Jongin

Usually, driving is the time for me to have a piece of my mind. It doesn't matter whether the traffic is heavy or smooth, I enjoy driving in both. At some point, I like being stuck in traffic because it means I can spend more time alone in the car. Plus, I get to listen to my playlist a little longer.

There was a time, I got into a huge fight with my girlfriend, I drove all the way from Seoul to Busan and then back to Seoul just to calm myself. Crazy isn't? 

However, my drive this time is not calming as always. My mind keeps on replaying the scene in Sehun's office this afternoon. And the way Yeonhee looked at me, it makes me feel uneasy.

As I arrive at my parents house, my nieces run to me happily and hug my leg. Awww my happy pills. Just what I need right now.

Eomma appears from the kitchen too welcoming me home with a big smile. "You said you'll come early. Why you look so tired? I thought you took a day off today" 

"I was on leave today but your husband called me early in the morning. You should tell him not to disturb an employee on leave" 

"Heyyy, my husband is your father you know"

"Exactly. But he listens to his wife all the time. The son is out of his mother's league"

We both laugh at our conversation. 

"Hey son, are you okay? Something's troubling you?". Moms and their instinct. One can never run from that.

"It's nothing mom" I replied.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. It's nothing. Come on. They must be waiting for us. And I'm starving"

Luckily mom drops the subject. We walk together to the dining room where everyone is waiting.

After a hearty dinner with the whole family, I excuse myself to get some fresh air outside. The winter breeze is so refreshing. It's super cold but it's also super refreshing. A glass of wine will be perfect at time like this but there's a rule in this house: NEVER drink and smoke if the kids isn't yet asleep. Appa made that rule since the birth of his first grandchild. All beers, wine, soju and makgeolli are well hidden deep in the cupboard. 

"Girl problem?" my sister popped out of nowhere.

"Shouldn't you be with your daughters putting them to sleep?" I asked her without answering her question just now.

"They are having fun with appa. Let them be. Heyyy, you're avoiding my question! Come on tell me, what's the problem? A new girl, your girlfriend, or your ex?"

"Does 'I-have-a-girl-problem' written all over my face?"

She laughs hearing me said that "Yes Jongin. I can read your face just by a single look"

I sigh. Should I tell noona? 

Me and noona, we are very close. Though commitment in adulthood makes us rarely meet each other, we are still very close. While I'm contemplating, noona comes closer and sits on the bench next to me. 

I sigh again and again.

After a few sighs, I start talking. "She's not my ex and she's not a new girl"

"Then?"

"She's just someone that I know"

"And?"

I sigh again. "I.... I feel guilty"

"What did you do?" 

"I... I was sort of the reason her husband....." SMACK!! My sister suddenly smack the back of my head.

"OUCH! What was that for??!!!" I shout at her while rubbing the back of my head. 

"You're having an affair with someone's wife??!! What happen to the girl I met last year? I like that one!"

"NO! You think I'm crazy?!! Why would I have an affair??!!"

"Then??"

"Let me finish first will ya! You're lucky you are my sister or else I smack you back with double strength"

"Sorry" she sheepishly said. Typical woman, always jumps into conclusion.

"What I wanna say is, I was sort of the reason her husband hates her. Well.. I'm not the sole reason, her husband never liked her. He was forced into the marriage. Unlike her, she did it willingly. I am the friend who the husband goes to when he needs an escape, and in some way I did pour oil to the burning fire" there's a hint of guilt in my voice.

"Why Jongin? The problem is between them, you shouldn't interfere"

"Well... I kind of hate her too. Maybe it's not hate, 'hate' is a strong word noona, let's just sa