Chapter 7 - Maybe I'm in Love With You...
Title: Maybe I'm in Love With You...
Pairings: Yonghwa/Seohyun, Onew/Hara, Wooyoung/Jieun (IU)
Genre: romance, fluff, comedy
Ratings: g
Summary: The truth behind their hearts.
Chapter 7 - Maybe I'm in Love With You
Hara smiled to herself as she slipped into her pajamas that night. The day’s events kept doing the flashbacks in her mind. But the funny thing was, every single detail of the flashback included Onew in it, especially the part when she had practically jumped into his arms, embracing him. Hara’s smile got wider when she remembered how Onew’s arms instantly wrapped around her waist. Just thinking about the unplanned embrace made her forgot how she was almost taken advantage of earlier. And everything was thanks to Onew, who actually saved her day.
Hara walked over to her study table and fiddled with her phone before finally dialing Lee Joon’s number for the second time that day. After a few rings, Lee Joon answered the phone.
“Joonie! I’m so happy to hear your voice!” Hara exclaimed as she threw her body down onto her bed.
“Yah! That’s the first!” Lee Joon answered with a smirk. “What do you want?”
“Me? Hm, I’m just calling to talk to you…” Hara smiled.
“Aish! How come I find that you sound a bit different now? Your voice, it changed!”
“Ah sinchia! Whatever are you talking about?”
“Yah! I’ve known you since we’re kids, I know your voice tones very well.” Lee Joon said. “Anyway, how do you like my work on the tyres earlier?”
“You did great Joonie! I’m proud of you!” Hara replied, her face turning a bit sour. “But um, I have a request right now…”
“Request? What is it?”
“Can you call someone to change the tyres? I’ll pay for everything!” Hara said quickly.
“Yah! What is wrong with you? Whose car is it anyway? You are surely hiding something from me right?” Lee Joon was practically screaming over the phone.
“Just do it Joonie-ah! I’ll tell you everything once you have everything settled. I promise!” Hara said. “I got to go now Joonie. I have an incoming call here… BYE!”
Hara heaved a sigh of relief the moment her call to Lee Joon was off. But on the other hand, it was true; Hara really did have another incoming call waiting to be answered. Hara glanced at her phone screen; private number. She shrugged before answering.
“Yeobosaeyo?”
***
Onew continued pacing his room. He had his phone on his hand but he was not sure what he was supposed to do with it. He was nervous. Very nervous. He seriously had no idea what the hell was happening to him. But one thing he knew was, his heart kept beating faster the moment his mind swept back to the incident which happened earlier.
He was not trying to be a hero. But the moment he saw Hara struggling in the stranger’s arms, he could feel the anger seeping into his veins. So he did what his brains were telling him; he pulled that guy by the collar and pushed him away from her with all his might. He even decided on the spot to play the role of Hara’s ‘boyfriend’ in front of that perfect stranger. Then he heard her calling out his name in that most soothing voice and that was enough to make his knees go weak. He could not understand how that voice which he used to despise could make him lose his focus all of a sudden.
Then they made contact which really sent him off the wall. Her body molded into his perfectly. And Onew had no complains about anything at all. During the time when she was still in a state of panic, his hands managed to memorize her curves with his embrace. It was as if she was made for him. Adding to that, her scent was another factor which almost sent Onew to the edge. The sweet smell of her shampoo hypnotized him for a moment. And it still was doing its magic up till now…
Onew shook his head, as he tried to erase the memory of Hara off his mind. But it was indeed difficult to do so. Earlier when he parked her car beside her house, he suddenly felt glad that they were neighbours, totally the opposite feeling from what he felt this morning. And when she waved goodbye to him as he was leaving, the feeling was extraordinary and he just enjoyed the moment. It was like a wife sending off her husband away to work…
“Stop it Onew!” Onew exclaimed as he placed both his hands on his head. “This is not working for you. Focus Onew, focus!”
‘But it won’t hurt to give her a call to ask if she is alright right?’ A voice told him.
“Yeah! It’s an act of graciousness.” Onew answered. “I’m a concerned colleague, nothing more!”
And so, Onew looked through the names in his phone contacts. He searched it under the name ‘The Unwanted’. He grimaced before quickly changing it to ‘Hara’. Previously when he was given Hara’s number by Mr Park, he really did not want her as his partner, which was how the name ‘The Unwanted’ came up. But now, something just changed his perception on her.
Onew pressed the call button and bit down on his lips as he listened to the sound of the ringing tone.
“Yeobosaeyo?”
Onew gulped when he heard her voice on the other line. ‘What am I supposed to say? What am I supposed to say?!’
“Yeobosaeyo?” She repeated when she heard the silence.
Onew cleared his throat. “Um, yeobosaeyo? Hara-ssi?”
“Ah, ne. May I know who’s speaking?”
“I-It’s me, Onew.”
Silence.
“Hara-ssi, are you there? I’m sorry to disturb you. Let’s just talk tomorrow then.” Onew sighed.
“Ne? A-Ani!” Hara said quickly. “You’re not disturbing.”
“Ah sinchia? Hm, that’s good to know.” Onew smiled nervously as he leaned against his study table. “Are you feeling better?”
“Thank you for asking Onew-ssi. I’m fine alright.”
“That’s good.” Onew nodded his head. He was suddenly lost for words.
“How is everything on your side?”
Onew gave a slight chuckle. “I’m fine too. You should worry about yourself more.”
