[(WINTER)]

 

 

I was awaken by the cold that enveloped the whole room, embracing my skin to the bones. I d for the person beside me... I slightly opened my eyes and was astounded to see no one next to me.

 

She left again.

 

I immediately got up and look for her around the hotel, I ended up seeing no one else. I went to the aircon and turned it off, Busan's always cold. I'm literally freezing!

 

"Karina?" My voice echoed in the room, no one's answering so I guess she left me here alone again. She also brought her belongings with her, no notes left for me again...

 

I can't help but get worried,

 

Is Karina avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?

 

With all my curiosity and worry, I found myself reaching for my phone... ended up dialing Ryujin.

 

"Hey..." I said...

 

"She left me again, dude. Is she avoiding me? I have done nothing wrong to her as far as I can remember.." There was no chuckling or any tittering on the phone, making me doubt even more. "You're always looking for her so she let you stew a bit," I heard her bit crispily, she's having chips for breakfast? Yeji is surely out of her sight right now... probably busy at their business. "Your answer is far from the question, Ryujin. I want to know if..." I paused a bit, let out a sigh.. "She's there?" Ryujin, as expected laughed. Haaay... this silly is always energized with gossips.

 

"No way! You're really into her, aren't you?" I gave her a chortle, will there be any wrong if I fall for her? That's impossible to say for now, we just met a few days ago. "The answer's still far from the question, Ryu. I'm just asking if she's there,"

 

"Then to answer your question... she's not here." Ryujin took a continuous bite on her crunchy chips,  "My girlfriend picked up the workers. Karina is not one of them so she's not with her either." I bit my lower lip, worrying. Where could she be this time? Busan is not as small as a mall, where can I find her in this big city? and why the hell am I finding her?!

 

"Okay... Thanks for your effort to tease me this morning, dude. That helped a lot." I said jocosely, I heard Ryujin chuckled again on the other line. "I can ask Yeji for her number, if that's what will sooth your mind." I just shook my head on that. 

 

"No need. I'm leaving the hotel too. I'm gonna enjoy my stay here alone for three months.. I must  enjoy Busan.." I said as I ended up the call. I took a leave for three months for how many times possible. Thankfully my boss understands and Ningning being my friend is an ally sent by the God.... she's always behind my back, supporting me in anything.  She just told the head manager about Minju... as the girlfriend who was suddenly left behind... her one year passing is not enough for me to move on.. and that was approvable in many ways.

 

I changed my clothes and got ready to leave the hotel, my next stop would be at Dadaepo, Dadaepo is popular for parties... I think I might need some happy time to relax myself there... well, that's actually the reason why I took a leave from work.

 

I got all my things packed inside my travel bag. The hotel was reserved for only two nights so I really have to leave, maybe that's why Karina left early... I'll get into a subway to go to Dadaepo beach. It's been a while since I last enjoyed the sea. I felt my phone vibrated inside my pocket, I stopped walking and looked for it... seeing an unknown number made my brow furrowed.

 

* 1 Unread Message

 

I opened it and the sender introduced herself as Yeji. Tsk. Ryujin is faster than a thunder.

 

Hello, Winter! This is Yeji. Here is Karina's phone number :)

 

The phone number was attached to the message. It made me stop for a while. 

 

Should I message her? Nah, that's intrusive.

 

I put back my phone to my pocket and rode a vehicle that led me to the subway station. I don't want to bother Karina... She surely has her own time. She needs to enjoy. Privacy must be respected so I won't barge in her time.

 

 

I finally reached the subway station. I hurriedly get in with my travel bag on my right hand. The queue outside the station was quite long, I waited quite a long time before I finally got inside... The subway had already a large number of passengers inside when I got in. There were no vacant seats anymore so I had to stand.

 

...

 

I can't believe what I see---- I mean who.

 

Karina's here!

 

There she was... sitting with her yellow neck pillow wrapped around her neck, her earphones are also on her ears, her eyes are closed and she's probably sleeping. again. She's hugging her bag for a support.

 

I laughed in her cuteness.

 

My heart's beating so fast again...

 

We met again!

 

Is this destiny calling or just a pure coincidence? I don't know anymore! Destiny my !

 

I went to her side and stood close to her, a man already occupied the seat beside her. The man's already in his formal attire, he's a professional looking so he's supposed to be responsible,... he doesn't look like the typical erted  guy in public transportations that would ually harass a woman if he's got a chance... That's a good thing.

 

I looked at Karina.

 

I never imagined she could be this pretty even when just sleeping... I can't even see her face clearly but enough to call her beautiful because she is in every angle. She slept twice with me... I didn't watch her sleeping the whole night! That'd make me sound like a e.

 

But why is she always sleeping? She looks so tired... Maybe she got tired yesterday helping Yeji out in their bistro...

 

A couple more minutes, the subway finally moved. I put my hand in her head, blocking the metal that could bump on her. I hold a tight grip on the metal for support... 

 

The whole subway became a rowdy group of people minding their own business. I feel my eyelids drooping, I suddenly felt drowsy... I once again looked at Karina. She's still sleeping,,, my hand on her head is becoming numb.. Lingering over the time, it looks like I have to stay in this position for more minutes, my hand will be firmly paralyzed when she wakes up.

 

I stayed like that for almost an hour. Tiring but ain't complaining tho, I chose to stay like that anyways,,, 

 

I remained in that position until the subway reached Dadaepo station. Passengers hurriedly dashed down the subway to the station, I slowly pulled back my hand that had endured numbness through time, Karina's head's small yet weighty... But she's pretty so that's just okay. My pleasure to help...

 

I lowered down myself, bending my knees. Her swollen and cute face was the first thing that greeted me. A winsome smile formed in my lips.

 

Karina is always pretty.

 

"Karina..." I called her out, tucking her hair behind her ear. I felt a touch of burn that sent me shivers the moment my palm laid on her rosy cheeks. My heart's beating so fast again, her beauty enervated my whole system... I can't resist her this close.

 

"Karin