STALKER

 

“Oppa, I want ice-cream,”pleads Jieun with her dazzling shiny eyes.

“Ice-cream? Kiss me first.”

“No way!”

“Okay let’s go home.”Kyung pretends to sulk.

 

          Jieun gets a hold of Kyung’s arm and gives him a peck on the cheek. Kyung carves a big grin as Jieun  shyly let go of his arm. Both of them walk into the cafe, linking arms. The cafe is crowded with families and couples.

        Kyung leaves Jieun to go to the washroom. Jieun is already eyeing for sundae as she is waiting in the queue. Little did she know that someone already has his eyes on her.

“Yes,miss. Can I help you?” Taeil is serving the customer happily though it’s been a tiring day.

“I’m having sundae here,’’ Jieun replies back with a smile.

“Do you want to add peanuts on top of the sundae,miss?”

“She is allergic to peanut,” Zico suddenly interrupts them while cleaning the counter.

“Huh?” Jieun has on a quizzical look.

“Don’t bother him, miss. Having here, you say? Have a sit first, miss.” Taeil forces a smile to Jieun.

         Jieun  is about to get her first scoop of sundae when Kyung gives her a backhug. Kyung whispers to her ear , “Did you miss me?” . Jieun pats his arm since  everyone in the cafe is already laying their eyes on them. Somehow she wonders  why she is dating an elementary kid who loves her to bone.

“Feed me,” Kyung closes his eyes and opens his mouth.

“I don’t want to share my favourite ice-cream.” Kyung is already pouting with Jieun’s remarks.

  Jieun reaches home with a big smile. It’s already late night. She flicks on the light switch of the living hall to find her mom on the couch, sobbing.

 “Mom?”

“Ah..Jieun-ssi? You are home? How was it with Kyung?” her mom is swiping her tears instantly.

“Mom? You cried?” Jieun sees a picture of IU in her mom’s grip. She hugs her mom to comfort her.

“Jieun-ssi..how I wish to bring her back to life. Can we?” the pitiful mom of Jieun’s starts to well up.

 

‘‘From the start, it was all lies
Don’t tell me that you were telling the truth’’

 

       Jieun walks by herself in the mega-mall to look for the right gift for Kyung’s upcoming birthday. She goes into the watch store. There are too many eye-catching watches that she cannot choose.  While she is looking at the watches displayed, a familiar figure is reflected on the mirror.

“Isn’t that the worker at the cafe? I’m allergic to peanut? Yes it’s true so is he stalking me or what?” Jieun smirks to herself.

 “This is very risky. I have to act fast,’’ Zico thought to himself.

 

Zico stands in front of the department store, trying to overshadow someone who deserves to be blocked from someone’s view. Little did he knows, it’s way too late. She saw it.

Jieun takes out her cell instantly.

“Hello? Kyung? Where are you now?”

“Hey baby. I’m at the library now. I have a big exam coming, remember? Why? You miss me?’’

“Oh... really? Nothing. I just want to hear your voice. Okay see you later. I love you.”

“I love you too. Take care, baby.”

Jieun fastens her steps to the ladies. Tears starts to stream down. Her one and only love is a liar. She is very sure that she saw Kyung at the department just across the watch store, with another girl. She cries harder at the thought of it.

“Keep saying those ridiculous words

But don’t think that I’ll believe you

Because everything you say is a lie”

 

“Tadah!”

“Wah..a watch? Thank you baby,” Kyung gives a peck on Jieun’s cheeks.  Jieun smiles shyly. A fake smile.

“Oppa, can I ask something? Answer me honestly.”

“Yes sure.”

“Do you love me?”

“What a question. Of course baby.”

“Do you prefer me being y?” Jieun is totally describing the girl she saw with Kyung last time.

“Err..no. Why  the question? Haha..” somehow Kyung gives out cold sweats.

“Just asking. I thought guys like honey thighs and appealing wardrobes,” she leaves an arrogant look.

“Yeah, but not you. You are only for me. I am not letting those guys to even staring at you. You are mine, baby.”Kyung suddenly stands up. His face is close enough to Jieun’s that both of them can feel each other’s breath. Kyung starts the first move to lock lips. Jieun seems resisting the kiss but finally gives in.