“I’m just asking out of concern.” Hara grinned.
“Well, thank you then Hara-ssi.” Onew smiled. “Um, it’s getting late, you should get some sleep.”
“Same goes for you Onew-ssi.” Hara said. “We’ll see each other tomorrow then.”
“Yes. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”
“Um by the way, do you need a ride to the office tomorrow?” Hara asked, suddenly remembering about his car which was still at the underground car park under the office building. She bit her bottom lip in guiltiness.
“Ani. I’m fine. I’ll just take the subway.”
“Andwae!” Hara shouted before realizing it a bit too late.
“Excuse me?”
“I mean, andwae…” Hara said it in a gentler tone causing Onew to chuckle on the other side.
“Wae-yo?”
“I’ll fetch you tomorrow morning. Please don’t worry. Since we’re on the same route.”
“But wouldn’t you be with your housemate?”
“Joori unnie? I’m not so worried about her already.” Hara grinned. “It seemed she has patched up with your housemate.”
“Sinchia? With Tony hyung?”
“Hm, I guess.” Hara shrugged.
“Wow! That’s fast for them.”
“From what I see, she’s still in love with him and she never did let go of that love. That’s why she remained single all these years.”
“Ah, I see. Wow! It seems like we have a lot of stories to catch up on even though we’ve been neighbours for quite a while now.”
“I know right?” Hara laughed.
Onew and Hara continued to talk for a while longer before saying goodbye. Onew smiled satisfactorily the moment he put his phone under his pillow before lying down on the bed. Now, he could get some peaceful sleep, and maybe if he was lucky, she might appear in his dreams.
******
Seohyun laid down in bed as she got herself ready for sleep. Accompanied by the night light, she fingered the anklet which Yonghwa had found just beside the oak tree earlier. She could not even describe the happiness she felt the moment Yonghwa had the anklet dangling in front of her face after finding it. Since yesterday, the anklet was like the most treasured possession which Seohyun could not seem to part with.
She sighed as she turned her body to the right, pulling the blanket higher towards her chin. Seohyun smiled as she watched the anklet shimmered under the dim light. It shone nicely that made the anklet glow in return. Seohyun then sat up and pulled her feet out from the blanket before placing the anklet back on her ankle. The bell to the anklet jingled sweetly causing Seohyun to smile broader. Whenever she heard the sounds of the anklet bell, it just reminded her of Yonghwa, her very own secret admirer.
Seohyun’s phone started to vibrate under her pillow and she quickly made a grab for the device. Without further delay, Seohyun immediately answered the call.
“Yeobosaeyo?”
***
Yonghwa sat on the chair to his study table while looking at his computer in front of him. He had promised himself to continue writing the love letters and have them sent everyday to Seohyun. That was what he was trying to do at that moment as he continued to stare at the screen. Even though it was a bit foolish of him to be writing all these letters when it was clear enough to Seohyun that he had develop serious likings towards her. But he loved writing and she loved reading, and so he automatically decided that he should continue doing this.
The blank screen continued to stare back at Yonghwa who was totally out of idea. He was not sure on what to start with and where to start with. He needed his inspiration. And so, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number he now knew by heart.
“Yeobosaeyo?” The person on the other hand answered softly almost to a whisper. Yonghwa smiled the moment he heard the voice.
“Yeobosaeyo? Seo Joohyun?” Yonghwa said as he let out a chuckle.
“Ne. Yong?” Seohyun giggled shyly as she called out his name.
“Ne, it’s me. You’re still awake?”
“Hm, I can’t sleep. Why?”
“Sinchia? Or are you waiting for me to call?” Yonghwa grinned.
“What are you talking about?” Seohyun pouted.
“You know what I’m talking about.” Yonghwa accused.
“Ani. Tell me what are you trying to talk about?”
“You jolly well know it Seo Joohyun.”
“What? I really don’t know!”
“Okay, okay. I give up. We can’t go on arguing this way.” Yonghwa surrendered.
“Ahrasso. I’ve won then.” Seohyun shrugged as she continued to grin cheekily.
“You just enjoy doing this don’t you?” Yonghwa said as he leaned back against his chair with a smile.
“Hm, actually today is the first time I do this sort of thing.” Seohyun said as she let out another laugh. “And it’s kind of fun, since I’m doing it with you.”
Yonghwa was not sure how she did it but just by talking, she had lifted his spirits up almost automatically. The ideas just came by unconsciously and suddenly Yonghwa had lots of things to write about.
“I love to hear the way you laugh, you know that?” Yonghwa said.
“Hm, so I heard.” Seohyun replied, nodding her head.
“It replenishes my strength after a hard week’s work.”
“Are you talking about the time you always peek at me from your balcony?” Seohyun teased.
“Hm, it was my most favourite pastime.” Yonghwa grinned.
“Just curious, how long have you been observing me again?”
“If I’m not mistaken, probably around six months plus?”
“Sinchia? That long? Why didn’t you approach me” Seohyun gaped.
“I was shy Seo Joohyun! I’m not as bold as you, to just come to a stranger and ask to sit beside him.” Yonghwa said, reminding her of their first meet.
“I didn’t ask to sit beside you okay, I asked if I could share the space.”
“Whatever you say my dear.” Yonghwa said in conclusion causing Seohyun to blush.
“Eyy! Since when did I become your dear?” Seohyun asked with a silly grin plastered on her face.
“Hm, I’m not sure. When do you think it started?”
