Since it’s my birthday, here’s an update! ^_^

 

 

CHAPTER 4

 

“What’s your plan tomorrow?”  Hyewon texted Yujin

“I don’t really see any reason for me to go.”

“The bravery, salute.” Hyewon said as she raised her hand and made a salute sign to Yujin

“This is serious; do you really think she’ll really do it if I don’t show up tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. I don’t really know her.”

“She didn’t send any message after that last text until now, she probably gets tired and will leave me alone, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know. But if it makes you feel any better, I’m sure there’ll be lots of people there, so she won’t be able to kill you right away.”

“You’re not helping!”

“Just run for your life when she starts pointing a fork towards you.”

“Why did I even become friends with you?”

“But seriously, if your gut is telling you not to go, then don’t. But if it says otherwise then just be your upright self. I’m sure you wouldn’t let yourself get dragged down by anyone else.”

 

 

Yujin woke up from the sound of her phone, she tried to brush it off but it wouldn’t stop ringing. She reached to her phone and half-eyes closed she looked at the screen, 7 missed calls from a number she didn’t save but already familiar.

 

 

Yujin’s POV

 

I don’t want to go, I don’t have to but a part of me tells me that I should, that I would regret not going. Was it because she might really end up ruining my life and that’s the regret I am feeling or was it something else? I’m not really sure.

 

I don’t want to go, she could send me hundreds of threat messages for all I care but my feet dragged me down here.

 

I didn't see Minjoo straightaway maybe that’s the sign telling me to leave and was about to but a hand grabbed my wrist before I could walk out the door.

 

“Where are you going?”

I didn’t answer and looked at her. She had a frown when our gazes met but her brown eyes reflecting relief and I wasn’t sure why. But one thing I’m certain, coming here was a mistake.

 

It had been 10 minutes since we sat and all she did was bite her nails and all.

 

“Did you ask me to come here to watch you do that?” I asked flatly, making her stop and drop her hand “If this was your idea of getting back at me for what I did last time, I must tell you it’s working. Looking at you for 10 minutes like that is frustrating me already another minute might kill me.”

 

She gave me a stern look. “This is your fault. We wouldn’t be here if you’d just minded your own damn business.”

Maybe Hyewon-unnie’s right, she’d probably playing hard to get but I ruin it and created a misunderstanding between her and that idiot but how can I not misunderstand it, even with her strong façade I could feel her voice shaking. But guess I was wrong; clearly she didn’t want me to do that. So instead of arguing even if I don’t want to I apologize “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have crossed that line. So why don’t we give that guy a call and I’ll tell him that it was all just a big misunderstanding.”

 

“Do you think one damn phone call will fix it?” She asked her voice holding an edge.

 “Okay. I know.” I paused, I knew it wouldn’t but I had to try my luck which is clearly not on my side. “How about we meet with him and I’ll apologize and explain to him personally what happen.”

 

“There’s no need for that. I don’t need him anymore.”

 

What the hell does that mean?

 

“Need?” I couldn’t help but asked “You’re saying it as if you’re just going to use him and no—“

“That’s clearly what I’m saying.” She cut me off still holding an edge on her voice

 

I observe her for a moment “So you mean, you weren’t just playing hard to get?” There was no hint of lying coming from her, I also got a feeling that she’ telling the truth but I had to ask, I don’t want to make a mistake again. Which obviously I made another one again, her face darkens.

 

“What did you say?”

 

It doesn’t need for someone to have a 20/20 vision to see how she hates and disgust the idea, clearly that wasn’t the case but obviously they had something important that she had to grit her teeth and meet with him and I blew it. Talk about wrong timing.

 

“Doesn’t matter.” I said flatly “I don’t care what your deal with him is, the only reason I’m here is for you to stop bothering me. So tell me, what do you want from me?”

 

She didn’t say anything for a moment, she just looked down. Then mumble “I need your help.”

 

Did she just say, she needs my help?

 

“What?” I asked maybe there’s something wrong with my hearing today.

