As the sound of the engine died down there was only silence inside the car. A door opened and Hyo Jong jumped out then disappeared into the house. Two figures in the front stayed unmoving, not breathing a single word. Jong kook was afraid to speak. He is scared of asking since he doesn’t know the right question. He doesn't know what his future knows about the matter and if he speaks he might just get himself tangled in lies.

 

“Jong kook… I knew this time would come. I can’t go back there… this script, I can’t.” He didn’t expect this. He was prepared to be accused of ordering her to quit and stay home. Or listen to her deciding to be a regular homemaker or something... he longed to know but she fell silent again. He wished he could prod her more but common sense told him he shouldn’t. “Not now please… Give me time to think Jong kook. I’ll tell you when I…” the trembling of her voice alarmed him. She hid it for years so it was serious and that voice, it worried him a lot. He can sense her growing nervousness, making him want to comfort her but he knows he can’t.

 

“Okay, I understand… go inside first then. I’ll bring in the bags.”  She left without looking back or saying another word. It was as if she was too happy to be away from him, thus confirming his thoughts. His mind hovered during their morning. She was fine, then after meeting Ji min she had been very guarded. She noticed everything and she easily got annoyed. Then there is that sweet side of her when she agreed not to eat meat for him over dinner. Now she wouldn’t talk to him, making him frustrated out of curiosity. He can understand that the issue is too hard for her but she changes a lot during the span of only one day and he can’t keep up. How could the woman be so fickle? Oh, women and their mood swings…

 

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Jong kook tossed and turned in his bed. He never saw Ji hyo again after they fixed the groceries. She looked sick. He wanted to force out the reason from her because he can’t bear looking at a zombified Ji hyo. Now as he lies down on his bed he wondered if she is already sleeping. If he, who doesn’t know the secret can’t sleep, then she must be having it worse. He felt confused as he realized that he was more worried about how she is rather than him being kept in the dark. Why he is confused, also bothered him but he tried to ignore the matter. He played on his mind again the conversation he had with Jade earlier, hoping to find something useful.

 

“Hey kid… did you fight with your wife? Your scowl is setting a record on the longest department. What’s up?”

“Why are women so fickle? It is confusing me, I wanted to help but what can I do if she won’t open up?”

“The woman here is your wife. You shouldn't try to change her. Women need understanding and respect. Sometimes, asking why will only make you two grow distant. A hug would be a better way to help her. Hey, don't make that face. Don’t underestimate a hug, it is a very effective way to comfort others. You are too conservative – remember, she is your wife. Women are capable and strong, especially her, but still they are fragile creatures who needs to be cherished. And by cherished you have to show them through actions.” Jong kook stared at Jade incredulously. Had he heard right? Jade had just advised him decently. “Hey, are you Jade? Uh what did you do to that god who likes to play games? As much as I appreciate your advice, I still can’t help but doubt you. Spill it Jade, what are you trying to say here?”

“That’s what I am trying to say Jong kook-ah. You haven’t known me for a long time. Although I knew about you ever since, uh you know long, long time ago, but you don’t know me so it’s hard to believe everything. And because we haven’t known each other for a long time, I am not comfortable telling you everything. It’s a human’s defense mechanism, not just women do that.” Jong kook looked at Jade, wondering if he was serious or not. The tricky time god doesn’t look sincere, but his words made sense. “So what should I do?”

“Waiting, understanding and comforting, don’t nag and ask.”

“Just that? What if she…” but Jade was gone.

 

He looked at the clock beside him and was surprised to find out that it was already past midnight and he had went to bed at around 9:30. He stared at the ceiling and tried counting sheep but soon they transformed into Ji hyos. One, a smiling Ji hyo. Two, a frowning Ji hyo.  Three, a seductive Ji hyo. Four, a motherly Ji hyo. Five, a scared Ji hyo – her eyes filled with terror. She was crouching low in a corner staring at him, begging him with her rounded eyes. Her lips were quivering and as did her whole form. Tears threatened to fall but she was obviously holding them as a last sign of defiance to whatever she is scared of. “! Ji hyo-yah…” Jong kook bolted up from his bed and ran to her room. He heaved hard as he stared at the door. He hesitated whether to knock or just go back. He might be just over thinking, she was probably sleeping just fine. She had said she needed time and he should respect that.

