The Girl By The Window (Chapter 17.1 )

[merki589]

The Girl By The Window

Chapter 17

“I don’t know but don’t be afraid with those people with two faces. I don’t know but don’t be afraid. I didn’t realize it but I’ll get away. Fake smile and vague words. There’s no truth, it’s an abomination.” - (Juniel, Mask)

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In a way, it was a peaceful month of October for Joohyun, living with the Jung family.

While Yonghwa and Jessica attend school, she accompanies Jung Somin in her boutique shop. Joohyun willingly helps in stacking the newly arrives clothes, arrange the clothes for display or watch Jung Somin talk with customers. Having stuck inside the Seo’s for most of her life and her first venture to the “outside world” was not pleasant, Joohyun becomes terribly shy to strangers.

After spending the day with Mrs. Jung, they would return to the house in the late afternoon. Somin would start making dinner and Joohyun willingly helps her. It was a good thing that she always assists her Nana in the kitchen. At least she knows a few details on cooking. After setting the table, she and Mrs. Jung would go towards the front door and together, they welcome Mr. Jung and the twins.

Yonghwa immediately brightens up and grabs her hand, energetically dragging her to his room while chatting loudly about his day. Jessica would scowl seeing them like that but their parents would just chuckle. Yonghwa’s stories always vary that Joohyun constantly looks forward to it. She giggles learning that Jungshin got caught sleeping in class again. Gasp when Yonghwa recounts the exhilarating basketball match with their rival school or just simply smile listening to Yonghwa’s chatters. His cheeks were bursting with too much smiling.

Then exactly after thirty minutes, his mother would call from the bottom of the stairs to announce dinner. The two of them would go down together, meeting a sullen Jessica by the stairs. Yonghwa would only roll his eyes and ignore his sister. He guides Joohyun towards the dining table, their seats beside each other. Dinner consists of lively discussions and the twins occasionally snarling at each other. Most of the time, Joohyun is silent and just observes them with pensive eyes.

She wishes to have a family like them too, though not perfect but is complete.

Jessica continues to treat her like unwanted furniture in her household but the rest of the family made her feel at home. By the first week of November, Jung Somin decided to clear the attic and convert it to be Joohyun’s room. At first, Joohyun is against it.

If she is going to accept  it………..It seems she is likely to stay longer in their house.

The Jungs are good people, even Jessica. Joohyun believes deep inside, Jessica Jung is a kind person. She likes it when Mr. Jung make her read a certain article in the newspaper loudly then pats her on the head, praising her for her shy yet clear speech. She enjoys listening to Yonghwa’s stories until she has unknowingly dozes off in the middle of his storytellings. She loves how Jung Somin would give her hugs or a kiss on the cheeks randomly.

It’s like Mrs. Jung is playing out Joohyun’s fantasy of what her own mother would treat her.

Although she is happy living with them, she still misses her own house, her Nana and most of all, her mother.

# ---- #

Today is the day, a week after the first of November. She will officially stay in the attic room. She finally agreed if it wasn’t for Jessica’s spiteful remark over dinner of how embarrassing that her brother, the host, is sleeping on the living room’s couch for a month already while the unwanted guest is comfortably staying in his room. Jessica was reprimanded but Joohyun felt shame. What Jessica said was true; she’s being a burden to Yonghwa. Once she agreed, Jung Somin personally hired cleaners and was hands on what to put and decorate in Joohyun’s new room.

A hand gently holds her left arm as that person leads her slowly towards the attic. Yonghwa suggested that Joohyun has to be blindfolded to heighten up the surprise. Jessica deems it childish but their parents agreed on it. She leaves the house while muttering “unwanted guest” as she passes their front lawn.

“Are you ready?” Yonghwa’s excited voice whispers to her ear.

“Deh.”

“Open your eyes, Hyun.” He coos eagerly.

She immediately opens her eyes once the blindfold was removed. She gasps, a hand on her mouth, as she looks around her cozy room. It’s so white! White wallpapers, white curtains, white closet and a white table beside her white bed. Everything in the room is in different shades of white but the result is not blinding. Her room is small yet beautiful! She runs towards the window and peeks outside. She sees the front lawn filled with autumn leaves. She looks back at Yonghwa and beams happily.  Her eyes piqued when she notices the gold ball on top of her bed. She looks at Yonghwa curiously. She gives her an impish grin.

“That ball is yours right?” She says.

