Chapter Two: Love In The Rain
Yong reached Hongdae in no time since The Cafe is at the brink of Apujeong, not too far off from everything but yet not right in the middle of the hustle and bustle. He circled around the block near the club trying to look for a place to stop at least and since tonight is Club Day, the area is just jam packed. He took out his phone and dial her number which has been forever etched in his mind.
“Yeboseyo?” the background music makes it pretty hard to hear.
“Hyun, I am outside”
“Oppa! Come and join the fun!”
“Hyun, I am tired. Can you come out instead?”
“Oppa....I ...can’t”
“Hyun?!”
Dammit! Yong scolded the air. He tried dialling the number again but no one picked up. Looks like it’s gonna be another long night. After rounding for 10 minutes, he was lucky to get a spot but it took him another 5 minutes walk to get there. Another 10 minutes to get into the club as the line was long. It’s been a while since he last went into a club, Seo Joo Hyun sure make him do the weirdest thing.
The place is crowded and it was not easy but he finally spotted her on the dance floor with a guy and two other girls dancing near the bar. He squeezed his way through the crowd and reach her in no time.
Hyun was annoyed when she felt a tap on her back and was about to tell the person off when her eyes came in contact with a pair of familiar brown eyes looking at her. Immediately smiling, Hyun put her arms around him.
“Oppa...” Hyun breathed into his right ear. “You came, let’s dance!”
Yong had no time to react as he was pulled into the middle of the dance floor. He has always have this notion that he is born with two left feet. Even when he was going to clubs with the guys, he would normally be at the sidelines sort of swaying to the music while Heechul twist and turn, Hongki does this weird dance called the shuffle, Jonghyun waving his arms around and the two younger one who happen to be better dancers will strut their stuff. He is not really into embarassing himself much especially on the dancefloor.
“Why aren’t you dancing oppa?” her breatheless voice tempting him.
When Hyun pressed her back against his body and sway to the music, for a while Yong just kind of stood there stunned then unconciously, he began to move along with her. Hyun wound her right arms around his neck while Yong place both his hands lightly on flat stomach. Both of them seem to be in a world of their own. The music suddenly change to a more up tempo music and broke the spell.
Slightly flushed, Yong smile nervously at Hyun who has turned to face him. She smile to hide her real feelings and took his hand to guide him to where her friends are. Still holding onto his left hand, she bid them goodbye and kind of dragged Yong out of the club. Yong could not think of anything except the feel of her hands in his.
“Where is your car?”
“Ermm... ”, Yong pointed to his left, “that way.”
***********************************************************************************************************************************
The early bird from the nearby park chirps outside his window woke him up, seems like they have build a nest at the tree outside his house. He can still feel the invisible print of her hand in his. It’s not like the first time they held hands.
In fact, Yong is Hyun’s first boyfriend. When they met at the university, she was only a freshmen wheras he was a junior. They even unintentionally matched made a love-struck Heechul with her sister Jessica. That resulted in a marriage 2 years later with a kid on the way now.
They were great together or so Yong thought. So imagine his surprise when Hyun ask for a break up after a year of being together. That was about 3 years ago and from then on, Yong stood by the sidelines watching as she spread her wings but no matter, he is still there by her side through rain or shine.
“Hyung...” Minhyuk knocked from the other side of the door.
“Ya?”
Minhyuk peek through from the other side of the door.
“Time to get up. You are suppose to be there by 930am”
Yong yawned. “Getting up now.”
“What time did you get back last night?”
Minhyuk is forever worry about his only brother. It’s not that he dislike Hyun but just that he dislike the fact that she seem to be dangling him
on a string. Then again, his hyung ain’t helping the fact either by rushing to her at any given moment.
“About 3 or so.”
“I made breakfast.”
“Ok, I will be right down after I freshen up”
***********************************************************************************************************************************
Hyun woke up with a start from all the clashing of pots and pans outside her room. She grabbed her phone by the her bedside table and was surprise to see it’s only 9am. Yawning and stretching, she flick off her blanket and went to the washroom.
“Morning, what’s with the racket?” Hyun cover her mouth as she yawn again.
Heechul put a finger to his lips indicating silence is needed. Too late as Jessica turns around and points at Hyun.
“You! What time did you get back last night?”
“About 3 or so”
“So late?”
“Oh stop it. Do you have to be so annoying this early in the morning?”