 

She looked up and stare at me “I need your help.”

 

For a moment, I couldn’t say something. What kind of help that the Vice President of student body needs from me?

 

“That idiot was supposed to be my help but obviously you blew it” She said in a matter-of –fact tone. If she endures to breathe the same air as him, this help could only be nothing but a bad news. Where did I get myself into?

 

Though the idea of her needing a help is making me nervous I managed to ask without shaking a voice “What kind of help do you need from me?”

 

She became silent again, I would prefer her silence any day but this isn’t one of those, it’s frustrating and quite dreadful.

 

“I…I.” She starts, voice shaking “I…”

“Fine.” I said, I couldn’t take another second of it anymore, I stood up from my seat “Call me if you’re ready to talk and not act li—“

She grabbed my wrist as she looked at me straightly at me. “Be my girlfriend.”

 

It’s like one of those scenes’ in dramas that Hyewon-unnie likes; slow motion’s around us, like the whole meeting-of-eyes-across-the-crowded-room moment. Only this time, it wasn’t a peaceful slow motion, it was dreading and deafening.

 

“What?” I asked, wasn’t sure about my tone if it was flat or if I was able to point out how ridiculous she is.

 

She retracted her hand “You heard me.”

“I heard you, just wasn’t sure if what I heard is what you actually said” I told her

 

I didn’t know what she saw in my face but she looks at me with frown “Don’t get the wrong idea, I don’t even like you. I just need you to pretend like one.”

 

Wow, that’s another level of .

 

I sat down breaking into an unbelieving laugh “Ms. Vice President, I didn’t know you could be this funny”

“There is nothing amusing about this situation.” She said with seriousness and frustration

“Everything is, actually. That has to be the joke of the century.”

“Did you really think I will endure breathing the same air as that idiot if I wasn’t serious?” She asked and just what I thought earlier “I needed him and now, I need you.”

“Sure, that sounds great, let’s do it!” I said in sarcasm “Did you really think that you can just pest me to come here and expect me to play with whatever idea that’s running through your head?”

“I told you—“

“And I don’t really care.” I cut her off “I don’t know what’s your deal or if it’s actually your way to get back at me for what happen, I don’t care. I came here even if I wasn’t sorry because honestly I don’t see anything wrong from what I did but you don’t seem thankful so maybe I was wrong and I was willing to apologize for it but it doesn’t mean I am willing to let you dragged me around like someone who was just born yesterday.”

“Listen to me.” She said, her voice holding an edge. “Lis—“

“Well, listen to yourself.” I cut her off again “If you haven’t notice the ridiculousness of what you’re saying, then let me tell you, it is, big damn time.” I said, and then stood up from my seat and was about leave when she said something that broke my heart.

 

“My grandmother is dying…”

 

My heart sunk as I remember my grandma.

 

“She’s dying and it would make her really happy if I have someone to introduce to her before she dies.” She said, dejectedly “And I just want to make her happy.”

 

And for a moment I saw myself in her. I saw how much she loves her grandmother and the willingness to do anything just to make her happy and I respect her for that, I would’ve done everything just to make my grandmother happy too but I don’t think lying is going to make her happy. I know my grandmother wouldn’t be.

 

“I’m sorry but I can’t help you.”

 

She left her seat and stood in front of me “Please, please. I’ll do anything.”

 

I don’t doubt that you would but I’m not going to be part of it.

 

“12 months, just for 12 months.” She said, as tears starts appearing at the edge of her eyes and it weren’t because I wasn’t planning to help but the reality that there’s only 12 months left for her grandmother to live. I looked away from sadness in her eyes. Not because I didn't want to see it, but seeing her right now just might make me cry. I know what it feels like when somebody tells you that your precious grandmother doesn’t have much time to give you warmth as much as you want.

 

“I used to have a grandmother too and like you I would have done everything just to make her happy” I told her as she looked at me with those sorrowful eyes “But not like this. I’m not judging you, I would never. I just don’t want to be part of it.”