“Aish! You’re teasing me! I don’t want to answer it then!”
“Aigoo! Are you sulking?” Yonghwa grinned.
“Ani.”
“Ja-shik!” Yonghwa laughed. “Seo Joohyun, do you know that I’m writing another letter to you.”
“Letter? What letter?” Seohyun asked curiously, her mock anger forgotten.
“Just another letter from your secret admirer.”
“Why must you do that? I already know that you’re the one who sent that letter. Is there a need for another letter again?”
“Well, if you don’t want it, then I’ll just have it deleted then.” Yonghwa shrugged.
“AH! Andwae! Don’t delete!” Seohyun shrieked in shocked.
“Aish! There’s no need to shout into the phone you know!” Yonghwa cringed.
“Mianhe oppa.” Seohyun said shyly.
Yonghwa gaped. “Excuse me, did you just call me oppa?”
“Ne. Don’t you like it?”
“M-Me? Of course I like it. It makes you sound more feminine.”
“Chet! So since yesterday you thought the way I talk was manly?” Seohyun raised an eyebrow.
“Aniyo. I thought it was masculine!” Yonghwa laughed mercilessly at his own rendition of jokes.
“Hah! Sinchia!”
“You know what, for the past six months, I’ve always thought of you as an angel.” Yonghwa started saying, his voice suddenly low and soothing. “Even only after a day of knowing you, you are still an angel to me. And I hope that you’d be the only angel for me, now and forever. And I dare say this to you, I think I’m falling for you. I’m falling for you hard that I’m afraid I’d be broken if I were to fall too deeply.”
Seohyun gasped turning her speechless for a moment. She was not expecting that kind of sudden confession from Yonghwa.
“Um, w-why are you saying this suddenly?” Seohyun started asking with that familiar tremble in her voice. “Didn’t we just agreed to go out together and get to know each other better?”
“Yes, we did. But I just want to inform you that I won’t be able to let you go after this.” Yonghwa said confidently.
Seohyun blushed even more. “I know.”
Yonghwa felt a sudden rush of joy claiming his heart. He had never felt this happy before. “Okay then, let’s start this tomorrow. A brand new episode for us.”
Seohyun chuckled. “I like it. A brand new episode of us.”
“Ne, a brand new episode of us.”
That night, after the long conversation they had, Yonghwa was finally feeling relieved. The ideas which dropped into his mind earlier were still lingering. And so, he stretched out his fingers on the keyboard and started typing those thoughts out, filling the blank spaces with memories of him and her.
Once upon a time, we met under the oak tree.
You said hi and I replied awkwardly.
I did not expect to meet you there, but I just did.
I believe it’s our fate to meet each other that day.
We talked and we laughed and we even shared some secrets unknowingly.
I knew who you were then, but you never realized it was always me.
The hardest part came when we had to part.
I braved myself to let go and started to walk away.
But you still stood there, calling out to me asking for my name.
I gave you a clue but you don’t seem to understand.
I watched from a distance as you left the oak tree with a hunch.
As the rain started to pour, I said out loud, ‘I was the Yong you’re looking for.’
But of course you can’t hear me, for you were long gone.
And so, fate came knocking again, against the door of my heart.
To meet you the next day, and that was how our story starts…
******
Wooyoung headed towards the bus stop. From a distance, he could see the familiar figure of a young woman he now knew well enough. He smiled as he approached Jieun who was deeply engrossed in reading her notes.
“It seems we’re fated to meet, again and again and again.” Wooyoung said as he sat himself down beside Jieun who looked stunned to see him.
“Wooyoung-ssi? Ah, are you going home as well?” Jieun asked as she quickly put away her notes.
“Ah ne. Where do you think I might be going?” Wooyoung grinned.
“I see.” Jieun nodded. “Don’t mind me saying this, but you look like the kind who would spend his night times in the club or something.”
“Bo? Yah! What do you think I am? A hooligan?”
“Ani. I was just saying.” Jieun shrugged, a smile playing on her lips.
“So, what were you reading earlier?” Wooyoung asked as he took a peek at Jieun’s hands which were now empty.
“Oh, some exam notes. I’m having my practical soon.” Jieun explained, stifling a yawn.
“Ah, I see.”
The bus arrived a couple of minutes later. Wooyoung and Jieun boarded the bus silently, neither one speaking any single word. They opted to sit separately as the bus was quite empty to begin with, Jieun on the right side of the bus and Wooyoung on the left. The bus continued to move ahead but stopped at the next bus stop to pick up the next few passengers. A few passengers boarded the bus and one of them was a man who seemed to be a bit drunk. He walked a bit too tipsily towards the seats and of all the empty seats he could have chosen, he just had to choose the seat which was beside Jieun. Jieun bit her lips as she felt the man slightly leaning towards her. He was not doing anything, just that he was getting a little too sleepy and his leaning towards her was making her uncomfortable.
Wooyoung continued to stare at the drunk man. The moment he saw the man leaning a little too close towards Jieun, he felt his heart skipped a beat. He saw her biting her bottom lips and that was enough to make him stand up for her. Before he knew it, he was pulling Jieun by her hand, up from her seat and slowly led her towards the empty seat beside his own. Jieun sat quietly without even daring to take a look at Wooyoung.
“Are you okay?” Wooyoung asked in a soft whisper.
“Ne, kwenchana.” Jieun nodded.
