Four

The following day, Hyun Ae texted me, saying that she was planning to bring me out for a movie on Saturday, which was two days away. The movie, apparently, was an adaptation from her all-time favourite novel. As per usual, she didn’t force me to join her and said that she understood if I couldn’t make it. She was aware that it was a hectic week for me, for having numerous tests and practicals during the entire weekdays, so it was expected if I declined her invitation and opted for the much needed rest during the weekend.

However, she seemed so excited by the movie release, that I didn't have the heart to turn her down. Plus, it was a pleasant note that Hyun Ae, despite not being a moviegoer, had a surprising knack in choosing which movie to watch.

When I agreed to her invitation and said that I could come, she couldn’t contain her excitement. Afterwards, she comically texted me exclamation marks from time to time, showing how restless and eager she was for the upcoming Saturday. I smiled occasionally at her display of child-like behaviour.

The movie turned out to be a detective-like one slash comedy, certainly the kind of genre that Hyun Ae loved. Sure enough, she seemed truly absorbed with the movie, that she didn’t even utter a word during the entire time we were in the theatre. In fact, her popcorn tub was still quite full by the time reminders were shown on the screen, for the audience not to leave their belongings before exiting the cinema. It was totally unlike the last time we were going out for a movie outing. She would lean in to me occasionally and give random facts, such as, “Did you know why the dad was aware that she was actually awake? Because sleeping people don’t sneeze.”

As for me, honestly, it was not the type of movie that I would watch—anything related to mystery was never my cup of tea, but I found myself enjoying it nonetheless. I must admit it was fairly an amazing movie too, that I didn’t regret sacrificing my Saturday afternoon nap for it.

Hyun Ae had the habit of roaming around the mall after a movie ended, but she decided not to do it that day. The reason being that she had an assignment to finish. We were heading to my car while lightly discussing the movie, when I felt my handphone vibrating in my jeans pocket. Once we entered the car, I took the said device out, and I was notified with a text message from Mum.

Hyunnie, are you still outside? I need the flour for baking, but I forgot buying it yesterday :(

Mum... I inwardly tsked. She always forgets things.

We were in the same town but living separately, because the apartment I was currently renting was much closer to my university. In fact, it was Mum who encouraged me to live by myself during university years. "Be independent," she had said, though there were glints of tears in her eyes that I didn't fail to notice when she was doing the dishes at the sink. "You're a big boy already."

As for that day, she knew I was going out that afternoon—she had phoned me earlier in the morning, asking how I was doing with school, life and such. A weekly routine that she never missed.

I didn’t feel the need to reply to the said text message, for I had known full too well on how the next message would sound like. It was after I started the car engine, did the expected message come.

Help buy it for me? I’ll repay you later, alright? Thank you honey.

Hyun Ae didn’t mind when I told her that I had to go to a convenience store on the way of sending her home. She even told me that there was actually a mart on the way to her apartment if I used a different route than usual.

Upon reaching the said mart, I decided not to bring an umbrella with me despite the dark clouds above, because I knew I wouldn’t take much time. However, luck was not on my side that day, when the ahjumma standing at the check-out in front of me decided to give a fifteen-minute lecture to the only working cashier.

When it was my turn, I tried my best to soothe the female cashier by offering an apologetic smile, and saying that we would always have to taste the bitterness of a bad day once in a while.

Honestly, I myself was surprised for being able to come up with the words. To care about her even. Comforting others wasn't something that I usually did, especially to the ones whom I barely knew. I preferred watching in silence while giving the said victim sympathetic glances. Maybe it was the cashier's reddening nose and teary eyes, and the fact that we were alone, that made me brave enough to utter a few words of comfort.

I ran through the downpouring rain and rushingly entered the car that I parked—not far, gratefully—outside the mart. I put the slightly soaked brown paper bag which contained the flour packet that Mum needed at the back seat before buckling my seat belt.

I was fixing the bangs of my wet hair when Hyun Ae spoke. “Your mum called just now.”

“Ah, really? She called you?”

“No, your phone.” She was facing the window at her side when she responded. “I’m sorry I answered it because your phone was literally ringing for four times.”

While assuringly uttering a soft “it’s okay” her way, I took the said handphone from the compartment below the steering wheel, the place where I usually put the device in whenever I drove. Unlocking it after entering the password, I proceeded to press the call log icon...before noticing something.

Something. That Hyun Ae was not supposed to see.

