MAY, 2011. Seoul, South Korea

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HIS

“Thank you very much 2 PM brothers!” Kwang Soo blurted with his big smile.

We just finished our Running Man guesting. We are all very tired. My physical body is very exhausted, yet, my mind is still occupied.

I want to eat phat-thai.

The silent request of my mind.

Wow, Nichckhun. You got used to her cooking eh? She is not your virtual wife anymore. No more cooking everytime you are tired. Get your mind together.

I shrug-off my thoughts. We got to get going.

On our way out, many reporters are waiting.

“What’s happening?” Taec asks me.

“I do not know.”

I do not have time for this today. Not when my body, mind and yes… heart are this tired.

We greeted them as we pass by.

“Ahnyeong Haseyo!” Junho and Wooyoung lively greeted.

Honestly, I can’t process a thing.

“We are very sorry for disturbing you guys at this very moment. We understand that you are tired. But, we badly need to talk to you Nichkhun-ssi.” A young female reporter says.

“Yes, madam, what can I do for you?” I replied.

“ Well, many of khuntoria fans are  asking what’s the real deal between you and Victoria? Now that the show is over do you frequently communicate or see each other? Or, are you guys, dating?”

The members are staring at me intently. Like they are waiting for me to admit something.

Huh? What do these guys know? I feel uncomfortable.

Am I transparent? That can’t be. Victoria’s career will suffer.

Wait. Let me think of something.

I first took a deep breath.

“Well, we khuntoria, are still communicating with each other. We are not dating but we are very good friends. As in, very good. I even consider her as one of my best female friend.” I smiled.

The reporters seem to be contented with my answer.

“Thank you very much Nichkhun-ssi. We appreciate your honest answer.” She smiled and immediately leaves together with her crew.

We are very good friends.

The thought sent shiver to me.

But just then, an idea came to my mind.

I sent Victoria a message.

Well then I guess, I will always be your Pabo-Nichkhun

I can’t help but smile.

---

HER

“Omma! Omma!”

Sulli is in front of me, waving a hand on my face.

“Omma? Are you okay? You look like at lost.” She says.

“No, I am fine.” I replied.

My phone displays NICHKHUN. My heart begins to race.

I do not understand why I feel this way.

I took a deep breath before pressing the message icon.

                MESSAGE            :               VICTORIA! CAN YOU BE MY BEST GIRL FRIEND?

What? I almost faint.

What is this guy talking about?

REPLY *Push icon*

MESSAGE            :               ME? YOUR GIRLFRIEND? OF COURSE! WHY ARE YOU EVEN ASKING? ARE                                                                               YOU THAT DUMB? AAH! REALLY! YOU ARE PABO!

That is what I want to reply. But, I do not want to hope or misunderstand something. That guy is every girl’s dream. He is very sweet. He is just like a perfect prince to every princess. I should protect my heart well. I got through our virtual marriage in one piece. I hope, he just thought of my sweetness as part of the show. But truthfully, I like doing things for him.

Aaah! Yeah. I like him. I like him a lot.

But I can’t. And that is the saddest part.

Sadness fills me. I delete my initial reply.

                MESSAGE            :               WHAT? YOUR BEST GIRL FRIEND?

                SEND *Push Icon*

Nervousness fills me. I can’t understand how can he make me feel like this. When he is around I feel worse. But even if he is not around, I am acting dumb. Sighs.

                NICHKHUN *displays on my phone, I am going to die, really.”

                MESSAGE            :               WHAT. KEKEKE. I AM VERY SORRY. I MEAN, CAN YOU BE MY GIRL                                                                             BESTFRIEND?

I lost my senses.

“Aaah! This guy really!” I blurted out.

Sulli stared at me. I saw her smiling.

“Who is that?” She grabs my phone.

“Sulli!”

“Whoa! Its Nichkhun appa!”

I grabbed my phone. This kid really.

                MY phone displays another NICHKHUN

“Omo! He is calling!”

What now? My heart is beating too loud, I can’t hear a thing.

“Yobeseyo?”

“Victoria-ssi!”

“Oh, Ahnyeong Haseyo.” *Why did I say that?*

“Well, I,uhm.. Many reporters dropped by today, they are asking me of what is the real deal between the two of us.”

“What did you say?” I stupidly ask

“Well, I said that we are very good friends. Aren’t we?”

“Yes. Yes, we are.”

“And so, I thought of something.”

“What is it?”

“That we should be best friends. You know? We know each other a lot. And the fans won’t be disappointed too!” He answered with much enthusiasm.

I do know what to feel.

“ For our fans?”

I asked. I am hoping to get something between the lines.

“No…. of course not. This is because I like you as a friend very much. We could be very good friends. You said, friends forever right?”

“Yeah. That is… great.. best friend..”

“Kekeke. You sound too stiff. Bye best friend!”

The line ended.

Sulli is staring, her face looks like she is waiting for a good news.

“It’s nothing sulli”

She turned away disappointedly.

This kid knows me a lot, does the other members feeling this too?

I am bothered.

There are too many things to think. He’s words are surprisingly hurtful.

“This is because I like you as a friend very much...”

I wish it just ended with, “this is because I like you...”

I guess, I have to play this game.

My phone is ringing again, it’s our manager calling,

“Yobeseyo?”

“Victoria, The broadcast stations are asking me of what is the real deal between you and nichkhun. What will I answer?

”Tell them that we...

.. are best friends...

..Just friends”

A tear dropped from my eyes unknowingly.