Withered - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Chaeyoung settles down on the couch. He knows it when he examined the house earlier, that there's only one bedroom. ONE hella massive bedroom inside the gigantic house. He's been wondering if his father does it on purpose which is technically true. He put aside the thought of calling his father and vent his rage for doing him dirty. It's almost midnight when he keeps tossing right and left, uncomfortable with his new 'bed' he might call. He wraps his arms around his body, curling into a ball as he tries to warm himself from the coldness.
There's a sudden downpour and through the rain drenches air came the first long low rumbles of thunder. It's until that moment, he can't bear it anymore when he feels himself shivering. He springs up and sits properly, contemplating of doing what he has on mind. It takes him a while before he stands and walks towards Mina's room. He starts tip-toeing when he's in front of the door. Slowly, turning the knob while peeking inside, thinking that the girl probably sleeping. And he's right.
He heaves a deep sigh before getting on his hand and knees into the position of army crawl. Thank goodness, Dahyun teaches him after his military services. He never thought it will be very useful especially in this situation. Chaeyoung lifts his knees inches above the ground, making sure his entire back is flat. He crawls forward using the opposite arm and leg. Slowly and steady.
No wonder the one and only bedroom are spacious since it's supposed to fit both of us. He thought while still crawling. He gets near to the closet, open it and take a blanket with him. He happily hugs the duvet than realizing he needs to get out of the room as quickly as possible before Mina notices him. He starts to crawl again, thinking why the door is so far away.
That's when his left foot accidentally kicked the table legs, causing a pile of book fall and hit him on the face. The sound is loud enough to wake Mina up and when she does, Chaeyoung sense her movement and hurriedly hide under the bed. He bites his lips while covering his bleeding nose, feeling hopeless. Mentally cursing himself for risking his life just for a blanket.
Mina's eyes flutter open, she pushes herself to sit as she leans against the headboard. She glances over the window panes where the rain drummed on it. Both of them have a different perspective on the thunderstorms. One hates it, and the other loves it. It might be for Mina that the sound of heavy water hitting the ground makes her uncomfortable especially when it comes with such a ferocious wind that plant debris littered every street. Water gurgled down the asphalt into already overloads storm drains and the flora bowed to the gale. Trees and fences tumbles, insufficient to fend off the onslaught. Even inside the homes, the howl and beating rain are loud enough to scare her. It feels like the sky will open and eat her alive. For Mina, It is as though mother nature is keen to announce the beginning of fall.
As for Chaeyoung, it's pleasant to listen to the rain tapping on the leaves, to him it sounds like they're applauding him, congratulate him. Sounding like a mother will do to their son when they achieve a great result in the exam. Something he never felt. The wind whispering, the thunder welcoming. It gives him a sense of light, comfort, feeling like he's home and the mother nature is hugging him. Indirectly, telling him that; everything will be fine.
Their differences build a strong bond of friendship. They need each other in some situation. Perhaps that's why the stronger their friendship is, the stronger the wall is between them. Sometimes, the more we love, the more we're afraid to lose. And maybe, just maybe, being a friend is just enough.
Chaeyoung closes his eyes, enjoying the sound of overall while someone above him jolts when another thunderbolt struck, a flash of lightning unto the room. She falls back, lying on her left side, with the blanket covering her whole body. She's praying that the thunderstorm will soon stop.
Chaeyoung aware of the girl's change when the bed keeps squeaking. He knows it very well, that she might be terrified right now, that she might be hugging her knees, and she might need someone. But, he knows it too, that 'that someone' can no longer be him. Or is it just excuses? That the real reason he doesn't go for Mina is that, he's afraid? Afraid to explain himself, afraid what will the girl react when he suddenly shows up, afraid to witness the hatred in Mina's eyes, afraid to confront her. With that mentality, he chooses to stay under the bed until the morning, not sleeping but just silently there.
He waits and waits until the girl falls asleep and when he has a hunch that she already does, he slowly sneaking out. Massaging his cramping leg for staying too long in the same position. He steals a glance, seeing Mina's eyes closed tightly with furrows brows.
He remains on the floor, staring into space look-alike a mannequin. Firstly, he takes care of the scattered book and put it back to its place and takes forever to finally decide to come close and sits on the bedside chair. He hesitantly swipes Mina's bang and rubs her eyebrows with his thumb. From end to end with double strokes, barely touching it. Hoping it will ease the tension. And it works.
Chaeyoung smile when Mina is in deep sleep looking just peaceful. And just beautiful as she always looks like to him. He pulls back his hands and that's when Mina catches it, holding it tightly. His eyes widen and automatically hold his breath, it's so sudden that he freezes.
Mina's vision is blurry when she tries to open her eyes, her half-consciousness thought that it's someone else.
"Please stay...Jeongie"
Though Mina is only mumbling, he heard it, crystal clear. He chuckles bitterly and lay back. What am I expecting? He thought as he stares at the now sleeping penguin. The night is unexpectedly very long for him.
*  *  *  *
The lines of glares that shoot for Chaeyoung's eyelids awaken him. He positioned himself and opens one eye seeing one curtain add an orange glow to the morning light. Then, notice how his left hand are intertwined with Mina's. The sight somehow makes him blush crazily then covers his face with his right hand in embarrassment. He knows that he might look like a complete idiot right now. But it doesn't really matter, as for him, at least there is an improvement in their relationship. Although he knows, he might be just a replacement or a rebound of someone special for Mina. It just makes him happy to hold the hands that once never separated from his.
Chaeyoung starts to panic when Mina reluctantly uncovers her face, blinking a few times. He quickly draws his left hand and naturally crawling back under the bed. Mina sits up and rubs her knuckles into her eyes, stretching her arms above her head. She tilts her head to the side, thinking that; weird enough, for once she got a nice sleep. Thought that she will definitely have a restless night because of the thunderstorm. But then, she just shrugs it off and yawns.
Chaeyoung nervously watches the blue blanket he supposed to take last night. It placed suspiciously beside the bedside chair's legs. He's afraid that Mina might question the reason why there's suddenly a blanket there and pick it up which going to expose him. He made up his mind and with one swift he plans to take it and hide, grabbing the sheet and pull it. Unfortunately, at the same time, Mina drags her feet off the bed, stepping hard on his numb finger.
"Ouch! T-that's hurts!"
Mina screams and jumps out when she sees hand creeping under the bed. With all speed, she grabs the table lamp and continuously hitting Chaeyoung who's currently having difficulty to stands properly. The girl is still screaming and asking for help. Since her eyes are closed, she doesn't know what really is happening but doing things out of reflex, defending herself.
Chaeyoung walks closer while his head already bleeding. He grabs both Mina's hand and worriedly stares at her. He wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her close, gently rubbing her forearm. He notices how Mina's body is trembling and rigid as she still punching him on the chest.
"Hey, it just me. