"The sound of a kiss is not as loud as a cannon,

but its echo lasts a great deal longer."

C H A P T E R  T W O

Because when our eyes meet, I knew what’s bound to happen. And I can’t

stand with the torture of those butterflies filling up my chest and

flying across my stomach at the same time.

       Suffice it to say, butterflies are cruel.

               Little Shinah and little Wooyoung had always loved laying on the rooftop of his house, facing the sun. They’d never forget to bring over a mat, a jar of their favourite cookies, a bucket of their favourite ice-creams, two big cups of lemonade and a few of action comics. This was called as their weekend activity. They’d be spending their time there, together, up from eight  in the morning until whenever they wanted to stop, or when his parent called, or the thing which they hated the most— rain.

               One day, they’d forgotten to bring over a mat but it’s all settled when Wooyoung took off his shirt and made it as the mat. Not forgetting to mention, they’d forgotten to bring two cups of lemonade. Instead, they only brought one— and it’s absolutely not a good thing.

               “Wooyoung!” little Shinah screamed while having a mad look on her face. Without stopping the sweet and sour liquid, he turned his face to his right side and looked at her while questioning her what? by only making a face expression.

               “I want some too!” she screamed, and this time she almost cried, but she didn’t. Once more, he still hadn’t stopped slurping the lemonade and shook his head in a way to tell her no.

               “Wooyoung, you’re a meanie! Didn’t you know that it’s so sunny today? I want some! I’m so thirsty.” And of course, she wasn’t lying. The temperature was most likely reached forty-degrees celcius. She’d already told that to him, and yet he said it didn’t matter and even insisted to do so. She couldn’t help but swallowing her saliva, hard, whenever she saw he slurped the drink. He set his eyes on her face and truth to be told, he almost laughed seeing her expression. He finally stopped drinking the water, and said,

                “If you want some, go and take a new one.”

               “But it’s mine!”she claimed while having a mad look on her face.

               “It’s mine now,” he ended his line by sticking his tongue out and continued the process of emptying the drink.

               “Yaa! Eeee, I was the one who brought it though!”

               “Didn’t matter since it’s actually your fault. Why didn’t you bring over two?” he asked while lifting his right eyebrow.

               “I was out of hands at that time! I’d had to bring over the cookies, the comics, this lemonade and I couldn’t even count on you when I asked you to bring over a mat. And it’s just a mat!”

               “Ohh. Really? I didn’t hear you asked me to.”

               “You’re so mean! Give me that!”

               Before he could react, he no longer had the cup on his hand. She’d abruptly taken it and currently, she’s experiencing how awesome it was having the cold drink moistening . It felt so good. Extremely good and now she understood while he’d never taken the expression of feeling satisfied of his face since he started emptying the drink.

               “THERE’S ACTUALLY A FLY IN IT!” he screamed while having a shock look on his face. Within a second, her eyes bulged out in surprise and she spat the water. After she’s done with it, she looked up and laid her eyes on his face, before finally screamed at the top of her lungs— in anger.

               “WHY THE HELL DIDN’T YOU TELL ME EARLIER?!”

               “Because I knew you’d be wanting for some,” he answered with the natural face of his and it’s able to evoke her anger, more than it already was. She really had no idea why he’s being like an now since when she arrived, he was nice that he wouldn’t stop asking what she wanted— You want cookies? You want bananas? You want to take a nap first? Are you okay? Are you feeling too hot? You want me to turn on the air-conditioner? And now, what happened? This guy’s so unpredictable. She closed her eyes for a moment, pursing her lips hard— in a way not to lose her temper and that’s when she finally replied,

               “Then, why the hell did you keep drinking it instead of throwing it away?!!”

                “Because, I’m a nice guy.”

               She rolled her eyes in annoyance. After that, she reached for the cup— and looked down, trying to find the fly. She thought it’s sunk in the lemonade and that’s why she shook the cup— and yet, she still couldn’t find anything. A confused look was formed on her face before she finally looked up at him and that’s when she stated,

                “I don’t see anything.”

               “What? You don’t believe me?! Give me that. Let me show you,” as soon as he’d finished his statement, he abruptly took the cup away from her hand and there’s some spill. He’s way too fast— and a little bit clumsy and she had no idea why he acted like that. But her question was answered when she saw the changes of expression on his face from furious— to a happy one.

               “Booyah! Yeah I lied. Hahaha. Shinah is stupid!”

               “Yaa! Give me that! You liar!” she tried to reach for the cup, but her body froze when she saw he did— a very disturbing action. Or to be precise, when she’s trying her best to reach for the cup, he took a sip of the water and formed a devil smirk on his face before he spat the water— into the cup.

               “ It’s mine now,” and then he showed her his full teeth. She couldn’t help but scrunching her face in disgust while feeling like smacking his head using the wooden stick which’s situated right beside her.