It was only a matter of minutes before the bus finally reached their neighbourhood bus stop. Jieun and Wooyoung got off the bus and as if it had been a daily routine, they started to walk up the road together towards their houses.
“It’s kind of cold huh?” Wooyoung asked as he placed his hands into the pockets of his jacket.
“Hm, kind of.” Jieun replied, her eyes still glued towards the road ahead.
“So, how long have you lived here?”
“Me? I just moved in last Saturday.”
“Ah, sinchia? That’s why I’ve never seen you around before.” Wooyoung nodded in understanding.
Jieun chuckled. “And now, we’re often bumping into each other.”
“You’re right.” Wooyoung smiled shyly. “What made you move into this neighbourhood?”
“My appa made me. He said our house is too far away from my school.” Jieun explained. “But I think it is a good idea too. Since I like to spend most of my time in school that I totally forgot that I need to go home.”
Wooyoung laughed. “Sinchia? So that Seo Joohyun, you just got to know her?”
“Seo Joohyun? Seohyun unnie?” Jieun raised an eyebrow. “Why did you call Seohyun unnie by her full name? Do you by any chance know her?”
“Actually, I don’t know her that well. The only thing I know is that one of my housemates has a crush on her.”
“Oh, is it that oppa that I met this morning?”
“The one and only.” Wooyoung grinned.
“They seem to know each other.” Jieun said.
“Yeah. I noticed that too. But from what I know, he had never confronted her before, just merely watching her from a distance.” Wooyoung explained. “Yonghwa hyung is the shy kind of guy.”
“Hm, he looks like a good guy.”
“Yah! He is a good guy, a loyal one too. He’s been a secret admirer of Seo Joohyun for the past six months you know! ”
“Ah? Sinchia?” Jieun gaped, unbelieving before muttering something under her breath which made Wooyoung grinned wider. Surprisingly, he found her reactions quite cute.
For some reasons, Wooyoung felt comfortable being around Jieun. She did not act all crazed up like most female students of Yonsei University the moment they saw him. She was just relaxed, and seemed not bothered at all when she saw him. There was of course a tinge of shyness somewhere stretched across her face but truthfully girls who were shy were just his cup of tea rather than those bold ones. And the only reason Wooyoung did not inform her of his real job was just to look out for her reaction, whether or not she recognized him or not, or would she act similarly like the rest of the girls. But after a few times with the accidental meetings, he was quite sure that she never cared about the science laboratory assistant oppa whom the girls in Yonsei University fancied of.
“You walked me all the way to my home!” Jieun exclaimed suddenly causing Wooyoung to wake up from his reverie.
“Ah? Ne…” Wooyoung smiled guiltily as if he was caught doing something he shouldn’t.
“Jeongmal gamsahamnida Wooyoung-ssi.” Jieun said as she gave a bow towards the man in front of her.
“Ani, it’s the least I could do for a lady like you.”
“Aish! Sinchia!” Jieun grinned.
“How many of you in the house now? There used to be three right? Including you, won’t it be four already?” Wooyoung asked.
“Wow! You seem to know a lot about the girls who live here.” Jieun replied in amazement.
“Aniya, I was just guessing.” Wooyoung grinned.
“Yeah, there’re four of us now. And I’m the maknae in the house.” Jieun said with a wide smile.
“Sinchia? I’m the maknae in the house too!” Wooyoung exclaimed.
“Jeongmal? How many of you are there?”
“There are four of us too.” Wooyoung replied.
Jieun chuckled. “I just realized, everything about us are almost the same. It’s quite funny how these things works.”
“I know right?” Wooyoung said before an awkward silence surrounded them. Wooyoung looked at Jieun who was nibbling on her bottom lips. Even that simple action from her brought out a nervous feeling out of him.
“Um, I guess I have to go in now.” Jieun suddenly spoke up as she looked up to stare into his eyes.
Wooyoung gulped before nodding. “Ah, yeah. Um, good night then.”
“Good night Wooyoung-ssi.” Jieun gave a lingering smile as she headed towards the gate. “Walk safely.”
“Have a good rest.”
“Ne, you too.” Jieun said. She watched as Wooyoung walked backwards away from her house as he continued waving shyly towards her. Jieun was not aware that she was holding her breath until Wooyoung was totally out of sight. Then she inhaled deeply before going up to her room.
Meeting Wooyoung frequently had made Jieun addicted. It was like almost a remedy to her the moment she saw him. She had been having lots of stress with her upcoming exams that the moment she saw him, the stress in her was suddenly gone. He made her day and she enjoyed the short moments she spent with him. But she wondered what kind of feeling was that exactly. Was she developing a crush on him?
As she slowly walked past the rooms belonging to Hara and Seohyun, she could hear the faint sounds of talking coming from the respective rooms. She was just guessing that they were still up and might be on hogging onto the phone. ‘I didn’t know they have boyfriends.’ Jieun thought with a soft chuckle before she headed on towards Joori’s room. She had to report to Joori the moment she reached home from school. It was all because of the last night’s event whereby Jieun had come home so late, causing her to miss the last bus home. That made Joori worried.
Jieun gave a soft knock on Joori’s door. “Joori unnie, are you in there?” Jieun asked softly, but there was no answer. She tried a few more times, but still received no response. Finally, Jieun courageously opened the door to Joori’s room but found it empty. Jieun frowned, before shrugging. “Well, I’m sure she has informed Hara unnie or Seohyun unnie regarding her absence.” Jieun said to herself. She gave a last look at the empty room before finally heading on to hers to call it a night.
