Resurrection - Part IV
Title: Resurrection
Rating: PG
Pairing: Sehun/Kai
Summary: A piercing scream, a loud honk, a powerful crash... did he come back to life?
Kai's head was spinning. He's scared. What was happening to him? Was he just his imagination? It's only the first time he experienced such a thing. He stared in shock as the back of Sehun's figure disappeared around the corner. He found himself breathing unevenly as his heart pounded with so much force. He had never felt this way before. Does it confirm that the person he saw was actually Sehun?
Kai blinked a few times and shook his head.
Stop it.
He demanded himself.
Don't torture yourself even more.
He heaved a deep breath and forced himself to turn around, go back, and head home. As soon as he took his first step, his mind screamed at him furiously.
Damn it. That's Sehun!
Kai bit his tongue hard and turned back. It doesn't matter if it's Sehun or not, but he still wanted to confirm. He walked fast, two steps at a time, even slightly tripping on his heel but he didn't stop. He reached the corner and turned as he saw the familiar back of that person holding a cellphone over his right ear.
Kai almost ran to him but he kept his calm and walked faster than ever, not minding whether the passersby would think he's got to run to relieve his stomach, all he wanted at the moment was to see the face of that person again. He stopped just behind him and accidentally overheard the conversation he was making with his friend on the phone.
"You can't just leave me alone here. No- wait-- don't you dare-"
Sehun stopped walking abruptly, which almost caused Kai to topple over him but luckily didn’t, and looked at his dead phone.
"Fuck!"
Shit. That sounded so much like Sehun.
Kai had goosebumps on his arms and legs as his heart beat furiously in his chest, and he almost wanted to put his palms against it to muffle the sound in case Sehun could hear it from behind. But luckily, Sehun just walked again without looking back with his steps gaining weight every second until he was dragging his feet in annoyance.
The stalker of the two stopped following him midway and contemplated. Maybe he isn't Sehun. Not when Sehun had dark brown hair while this man in front of him has greyish dirty blonde hair. He seemed taller than the Sehun he used to know too, and... Kai's heart squeezed itself as the truth hit him again... Sehun is dead.
"He's gone." Kai whispered to the air as he gave up and stepped back slowly. His eyes didn't leave him though. Sehun immediately hailed a cab and before he stepped in, he looked from side to side consciously, and slipped in after. Kai held his breath. It was fast, but it was enough for him to catch sight of his face. His side profile was too familiar, indeed too haunting. Kai couldn't believe his eyes.
He looked so much like Sehun.
Kai was feeling unsettled as he lied on his bed, forcing himself to be taken away by sleep but to no avail, so he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to block all thoughts of this very much alive Sehun in front of his eyes two hours ago.
However, as soon as he admitted to himself that he'll never be able to shut the thoughts away, he felt something ache inside him. It wasn't the fact that Sehun is dead, even though it still hurts him thinking about it. But he's not that bothered about the loss now, not when he saw him in flesh today, not when he's breathing the same air as him, not when he's much livelier than he is. But the sore part in his chest started to spread, enveloping him into more pain. He couldn't think of another question but why.
Why did they lie?
Kai heaved a deep breath as he calmed himself down. They're his friends. They treated him equally as a friend. But why would they lie about Sehun's existence? After three years of being shunned in the dark, didn't he deserve to know the truth? What happened? Did they not want him to be near Sehun anymore? Did his mother ask them to stay away from his son? Kai sat up and leaned his back on the wall, hitting his head softly on the concrete. The latter seemed more understandable. But why would Sehun agree to such a thing? Did he live all those 3 years without him? Unless...
Kai clenched his fists tightly just as how his heart did the same. Unless it's Sehun who wants him to stay away from him. Did he lose hope that he'll ever wake up? Or did he hate him since he broke up with him? Come to think of it, Kai wasn't able to explain it to him. But if Sehun did survive, his friends would have had the chance to explain. Unless Sehun completely cut ties with them even before they were able to.
