I subconsciously played with the diamond ring on my finger as I feigned a smile as Junhoe took a peek at me before he returned his full attention on the book we just purchased a few hours ago. I noticed that I only happen to do this when I was nervous or feeling uneasy. And as much as I didn’t want to scare myself, that’s how I actually figured out that something was just not right.

I looked at Junhoe and I noticed that he just had started reading the book. I stared at my cup of coffee and it was still full and hot. If I trust my memory, we just came in this coffee shop few minutes ago but for some odd reasons, it felt like we’ve been here for quite some time now.

I carefully brought the cup of coffee towards my lips, taking a sip of the coffee hoping that it would wash out the bad feeling that I sensed. But did it do anything? Nothing—it even made things worse. Perhaps all these caffeine could really make someone jumpy and nervous.

I gently placed the cup back on the coffee stained saucer before I took a deep breath. I repeated the process thinking that it could calm my nerves, but I just couldn’t help it. Something was just not right.

I stared at the people around me suspiciously before I extended my hand to touch Junhoe. He closed his book slightly, using his thumb as a temporary bookmark, before he looked at me.

“What’s wrong Rose?” he asked in a hush tone as he leaned towards me. Even if the sound almost went out as a whisper, I could hear the concern in his voice.

“I think I want to go home.” was all I said. I didn’t want him to know that I had a bad feeling so I kept my mouth shut.

He nodded as he stood up from his seat to take his wallet from his pocket and obtained a 10,000 won bill from it. He placed it on the table before he offered his hand to me. I gladly took his hand and he helped me stood up—not that I needed to. I was just used to him being a gentleman.

We went out of the coffee shop with our hands clasped together. A wave of people greeted us as we got out and we figured out that we would have a hard time locating Junhoe’s car. I eavesdropped from two teenagers earlier and I heard that there was a parade today and that explains why there were so many people.

The crowd was getting thicker and thicker and somehow, we found ourselves as part of the crowd. How we got in? Well, I wasn’t quite sure.  I just felt someone push me into the parade of people and since Junhoe and I held hands, I pulled him in.

It was then when a sudden wave of paranoia came over me. There were too many people and I couldn’t help but feel something. I suddenly felt dizzy. It was as if everyone’s faces were becoming a blur. All the noises the people created mixed up that I could no longer comprehend anything. And so, I stopped walking.

Junhoe felt me stop, as my right hand held his shoulder for support, and he looked back to see if I was alright.

I felt my insides shake as I opened my mouth to speak.

“Jun... I think someone’s watching me.”