Pairings: Yonghwa/Seohyun, Onew/Hara, Wooyoung/Jieun (IU)
Genre: romance, fluff, comedy
Ratings: g
Summary: The truth behind their hearts.
Chapter 7 - Maybe I'm in Love With You
Hara smiled to herself as she slipped into her pajamas that night. The day’s events kept doing the flashbacks in her mind. But the funny thing was, every single detail of the flashback included Onew in it, especially the part when she had practically jumped into his arms, embracing him. Hara’s smile got wider when she remembered how Onew’s arms instantly wrapped around her waist. Just thinking about the unplanned embrace made her forgot how she was almost taken advantage of earlier. And everything was thanks to Onew, who actually saved her day.
Hara walked over to her study table and fiddled with her phone before finally dialing Lee Joon’s number for the second time that day. After a few rings, Lee Joon answered the phone.
“Joonie! I’m so happy to hear your voice!” Hara exclaimed as she threw her body down onto her bed.
“Yah! That’s the first!” Lee Joon answered with a smirk. “What do you want?”
“Me? Hm, I’m just calling to talk to you…” Hara smiled.
“Aish! How come I find that you sound a bit different now? Your voice, it changed!”
“Ah sinchia! Whatever are you talking about?”
“Yah! I’ve known you since we’re kids, I know your voice tones very well.” Lee Joon said. “Anyway, how do you like my work on the tyres earlier?”
“You did great Joonie! I’m proud of you!” Hara replied, her face turning a bit sour. “But um, I have a request right now…”
“Request? What is it?”
“Can you call someone to change the tyres? I’ll pay for everything!” Hara said quickly.
“Yah! What is wrong with you? Whose car is it anyway? You are surely hiding something from me right?” Lee Joon was practically screaming over the phone.
“Just do it Joonie-ah! I’ll tell you everything once you have everything settled. I promise!” Hara said. “I got to go now Joonie. I have an incoming call here… BYE!”
Hara heaved a sigh of relief the moment her call to Lee Joon was off. But on the other hand, it was true; Hara really did have another incoming call waiting to be answered. Hara glanced at her phone screen; private number. She shrugged before answering.
“Yeobosaeyo?”
***
Onew continued pacing his room. He had his phone on his hand but he was not sure what he was supposed to do with it. He was nervous. Very nervous. He seriously had no idea what the hell was happening to him. But one thing he knew was, his heart kept beating faster the moment his mind swept back to the incident which happened earlier.
He was not trying to be a hero. But the moment he saw Hara struggling in the stranger’s arms, he could feel the anger seeping into his veins. So he did what his brains were telling him; he pulled that guy by the collar and pushed him away from her with all his might. He even decided on the spot to play the role of Hara’s ‘boyfriend’ in front of that perfect stranger. Then he heard her calling out his name in that most soothing voice and that was enough to make his knees go weak. He could not understand how that voice which he used to despise could make him lose his focus all of a sudden.
Then they made contact which really sent him off the wall. Her body molded into his perfectly. And Onew had no complains about anything at all. During the time when she was still in a state of panic, his hands managed to memorize her curves with his embrace. It was as if she was made for him. Adding to that, her scent was another factor which almost sent Onew to the edge. The sweet smell of her shampoo hypnotized him for a moment. And it still was doing its magic up till now…
Onew shook his head, as he tried to erase the memory of Hara off his mind. But it was indeed difficult to do so. Earlier when he parked her car beside her house, he suddenly felt glad that they were neighbours, totally the opposite feeling from what he felt this morning. And when she waved goodbye to him as he was leaving, the feeling was extraordinary and he just enjoyed the moment. It was like a wife sending off her husband away to work…
“Stop it Onew!” Onew exclaimed as he placed both his hands on his head. “This is not working for you. Focus Onew, focus!”
‘But it won’t hurt to give her a call to ask if she is alright right?’ A voice told him.
“Yeah! It’s an act of graciousness.” Onew answered. “I’m a concerned colleague, nothing more!”
And so, Onew looked through the names in his phone contacts. He searched it under the name ‘The Unwanted’. He grimaced before quickly changing it to ‘Hara’. Previously when he was given Hara’s number by Mr Park, he really did not want her as his partner, which was how the name ‘The Unwanted’ came up. But now, something just changed his perception on her.
Onew pressed the call button and bit down on his lips as he listened to the sound of the ringing tone.
“Yeobosaeyo?”
Onew gulped when he heard her voice on the other line. ‘What am I supposed to say? What am I supposed to say?!’
“Yeobosaeyo?” She repeated when she heard the silence.
Onew cleared his throat. “Um, yeobosaeyo? Hara-ssi?”
“Ah, ne. May I know who’s speaking?”
“I-It’s me, Onew.”
Silence.
“Hara-ssi, are you there? I’m sorry to disturb you. Let’s just talk tomorrow then.” Onew sighed.
“Ne? A-Ani!” Hara said quickly. “You’re not disturbing.”
“Ah sinchia? Hm, that’s good to know.” Onew smiled nervously as he leaned against his study table. “Are you feeling better?”
“Thank you for asking Onew-ssi. I’m fine alright.”
“That’s good.” Onew nodded his head. He was suddenly lost for words.
“How is everything on your side?”
Onew gave a slight chuckle. “I’m fine too. You should worry about yourself more.”
“I’m just asking out of concern.” Hara grinned.