“You see, you see!” Jessica look accusingly at her husband.
“Morning!”
Hyun silently grabbed one of the freshly baked buns and pull Jungshin out of the kitchen by his arms.
“Ahhh... bye!”
“She is so annoying!” Hyun stood in their little garden with her nostrils flaring.
“Her hormones are going haywire, she is pregnant after all. You probably caught her at a wrong time”
“Jungshin chingu! Why are you so sensible?” Hyun hooked her arms around his right arm and playfully lay her head on his shoulder.
Jungshin pats her head.
“I am off, try to stay out of trouble.”
“Aye aye captain!” Hyun gave a small salute.
Jungshin smile at his sister in law.
“Oh yah, come by to The Cafe later. I made this new dish which I want you to try but you did not come last night.”
“Yay! Okay, I will come by around lunch later.”
********************************************************************************************************************************
The wedding was small and quiet affair. The bride look lovely and the groom is dashing. The air is fill with love and you can tell that by looking at the way they look at each other.
Yong often wonder if it will happen to him. Then he laughed at himself. It won’t happen anytime soon unless he can stop placing Hyun as his priority. In fact, that was one of the factor, most of his relationship after Hyun won’t work because they are not her.
“They look good together don’t they?”
Yong turn around and came face to face with the source of the voice, a cute and petite girl who seems like she is one of the bridesmaid.
“Indeed they do”
Weddings make people feel nostalgic all the time but Yong prefer to do his job and stay low particularly today when he did not really get enough sleep.
“Are you the photographer?”
Weird question as Yong is holding a DSLR, “Yah, I guess you could say so”
“Nice equipment”
“Thanks”
“I am bored”
“And I am working”
“I am Geu Roo by the way.”
“Yonghwa here.”
Han Geu Roo was minding her own business and feeling very bored when she saw him. He has a beautiful jawline that defines a man, just like her father. His cute toothy grin whenever he look into his camera screen. His fingers deftly clicking away while moving steathily through the crowd, capturing every moment.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?”
Yong gave her an annoying look.
“I do and I am think I am in love with you” she ends her statement with a sweet smile.
This girl is unbelievable and totally weird.
“Well, I don’t.”
“Why? It is a beautiful feeling.”
“If a guy tells you that, give him a slap. Chances are he just wants to get into your pants.”
“Let’s go on a date.”
“What?!”
“Date, you know where two people go out and have fun.”
“Ermmm, no thank you.”
“Can we exchange phone number instead then?
“Ermmm... oh look at the time, I have to go now.”
Yong was packing his equipment at lightning speed while muttering crazy woman under his breathe. Geu Roo was shyly smiling and kind of staring at him most of the time.
“See you later...” the last word came in a whisper “aligator”
************************************************************************************************************************************
The tinkling of the bell indicate the arrival of customers and Minhyuk who was helping out as he normally does on a Sunday, look up the greet the new arrival.
“Annyeongha...seyo” the words faltered away when he saw who it is.
“Annyeong”
Shinhye has been contemplating ten thousand times over in her mind to go over to The Cafe ever since she found out from her best friend Hyemi that Minhyuk works there every Sunday. She berate herself constantly about her silly little crush on a guy who does not know she exist. Looks like she made the wrong decision cos from his tone of voice, he sounded kind of disappointed to see her.
Technically though, it’s not like Minhyuk does not know she exist. It’s just that Shinhye is a pretty popular girl in their uni so who would not know of her but Minhyuk did not think too much. He knows a lot of guys are going after her but he sees her more than just a pretty accessory on their arm. She is very talented, dedicated and pretty talented. To him, they are just kind of in a different league.
“Ermmm, table for one?”
Shinhye was nervous, “Yah..”
He sat her are the verandah since she is alone and it’s a beautiful day today. He passed her the menu and mumbled that he will be back to
take her order.
Shinhye sigh. How is she ever gonna get him to notice her? Perhaps she should mention that she have seen him at class before or maybe that she is Hyemi’s best friend? Ottoke, she wonders as Minhyuk is seen walking over to her table once more.
“Ready to order?” he smile at her and Shin Hye feel like she is melting.
“Ermm... what’s good here?”
He went on about some new taco kimchi dish and some sort of goguma latte. Shinhye was too caught in staring at Minhyuk while he was passionately delivering his speech.
“So what will it be?”
