Role Reversal.
Chasing the Wind
Needless to say, Baram did not sleep well after Mark’s abrupt visit and equally sudden departure. Giving up on sleeping in, Baram trudged towards the bathroom to wash up, glaring at the dark eye bags forming on her face. Soon steam from the hot shower filled up the small bathroom and Baram allowed herself to submerge in the water, washing away some of the built-up tension in her muscles.
Stepping out of the bathroom with a towel draped on her shoulders, Baram marched into the kitchen. Switching on the coffee machine and staring blankly at the dent on the fridge, she waited for her coffee to be ready. Just then however, a soft knock came from the door — specifically three distinct and firm knocks. Raising a brow as she was not expecting anyone, Baram swung the door open, her eyes widening in surprise at the visitor.
“How did you get up here?”
“Someone was leaving just as I arrived.” Mark shrugged while holding up the bag in his hand. “I brought breakfast.”
Allowing himself in, he squeezed past Baram and shuffled towards the kitchen island, laying out the food on the surface.
“Do you have a twin or something?” Pushing the door closed, Baram lingered by the fridge, a weary expression on her face. “Or do you have multiple personality disorder?”
“What on earth are you going on about,” Mark snorted.
Just then the coffee machine beeped, signalling that it had completed its task. Without saying anything, Mark took out two mugs and poured coffee both for himself and for Baram.
“You punched a hole in my fridge last night and now you are here delivering breakfast as if nothing happened.”
“You do that all the time,” Mark countered, tilting his head to the side and signalling Baram to sit down. “Storm in, make a mess of things, leave, then reappear the next day like nothing ever happened.”
Baram sighed, for she could not deny that statement. Throwing the towel that was still on her shoulder into the laundry basket, Baram then sat down opposite Mark. Sipping on her coffee, she stared at the breakfast burrito sitting proudly on a plate, packed so tightly with ingredients that it threatened to burst open.
“Why are you here Tuan?” Baram exhaled, taking a bite of the burrito.
Mark took a large bite of his burrito as well, a thoughtful look in his eyes as he took his time chewing.
“To apologise, and to air out dirty laundry.”
“You have nothing to apologise for.”
If anything I should be the one apologising. Gulping loudly, Baram consciously avoided meeting Mark’s gaze.
“Jinyoung gave me quite an earful,” Mark continued talking. “Went on a whole speech about how poisonous hidden resentments are; how communication is key. I mean, he’s right. You caught me at a bad time at the club, and then you were so nonchalant about it all, it just triggered more resentment in me. And then, well, last night I was not quite in my best behaviour either.”
“Taking the blame for everything isn’t going to make things better,” Baram whispered softly.
“I’m taking responsibility for my actions,” Mark retorted. “I’m taking the first step, and I will patiently wait for you to take yours. But don't take too long. I’m not the most patient person out there in case you haven’t noticed.”
Baram remained unresponsive, unsure of how to respond or how to interpret Mark’s words. The red haired male did not urge her to speak either. Instead the two fell into a comfortable silence as the morning sun enveloped the small flat in a warm and comforting glow.
“There are moments when I think I miss him.”
Mark tensed momentarily, Baram’s low whisper breaking the silence. However he managed to maintain a blank expression, patiently waiting for the girl to keep talking.
“But then I realised that it’s not the person who I miss, but rather the routine. Those small things that I had taken for granted, or gotten used to experiencing; those rituals that left together with him.”
A soft smile graced Mark’s face as he full
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