               “Eeee gross! You’re so mean!!”

               “I know. You know what, I’d do anything, anything, but there’s one thing I would never ever do in my whole entire life.”

               “What?” she asked while still having the mad look on her face.

               “I’d never let my lips brush over yours. Never. ”

               Truth to be told, she felt like the earth had stopped orbiting around the Sun. How could he simply say that as if it didn’t matter to him? She settled her eyes on her lap, before finally look up at him and asked, sounded like a whisper.

               “But why?”

               “Because your—” his words stopped, and both of them stared at each other. It remained for a moment, but she’d gotten back to her senses when she clearly saw him leaning forward to her, with the natural face of his. She started to feel butterflies flying across her stomach. This is not going to be good. She secretly said to herself— couldn’t stop her eyes from blinking way too much. They were inches away from each other, their nose nearly touched. She knew what was coming.

               Correction.

               She knew what she wanted to happen. When she’s all prepared to have his lips brushed over hers, that’s when he said,

               “Because your breath stinks.”

               Her eyes bulged out immediately, and yelled.

                “Yaaaa!!!”

               And that was why she couldn’t sleep for the whole entire night after she experienced having her lips brushed over his— until it’s 6AM. It’s impossible. In the end, she’d succeeded to completely fall asleep when she had a thought in her mind, it was just a mistake.

               Or so she thought.

               *     *     *     *

               His right hand automatically raised on its own when the sunray right to his retinas. He groaned, as he didn’t want to get up and wanted the time to stop so that he’d be able to sleep in peace without any disturbance, especially sunlight. He really wished the time would stop when it’s at dawn, because he had always liked the environment of it. Not too cold— not too hot— just perfect. At the sound of him shifting on the couch, she turned her body to the other round while having the scrambled egg having the potential to be overcooked on the frying pan. Both of them stared at each other, and she formed a light smile on her face before saying,

                “Good morning.”

               “What—”

               “Well, you passed out last night.”

               “But, I was at the—”

               “I picked you up.”

               “Oh,” he answered while scratching his head in confusion. He had no idea what had happened to him last night but the only thing that he remembered, his vision suddenly went black when he’s dancing with a pole. He hit his head for a couple of numbers in a way to get rid of the pain, but it’s not helping at all. At that time, she’d already served the scrambled eggs on the counter table.

               “Come here. I’ve made a breakfast.”

               He obeyed her order by slowly setting his feet on the ground. Somehow, he found it hard to keep his body balanced and he felt like his head was spinning three-hundred degrees. He shook his head for a couple of number and slowly stepped forward, trying to bear with the dizziness. When he’s a step away from the counter table, he took a glance of the dishes and looked up at her.

               “Wow, porridge for breakfast?” he asked.

               “Blame someone who’d passed out like a pig last night.”

               “Oh thank you my best friend for doing that.”

               He shot her with a warm smile of his before settling his on the stool. Truth to be told, he liked the texture of the porridge blending with his tongue. It felt so good to him and he somehow, thanked to her for making him porridge as his first meal of today.

               Currently, she was doing the dishes while he was wandering around her house, trying to find things that could recollect their old memories when they’re kids. But he couldn’t find one. Blame all the modern things she had in her house. His tracks were stopped when his eyes spotted a picture of two of them— showing their full teeth while eating ice-cream in joyous. He couldn’t help but forming a smile on his face, contemplating that moment.

               Then he suddenly remembered something which they always did when they’re kids— which they had left for so many years after they’re all grown up. He put the frame back on the place where it belonged and fished his cell phone out from his pocket. Marvelous, he thought.

               “Hey, Shinah,” he called out his name without taking his eyes off the screen of his cell phone.

               “What?” she answered while scrubbing the frying pan.

               He turned his face to her direction and asked, “Do you know what day today is?”

               “I don’t have alzheimer. Of course I do. It’s Sunday.”

               A smile was formed on his face and that’s when he found himself a step away from her. He waited for her to finish doing the dishes, and when she’s done, he turned her body to face him and that’s when he said,

                “Get changed.”

               “What for?” she asked.

               “I guess you’re actually an idiot. It’s Sunday duh.”

               “Then? What’s up with Sunday?” she asked, anticipating for his answer but never did she know, she found herself being pushed by him— towards her room. She had no idea what he’s trying to do.

               “Yaa! What are you doing?!”

               He pushed her body into her room— causing her to lose her balance but fortunately she didn’t fall. After being able to regain her body balance, she quickly turned her body to the other round and shot him with the confused and mad look on her face. It’s mixed— that’s how she felt. was slightly opened as she’d trying to ask a question but that’s when she found was sealed again when he said,

               “Don’t say anything and just get changed.”

               And that’s when she found out she’s all alone in her own room.