“It was mine.” Yonghwa corrects her. “It’s yours now.”

He crosses the room and sits on her bed, his legs dangling on the edge of it while bouncing on the soft foam playfully. Joohyun giggles then she too sits beside him, the two of them facing the room’s window. They take turns making silly faces as they face each other, their giggles echoing inside the room.

“You look like an iguana right now!” Yonghwa chortles.

“Deh?!” Joohyun shrieks, in a way offended to be compared to an ugly reptile. Her lips immediately quivered.

“Ahniya! You’re not!” Yonghwa clarifies, panicking seeing her tears.

“But you said-“

“I was just joking! He hastily reasons. “Aigoo…….Joohyun is too serious.”

“…………Mianheyo. I didn’t know it was a joke. I’m sorry for crying.” Joohyun answers in a feeble voice, her head hanging timidly.

Yonghwa shyly scoots closer to her, making their knees and thighs bump sideways. He slowly slips his hand under left palm and laces their fingers. Joohyun immediately blushes but she still didn’t look at him. She nervously traces the flower patterns on her skirt as the silence stretches between them.

Yonghwa has this goofy smile on his lips. At least Joohyun is not really upset with his joke. She allowed him to hold her hand. He likes holding her hands. They’re so soft and white that’s why he always grabs the opportunity to hold them. What are they anyway? He confessed he’s falling for her but she hasn’t told him yet her feelings for him. Are they in a relationship now? Still friends? Or are they more than friends?

But he hasn’t officially asked her.

“She lets you hold her hand, Jung Yonghwa!”He whispers furtively to himself.

“Did you say something?” Joohyun asks him coyly, a cute blush appearing on her cheeks.

Momentarily speechless at her coyness, he shakes his head and talks.

“Jo-Joohyun……..” He stammers. “C-can….youbemygirlfriendplease?”

“Huh?”

Joohyun blinks her eyes slowly. She did not understand what he just said. She tilts her head and waits for him to talk again. Yonghwa makes an exaggerated intake of breath then asks her again.

“Seo Joohyun…..Will you be my girlfriend? Please?”

Yonghwa squirms when Joohyun didn’t talk. Actually, she didn’t talk at all. She just freeze in front of him, mouth slightly open and her eyes blinking. Aigoo….. Did he scare her again? Damn, He is so not going to buy Jungshin a new bass. Why did he seek for an advice from that giraffe? Joohyun is not answering him! Miserable, he hangs his head sadly. That’s it. He’s rejected.

“You can forget it Joo-“

“What does a girlfriend do?”

“I-DEH?!”

“Will I stop being your friend once I become your girlfriend?” Joohyun asks him worriedly. Yonghwa sheepishly smiles at her. She’s too innocent…….and adorable.

“Ahni. We are still friends but a girlfriend will be more special.” He explains more carefully.

“So…..if you have a girlfriend…..You go on dates with her?”

“Correct!”

“And……you have g-good feelings to your girlfriend? Joohyun prods him.

“Correct again.”

“It means you like-I mean like like like really really like your girlfriend?”

“Yes.” He sighs, looking straight into her eyes. Seo Joohyun instantly turns bright red.

“Uhm……If I agree to be your girlfriend……D-do we have to kiss too?” She asks innocently and then becomes abnormally engrossed staring at the floor.

Yonghwa wants to jump in glee or perform a happy dance around the room but he hurriedly tampers down in excitement. Screw acting cool. His cheeks are bursting due to too much smiling. His cheeks are aching already. He puts his left hand behind his back, crossing his fingers while he squeezes Joohyun’s hand with the other. Joohyun raises her head and looks at him expectantly. He wills his smile to stretch wider but not in a level that he looks like a maniac already.

“Well…..I get to kiss you more often if you agree to be my girlfriend.”

Joohyun’s eyes immediately widen like saucers and flushes red like a ripe tomato.

“But!” He hurries on. “I have to know too.”

“Know what?”

“Do you, in any way, have good feelings for me? He asks hopefully.

Joohyun looks down again but she gives a tiny nod. Yonghwa pumps his fist in the air but quickly put the hand behind his back, crossing his fingers again.

“You’re like…..saying ‘Aigoo’ when you think of me?”

Joohyun blushes more but still nods.

“You think I’m handsome?”

She steals a glance but quickly looks away. She raises a thumb. It’s a yes. She finds him handsome. Oh yeah! Go in for the kill Yonghwa.