But no matter what happened during those three years, he still couldn't understand why they would lie. Kai sat up straight before sighing. He had come up with a decision.
If they want to play this game with him, he'll keep his mouth shut. He'll find Sehun again. And he'll get the truth from him himself.
This Sehun wasn't too hard to find. Actually, Kai didn't exert much effort on doing so. They coincidentally met in the central grocery when Kai volunteered to go in place of Kyungsoo, reasoning he didn't have anything to do and that Kyungsoo just came home from his university and must be feeling tired. Which was actually one of Kai's plans. He wanted to be outside all he can, that way he'll have more chances to bump into Sehun.
In all honesty, he wasn't prepared to see Sehun standing at the end of the shelf he was at, dressed so casually with his greyish hair falling to his face while he bowed his head down as he examined the strawberry jam in his hand. Kai's heartbeat accelerated at the sight, suddenly feeling he couldn't do it. Why was he nervous? Why was he scared?
He stiffened as Sehun took more time in looking at the jam, turning it with his palm, while he stood a few meters away from him. What if his conclusion was right? That Sehun doesn't want to see him anymore. It's what Kai dreaded the most, the rejection he might have to face once he confronts Sehun.
Kai watched as his feet dragged him step by step, closer, to where Sehun was standing. He held his breath while he stood a few inches away from the unaware Sehun who was still absorbed by the seemingly ordinary jam, his forehead creased a little.
"Is that good?" Kai started a conversation while his heart pounded with no mercy against his chest. With that, Sehun looked up in surprise as his eyes widened for a bit before he stepped back unknowingly. The glass jar of the strawberry jam slipped from his fingers at the same instant and Kai almost lunged at him to save the brittle container from falling.
When Kai finally straightened up, sighed in relief and made sure that the jam is safely back on the shelf, he glanced at Sehun staring at him, his heartbeat's pace never slowing down.
"I'm sorry." Sehun muttered. Kai's ears perked up not so normally. "But you scared me."
Kai blinked to get away from his trance. His face is so much like Sehun's. There is no way he is not Sehun. He stood there gaping at the face he had missed for 3 years, although unconsciously.
"Sehun." He called.
Sehun creased his brows while they locked eyes.
Kai reached for his arm but Sehun took another step back.
"Hey." Sehun warned as he didn't remove his eyes on him.
When none of them spoke, Sehun immediately turned his back and walked away.
What was that?
Kai didn't understand any of it. He followed where Sehun was going until he realized he was paying for the things he bought and was leaving.
No. Stop, Oh Sehun.
"Sehun!" Kai called out loud which made a few heads turn to him, including Sehun. Their eyes made contact again and Kai immediately walked to him. Sehun's eyes widened as he turned on his heel and left the store with stiff legs and hurried steps. Kai went after him.
Two minutes of not so discreetly chasing Sehun, Kai called out to him again.
"Sehun!"
Sehun pretended he didn't hear anything and continued walking forward, faster.
"Sehun wait."
Without warning, Sehun broke into a run. Kai didn't have time to comprehend what happened but he just suddenly sprinted after him, calling him again and again in between breaths, but Sehun was advancing, stretching the gap between them a little farther. The three years of being stuck in the hospital didn't help him.
He reached a different street and lost sight of Sehun. There were a few houses lined up next to each other but where would Sehun's be? He assumed he lived in the place because he was positive he ran to this neighborhood just now. Kai walked up in front of three houses, thinking Sehun would be in one of them. Just when Kai was about to make a move to look closer, he saw a figure from behind the window through the curtains peeking through the gaps of the house in the middle.
Kai walked slowly towards the same house and the figure suddenly disappeared from the window. If hearts can fly out of its ribcage, Kai's would already be beating on the ground. He's full of anxiety and anticipation, a not so good combination that could give him a heart attack but he's slowly coping. He walked up the low steps and he stood there noiselessly a few inches from the door.
"Sehun. I know you're in there."
