine.”

“Yeah, it kind of makes you wonder what happened over the weekend. Was the movie that good?”

“She didn’t seem that into it, to be honest,” Lee Suhyun told Kim Jiwon, who then looked unsure as she was before clapping his hands.  

“You said she didn’t go home until later…” he began cheekily.

Suhyun seemed to get it as she gasped, hands flying to her face.

“Oh my god, you think she went on a date after?”

The flat expression on Hayi’s face twitched. The urge to stop the two from squawking any more nonsense was very tempting yet she couldn’t help wonder: was she really that obvious? Her face literally glowing with happiness as every time her brain recalled that rainy afternoon?

It was like a vivid dream; one that wouldn’t leave for days that if she were to just close her eyes, she could almost feel those arms again, drawing her against him as they lay on his bed. Hanbin hadn’t let go, cradling her until she was out like a light.

And truth be told, she slept like a baby.

Cheeks heating, she remembered where she was.

“Can you guys shut up already?” she scolded the two giggling fools behind her. “Stop with the conspiracies!”

There she was again, swept up in her daydreams all because they couldn’t stop with their suspicions and theories of what caused the glow in her cheeks as of late. Not that she needed their help when the memories replayed itself whenever it could.

“Tch, but you look so guilty right now,” Bobby remarked. “You going to deny but you can’t even control your face.” 

“He’s right,” Suhyun pitched in with a horrified expression. “You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”

“How?” Hayi folded her arms haughtily. “It was pouring down—how could I possibly be anywhere else but home during ty weather?”

Suhyun resigned with a slump of her shoulders. She looked convinced that Hayi almost felt guilty for lying. “Well, that’s true too. Hayi, out of anyone I know, would definitely stay in bed with the weather like that.”

And technically that wasn’t untrue. A certain someone just happened to be on that bed with her. And they were going to watch a movie—but they ended up doing other things instead…

“I call BS!” Bobby chortled. “She’s blushing again.”

“Am not!” Hayi cried.

She really wanted to pummel the older boy to the ground. Even if she wasn’t lying, Bobby would still hound her to get a kick out of it.  

“Whatever! I’m out.”

Gripping her bag, she turned a block early into a street that wasn’t hers.

“Hey, that’s not where you live!” Suhyun called.

Hayi just sent them a dismissive wave without looking back.

“I’m visiting Hanbin!”

The distance eventually drowned their voices.

Now, that was definitely true. Though a certain sick Kim wasn’t present with them for their walk home today, it was okay because Hayi planned on visiting after school. Bobby and some of the others already visited the other day.

Despite the shower he took, it hadn’t been enough to dispel the sickness that developed in his system. So since then, he was bed-ridden.

Hayi’s first instinct was to run to his house and apologise. She felt terrible knowing it was her fault he got soaked. Now he had missed yesterday and today’s classes as a consequence. She didn’t know how to make it up to him so she decided to at least visit him.

But Hanbin had sounded reluctant on agreeing but only because he preferred it if no one was home. She can only guess it had to do with what he told her.

Arriving at Kims’ porch, she texted her arrival and even knocked for good measure. When the door whined open, a sniffing Hanbin greeted her. He wrapped himself up in his sheets until only his face peeked out. He looked like a ghost. A handsome but sick ghost.

She failed to not giggle at the sight.

“You’re looking better.”

“Thanks,” came his flat response.

Hanbin was about to lead her upstairs when she tugged him back.

“Did you eat? Do you want me to fix up something?’

“Not really, but—”

Determined to protest, Hayi was going to open when she spotted the sliding doors to the living room. They were now open. 

Stacks of letters upon letters sat on the table while coffee rings and spill stains patterned various surfaces including the carpet. Piles and heaps of clothes and blankets were either fresh laundry or discarded in a haste. Hayi couldn’t tell yet none of it all looked too bad.

A little cleaning and…

“I put the mugs and plates away,” Hanbin mumbled. “And I took the laundry in this morning but couldn’t find a basket so I kind of just dumped it all on there. I’ll get them later…”

Hayi felt the corners of lift. Rather than hiding, he was sharing and it was all Hayi wanted.