“I mean…..Do you really really really like swear to my gold ball that you like like like super duper LIKE me?”

Joohyun nods again.

He grabs both of her hands and squeezes them; bring both of their hands to his chest. Joohyun finally stares at him, her eyes nervous as she waits for his next question. This is it Jung Yonghwa!

“Seo Joohyun, will you please be my girlfriend?”

Both of their breaths hitch and air lodge inside their throats. His heart pounding erratically and he feels it in his rib cage. He’s that nervous. Joohyun bits her lip then nods.

“Yes.” She agrees faintly. She gives a tiny smile then nods again.

“YAHOO!!!!”

Yonghwa jumps on the bed, doing his celebratory dance. He’s a terrible dancer so he never agrees to dance during parties but right now he is busting moves like he’s having an itch or something. Joohyun chuckles and slaps his knees, telling him to stop jumping and sit down. But Yonghwa didn’t listen and continues to make a fool of himself.

“Yes! Yes! Ye-OUCH!” He suddenly yelps in pain.

“Omo!” She calls out worriedly.

Damn it! He curls in a ball on Joohyun’s bed. He accidentally crashes his head on the attic’s ceiling. How stupid of him to forget that Joohyun’s room is really small. He felt like he just cracked his head like an egg opened for cooking. He feels a soft hand carefully feeling the spot on his head where a huge bump is now in place. He opens an eye and finds Joohyun peering at him anxiously.

“Are you alright?”

Yonghwa sneakily rolls sideways, making his head lying on Joohyun’s lap.

“I feel dizzy.” He pouts childishly at her.

“Aigoo, you shouldn’t have jumped. Now you have painful bump on your head.”

Joohyun continues to pat his sore head with her left hand, her forehead creased in worry. Yonghwa lets out a goofy smile then position his head comfortably on her lap. He grabs her free hand and holds it tightly with his, squeezing them. Silence seems to be their companion all the time but they don’t hate it. They find peace with it. An hour has passed and the two stayed like that, Yong dozing off in her lap while Joohyun still patting his head.

“Hyun….” He calls out sleepily.

“Hmm?”

“I easily get jealous.”

“Ah cheongmal?” His mother’s amused voice calls out from the door.

From his comfortable state on Joohyun’s bed, Yonghwa finds himself sprawled awkwardly on the floor. Muttering softly his annoyance, he stands up and looks sulkily at his mother. Jung Somin is standing by the door, doing her best to repress the giggle that is threatening to come out from her mouth. He glances at Joohyun and sees her fidgeting. The blush is back on her face. She is clearly embarrassed. He shots his mother an annoyed glare.

“Omoni, what are you doing here?”

“Wae? This is my house. I can come inside the attic whenever I want. I’m glad that I did come here. Who knows? You two might be doing something you shouldn’t do.” She teases them.

“Bu-but we’re not kissing……” Joohyun stutters innocently.

Jung Somin can’t take it anymore and started laughing. She continues on laughing while Yonghwa and Joohyun stare at her. When she finally quenches her mirth, she lets out a dainty cough and faces the two. Yonghwa looks at her stonily while Joohyun opt to stare at the floor, her ears and cheeks are still burning red.

“Having fun Omoni?”

“Yah, Jung Yonghwa! Don’t be arrogant there and enlighten me on what I’m seeing right now.”

Yonghwa heaves a resigned sigh. He grabs Joohyun’s hand then looks determinedly at his mother.

“Joohyun is my girlfriend now Omoni. I really like her. Please give us your permission to date.”

Jung Somin smiles at her son, amused and a bit sad. Her little boy is grown up now. But still, even if she likes Joohyun this is still her family’s house. There are certain rules to follow.

“When it’s bedtime already, you’re not allowed to get inside Joohyun’s room.”

“But-“

“No buts Yonghwa.” She tells him firmly. “Now go. Jungshin just called. He said you are going to have a band practice now. Scoot.”

“Aish-“

“Language!”

“Fine.” He surrenders. He turns to Joohyun with a forlorn expression.

“I have to go. I’ll see you later Joohyun.”

“D-deh.” She stammers shyly. Why it’s awfully embarrassing now to say goodbye to him in front of his mother?

“Bye”. Yonghwa says sadly and before his mother or Joohyun can react, he steals a kiss on her cheek. He pauses by the door, playfully sticks out his tongue at his mother then run.