Shinhye embarassingly came back down to earth. “Ermm...yah sure that will be it”
“Huh?”
“Oh .. I mean what you recommend sounds good. I shall have that”
“Err...ok then”
A puzzled looking Minhyuk went to the kitchen to place the order. Not really sure what she really wants and too shy to ask her, he just scribble down his favorites and hands it over to Sooyoung who works with Jungshin.
When Minhyuk came over with her drink, Shin Hye cleared her throat and trying to gather her courage to start a conversation with him.
“Ahemm... ermmm, you look familiar.”
Minhyuk looked up, surprised at that question.
“Ermm, yah I go to Design Communications 218 and Interior Design 110 with you. But I don’t think you would know me.”
Feigning surprise, Shinhye puts on her best smile, “Yah right! I mean yah right as in now I remember now.”
Minhyuk smile and Shinhye totally melts.
“I am Park Shinhye.” She puts her hand out.
Minhyuk took his hands in hers, “Jung Minhyuk. Nice to meet you.”
“Same here.” Shinhye smiles, “So you work here huh?”
“Just helping a friend out since I have nothing to do on Sundays anyway.”
“Ohh...it’s...”
The bell from the kitchen tinkled, indicating the food is ready.
“Sorry..I have to get that.”
“Oh right... yes of course.”
Minhyuk felt sorry he had to cut her off in the middle of their conversation but what needs to be needs to be done. He went around dropping the orders in each table and took her orders to her table last
“Here you go.”
Shinhye has been silently berating herself eversince the ringing of that wretched bell. She felt so embarassed and wished that the floor will open up and eat her.
“Oh thanks...”
“Ermm, sorry about just now.”
“Oh no, I should be the one saying sorry because you are working after all and I shouldn’t be like disrupting your work. I mean ...”
Minhyuk cuts her off, “Of cos not! Anyway, ermmm ... enjoy your meal”
“Sure.” Shinhye smile but disappointed nonetheless.
Oh well, another time perhaps. She has been nursing this crush from the very moment she set eyes on him. To say that it was love at first sight would be a little bit too far fetched but there was something about him that is just different from all the other guys. No one know about this except for her best friend Hyemi who has been pestering her to do something about it besides gushing on and on about Minhyuk.
Note: Contrary to belief, Yong is not being used. It's not mystery but will reveal more about their history in the later chapters.
“Yeboseyo?” the background music makes it pretty hard to hear.
“Hyun, I am outside”
“Oppa! Come and join the fun!”
“Hyun, I am tired. Can you come out instead?”
“Oppa....I ...can’t”
“Hyun?!”
Dammit! Yong scolded the air. He tried dialling the number again but no one picked up. Looks like it’s gonna be another long night. After rounding for 10 minutes, he was lucky to get a spot but it took him another 5 minutes walk to get there. Another 10 minutes to get into the club as the line was long. It’s been a while since he last went into a club, Seo Joo Hyun sure make him do the weirdest thing.
The place is crowded and it was not easy but he finally spotted her on the dance floor with a guy and two other girls dancing near the bar. He squeezed his way through the crowd and reach her in no time.
Hyun was annoyed when she felt a tap on her back and was about to tell the person off when her eyes came in contact with a pair of familiar brown eyes looking at her. Immediately smiling, Hyun put her arms around him.
“Oppa...” Hyun breathed into his right ear. “You came, let’s dance!”
Yong had no time to react as he was pulled into the middle of the dance floor. He has always have this notion that he is born with two left feet. Even when he was going to clubs with the guys, he would normally be at the sidelines sort of swaying to the music while Heechul twist and turn, Hongki does this weird dance called the shuffle, Jonghyun waving his arms around and the two younger one who happen to be better dancers will strut their stuff. He is not really into embarassing himself much especially on the dancefloor.
“Why aren’t you dancing oppa?” her breatheless voice tempting him.
When Hyun pressed her back against his body and sway to the music, for a while Yong just kind of stood there stunned then unconciously, he began to move along with her. Hyun wound her right arms around his neck while Yong place both his hands lightly on flat stomach. Both of them seem to be in a world of their own. The music suddenly change to a more up tempo music and broke the spell.
Slightly flushed, Yong smile nervously at Hyun who has turned to face him. She smile to hide her real feelings and took his hand to guide him to where her friends are. Still holding onto his left hand, she bid them goodbye and kind of dragged Yong out of the club. Yong could not think of anything except the feel of her hands in his.
