“I want to dance and love, and dance again.”

If only I could decide for myself, I’d settle for her.

I would do everything to protect her even if it makes me the bad guy.

It’s the least I could do for myself.

I hope it’s not too late, I hope they would see that it’s what’s best for me. 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 1

 

 

(2 years ago ...)

 

“Hyung, that was so cool! How did you do that? C’mon, teach me some moves so I could be as good as you!” Jongmin shouted as he hugged me tight like a proud father.

“Yah, yah! I can’t breathe! And why are you doing that? I’m soaking in sweat. Yah! Let me go!” I replied, pushing him away.

“Aish! Hyuuuung~ you know I’ve always been proud of you.” Jongmin said as he taps my back.

 

Jongmin’s a very good friend. We’ve known each other for a very long time. We were together in school though I was older that him, he never hesitated to be friends with me. Whenever he gets into trouble I feel responsible for him even if I know I should not be. He’s like a brother to me. Well, I only have two noonas, so I considered. Although he’s a little pain in the arse, I care for him.

 

“Hyung, we should celebrate!” Jongmin insisted.

“Waeyo? It’s not like I won the lottery. It’s just a small dance contest.” I said.

“But still you won! Hyung, you’re always like that, you always look a little of yourself. Hyung, you’re awesome! Let’s drink! Kaja!” Jongmin exclaimed.

“Araseo, araseo! Aish, you brat!” I snorted.

 

***

 

We walked off to the nearest pojang macha that night.  Jongmin ordered some beef, ddokboki and two bottles of Soju.

 

“Sunbae!” A small, annoying voice called.

“Oh! HyeRi-yang!” Jongmin greeted with a wide big smile.

“Kai-sunbae, annyeong! Chukahae! I figured you’d win, you’re the best!” HyeRi said.

“Komawo.” I replied as I drank a shot of soju.

“Uhmm, Hye Ri-yang, you want some ddokboki? Here! Ahhhh~” Jongmin offered.

“Kwaenchana. I’m not hungry. I’m just here to congratulate Kai-sunbae.” HyeRi refused as she hugged my right arm. Jongmin frowned.

 

HyeRi has been like that since we were in high school. She has always been the cute, bubbly, loud junior clinging around wherever I am. Annoying, yes, but I kind of got used to it. Jongmin on the other hand has been one sided with his adoration for HyeRi. He never really said it seriously how much he liked her, but for the years we’ve been friends, he doesn’t have to state the obvious. It’s kind of a funny story how Jongmin is so frank about almost everything except of how he really felt for HyeRi. It’s not that I dislike HyeRi, she’s just not my type. Actually, I thought she’s a perfect match for Jongmin.

 

***

 

I got up early that morning to help with some delivery. Jongmin is still snoring. He drank a lot last night. That was why whenever he asks for a drink I’d always refuse because I knew I’d definitely bring a drunken guy back home.

 

“Yah! Jongmin, wake up! Father needs a hand with some delivery today. Get up!” I cried as I shook his right thigh with my left foot.

“Wae? I’m still sleepy.” Jongmin moaned.

“Aish! I told you not to drink too much! See? You know what, you better get up and help father with the packing downstairs while I’d go help with the delivery. Araseo?!” I said in the top of my lungs enough for a drunken guy to hear.

“Ohhhhh.” Jongmin replied in a very lazy, drunk tone.

“If you won’t get up there right now, I’d go to HyeRi and ask her to runaway with me and you’ll never gonna see us ever again. You’ll never see a sight of her ever again. You don’t want that, do you?” I teased with a smirk.

“Mwoya?!”  Jongmin shouted and he’s wide awake.

 

I went downstairs to get ready with all the delivery I had to do. I already had the list with me and I’m on the go. In times like this Jongmin would accompany me with the delivery, but I also have to do it myself whenever he can’t even help himself get up. I’ve used that line for like, I don’t know, a hundredth time?  just to wake him up. His expressions never fail to impress me. He reacts as if hearing it for the first time. Maybe it just scares him to death even if he knew I’m teasing, he definitely just don’t want me to do it.

 

***

 

“Kamsahamnida, Ajumma!” I said to old lady and I handed the last delivery with full enthusiasm.

“What a polite and handsome kid! You’re parents must be proud. And thank you too; I have been waiting for this box to be delivered. My son is in the states and told me to wait for the chocolates he bought.” replied the old lady with so much excitement.

“Ne. Gomawoyo. Have fun with your treats! Kalkkeyo.” I said and she bid goodbye.