 

“I do—“She was about to say something when her phone rung on the table. We both look at it and I saw ‘Grandma’ registered as the caller. She answered it and with that, I turned and left.

 

I blew out a breath once I got outside then turned to looked at her through the glass wall. Her voice was cheery when she answered the call as I left but looking at her now, I couldn’t help but feel bad. She’s smiling but she’s far from it. I know because I’ve been there.

 

I am walking towards the bus station and Minjoo’s figure from earlier kept replaying in my mind. I wonder if that’s what I used to look like too.

I must have been spacing out too, a thud bring me back from my senses.

“Oh God, I’m sorry.” I said instantly seeing it was a grandmother that I bump into “Are you alright? I’m sorry, I—“

“I’m fine.” She answered me with a smile “Are you alright?”

“Are you sure?” I worriedly asked “Are you—“I stopped when she hold my hand.

“I’m alright.” She said smiling, still holding my hand, this time our gaze met.

And we both stopped. Maybe it was because of the familiarity. She looks so familiar, her smile too.

 

‘Yujinie meet Grandma Kim’ Grandma Ahn said to the 13 yrs. old Yujin

‘Is that her?” Grandma Kim asked, “Wow, she’s really pretty.”

Grandma Ahn smile proudly

“How old are you?” Grandma Kim asked noticing Yujin wearing her school uniform.

“I’m 14, grandma.” Yujin answered politely

“Oh, my Minjoo is your unnie then.” Grandma Kim said “She’s 17.”

 

Yujin looked around looking for that Minjoo.

 

“Oh she’s not here. She’s busy at school and I don’t really want her to see me like this.” Grandma said

“Grandma Kim?”

Her eyes flickered. “Yujinie?”

I broke into a smile as I pulled her into a hug “Grandma.”

“You really are Yujinie.” She said hugging me back

“How are you Grandma? Have you been well?” I asked after breaking the hug

“I’m so much better now that I see you.” She answered “Wow, you’re still pretty and much taller now.”

I smiled “You too grandma, did you even age?”

Grandma Kim chuckles then paused to stare at me. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t attend the funeral.”

“No, it’s okay.” I said quickly noticing her apologetic figure “its fine. Grandma understands it, and I’m sure she’s really happy that you are well now.” She and Grandma met during their therapy and I’ve heard that she had her last therapy on the day of the funeral so she couldn’t make it.

“You think?”

I gave her a sincere smile as I hugged her “I’m sure she is.” She looks so healthy and it really makes me happy.

 

“Grandma…” A familiar voice called from behind

 

Grandma Kim broke the hugged

 

“Grandma…” Her voice full of concern and worries “Why didn’t you ask Mr. Yang to drive you here?”

Grandma Kim smile as she walked past me “I’m fine, Minjoo-ah.”

 

That’s why the voice seems familiar, it was Minjoo.

 

“I could at least wait for you here.” Minjoo said still full of worry.

 

And that’s when it hit me.

 

“Oh, my Minjoo is your unnie then.”

She is Grandma Kim’s granddaughter. I turned too looked at them. She must’ve been so worried to notice my presence.

 

“My grandmother is dying…”

 

I thought the therapy works. She looks healthy. How could she be dying?

 

“12 months, just for 12 months.”

 

That’s not possible. It couldn’t be.

 

“I’m really fine. You worry too much” Grandma Kim said

“I am—“

“I’m glad I took the bus today.” She said softly “Because if I didn’t I wouldn’t have met that child again.”

 

Then Grandma turned to me “Minjoo meet Yu…”

 

“Yujin…” Minjoo said

 

Surprised was evident on Grandma Kim’s face. “Oh, you know each other?”

 

There was a moment of silence.

A simple yes would have answered but I couldn’t, the words are not coming out. My mind is still stuck at…

 

“My grandmother is dying…”

 

 

That thought still hasn’t sink into me. How could I just accept that?

And as if that wasn’t enough. Minjoo dropped another bomb again,

 

“She’s my girlfriend.”