“Where is your car?”
“Ermm... ”, Yong pointed to his left, “that way.”
***********************************************************************************************************************************
The early bird from the nearby park chirps outside his window woke him up, seems like they have build a nest at the tree outside his house. He can still feel the invisible print of her hand in his. It’s not like the first time they held hands.
In fact, Yong is Hyun’s first boyfriend. When they met at the university, she was only a freshmen wheras he was a junior. They even unintentionally matched made a love-struck Heechul with her sister Jessica. That resulted in a marriage 2 years later with a kid on the way now.
They were great together or so Yong thought. So imagine his surprise when Hyun ask for a break up after a year of being together. That was about 3 years ago and from then on, Yong stood by the sidelines watching as she spread her wings but no matter, he is still there by her side through rain or shine.
“Hyung...” Minhyuk knocked from the other side of the door.
“Ya?”
Minhyuk peek through from the other side of the door.
“Time to get up. You are suppose to be there by 930am”
Yong yawned. “Getting up now.”
“What time did you get back last night?”
Minhyuk is forever worry about his only brother. It’s not that he dislike Hyun but just that he dislike the fact that she seem to be dangling him
on a string. Then again, his hyung ain’t helping the fact either by rushing to her at any given moment.
“About 3 or so.”
“I made breakfast.”
“Ok, I will be right down after I freshen up”
***********************************************************************************************************************************
Hyun woke up with a start from all the clashing of pots and pans outside her room. She grabbed her phone by the her bedside table and was surprise to see it’s only 9am. Yawning and stretching, she flick off her blanket and went to the washroom.
“Morning, what’s with the racket?” Hyun cover her mouth as she yawn again.
Heechul put a finger to his lips indicating silence is needed. Too late as Jessica turns around and points at Hyun.
“You! What time did you get back last night?”
“About 3 or so”
“So late?”
“Oh stop it. Do you have to be so annoying this early in the morning?”
“You see, you see!” Jessica look accusingly at her husband.
“Morning!”
Hyun silently grabbed one of the freshly baked buns and pull Jungshin out of the kitchen by his arms.
“Ahhh... bye!”
“She is so annoying!” Hyun stood in their little garden with her nostrils flaring.
“Her hormones are going haywire, she is pregnant after all. You probably caught her at a wrong time”
“Jungshin chingu! Why are you so sensible?” Hyun hooked her arms around his right arm and playfully lay her head on his shoulder.
Jungshin pats her head.
“I am off, try to stay out of trouble.”
“Aye aye captain!” Hyun gave a small salute.
Jungshin smile at his sister in law.
“Oh yah, come by to The Cafe later. I made this new dish which I want you to try but you did not come last night.”
“Yay! Okay, I will come by around lunch later.”
********************************************************************************************************************************
The wedding was small and quiet affair. The bride look lovely and the groom is dashing. The air is fill with love and you can tell that by looking at the way they look at each other.
Yong often wonder if it will happen to him. Then he laughed at himself. It won’t happen anytime soon unless he can stop placing Hyun as his priority. In fact, that was one of the factor, most of his relationship after Hyun won’t work because they are not her.
“They look good together don’t they?”
Yong turn around and came face to face with the source of the voice, a cute and petite girl who seems like she is one of the bridesmaid.
“Indeed they do”
Weddings make people feel nostalgic all the time but Yong prefer to do his job and stay low particularly today when he did not really get enough sleep.
“Are you the photographer?”
Weird question as Yong is holding a DSLR, “Yah, I guess you could say so”
“Nice equipment”
“Thanks”
“I am bored”
“And I am working”
“I am Geu Roo by the way.”
“Yonghwa here.”
Han Geu Roo was minding her own business and feeling very bored when she saw him. He has a beautiful jawline that defines a man, just like her father. His cute toothy grin whenever he look into his camera screen. His fingers deftly clicking away while moving steathily through the crowd, capturing every moment.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?”
Yong gave her an annoying look.
“I do and I am think I am in love with you” she ends her statement with a sweet smile.
This girl is unbelievable and totally weird.
“Well, I don’t.”
“Why? It is a beautiful feeling.”
“If a guy tells you that, give him a slap. Chances are he just wants to get into your pants.”
“Let’s go on a date.”
