[March 2012]

As if a knife just suddenly stabbed Hyungsik’s heart right after he heard his father’s words. And when his father mentioned about what happened in the café, it’s like the knife was twisting his chest, painfully ripping it open that he had to clutch it tight.

‘Come home, son. Soyu’s here.’

‘Neh. I’ll be there the day after tomorrow.’ Hyungsik quickly hung up and got up from his bed, hastily searching for the pills.

Hyungsik squeezed his eyes, his chest tightened when he stood at Jihyun’s front door. It’s always like this whenever he felt nervous. And after shaking his head several times, he knocked on her door. Deep breath. His other hand was holding something that would definitely make Jihyun smile like she always did years ago.

The click sound from the door snapped him that he quickly straightened his position.

‘Oh, Oppa?’

If he could, he would want to squeeze that girl close and yelled out how much he missed her but no, he still knew his limits. Jihyun was surprised herself, anyone could tell.

But before Hyungsik could call out her name and hug her, she was already kneeling, holding something in her arms.

‘Andy! I missed you!’ She cried and oddly, the pup just let her be. As if she still remembered her owner. Well, who knew what more capabilities that dogs had? But surely, Hyungsik was happy to see her like this, in her home, with her dog, it’s where she truly belonged.

And most importantly, in his arms.

‘I missed you, Soyu-ya. Why didn’t you call me?’ Jihyun froze at his question. When he pulled her into a hug, she didn’t dare to respond like she always did years ago. This hug now held a very different meaning to her ever since he confessed.

‘Hyungsikkie?’

Jihyun quickly pushed Hyungsik away upon hearing the voice.

‘Ahjumma…’ He bowed in respect and showed her a sincere smile. That time, he already forgot about a person named Nam Woohyun. To him, it's just her, Kang Soyu, him and nothing else.

‘Since when you’re here? Oh, Andy’s here too.’

‘Oemma, Hyungsik Oppa and I want to take a walk with Andy. Take care of the house.’ Jihyun’s sudden words started Hyungsik as she hastily took his arm and pulled him out. Her other hand was holding Andy’s rope collar and soon, the house went quiet.

***

‘Your hand seems bad.’

‘No, I’m okay. Good thing that my ankle’s getting better. I think I can take this bandage off soon.’ She grinned that Hyungsik couldn’t help but to feel butterflies in his stomach all again. The coffee shop was vacant since it was Sunday and Hyungsik father was playing with Andy outside, wanting to give those two a space to talk.

‘He treated you bad, right? I heard everything from my father, the way he saw you all wretched last two nights… ‘ He asked, one hundred percent sure that she had chosen him, not Woohyun but she didn’t have the chance to tell him that.

He convinced himself that Nam Woohyun was prisoning her, here in her own home.

‘Soyu-ya, you can just call me… Why didn’t you?’

Again, it was that question. Jihyun looked down on the cold floors, searching for an answer. But no, it didn’t help, at all. While waiting, Hyungsik’s gaze went to her uninjured hand. No ring at all, including her wedding ring. Now, he was more convinced that she didn't want to be with Nam Woohyun anymore.

‘Where’s the ring that I gave you?’

A gasp escaped from Jihyun’s lips. He was right. How could she forget? She tried to recall back and as far as she remembered, she put in right in her fourth finger a few months ago but now, it’s not there. Her mind was trying to think but nothing came to her.

‘Oppa, I think I’m going home now. Let’s meet up some other time.’ She said and got up