“Well, thank you then Hara-ssi.” Onew smiled. “Um, it’s getting late, you should get some sleep.”
“Same goes for you Onew-ssi.” Hara said. “We’ll see each other tomorrow then.”
“Yes. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”
“Um by the way, do you need a ride to the office tomorrow?” Hara asked, suddenly remembering about his car which was still at the underground car park under the office building. She bit her bottom lip in guiltiness.
“Ani. I’m fine. I’ll just take the subway.”
“Andwae!” Hara shouted before realizing it a bit too late.
“Excuse me?”
“I mean, andwae…” Hara said it in a gentler tone causing Onew to chuckle on the other side.
“Wae-yo?”
“I’ll fetch you tomorrow morning. Please don’t worry. Since we’re on the same route.”
“But wouldn’t you be with your housemate?”
“Joori unnie? I’m not so worried about her already.” Hara grinned. “It seemed she has patched up with your housemate.”
“Sinchia? With Tony hyung?”
“Hm, I guess.” Hara shrugged.
“Wow! That’s fast for them.”
“From what I see, she’s still in love with him and she never did let go of that love. That’s why she remained single all these years.”
“Ah, I see. Wow! It seems like we have a lot of stories to catch up on even though we’ve been neighbours for quite a while now.”
“I know right?” Hara laughed.
Onew and Hara continued to talk for a while longer before saying goodbye. Onew smiled satisfactorily the moment he put his phone under his pillow before lying down on the bed. Now, he could get some peaceful sleep, and maybe if he was lucky, she might appear in his dreams.
******
Seohyun laid down in bed as she got herself ready for sleep. Accompanied by the night light, she fingered the anklet which Yonghwa had found just beside the oak tree earlier. She could not even describe the happiness she felt the moment Yonghwa had the anklet dangling in front of her face after finding it. Since yesterday, the anklet was like the most treasured possession which Seohyun could not seem to part with.
She sighed as she turned her body to the right, pulling the blanket higher towards her chin. Seohyun smiled as she watched the anklet shimmered under the dim light. It shone nicely that made the anklet glow in return. Seohyun then sat up and pulled her feet out from the blanket before placing the anklet back on her ankle. The bell to the anklet jingled sweetly causing Seohyun to smile broader. Whenever she heard the sounds of the anklet bell, it just reminded her of Yonghwa, her very own secret admirer.
Seohyun’s phone started to vibrate under her pillow and she quickly made a grab for the device. Without further delay, Seohyun immediately answered the call.
“Yeobosaeyo?”
***
Yonghwa sat on the chair to his study table while looking at his computer in front of him. He had promised himself to continue writing the love letters and have them sent everyday to Seohyun. That was what he was trying to do at that moment as he continued to stare at the screen. Even though it was a bit foolish of him to be writing all these letters when it was clear enough to Seohyun that he had develop serious likings towards her. But he loved writing and she loved reading, and so he automatically decided that he should continue doing this.
The blank screen continued to stare back at Yonghwa who was totally out of idea. He was not sure on what to start with and where to start with. He needed his inspiration. And so, he grabbed his phone and dialed the number he now knew by heart.
“Yeobosaeyo?” The person on the other hand answered softly almost to a whisper. Yonghwa smiled the moment he heard the voice.
“Yeobosaeyo? Seo Joohyun?” Yonghwa said as he let out a chuckle.
“Ne. Yong?” Seohyun giggled shyly as she called out his name.
“Ne, it’s me. You’re still awake?”
“Hm, I can’t sleep. Why?”
“Sinchia? Or are you waiting for me to call?” Yonghwa grinned.
“What are you talking about?” Seohyun pouted.
“You know what I’m talking about.” Yonghwa accused.
“Ani. Tell me what are you trying to talk about?”
“You jolly well know it Seo Joohyun.”
“What? I really don’t know!”
“Okay, okay. I give up. We can’t go on arguing this way.” Yonghwa surrendered.
“Ahrasso. I’ve won then.” Seohyun shrugged as she continued to grin cheekily.
“You just enjoy doing this don’t you?” Yonghwa said as he leaned back against his chair with a smile.
“Hm, actually today is the first time I do this sort of thing.” Seohyun said as she let out another laugh. “And it’s kind of fun, since I’m doing it with you.”
Yonghwa was not sure how she did it but just by talking, she had lifted his spirits up almost automatically. The ideas just came by unconsciously and suddenly Yonghwa had lots of things to write about.
“I love to hear the way you laugh, you know that?” Yonghwa said.
“Hm, so I heard.” Seohyun replied, nodding her head.
“It replenishes my strength after a hard week’s work.”
“Are you talking about the time you always peek at me from your balcony?” Seohyun teased.
“Hm, it was my most favourite pastime.” Yonghwa grinned.
“Just curious, how long have you been observing me again?”
“If I’m not mistaken, probably around six months plus?”
“Sinchia? That long? Why didn’t you approach me” Seohyun gaped.
“I was shy Seo Joohyun! I’m not as bold as you, to just come to a stranger and ask to sit beside him.” Yonghwa said, reminding her of their first meet.
“I didn’t ask to sit beside you okay, I asked if I could share the space.”
“Whatever you say my dear.” Yonghwa said in conclusion causing Seohyun to blush.
“Eyy! Since when did I become your dear?” Seohyun asked with a silly grin plastered on her face.
“Hm, I’m not sure. When do you think it started?”
“Aish! You’re teasing me! I don’t want to answer it then!”
“Aigoo! Are you sulking?” Yonghwa grinned.
“Ani.”
“Ja-shik!” Yonghwa laughed. “Seo Joohyun, do you know that I’m writing another letter to you.”
“Letter? What letter?” Seohyun asked curiously, her mock anger forgotten.
“Just another letter from your secret admirer.”
“Why must you do that? I already know that you’re the one who sent that letter. Is there a need for another letter again?”
“Well, if you don’t want it, then I’ll just have it deleted then.” Yonghwa shrugged.
“AH! Andwae! Don’t delete!” Seohyun shrieked in shocked.
“Aish! There’s no need to shout into the phone you know!” Yonghwa cringed.
“Mianhe oppa.” Seohyun said shyly.
Yonghwa gaped. “Excuse me, did you just call me oppa?”
“Ne. Don’t you like it?”
“M-Me? Of course I like it. It makes you sound more feminine.”
“Chet! So since yesterday you thought the way I talk was manly?” Seohyun raised an eyebrow.
“Aniyo. I thought it was masculine!” Yonghwa laughed mercilessly at his own rendition of jokes.
“Hah! Sinchia!”
“You know what, for the past six months, I’ve always thought of you as an angel.” Yonghwa started saying, his voice suddenly low and soothing. “Even only after a day of knowing you, you are still an angel to me. And I hope that you’d be the only angel for me, now and forever. And I dare say this to you, I think I’m falling for you. I’m falling for you hard that I’m afraid I’d be broken if I were to fall too deeply.”
Seohyun gasped turning her speechless for a moment. She was not expecting that kind of sudden confession from Yonghwa.
“Um, w-why are you saying this suddenly?” Seohyun started asking with that familiar tremble in her voice. “Didn’t we just agreed to go out together and get to know each other better?”
“Yes, we did. But I just want to inform you that I won’t be able to let you go after this.” Yonghwa said confidently.
Seohyun blushed even more. “I know.”
Yonghwa felt a sudden rush of joy claiming his heart. He had never felt this happy before. “Okay then, let’s start this tomorrow. A brand new episode for us.”
Seohyun chuckled. “I like it. A brand new episode of us.”
“Ne, a brand new episode of us.”
That night, after the long conversation they had, Yonghwa was finally feeling relieved. The ideas which dropped into his mind earlier were still lingering. And so, he stretched out his fingers on the keyboard and started typing those thoughts out, filling the blank spaces with memories of him and her.
Once upon a time, we met under the oak tree.
You said hi and I replied awkwardly.
I did not expect to meet you there, but I just did.
I believe it’s our fate to meet each other that day.
We talked and we laughed and we even shared some secrets unknowingly.
I knew who you were then, but you never realized it was always me.
The hardest part came when we had to part.
I braved myself to let go and started to walk away.
But you still stood there, calling out to me asking for my name.
I gave you a clue but you don’t seem to understand.
I watched from a distance as you left the oak tree with a hunch.
As the rain started to pour, I said out loud, ‘I was the Yong you’re looking for.’
But of course you can’t hear me, for you were long gone.
And so, fate came knocking again, against the door of my heart.
To meet you the next day, and that was how our story starts…
******
Wooyoung headed towards the bus stop. From a distance, he could see the familiar figure of a young woman he now knew well enough. He smiled as he approached Jieun who was deeply engrossed in reading her notes.
“It seems we’re fated to meet, again and again and again.” Wooyoung said as he sat himself down beside Jieun who looked stunned to see him.
“Wooyoung-ssi? Ah, are you going home as well?” Jieun asked as she quickly put away her notes.
“Ah ne. Where do you think I might be going?” Wooyoung grinned.
“I see.” Jieun nodded. “Don’t mind me saying this, but you look like the kind who would spend his night times in the club or something.”
“Bo? Yah! What do you think I am? A hooligan?”
“Ani. I was just saying.” Jieun shrugged, a smile playing on her lips.
“So, what were you reading earlier?” Wooyoung asked as he took a peek at Jieun’s hands which were now empty.
“Oh, some exam notes. I’m having my practical soon.” Jieun explained, stifling a yawn.
“Ah, I see.”
The bus arrived a couple of minutes later. Wooyoung and Jieun boarded the bus silently, neither one speaking any single word. They opted to sit separately as the bus was quite empty to begin with, Jieun on the right side of the bus and Wooyoung on the left. The bus continued to move ahead but stopped at the next bus stop to pick up the next few passengers. A few passengers boarded the bus and one of them was a man who seemed to be a bit drunk. He walked a bit too tipsily towards the seats and of all the empty seats he could have chosen, he just had to choose the seat which was beside Jieun. Jieun bit her lips as she felt the man slightly leaning towards her. He was not doing anything, just that he was getting a little too sleepy and his leaning towards her was making her uncomfortable.
Wooyoung continued to stare at the drunk man. The moment he saw the man leaning a little too close towards Jieun, he felt his heart skipped a beat. He saw her biting her bottom lips and that was enough to make him stand up for her. Before he knew it, he was pulling Jieun by her hand, up from her seat and slowly led her towards the empty seat beside his own. Jieun sat quietly without even daring to take a look at Wooyoung.
“Are you okay?” Wooyoung asked in a soft whisper.
“Ne, kwenchana.” Jieun nodded.
It was only a matter of minutes before the bus finally reached their neighbourhood bus stop. Jieun and Wooyoung got off the bus and as if it had been a daily routine, they started to walk up the road together towards their houses.