 

A faint whimpering from inside the room alerted Jong kook’s senses and he gently opened the door. He found Ji hyo on her bed sitting and hugging her legs close to her face. He wondered if she was sleeping and he softly called out to her. “Ji hyo-yah…” She didn’t respond and he noticed that she was quivering. The image of her from his imagination earlier flashed and Jong kook felt anger and pity surge through him. He slowly approached her. He hesitated but in the end, he crawled on the bed to sit beside her. For a while he only watched her, unsure of what to do. He hated her being like that. He wanted to protect her, to chase away the nightmare she was going through. The future him had caused her enough pain already, how can she still endure more? In the short time he had known her, she had made the impression of a strong and independent woman. She had her times of vulnerability but Jong kook never imagined her capable of being in that state.

 

“Ji hyo-yah… are you okay?” She remained silent. Only that whimpering that sounded similar to a lost and wounded child filled the dark room. He draped his arms around her and she leaned on him. Peeking at her face, he discovered that she was sleeping. Her tears had dried already. Her swollen lids tells him she had been crying for hours. Her brows are furrowed and her lips moved as if speaking some silent plea. “Ji hyo-yah… why are you like this? I really wish you’d tell me.” He gently laid her down on the bed. She stirred a little and Jong kook froze but she only snuggled on his arm using it as her pillow. She was not shaking now and Jong kook felt a little bit relieved. He gently massaged her brows wishing it to relax. Soon his hand is gently the silky strands of hair on her head. She seemed to like it and Jong kook was pleased to be useful. Waiting, I’d do that. Understanding I will… I know it is hard Ji hyo-yah. Comforting… I hope this is enough, and he wrapped his arms around her as he hummed a soft song.

 

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Ji hyo stirred awake. The room was still dark and she assumed it was still dawn. Then she noticed the extra warmth and weight that surrounded her. It was so comfortable and she snuggled closer to the warm source. Then she realized there is another set of breathing aside from hers. She looked up only to find Jong kook fast asleep and hugging her tightly. The dark circles from under his eyes were clearly visible. She remembered last night she had been sitting down, afraid to sleep and with no one to turn to. She remembered whispering his name silently and it seemed to have worked.  She hugged him and inhaled his scent as if it was her strength. Tears threatened to fall again and she quickly chased them off. Thank you… I promise I’ll let you know soon… I love you Jong kook. She gave him a soft kiss on his neck before gently crawling off from bed.

 

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Jong kook tiptoed to the kitchen wondering where Ji hyo was. He couldn’t believe it was almost noon when he opened his eyes. It seems that sleeping with Ji hyo lulls him to his deepest slumbers. He spotted her at the stove, busily mixing something that made his stomach rumble. He timidly sat on a bar stool and placed his hand under his chin to support his head then stared at the woman. She looks like a real wife with her heart patterned apron. She turned around and smiled at him sheepishly. Jong kook was relieved to see that she looked much better as if nothing had happened. He bit his lips to prevent a question from slipping. He can't even say good morning, lest it leads to something to satisfy his curiosity. Ji hyo must have felt this though and chuckled. “Jong kook, I am fine… How’s your arm? It must’ve been terrible for you.”

“No, not really. I am glad you are fine.”

“You aren’t going to ask about –”

“What are you cooking?” She looked down obviously touched and Jong kook felt proud. Why he is so happy, he doesn’t know but he eyed the dish Ji hyo was preparing. It looked delicious and the green in it was reassuring. “Don’t worry Jong kook. This is oil-free, low in sodium and the vegetables are 100% organic. There’s tea on the table.” Jong kook could only look at her while she busily moved around the kitchen. He sipped the tea and was pleasantly surprised that it was to his liking.

