The warm bonfire swept it's heat towards me, making me smile in satisfaction. Nights in Rajasthan were always chilly and with this being the end of summer, it was even more cold. But being with Hoya and having good food in hand prevented the situation from turning pathetic and my heart expanded at the short but beautiful memories of our 1N2D outing.

"So," I started. "What was it that happened five years ago?" 

Hoya who had been roasting marshmallows for us, turned his head a bit and then refocused his attention to the fire. With a smile, he said, "You're not feeling sleepy?"

I widened my eyes and gasped. "You cheat! You said you'd tell me before we sleep tonight!" Hoya grimaced. "Promise to sleep peacefully after I'm done talking?"

I furrowed my eyebrows and pulled Hoya's face towards me. "Will you just talk? My curiosity is --"

"That night." Hoya placed the singed branch inside the fire and brushed the dust off his pants. He sat next to me and placed his legs close to his chest. I followed suit and prepared to listen.

"When Jae Hyo and you first met, I was a bit taken aback by your reaction. Firstly, I didn't think you would remember him. Secondly, I didn't expect things to unravel that fast. I guess that just showed how bad things were between you and Woohyun."

My attention staggered as he spoke the last sentence. "H-h-hold on. What in the world does Woohyun have to do with this? Or at least, before Jae Hyo and I met?"

Hoya gazed at the fire, waiting for me to answer my own question. I just stared at his profile, my head unable to find any solution. Hoya sighed and murmured, "I guess I'll have to start from square one." I scoffed, his incoherent words irritating me even more. 

"When Woohyun," he said, narrowing his eyes and looking away, "first told me about you, it seemed to me like he had found another 'soulmate' for himself. Earlier when he dated, he would tend to sink right in and then when things went too deep, he would pull apart instantly, forgetting about his feelings. Woohyun was too full of passion, I was used to his fluctuating moods. At first, I though he was as crazy about you as he had been of the others.

"Then came the day he left for Busan. I still remember the pain in his voice when he told me, 'Hoya, the moment phone rings, you leave everything and run for her. She... I think a part of me would die if something happened to her. Which it most probably will.' I wondered if he had seriously lost himself this time and didn't think too much about you. Then you called and when we met, I finally realized... Woohyun was in trouble this time.

"You weren't like the others, they used to throw themselves all over him and pamper him... Woohyun didn't need that. They loved his Prince Charming ways as much as you did, except that their reaction was repulsive at times. You on the other hand were this secret Wonder Woman who would live off of her own kryptonite. For Woohyun, you were a one-piece and the fact that you would never ask for his help pulled him to you even more. He knew you were broken the desire to protect you 24/7 appealed to him more than anything in the world. When that desire turned for love... maybe it was love at first sight, who knows?

"Eventually the two of us became closer than expected and that's when I found myself growing as protective of you as Woohyun. That's when the fear started."

Hoya took a deep breath and chomped on his marshmallow. I did the same and a white noise screeched in my head, predicting what I already knew. 

"Is this..." I asked. "Is this the Pandora's Box?"

Hoya looked at me and smiled apologetically. "It is, but it got worse with time." Hoya then sighed and continued.

"Woohyun probably didn't notice but I did. You didn't need any more protection, he was done saving you. Your routine paranoia decreased, you began opening up even more and the best part was that your relationships with others never changed. But Woohyun was slowly suffocating you and when you started calling me from India, I knew you knew too. But you were in denial, you couldn't believe that a man so caring could choke someone with their love. So you tried. But I couldn't stand to watch another casualty of Woohyun's passion, not this time. This time... it was you. And as your friend, I began to believe that you deserved much better."

Hoya gulped. "I had already spoken to you about Woohyun, but he told me to back off and mind my own business. I guess he was just shocked at our friendship. When I came to India, he discouraged me from trying to intervene but that evening, when you told me to 'show me my best', that's when I knew that you had started seeing the other side of Woohyun, the side that you didn't think existed. And even if it did, it only in your nightmares.That's when I remembered Jae Hyo and his connection with you. Your mother and I had had a nice chat by then. And that's when I felt like you had hope."