“Yah! This kid!”

Somin turns to Joohyun and smiles warmly at the shy girl.

“Come here, Joohyun.” She beckons. “You have a visitor.”

“I do?”

She leads the girl down the stairs. Joohyun gasps then runs towards the living room. Somin smiles happily as she watches Joohyun and her Nana hug each other tightly. Joohyun starts crying while her Nana hushes her, wiping the tears on the young girl’s cheeks. Somin quietly leaves the two and walks towards the kitchen.

“Nana, I miss you so much!” Joohyun cries, not loosening her hug around her grandmother’s waist.

“Aigoo, me too child. Me too.”

They sit on the couch without letting go of each other. Nana pats her back as Joohyun continues to cry on her shoulders. She misses her Nana’s warm hugs and the feel of her wrinkly hands when the older woman pats her cheek. She misses her grandmother dearly. Realizing that it’s already been a month that she’s been far away from home, fresh tears pour again.

“I really want to go home but I know Mother won’t like it.” She sobs loudly.

“Dear, why do you always cry? You’ll get sick.” Nana scolds her but Joohyun keeps on asking her.

“Nana, is Mother still angry with me? How long shall I have to stay here? Can I just go home now?”

But Nana answers with a sad shake. Joohyun sobs even louder when she sees a huge bag placed near her grandmother’s feet. Could it be?

“Those are not my clothes Nana, right? She asks hopefully. “Are those yours? Are you going to stay here with me? I have a room now-“

“Joohyun, be good. Always be grateful to the Jung family. They let you stay in their house. Your Mother…..She’s not in her good mood these days. It’s not safe for you to go home. She might throw her anger at you. I can’t let that happen.”

“But I want to go home!”

“Child.” Nana says patiently. “You will stay here. It’s for the best.”

“Nana……”

“I have to go now. Miyoung will soon be awake from her afternoon slumber. If she finds out I’m here……”

Joohyun cling’s desperately to her Nana’s arms while the older woman walks towards the door. She tries begging but her Nana is firm. Her mother is still angry with her. She can’t go home. She cries loudly as she watches her Nana leaving, waving to her grandmother by the door. She hastily runs to her room and shoves her under the pillow, crying her heart out.

It’s unfair! Why does she have to cry all the time? Why can’t she have a normal family like the Jung’s?

She didn’t hear the door being opened as she continues to sob and calling out to her Nana. She is happy with the Jung’s but she wants to be with her own family too.

“Joohyun.”

She pokes her head from under the pillows and looks at the person sitting beside her. Jung Somin is sitting beside her on the bed, her arms open towards her.

“Imo, am I a bad girl?” She asks tearfully as she stays lying on the bed.

“No, you’re not Joohyun. You’re a very special girl.” Somin tells her quietly.

“Then why does my mother hates me? She doesn’t love me then?”

“I can be your mother Joohyun. I like treating you like you’re my own too.”

Joohyun throws her arms around Somin’s neck pours out all her heartaches. Somin softly pats her back as she listens to Joohyun’s cries. Her heart aches for this girl. She maybe almost the same age as Yonghwa but the truth is, she’s still a kid trapped in a teenager’s body.

“Omoni!” Joohyun sobs. “Can I really call you that?”

“Of course Joohyun” Somin tells her in a bright voice. “You know, the first time I saw you I immediately like you. And when I noticed Yonghwa’s little-well, not so little crush on you, it convinced me more to want you to be my daughter.”

“Omoni….” The latter continues on sobbing as she repeatedly calls her mother, Omoni.

“I’m back! Ha! I cancelled practice because I want to spend more time-Omoni, what’s wrong? What happened to Joohyun?”

Yonghwa rushes towards the bed and sits behind Joohyun. He looks at his mother worriedly. Somin let’s out a small smile. Yonghwa has always been a protective kind of kid. When he was young, he would immediately rush towards his twin sister if he sees some kids bullying her. And now Somin sees that fierce protectiveness again.

Her son moves closer towards them then encircles his arms around Joohyun’s waist and hers. Yonghwa leans his cheek on Joohyun’s back as she continues on crying. Seo Joohyun is not unlucky she has me, my son and the family that cares for her. Well, Jessica can be an exception.

“Everything is going to be alright, darling. Omoni is here. Dry your tears now.”

The three of them huddled together for a long time, the mother and son hugging the lonely girl crying in their arms until her cries lulled her to sleep.