For a second, he didn't receive any response. The next moment, he saw the door move, it was swift and fast and he heard the loud bang from the hard wooden door and the thump it made on his head. His vision instantly blurred and the last thing he saw was a wide-eyed Sehun. Kai fell and was knocked out of his consciousness in three seconds.
The surrounding was unfamiliar as well as the couch he's lying on. Kai opened his eyes and he was greeted by a massive pain on his forehead. The scenes earlier played out in a few seconds in his head and his hand flew unconsciously to the most sore part of his face.
"Ow~" He groaned as his finger touched the reddening skin, feeling a bruised bump just above his eyebrow. He focused his eyes on the ceiling before he sat up on the suspicious couch.
"I'm sorry."
The voice made Kai swerve his attention to the person sitting on the edge below his feet. That was the second time he said that to him.
"If you didn't follow me, I wouldn't have hit you with the door." Sehun remained with a calm posture but he was looking at Kai with surveying eyes. "What do you want from me?"
"Sehun?" Kai asked again. He couldn't understand why Sehun's acting as if he doesn't know him. As if he isn't Sehun.
"I don't understand you." Sehun spoke clearly, his eyes still looking out for Kai in case he does something wrong to him.
"奇怪.(weird)" He muttered under his breath.
"What did you say?" It was Kai's turn to be confused.
The other raised his eyebrow. "Why do you keep following me?"
"I--" Kai looked into his eyes, searching for something. Recognition? Nah. Longing? He wished, but no. Anger? Yes. He's searching for anger in his eyes, but he saw none. Sehun looked annoyed, but not mad. Does that mean Sehun didn't want him to stay away from him? But why can't Sehun recognize him?
"You look so much like my friend." Kai admitted in defeat. He was surprised at himself, too. Why did he say that? Isn't he Sehun? Did he just tell himself that this person in front of him only looks like Sehun? But that's impossible.
Sehun crossed his arms. "Please leave now."
"No. Wait." Kai straightened up. "It's true. This friend... I haven't seen in for so long. And I miss him." Unknowingly, a frown appeared on Kai's face. His mood changed while his shoulders dropped. He heaved a depressed sigh and the sadness in his eyes showed. A lump formed in his throat which made it hard for him to talk more.
Sehun looked at him suspiciously, but the way he slumped his shoulders slightly convinced him of his story.
"You do really look so much alike. Even sound alike." He continued, not looking at Sehun anymore. It was like looking at something so near yet so far away.
"But. I guess I've only imagined those things since, like I said, I haven't seen him for a long time." He huffed. That's a lie. There's no way he'd be mistaken. But what else could he say to a stranger he shamelessly followed all throughout to his house who doesn't have any idea what he's talking about?
"By the way, I'm really sorry I scared you. I really did think you were someone else. It's just-" He paused. Will he mention about Sehun being his first love and probably still love? No, he won't. He'd like to keep it to himself sacred and secured.
"I'm going to leave." Kai stood. He didn't want to leave. Even though this person might not be Sehun, he can't deny he sees Sehun so much in him. He wanted to get to know him more. Just to make himself believe that he is far from the Sehun he loved.
Sehun stood too. Surprised at the sudden turn of events. He didn't know the stranger who was creepily following him earlier would voluntarily leave so calmly. In fact, he was trying to recall the wushu tactics he learned from way back in case he needed them to drive him away. However, it looks like he wouldn't need them anymore.
Kai's back was facing him when he turned around and took a quick look at his face. "You seem new around here."
Sehun blinked before he replied.
"I am. I just moved in to Korea yesterday."
"Oh."
Sehun glanced at the door and Kai took that as a hint for him to start leaving. If he is new, then he's probably having a hard time with trusting people.
"I'm sorry for your head. I didn't mean to knock you out that hard." Sehun said apologetically.
Kai reached for the bump behind his fringe and he winced at the contact.
"Sorry." Sehun stared at the floor guiltily.
"It's ok. It was my fault." Kai would have added more but he didn't want to scare Sehun anymore. "By the way. My name is Kim Jongin. You can just call me Kai. I know we didn't have a good introduction and you have a bad impression of me but... just in case you need help around Korea."