 

She opened a cabinet and tried to reach something but couldn’t. She looked around and motioned Jong kook to grab a chair. He only smiled and walked to her. “What do you need the chair for when I am here? What do I get here?” He scanned the glasswares, locking Ji hyo between the counter and himself. Why he ended up trapping her and why he just let them be in that position without making an effort to move, was beyond him. “The low bowl with blue patterns, the middle one,” she replied, her face almost pressing against him. Jong kook can almost feel her warm breath through the fabric of his clothing. He reached for the one she just described, acutely aware of her body pressing to him. He looked down at her with the bowl in his hand, his face just inches away from hers. Their gazes locked as he slowly placed the bowl on the counter behind her. “Ji hyo-yah…” She suddenly hooked her arms on his neck pulling him to her. Jong kook didn’t hesitate anymore but instead he placed his hand on the small of her back. She reached up to him and he met her for an intimate kiss. He closed his eyes and savored the feeling of her soft lips against his. He gently claimed , exploring, while his mind protested. She responded with more fervor, driving away the buts and burying old memories. She tasted sweet, like coffee. He never liked the stuff but it tasted heavenly from her. He can feel her wanting more as he searched . She was kissing him as if her life depended on it and he tried to match her pace. Jong kook can feel her hands gripping his shirt tightly, a low moan resonating from her. He broke the kiss reluctantly, both of them panting and flustered as they filled their deprived lungs with air. The force of their contact sent him reeling from its impact and Ji hyo looked at him with expectation burning in her eyes. He can’t believe he kissed her and with such intensity too. Then his stomach chose a very appropriate time to growl and they both ended up laughing. “Come, let’s eat… I hope this passes your standards, Jong kook-ah.” He can only grin at her shyly and helped her set up the table.

 

They sat down facing each other. The dish smells delicious and Jong kook can say Ji hyo really spent a lot of effort on it. Even the carrots are chopped in hearts. She sat there looking a little like Hyo Jong anticipating his reaction. He smiled at her and motioned for her to eat but she only stared at him. “Yah, yeobo… just taste it already and don’t kill me of suspense.” Yeobo? Jong kook couldn’t hide the big grin on his face and he wondered why that word sounded so nice to his ears. He spooned up some of the dish, “What did you put in it?”

“Mushrooms, young corn, carrots, spinach and cabbages, stir fried in a half a tablespoon of olive oil. I added shrimp instead of meat. I also added cream but it’s low fat and I really checked the nutrition fact carefully.” She was nervously waiting, and he found it adorable. He took a bite and was surprised. “It is really delicious. I am not joking, eat up Ji hyo-yah… You did really good.”

“Really?” she grinned and finally ate. Jong kook watched her every move wondering why she had such an effect on him. His eyes wandered on her face then finally at her lips, and he blushed furiously at the reminder of the contact earlier. He didn’t dislike it. It felt good… like it was the right thing to happen but 'why' was the thing he couldn’t fathom. He shook his head and tried to dismiss the thought but it was impossible. “Yeobo… it is nice to call you that… but I want you to just call me Ji hyo-yah, neh?” He nodded in response, his mouth still full of rice. “Yeobo, yeobo… let’s go out today.”

“A date?”

“Neh, you don't like to, yeobo?"

"Okay, let’s go out today Ji hyo-yah.”

 

Jade snickered looking at the two. He was standing near the stove but it seemed Jong kook couldn’t see him or maybe was ignoring him. “Gosh, what am I going to do with these kids.” he face palmed and clucked his tongue in mock annoyance. “Pfft, I only told him about hugging but he takes the next step forward. I guess the mission will be neglected for a while.” He looked at the two again who were now chuckling at each other’s face for no reason.

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Here I updated, I planned to toss in the date too but I looked at the word count and it has exceeded 2000 words so I guess I’ll put it up next time.  And if you are wondering where I am, do check out my blogs, I always put some update-related stuff there. And another thing… I am sorry for the awkward cabinet kiss,  I hope I didn’t gross you out guys – I am still trying not to sound like a cheesy romance writer. 

*ok seriously this is the last thing... do you notice I use gray colors? That is for flashbacks, I hated writing the word itself but is too lazy to type words explaining it is a flashback.