“It’s kind of cold huh?” Wooyoung asked as he placed his hands into the pockets of his jacket.
“Hm, kind of.” Jieun replied, her eyes still glued towards the road ahead.
“So, how long have you lived here?”
“Me? I just moved in last Saturday.”
“Ah, sinchia? That’s why I’ve never seen you around before.” Wooyoung nodded in understanding.
Jieun chuckled. “And now, we’re often bumping into each other.”
“You’re right.” Wooyoung smiled shyly. “What made you move into this neighbourhood?”
“My appa made me. He said our house is too far away from my school.” Jieun explained. “But I think it is a good idea too. Since I like to spend most of my time in school that I totally forgot that I need to go home.”
Wooyoung laughed. “Sinchia? So that Seo Joohyun, you just got to know her?”
“Seo Joohyun? Seohyun unnie?” Jieun raised an eyebrow. “Why did you call Seohyun unnie by her full name? Do you by any chance know her?”
“Actually, I don’t know her that well. The only thing I know is that one of my housemates has a crush on her.”
“Oh, is it that oppa that I met this morning?”
“The one and only.” Wooyoung grinned.
“They seem to know each other.” Jieun said.
“Yeah. I noticed that too. But from what I know, he had never confronted her before, just merely watching her from a distance.” Wooyoung explained. “Yonghwa hyung is the shy kind of guy.”
“Hm, he looks like a good guy.”
“Yah! He is a good guy, a loyal one too. He’s been a secret admirer of Seo Joohyun for the past six months you know! ”
“Ah? Sinchia?” Jieun gaped, unbelieving before muttering something under her breath which made Wooyoung grinned wider. Surprisingly, he found her reactions quite cute.
For some reasons, Wooyoung felt comfortable being around Jieun. She did not act all crazed up like most female students of Yonsei University the moment they saw him. She was just relaxed, and seemed not bothered at all when she saw him. There was of course a tinge of shyness somewhere stretched across her face but truthfully girls who were shy were just his cup of tea rather than those bold ones. And the only reason Wooyoung did not inform her of his real job was just to look out for her reaction, whether or not she recognized him or not, or would she act similarly like the rest of the girls. But after a few times with the accidental meetings, he was quite sure that she never cared about the science laboratory assistant oppa whom the girls in Yonsei University fancied of.
“You walked me all the way to my home!” Jieun exclaimed suddenly causing Wooyoung to wake up from his reverie.
“Ah? Ne…” Wooyoung smiled guiltily as if he was caught doing something he shouldn’t.
“Jeongmal gamsahamnida Wooyoung-ssi.” Jieun said as she gave a bow towards the man in front of her.
“Ani, it’s the least I could do for a lady like you.”
“Aish! Sinchia!” Jieun grinned.
“How many of you in the house now? There used to be three right? Including you, won’t it be four already?” Wooyoung asked.
“Wow! You seem to know a lot about the girls who live here.” Jieun replied in amazement.
“Aniya, I was just guessing.” Wooyoung grinned.
“Yeah, there’re four of us now. And I’m the maknae in the house.” Jieun said with a wide smile.
“Sinchia? I’m the maknae in the house too!” Wooyoung exclaimed.
“Jeongmal? How many of you are there?”
“There are four of us too.” Wooyoung replied.
Jieun chuckled. “I just realized, everything about us are almost the same. It’s quite funny how these things works.”
“I know right?” Wooyoung said before an awkward silence surrounded them. Wooyoung looked at Jieun who was nibbling on her bottom lips. Even that simple action from her brought out a nervous feeling out of him.
“Um, I guess I have to go in now.” Jieun suddenly spoke up as she looked up to stare into his eyes.
Wooyoung gulped before nodding. “Ah, yeah. Um, good night then.”
“Good night Wooyoung-ssi.” Jieun gave a lingering smile as she headed towards the gate. “Walk safely.”
“Have a good rest.”
“Ne, you too.” Jieun said. She watched as Wooyoung walked backwards away from her house as he continued waving shyly towards her. Jieun was not aware that she was holding her breath until Wooyoung was totally out of sight. Then she inhaled deeply before going up to her room.
Meeting Wooyoung frequently had made Jieun addicted. It was like almost a remedy to her the moment she saw him. She had been having lots of stress with her upcoming exams that the moment she saw him, the stress in her was suddenly gone. He made her day and she enjoyed the short moments she spent with him. But she wondered what kind of feeling was that exactly. Was she developing a crush on him?
As she slowly walked past the rooms belonging to Hara and Seohyun, she could hear the faint sounds of talking coming from the respective rooms. She was just guessing that they were still up and might be on hogging onto the phone. ‘I didn’t know they have boyfriends.’ Jieun thought with a soft chuckle before she headed on towards Joori’s room. She had to report to Joori the moment she reached home from school. It was all because of the last night’s event whereby Jieun had come home so late, causing her to miss the last bus home. That made Joori worried.
Jieun gave a soft knock on Joori’s door. “Joori unnie, are you in there?” Jieun asked softly, but there was no answer. She tried a few more times, but still received no response. Finally, Jieun courageously opened the door to Joori’s room but found it empty. Jieun frowned, before shrugging. “Well, I’m sure she has informed Hara unnie or Seohyun unnie regarding her absence.” Jieun said to herself. She gave a last look at the empty room before finally heading on to hers to call it a night.