*     *     *     *

               It seemed like her jaw wouldn’t stop dropping open— and it froze being like that when her eyes were uncovered. She couldn’t believe where she’s standing at as the view was beautiful, that it’d be hard for her to find a word that could express how beautiful the view was. It’s just simple— a full view of the city and yet, it looked so gorgeous to her as if the city was blanketed by a field of lily. She turned her head towards his direction and said,

               “And, this is—”

               “Still remember when we’re kids, we used to play on the rooftop of my house, every Sunday?”

               Then it clicked to her— everything.  “Ahhhh.”

               “Remember it now, grandma?”

               She looked up at him and said, “Yaaa, I’m not a grandma.”

               “I know. I know. Well, what do you think of this place?”

               “It’s gorgeous. Where’d you find this?”

               “Secret,” he answered while giving her a small smile of his.

               She rolled her eyes in annoyance and replied, “Huhh, as if I care.”

               “Come here. The scene here’s so beautiful during the sunrise and sunset. But too bad you missed the sunrise but don’t worry, I’ll let you witness how gorgeous it is seeing sunset here.”

               “Yeah. Okay. But Wooyoung—”

               “What?” he asked.

               “Hrm, by looking at my watch, the time tells 1pm and, I bet it’d be more than four hours to wait until the sunrise finally happens.”

               “Of course I know— idiot.”

               She couldn’t help but rolling her eyes since she bet, it must have been more than twice he had been calling her idiot today. Out of the blue, she felt his skin hummed next to hers and that’s when she found out the fact that he had grabbed her from behind, on the shoulders. Before she could ask, he’d already said,

                “Well, of course I’ve prepared everything.”

                “What is it?”

               Instead of answering her question, he remained smiling while leading her towards his new house. He’s extremely happy when he bought the house and couldn’t wait to tell her but of course, due to the overloaded works, he couldn’t find the right time to tell her about it until today. The house was new, and it can be proven by the existence of the smell of a new house. It’s still there, and he bet it’d take months to get rid of it. Finally, he’d stopped both of their tracks when they’re standing in front of the kitchen. He rested his chin on her right shoulder and whispered in a joking manner,

               “Well, I bet it’d be less than four hours for you to cook us both lunch and dinner.”

               She turned her face to his direction and said,

                “Wooyoung, I seriously hate you.”

               “Yes, I know you adore me.”

               She couldn’t help but rolling her eyes and eventually, both of them ended up laughing together as if something funny had happened. He settled his body in a proper standing position and that’s when she stepped forward, examining the ingredients he had specially prepared on the counter table.

               This guy’s surely a wreck, she thought.

               She wondered how he managed to find the time to prepare all of these since it didn’t make sense. Last night, he’d spent the whole night at her house and he’s at her house for the whole entire morning. She shook her head and decided to stop thinking about this matter since she bet— he must have been asking someone to do this. Maybe it’s his neighbor? Ah forget about it.

               Then, she started cooking.

*     *     *     *

               Since they were kids, they always liked eating. They had stated that they couldn’t do their daily activities if they were hungry. And that’s why, there’s one day when they didn’t do anything other than being couch potatoes— in a way to ask for food but too bad for them, there was no one around to cook for them since all the adults were gone to work, and most of them were too busy to consume their times by cooking something for these two. Instead of letting they die in starvation, he had forced her to cook. She said no, since she didn’t know how, considering that they’re only seven at that time and her mom would never let her play with the kitchen. But of course, he said yes and he even had threatened her if she didn’t make anything that could feed him, he’d stop being her best friend.

               And that’s strong enough to make her get up from the couch and did her best to come up with a dish. But of course, it’s a disaster. The kitchen ended up looking as if there’s a Katrina— flour was everywhere, puddle’s everywhere— and yet, the only thing she came up with was Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich. In the end, Wooyoung said,

               “Lee Shinah is the best cook I’ve ever met.”

               She turned her body to the other round and saw him sitting on the stool. She couldn’t help but rolling her eyes since she knew, that’s his way to win her.

               “Shut up,” she said and turned back to focus on the dish she’s making. But of course, she won’t be able to stop the smile from forming on her face. Even though she’d been hearing the same line from him for most of the times, or to be precise, for more than fifteen years but the reaction would be the same: rolling eyes and a smile. It’d be the same, for every single time.

               “Yeah yeah fine. Well, take your time and I’ll take a bath since, I can’t stand being way too hot today.”

               She froze after interpreting his statement. She turned her body to the other round to face him who’s currently stretching his both hands in the air and said,

                “Wooyoung why are you—”

               “Relax miss, I was just kidding. Of course what I meant was today’s too hot. Not that I was praising myself hot, even though I know I already am. You don’t have to be so shy to admit that.”

               “I don’t get you,” she said with a natural face of hers.

               “Fine. Whatever. Don’t miss me too much.”

               “Go to hell,” she stated— then she laughed.