I felt as if the world had stopped spinning for a while. My breath too, was taken. I could feel cold sweats starting to form beads on my forehead. The car was suddenly filled with silence too, as if approving what she saw.

If she did see, that is.

With much difficulty, I gulped, before taking a quick, nervous glance at her.

Did she see them?

And is this why? Is this the reason why she didn’t look at me from the moment I entered the car?

“Uhm, wh-what did she say?” I inquired, referring to Mum. I felt like banging my head to the steering wheel when I realized that I stuttered. I didn’t bother checking the call log anymore, I hastily placed the phone back into the compartment.

“She was wondering where you were. It’s raining right now and she was just worried, that’s all.”

I noticed she tried to maintain the warm lilt in her voice but failed. Also, despite it being just slightly, I didn’t miss the quiver in her voice.

Trying to cool down the tension, I let out a short chuckle. “Well, it’s... Mum. Why must she be worried always? Haha. I’m a big kid now.” With that said, I lowered the hand brake and left the parking lot.

The whole journey back to her home felt like an eternity. Inside the car, it was a dead silence between us. She turned her head to face the window by her side the entire time, not willing to spare a look at me. The situation ensued until we pulled up to a stop in front of the apartment complex where she lived.

For a further few minutes, neither of us spoke, nor moved.

Usually, at the end of our dates, or when I dropped her off after classes, she never failed to kiss my cheek before leaving. No matter how in a hurry she was. But of course, things were expected to be different that day. I expected that she would storm out the car without bidding me goodbye.

She fidgeted slightly in her seat for a while. From the corner of my eye, I could see how she was straining herself. Cautiously, she inhaled deep breaths—possibly trying to calm herself down—before releasing a quiet, long sigh in the way that she hoped I wouldn’t notice.

Then, it happened.

Contrary to my presumptions of her storming out the car without saying goodbye, she actually did the opposite. She did the routine; she didn't leave it. My heart jumped slightly with the turn of events, obviously not expecting it. When she leaned in, it felt as if the time had slowed down.

However, unlike the simple but sincere kiss that she always gave me, that day it was just a peck. A short, hesitant peck. It was just a mere brush of lips against my cheek. Unlike the heartful ‘thank you for today, oppa’ that always accompanied the kiss, that day it was just a mumble of ‘thanks’.

Without making any eye-contact, she swiftly turned around and grabbed the door handle. Due to the rain that was still heavily downpouring, she opened the car door hurriedly and rushed out to find the nearest shelter under the apartment block.

Habitually, I waited for a few moments. After merely making sure that she was completely under the shelter of the building, I pulled out.

After a few minutes of driving, I knew full well that I couldn’t concentrate on the drive. My head was in a huge mess, and the rain didn’t make it any better either. I pulled up to yet another convenience store that I saw on the way and made a stop. For a few moments, I closed my eyes in frustration and released a heavy sigh, before reaching out for the phone that was carelessly placed in the compartment. Immediately after the homescreen appeared, my thumb went to the main fault of the uninvited silence earlier.

The notepad icon.

The notes in it weren't simply notes, however. Just from the icon itself, three notes were partly visible.

I clicked the one at the most top, and in just a matter of time, the whole note was revealed.

It was supposed to be our 981^st day yesterday, Aeri. Your fav number. I remember you wanted to do a special event for that day but it never came true.

It was clearly stated that this certain note was composed on Friday, the day before.

I gritted my teeth before proceeding to the next one.

Come back to me, Aeri? Please? I miss you. The second uppermost read. It was written on the day I encountered Aeri in the department store, which was three days before.

I will always be your Ricky. Your one and only Ricky. I promise. Also on the day I met her.

In conclusion, they’re recent.

For some ungodly stupid reasons, I placed the notepad icon at the homescreen. Though some notes were memos and reminders for my university classes, but most of them were about Aeri. Saying that I missed her, and practically begging for her to come back.

There was a possibility that Hyun Ae had read the notes. There was a possibility that she had scrolled down to the very bottom, and saw that the notes written were mostly regarding Aeri.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Out of irritation, I smacked the steering wheel in front of me, and forcefully placed the back of my head to the head rest, that it almost bounced back due to the impact.

Just when I thought I’d enjoyed this day.

For some odd reasons, looking at the convenience store that I mindlessly conquered whomever’s parking slot it had, I was reminded by the line that I said to comfort the female cashier earlier.

"We need to taste some bitterness at some points in our life."

Yeah right, Changhyun. Well said.

[ A/N ]

Finally a turn of events, huh?

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Posted: 02/01/2014, 02:10