My heart clenched like my fist but Hoya continued.

"I knew it was fate when you decided to take us there for dinner and I knew it was a sure sign of hope when Jae Hyo's eyes lit up at the sight of you. His feelings weren't strong then but they were alive and that was all that I needed. Away from your sight, I hinted Jae Hyo of your situation and the boy received courage to finally fess up to you. He liked you the same way he had then and back then and even now, he is one of the few you can truly live a healthy life with. No drama, no unpredictableness.... a far cry from Woohyun. I didn't want to betray my childhood friend, but I couldn't see you falling away either. It was... for your best."

Hoya stopped talking and by the end of his words, I found my vision blurring. My ears started buzzing and a faint echo from a far away memory cried out for attention. Words that I had harshly ignored.

"If you want me to, I'll wait."

"I believed you." I was crying, unable to control my feelings. "I.... When Woohyun accused you, I fought for you. I stood up for you and now... I feel so stupid, Hoya. Do you know how stupid I feel? I feel like... like... I feel like this prude who just... who can never have enough. And now, Jae Hyo.... I'm stuck Hoya. I'm choking. Who else will you send for my safety?"

I stared at Hoya, whose eyes were strangely glimmering. It was tears and I realized it to be the first time I would see him weeping. 

"We need to get back home," I muttered. "Right now." 

Hoya stared at me and bit his lips. He nodded and swiflty got up. I walked towards the tent and packed our belongings, while he walked down to the jeep. 

Woohyun... That was all I could think of. I felt embarrassed, the man who loved me.... There were bound to be conflicts but how could I have run away from them? He had returned now but after this sudden escape, was he going to believe me? Or had this spontaneous outing already lost me 'my one'?

The chilly night air held a whole new meaning and I closed my eyes. Hoya didn't say a word and as we approached morning break, I could feel my grudge falling apart.

"What do you think of Woohyun now?" I asked.

There was silence. I turned over and gazed at Hoya's profile. He pursed his lips then smiled. "Would it matter?"

I nodded. "Unfortunately, yes."

Hoya nodded and said, "Well then, the truth is.... If it's not Woohyun, then who? He came back for you. I didn't think he would, I thought he would give up. I thought my furtive attempts to shield you from him would have worked but they made him even stronger."

The gates opened and Hoya swerved our car inside the alleyway. I straightened up and said, "We've reached?"

"I drove as fast as possible," Hoya smiled. The two of us stepped out of the car and walked towards the entrance, only to sense something weird. 

Hoya and I exchanged glances. Not far from us was the white tent completely set up, the tables set and Jae Hyo towering above friends and family, smiling and talking to them. I saw Kairi, who was watching the scene with a mixed expression. Standing next to her was Yoseob, who was looking paler than usual. His eyes found mine and widened. 

"Saya..." he murmured. Jae Hyo heard him and looked at me, grinning. 

"Are you sure he was...." I turned to Hoya. Hoya shook his head, his jaw hanging open.

"I'm pretty sure he was a furious bastard," he muttered. Kairi wasn't looking at any of us and I saw my mother pitifully smiling at me. 

"Saya!" Jihyun ran from behind me and embraced me. "You're in one-piece! I almost thought of sending a few bodyguards your way!"

The very sentence alerted me and I quickly looked around the decorated backyard. The hollowness reached out to me and my insides teared up as I marched to Yoseob. 

"Where's Woohyun?" I muttered, gritting my teeth. I saw Jae Hyo who was looking at me with folded arms, a grimace on his face. Yoseob looked down and I moved towards my fiance. 

"Jae Hyo..." But before I could even pose the question, he answered.

"He's gone," the man said. "He wanted to wish you best of luck for the wedding."