*     *     *     *

               She lifted her hand and took a glance of her watch, it said— 1845. They’d already done eating the meals she cooked, beef spaghetti and of course, the mandoos he bought at the stall nearby and the lemonade he’d especially made, on his own which he wouldn’t stop saying how good it tasted.

               “Wahhh I feel so young again!”

               She settled her eyes on his face and said, “You’re really good at exaggerating.”

               He looked at her and a weird look was formed on his face.

                “Shinah, you don’t know me yet? Haih. I thought we’ve been friend since like, forever! How come you don’t know me yet?”

               “Because you’re so unpredictable, mandoo.”

               “I’m not a mandoo, Miss Glue.”

               “Haha. I didn’t remember when the last time you called me that.”

               “It’s merely seconds ago,” he stated in a sarcastic tone.

               She rolled her eyes and made a face at the same time. “Seriously. Don’t be so sarcastic with me.”

               “Hahahaha. It’s fun though. Seeing you getting pissed off.”

               As soon as she had fully interpreted his statement, she landed a small pinch on his arm and it’s able to make him wince in pain.

               Even though autumn wasn’t their favourite season, they had had to admit there was something special about the sunsets the nature had to show. They found themselves watching the sunsets recently— taking a couple of deep breathes while feeling the orange haze brushing over their faces— warm and it felt so good. It seemed like the sky was lit by fire, yet the haze was so crisp and clear and had produced a breathtaking view which it would make a perfect picture of nature. The sun, like a large orange fireball in distance was partially cloaked by the hanging clouds, were all splashed with random colours of hot pink, reds and event hints of purples and blues. The sun was so large that they thought they could almost touch it by simply reaching their hands out. The sun which had its time to shine for the time it was given— seemed it was whispering goodbye to the world as it sunk lower and lower in a lazy manner, almost as it never wanted to leave.

               “It’s gorgeous,” she whispered while having her jaw dropped open.

               “It is,” he answered while having his eyes closed—smiling. It felt so good to him and it’s been ages since the last time he witnessed something as beautiful as this.

               “It’s so beautiful,” she said again.

               “It is.”

               “It’s so pretty.”

               Then, his eyes opened and that’s when he turned his face towards her direction with an annoyed look on his face. He looked at her face which was currently in awe before he finally exploded.

               “It is Shinah! It is! It’s so gorgeous, beautiful, pretty, charming, breathtaking, elegant, dazzling and any other words which have the same meaning as pretty!”

               “What’s wrong with you?”she asked and it actually took him a couple of minutes to realize that he actually had exploded without realizing it. He wondered why he did that. He lifted his hand and rubbed his face while at the same time, apologizing to her.

               “I’m sorry. I’m so sarcastic.”

               “Yes you are,” she answered and set her eyes on the beautiful view.

               “I’m sorry,” his voice was so small that it sounded like a whisper.

               Once more, she turned her head towards his direction and said,

                “Forgiven.”

               She remained looking at his face, and that’s when both of them stared at each other. Truth to be told, it felt so awkward to her and a scene of the unexpected incident last night immediately crossed over her mind. She shook her head for a couple of numbers, in a way to get it out of her mind since it wouldn’t do anything other than making her feel weird. After she’s done with that, her eyes set on his eyes again, and that’s when she felt like her stomach was knotted when she clearly heard,

                “You’re pretty.”

               “What?”

               “I said you’re—”

               “No, I heard that. What I meant is—” she stopped, and stared at his face. There’s no expression on his face, other than the natural face of his. She took a deep breath and that’s when she continued,

                “Wooyoung, are you sick?”

               “No, I’m not sick and I’m not kidding and I’m not— lying.”

               “Well, in that case. Thank you then.”

               “About last night—” but of course, before he’s able to complete his statement, she’d abruptly cut it off—

                “Ohh, I forgot to tell you I’d sent your clothes to dry cleaning.”

               “No, that’s not what I’m talking about.”

               “Then what?”

               Both of their eyes met each other, swam into each other’s, witnessing how deep they were actually. Even though it wasn’t obvious, but she could tell the distance between their faces was reducing for every single second and that’s why, she couldn’t help but blinking her eyes so many times that she bet it’d produced more than fifty blinks in ten seconds. When their nose nearly touched, that’s when they’d gotten back to their senses and realized what they’re actually doing.

               “Ewwww!!!”

               That’s the first one escaped from instead of dang it! when she found out there’s a hot liquid on top of her head. Or to be precise, a bird had actually had its bowel movement while flying across her head. What a good way to ruin an epic moment.

               But of course, even though their lips didn’t touch— but she still could feel the texture of his lips brushing over hers. It felt so good. She could feel the warmth of his lips, radiating from to the other parts of her body. She didn’t realize the fact that she had raised her hand and landed on her soft lips without her knowledge.

               Blame the kiss last night.