“Alright, why don’t you go back to bed?” she said, heading towards the kitchen. “I’ll make you some porridge. You worked hard.”

“Wait, Hayi. Do you even know how to turn on a stove—?”

“Hey!”

Half an hour later, with a ladle she found in the drawers, Hayi poured the porridge into a bowl. She was quite giddy. Cooking something for him like this and pouring her heart out on it; Hanbin knew she wasn’t the best of cooks despite her mother being an avid one.

Hopefully, he’d like it. She worked extra hard for this one.

Hanbin was walking on the fine line between consciousness and unconsciousness when Hayi made her way up to his room. He groggily tested his eyes to find her walking in with a tray.

A delicious smell invaded the clouds in his head. He began to sit up. It actually looked edible, he discovered and he wasted no time telling her so. He received a smack on the arm.

“You shouldn’t be violent towards your patient,” he reprimanded as he picked up the spoon. He also noted the glass of water on his bedside table along with a small tangerine.

“And you should be grateful to the person who saved you from starvation.” She sat beside him on the bed. “Well? Go ahead.”

“This better not worsen my condition. I don’t want to miss any more days from school—” His joke turned into a yelp as he scalded his tongue from a spoonful.

Hayi laughed. “Dummy, blow it first—like this.” She took the spoon and lifted it to her lips.

Blowing on it gently, they locked eyes and Hanbin couldn’t help but curl his mouth into a smile.

Looking after him like this, he couldn’t help but find it endearing. If he continued pushing her away like he had been doing, he would’ve gotten none of this. It felt nice to be taken cared of for once.

When she finished, instead of returning the spoon, she shovelled it into his mouth instead. He was about to rebuke her when his tastebuds seemed to sing. It was delicious and the warmth lingering inside his oesophagus was pleasant.

“You liked it, didn’t you?” asked Hayi with a grin.

“It’s alright, I guess.”

Secretly, he was surprised at how her skills improved.

As he ate with gusto, Hayi babbled on about what he missed at school and the like. A relaxed mood settled over them, making it easier for jokes and grins to naturally fit in. It’s been far too long for them to just enjoy themselves like this.

“You know, Bobby wanted to come,” Hayi said.

“Probably not a good idea.”

No one else knew about his family condition.

Hayi seemed to understand. “So you said it was safe to come today. Where’s auntie? I know Hanbyul’s at childcare. Did you tell her about your condition?”

Hanbin scraped the last of the porridge from the bowl. “I haven’t seen my mother since the weekend and no, I don’t know where she is.”

She pursed her lips at his tone. That probably wasn’t a good direction to steer the conversation into. They were doing well so far without any disheartening topics to bring them down. It shouldn’t stop now.

“So, you missed English today,” she resumed rambling. “Mr Seo gave out handouts regarding our next assignment and I have yours. I already put it on your desk over there.”

“Oh yeah? Thanks.”

He finally finished his meal and put his bowl and tray on the bedside table. He reached out for the glass and tangerine afterwards. He was taking a gulp when he tossed her the fruit.

Hayi blinked at the fruit in her hands.

“Please peel it for me. I don’t think I have the strength,” came the sweet plea.

She rolled her eyes at Hanbin. “Right.”

With a patient, honeyed smile, he watched her heed his command. He was definitely taking advantage of the situation. And he was liking it more than he should.

Hayi plucked the first segment and Hanbin automatically opened his mouth. Catching this, Hayi glared at him.

“Now, you want me to feed you, I assume?”

He only nodded, his dimples emerging on the surface that Hayi almost stilled in awe. That was something she hasn’t seen in ages and it quickened her pulse with glee. They only came out when he was smiling so hard it hurt his cheeks. Was she really make him happy, right now?    

Reflecting his cheeky smile, she leaned closer to him with the little wedge in her fingers. Naturally, his mouth inclined closer but just as the fruit reached his lips, Hayi drew it back. She popped it into .

Hanbin, was safe to say, dumbfounded. His expression quickly melted into a wounded