blind
Blind
Hyunsik/Chorong
Angst | 954 words
He hurried over as soon as he got the call. He ran all the way to her apartment as fast as his legs could carry him. He was having difficulty breathing due to suddenly breaking into a sprint, but he wouldn’t let his asthmatic weakness slow him down.
She sounded so desperate over the phone that it made him afraid. Afraid of what might happen if he was even a second late, afraid of what she might do.
As soon as he reached the tall, red building, he immediately dashed inside and started punching the lift buttons hastily. He could take the stairs, but she lived on the 15th floor and the thought of running up the flight of stairs in his current condition, prevented him from doing so.
At least one of them needed to be strong here, and he doubted it was going to be her.
“Hyunsik-ah...I saw him...” He recalled back her words from their earlier conversation. “I saw him with another girl. How could he...how could he cheat on me?”
Because he’s a fool, he wanted to say. He’s a fool who doesn’t know how to appreciate your love.
He shifted from one foot to the other as he waited impatiently for the lift to reach her floor.
8...9...10...
“I love him...” she had whimpered like a lost child. “I love him so much...”
You shouldn’t waste your love on someone like him.
But of course he didn’t tell her that. Because, aside from the fact that she was hopelessly devoted to him, he couldn’t bring himself to speak ill of his best friend of 8 years.
He had known Minhyuk since he was 12. They were best friends, best buddies, best of pals. They were practically brothers, only not tied by blood.
Hyunsik had always been supportive of his best friend. He would always be there to support him even though their interests vary. While Minhyuk was the more outgoing time, Hyunsik would rather shrink back and let him take the spotlight. When Minhyuk’s basketball tournaments clashed with his piano recitals, he’d always make sure that he would make it on time to see his best friend score the final touchdown.
Hyunsik knows that he would always have Minhyuk’s back no matter what.
But then, college came and they got to know Park Chorong. The beautiful, sweet, soft-spoken Park Chorong.
Hyunsik had taken an instant liking towards her.
They had bonded well - over poetry, food recipes and of course, piano. In short, they have a lot in common. It was even safe to say, that Hyunsik felt as if he had found his other-half.
But he didn’t know one thing.
He hadn’t been aware of Minhyuk’s growing feelings for Chorong.
And while Chorong saw him as a close confidante, she saw Minhyuk as a boyfriend - a lover she could count on when times are hard, when things get rough.
The sweet moments only lasted for awhile though.
Hyunsik started seeing the change in his best friend 3 months after their first anniversary. He was always lying about where he was - he even asked Hyunsik to lie for him.
Being the good friend he was, Hyunsik did. But he could only bear lying to Chorong for a few times.
He had tried so hard to protect her from the truth, but soon he realised he was only hurting her more.
The lift finally reached the 15th floor.
Hyunsik immediately rushed out like a madman. He took the usual turns and before he knew it, he was already standing outside her apartment.
He tried knocking for a few times. “Chorong, open up. It’s me.”
There was no answer.
Unable to stand it any longer, Hyunsik backed up a few steps; and putting all his energy and strength into it, he slammed into the door with his left arm.
Thankfully, it flew open at once.
“Chorong!” he shouted. “Where are you?”
He barged into the small, yet comfy apartment. No one was in plain sight. He glanced at the dark kitchen briefly, before making his way to her bedroom.
But just before he reached the room, something else caught his attention from the corner of his eye.
The lilted bathroom.
His instincts told him that she was there, hiding and cowering in a corner.
Sure enough, the second he stepped inside the white-tiled bathroom, he saw her huddling beside the sink, head hung low with her curls covering almost all of her face.
“Chorong!” he exclaimed breathlessly and knelt down in front of her. “Hey, I’m here. It’s me, Hyunsik.”
She didn’t reply, nor did she lift up her head.
Hyunsik was starting to get really, really scared.
“Chorong...?” He shook her figure. “Chorong-ah!”
Just then, something rolled out from underneath her. Hyunsik picked it up gingerly - it was a bottle of pills.
He could feel his stomach twisting into tiny knots.
“Chorong-ah...” he continued to call out her name, the tears already stinging his eyes. He couldn’t lose her; there were still so many things that she didn’t know, that he hasn’t told her.
Just once...just once, please look for me...
“Chorong...” he whispered through quiet sobs. He gripped on to her two hands tightly, feeling her icy cold skin against his warm touch as he pulled her close to him. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was such a coward. I’m sorry I stayed hidden for so long. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know when I had the chance to. I’m sorry for all the lies I told you. I’m sorry...”
I’m standing right in front of you, but your eyes look past me...
He regretted it.
He regretted all the things he didn’t get the chance to say.