....

“!” Kyung’s lower lips start to get bloody.

“I warn you,stupid. Be honest,” Zico is attacking Kyung with his knuckle non-stop.

“About what? You are such a weirdo. I don’t even know you, man!”

“Please take Jieun seriously,” Zico walks way. At the mention of Jieun, Kyung gears up. He has Zico in his head lock as the matter of fact.

Zico somehow is speedy enough to reverse it all. Now he has Kyung laying flat on his tummy and his elbow on Kyung neck.

“Oppa! What happened?” Jieun is examining Kyung from head to toe. She is focusing on his bloody lips.

“I was beaten by a weirdo.”

“What? Never mind that. Wait here, I will get the first-aid.”

In such full of care, Jieun treats Kyung’s wounds. Applying  antiseptic on Kyung’s lower lips is such a turn on for Kyung somehow. They are way too close. Too close to kiss and yes, Kyung gets the first move. Jieun is way too genius by pretending to dunk down for the first aid. She is avoiding it. Somehow she finds it the perfect time.

“Oppa, I’ve seen things. So, spill.”

“Errr. Spill what?”

“Did you have anyone else other than me?”

Kyung gulps down. To spill or not to. The weirdo’s “wise words” suddenly comes to mind. Be honest. Please take Jieun seriously.

4 months later

“Jieun-ssi..how are you? You look so pretty today,” Kyung kneels down to place a bouquet of lavender on the pavement.

“How are you doing there? Are you doing fine?” his smirk slowly turns to a stream of hot tears.

Kyung slowly walks to his car and stops at his pace when he sees a familiar figure behind a tree nearby. It’s him.

Now both of them are standing side by side near Jieun’s tombstone. Kyung somehow manages to drag Zico there, to have a deep talk. It’s what have been bothering Kyung since the last four months. Now it’s time to spill the truth.

“I don’t know who you are. You just simply come into the picture four months ago. I found you here where my girlfriend is. Can you just freaking tell me anything?”

“Why don’t you tell me then?”

“Tell you what?”

“How all this happened,” Zico gives Kyung a teary glare.

 

FLASHBACK

 

“Talk that talk that talk that

How could you this?

I’m hurting so much like this”

 

“Now, spill it.”

“Aish Jieun-ssi. I only have you. Why should I cheat on you?”

There was a moment of silence. Jieun’s hot tears shocked Kyung. Right then, Jieun threw the first-aid on the floor, really hard.

“ I saw you with two girls before, one after another. Were them your sister then? I thought you are the only child, huh?”

“Ahh..that. They were my close juniors. I just did them a favour.”

“As if I will believe that. What kind of junior-senior relationship will walk holding hands?”

“Umm..Jieun-ssi. I-“

Jieun left. Yes, she stormed out and left Kyung all alone.

She locked herself in her room. She took out her cell’s battery. No phone calls will bother her. Nothing.

There were times Kyung stopped by and knocked on her door. He was totally ignored. No response from Jieun at all.

It was that day when Jieun’s lunch was still at her door.  Jieun’s mom thought that she could still be sleeping.

It was time for dinner and her lunch plate was still there. Her mom’s heart was already thumping hard. It was a déjà vu. She tried all her might to break the door. Her limbs were hurting. She could not. She was too weak. She searched high and low for the key.

She unlocked the door.

“She found her lying on the floor....and lifeless. She-“ Kyung sobs.

“..drank the rat poison. I know.”

“If only I was honest with her. I didn’t know she would be badly hurt by that. I- She wouldn’t die if-“

“She loves you..very much. That’s why. Seems like someone I know.”

Kyung raises his head at that. He is still sobbing though. How is that an ugly scene to see him crying.

“Aren’t we both stupid to play with their feelings? We do love them but however it’s lust that wins.”

“..what do you mean..”

“I regretted it too. This is happening again......just like I did to her twin sister.”

Zico changes his attention to the tombstone next to Jieun’s.

Beautifully-carved writing on the tombstone shakes his heart.

“Mom and Dad love you. Our own Jieunnie. Our own IU. Rest in peace.”