 

I was having a really good mood that time. Everything went well and I just had to go back home and work again. I went back home, too early as father expected, and he told me to deliver something to his friend, who’s few blocks away from home. I really liked it when father would ask me to go there because the way to his friend’s house is the BlossomPark. It’s not really the park you imagined it to be, but it’s a three-hectare land full of everything green and pink and white and yellow and maybe all the colors you see on the rainbow. It’s very beautiful and one of the things I really miss. On my way there, I saw someone. Someone I thought was the BlossomPark in human form. It was the first time I saw somebody in so many colors.

 

“Hi.” she sighed.

“Annyeong haseyo,” I replied. I don’t really know how to respond to that.

“I’m lost.” she said in a very worried expression.

I thought so, and it took me a while to react so I just looked at her for a while and at that moment, I knew she wasn’t. She’s exactly where she has to be, right in front of me.

“Hey? I said I’m lost.” She said, distracting my thoughts.

“Oh, yes. Where exactly are you going?” I asked sounding like an expert tour guide.

“The BlossomPark? I have been walking for like an hour or so, figuring out where that park is in this map. Can you help me?” she cried as she said every word little by little making sure she’s saying it right for me to understand. She has a very helpful book with her I bet she’s a tourist or something.

I was trying my best not to laugh at her terrible Korean pronunciation, but I managed. “You’re in the right place.”

“You mean this is the BlossomPark?” She said pointing the view at her back in a relief tone.

“Ne.” I nodded.

“I was almost about to cry trying to figure out where I am, kamsahamnida.” she said and never stopped shaking my hand, she was just so happy.

“Cheot maneyo.” I answered with my chin up.

“Why is it so cold? It’s still not winter, right?  I searched for that on the weather forecast. Why is It so cold?” she blurted out rubbing her hands together.

“It’s not cold. It’s actually, hot. But here, wear these.” I offered her the gloves I had in my pocket, the one I used in carrying those heavy deliveries today.

“Gomawoyo. Oh, these are really warm.” she said.

“So where are you headed now?” I asked and she let go.

“Oh, I’m going back to where I’m staying.” she answered as she walked to the opposite direction.

“Hotel? You’re going the wrong way.”

“Ah. Jinja? Gomawo.” she said as she laughed awkwardly, walking to the right direction now.

“Is it okay to walk with you since we’re going to the same direction? You stay in that side and I stay in the other side of the road. So it’s like you’re walking alone.” I said carefully, gesturing every word I could like speaking to a 2 year-old.

“O-Okay.” she nodded.

 

I can’t keep a straight face while walking. I’m trying hard to keep my smiles as I look at her. She maybe just walking, but she’s really funny.

 

“Where are you from?” I started. I wanted to make a conversation, she seems pretty nice.

“Eh?” she removed her head phones and looked at me.

“I said, where are you from?”

“Oh, I’m from the Philippines. I’m here for vacation and work.” she uttered.

“That’s great. What kind of work?” I asked again. I know she’s really having a hard time talking to me. As much as I wanted to keep her looking dumb because it’s cute, I felt sorry.

“Well, you know styling and make-up? That’s what I’m good at.” she gestured her hands on her hair and face.

“I’m sorry, we could talk in English.” I laughed.

“What? You could speak English? You should’ve done it the moment you spoke to me. It’s obvious that I don’t look Asian.” she said in a low voice.

“Sorry about that, I was having a good time listening to your awful Korean pronunciation.” I continued laughing.

“Aish! You’re making fun of me!” she snorted.

“Mianhae. You could speak English to me now, but not too fast; it’s a little hard to catch up.” I explained.

 

We talked about a lot of things that moment. She told me that she started as a Korean pop fan until it led her to go to South Korea. She even told me how her friends envied her that she’s already here and some of them are still in the Philippines. I mentioned to her that we have a delivery business and that I’m doing a favor for my father. She also said something about working in famous companies like SM Ent., JYPE, and YG. Big dreams eh? She uttered something about a favorite movie line and asked me if I understand its meaning and I just said yes, honestly, I have no idea what I was saying, but she seemed convinced though. When we reached her destination we bid each other goodbye.

 

“Hey, so here I am.” she stood right in front of the mini hotel.

“Ne. So I’ll see you around then?” I asked hoping it won’t be the last time seeing her.

“Hmmm, maybe. Thanks for helping me out there, I’d never forget this. I’ll go ahead.” she turned around, but looked back at me again realizing that she still has my gloves with her.

“Can I at least know your name?” I exclaimed.

“Is it necessary? Maybe when we meet again, I’d tell you. I’d keep this for a while and I’d expect for another meeting.” she smiled.

 

She turned around and walked away. Right at the moment I knew, I liked her.