He placed his hands inside his pockets and waited for Sehun's response. But when Sehun just looked at him back, Kai nodded and retreated to the door politely.
"I'm Wu Shixun."
♦
"I'm Oh Sehun."
Kai eyed the new person in their class with interest. He was fairly tall with a pale skin complexion. His eyes didn't have much life but Kai knows he's only hiding the twinkle in them. His nose was shaped perfectly together with his narrow mouth with seemingly soft lips, and Kai found him even more attractive when he darted his small tongue out to wet his bottom lip in nervousness. His dark hair was smooth and shiny that almost covered his eyes until he swept it to the side. His appearance looked entirely appealing and his timidness made him sound mysterious. That's when Kai decided he wanted to know more about him other than his name.
Oh Sehun. That's his name.
Unfortunately, Sehun took the empty seat at the back, far from where Kai was and he only tilted his head to watch him be seated before he focused back on the discussion. He decided he can still talk to him later.
It wasn't long til the bell rang signalling the time for lunch and before Kai could walk up to the new mysterious classmate of his, he was out the door and gone. That was a lost chance but Kai just shrugged. He didn't think he was that interested to follow him so he took the opposite way and headed to where he should be at.
Fate wanted to play with Kai, can't say he didn't like it, when his friend Chanyeol brought a new friend to their table in the cafeteria.
"Yo. This is Baekhyun. We were lab partners just now. He's cool." Chanyeol introduced him like it's not their first time meeting him and took a seat across Kyungsoo who looked up at the new friend that's supposed to sit with them until the end of the school year, at least that's what it meant if anyone among them brings a friend to their table.
Kai's gaze landed not on the new addition to their table, but to the person standing just behind him.
Baekhyun nodded, not giving a smile but not entirely being disrespectful. "I'm Baekhyun. It's nice to meet you. This is-"
"Oh!" Chanyeol exclaimed and looked at the guy behind Baekhyun apologetically. "This is Sehun by the way, Baekhyun's friend."
"Hello. Nice to meet you two." Suho stood with a gentle smile and shook both their hands. Sehun murmured an "I'm Sehun" but failed to get a response when Suho ushered them to their seats. Incidentally, Sehun was seated from across Kai and Suho let Baekhyun sit on his chair next to Sehun while he transferred to Kai's right.
"This is Kai, Kyungsoo, and I'm Suho." Kyungsoo gave them a creepy smile that he never intended, while Kai looked straight at Sehun.
"You're in my class." He stated and Sehun looked back at him.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you."
"Yeah. Oh Sehun right?"
"Hm." He affirmed with a slight nod.
"My name is Kim Jongin. You can just call me Kai."
He nodded again. "Okay."
Kai smiled.
And that was the first time he saw the twinkle in Sehun's eyes. Sehun smiled back.
Kai and Sehun became good friends since then. Along with the other four who were really fun to be with what with the difference in personalities. They all made a good match. Sehun and Baekhyun moved in with them after Chanyeol's nagging that it's fun to live together rather than stay in the dorms. Apparently, Sehun and Baekhyun had known each other in middle school and they decided to go to the same high school, away from their parents to live independently.
One year, two years, three years passed by really quickly. All six of them entered college together in the same university. Another year. Two years. Finally, three. The friendship was tighter than ever. No secrets, no lies, no fights. A few fights, maybe, but not much.
It took Kai years before he finally said it. He decided he wanted to build a strong friendship as foundation before he tells him. And that time finally came.
He finally told Sehun he likes him.
♦
Wu Shixun.
The name etched on Kai's head automatically and that's all he's been hearing ever since he came home with the groceries he promised his housemates.
Wu Shixun.
Who are you, really?
I know this isn't a lot. But hey Christmas is coming! ♥ lol Also, I siged up on the anonfeedback meme. In case there's anything you want me to learn or to improve on (or to correct), you can tell me there 8D You're not obliged to though. Thanks so much! And happy holidays! ヽ(*・ω・)ﾉ