[005]

Time actually flies when you’re having a good time, especially with someone that you enjoy being with – and before I knew it, Howon and I were already getting ready to head back home.

Four days spent with Lee Howon, four days in the company of a stranger I met two years ago – four whole days was all it took for me to let him into my life. In him, I found all the things I had been missing out on all these while. In him, I seek the comfort and serenity. In him, I hope for a friendship that would last me a lifetime.

I was just about to zip up my suitcase when I heard a knock on the door. Placing the bag on the floor by the edge of the bed, I walked over toward the wooden door and opened it with a small creak. Howon’s fresh, beaming face appeared in my sight.

“All ready, Chorong? Our flight’s at 10am,” he reminded me.

 “Yeah,” I nodded, opening the door a little wider now. “Just need to gather a few more things and I’ll meet you down at the lobby in 10 minutes time?”

Howon peered closely at me. “Do you need help with your luggage? Because I can – “

“It’s fine, Howon,” I declined his offer with a dismissal wave. “I can handle it.”

“Of course,” he grinned knowingly and threw me a wink. “How could I forget that it’s Park Chorong I’m talking to. I’ll meet you downstairs then?”

I couldn’t help but to laugh a little. “Yes, see you soon.”

~

“Hey, Chorong?”

I stopped in my tracks and turned around slowly when I heard my name being called. Howon was looking at me with an unreadable expression in his eyes as he fished out something from the front pocket of his jeans.

“I don’t know just what fate has planned for us after this or if I’ll ever get to see you again – “ he took a step closer toward me and took my hand in his. “ – but I’d like you to have this just in case we do not cross paths anymore.”

He pressed something cold and metallic onto my palm and closed my fingers over it.

I looked up at him in uncertainty. “What is this?”

“Just something for you to remember me by,” he answered simply with a smile. “I had a really great time with you, Chorong. Probably the best four days of my life.”

I returned his smile with one of my own.

“I had a lot of fun too. Thanks, for accompanying me and becoming my model without charging anything,” I swatted his arm playfully, causing him to chuckle loudly.

“I actually...would like to promise you a date soon, but with my job – you know nothing is for sure,” he shrugged and smiled meekly. “I may be here today but off in another country the next day.”

And that was when reality sank in.

A date. He had already gone as far as that and I couldn’t blame him because I let this happen. I made him believe that I was available to be courted and the worst part is – I couldn’t find it in me to tell him the truth.

 That I had an enraged, unstable fiancé waiting for me back at home and that my engagement ring was probably burning a hole in my purse as we were having this conversation, where I had safely tucked it in.

“Chorong...” Howon started to reach for my hand which I quickly pulled away as though it was on fire. He must’ve sensed the sudden change in me or the rigidness in my expression was too hard to miss. “...is everything okay? Did I say anything wrong?”

My fingers suddenly felt cold and bare and empty.

And I knew why.

“I-I have to go now,” I mumbled as I whirled back around to hurry over toward the baggage section. “I-I’m sorry, Howon. I have to go now.”

“Chorong, wait – “

I didn’t let him finish whatever he had to say. I ran, because that was the only thing my coward self knew what to do.

And as I was running, I couldn’t help but to wonder – when and why exactly had I taken off my engagement ring?

~

“Chorong.”

The voice was so soft and so low that I thought I had just imagined it because I was missing him and couldn’t wait to see him. Or perhaps because, I had just missed the way he would call my name.

The suitcase dropped from my grasp with a loud thud as I turned around slowly, holding my breath the entire time.

I couldn’t believe what or rather, who I was seeing right before my two very eyes.

“Woohyun?” I gasped in disbelief.

His lips curved upwardly at the sound of my voice. Spreading out his arms, he softly said, “Welcome home, sweetheart” and I didn’t need to be told twice to jump right into his arms and hugged him so tight that I think I might actually crush him.

“Woohyun..” I broke into sobs before I could stop myself. “I’ve missed you. I’ve really missed you.”

I wasn’t only talking about this trip I took. And I was pretty sure he knew what I meant because as he wrapped his own arms around me, I felt protected and at home again – something which I have not felt from him in quite some time.

“I’ve missed you too, Rong. I’m sorry...about everything.”

I could tell that he actually meant every word he spoke.

~

He saw everything.

He watched the whole scene unfolding before him like a drama being played out. The only thing was that he couldn’t hear what they were saying because of the glass panels separating them but then, he didn’t need to.

It was evident enough, from the way Chorong doesn’t seem to want to let go of the guy – that she was already spoken for.

That she was already in love with someone else.

Howon knew that he had lost.

He had already lost the battle which he didn’t even know he was fighting.