“What?!”
“Date, you know where two people go out and have fun.”
“Ermmm, no thank you.”
“Can we exchange phone number instead then?
“Ermmm... oh look at the time, I have to go now.”
Yong was packing his equipment at lightning speed while muttering crazy woman under his breathe. Geu Roo was shyly smiling and kind of staring at him most of the time.
“See you later...” the last word came in a whisper “aligator”
************************************************************************************************************************************
The tinkling of the bell indicate the arrival of customers and Minhyuk who was helping out as he normally does on a Sunday, look up the greet the new arrival.
“Annyeongha...seyo” the words faltered away when he saw who it is.
“Annyeong”
Shinhye has been contemplating ten thousand times over in her mind to go over to The Cafe ever since she found out from her best friend Hyemi that Minhyuk works there every Sunday. She berate herself constantly about her silly little crush on a guy who does not know she exist. Looks like she made the wrong decision cos from his tone of voice, he sounded kind of disappointed to see her.
Technically though, it’s not like Minhyuk does not know she exist. It’s just that Shinhye is a pretty popular girl in their uni so who would not know of her but Minhyuk did not think too much. He knows a lot of guys are going after her but he sees her more than just a pretty accessory on their arm. She is very talented, dedicated and pretty talented. To him, they are just kind of in a different league.
“Ermmm, table for one?”
Shinhye was nervous, “Yah..”
He sat her are the verandah since she is alone and it’s a beautiful day today. He passed her the menu and mumbled that he will be back to
take her order.
Shinhye sigh. How is she ever gonna get him to notice her? Perhaps she should mention that she have seen him at class before or maybe that she is Hyemi’s best friend? Ottoke, she wonders as Minhyuk is seen walking over to her table once more.
“Ready to order?” he smile at her and Shin Hye feel like she is melting.
“Ermm... what’s good here?”
He went on about some new taco kimchi dish and some sort of goguma latte. Shinhye was too caught in staring at Minhyuk while he was passionately delivering his speech.
“So what will it be?”
Shinhye embarassingly came back down to earth. “Ermm...yah sure that will be it”
“Huh?”
“Oh .. I mean what you recommend sounds good. I shall have that”
“Err...ok then”
A puzzled looking Minhyuk went to the kitchen to place the order. Not really sure what she really wants and too shy to ask her, he just scribble down his favorites and hands it over to Sooyoung who works with Jungshin.
When Minhyuk came over with her drink, Shin Hye cleared her throat and trying to gather her courage to start a conversation with him.
“Ahemm... ermmm, you look familiar.”
Minhyuk looked up, surprised at that question.
“Ermm, yah I go to Design Communications 218 and Interior Design 110 with you. But I don’t think you would know me.”
Feigning surprise, Shinhye puts on her best smile, “Yah right! I mean yah right as in now I remember now.”
Minhyuk smile and Shinhye totally melts.
“I am Park Shinhye.” She puts her hand out.
Minhyuk took his hands in hers, “Jung Minhyuk. Nice to meet you.”
“Same here.” Shinhye smiles, “So you work here huh?”
“Just helping a friend out since I have nothing to do on Sundays anyway.”
“Ohh...it’s...”
The bell from the kitchen tinkled, indicating the food is ready.
“Sorry..I have to get that.”
“Oh right... yes of course.”
Minhyuk felt sorry he had to cut her off in the middle of their conversation but what needs to be needs to be done. He went around dropping the orders in each table and took her orders to her table last
“Here you go.”
Shinhye has been silently berating herself eversince the ringing of that wretched bell. She felt so embarassed and wished that the floor will open up and eat her.
“Oh thanks...”
“Ermm, sorry about just now.”
“Oh no, I should be the one saying sorry because you are working after all and I shouldn’t be like disrupting your work. I mean ...”
Minhyuk cuts her off, “Of cos not! Anyway, ermmm ... enjoy your meal”
“Sure.” Shinhye smile but disappointed nonetheless.
Oh well, another time perhaps. She has been nursing this crush from the very moment she set eyes on him. To say that it was love at first sight would be a little bit too far fetched but there was something about him that is just different from all the other guys. No one know about this except for her best friend Hyemi who has been pestering her to do something about it besides gushing on and on about Minhyuk.
Note: Contrary to belief, Yong is not being used. It's not mystery but will reveal more about their history in the later chapters.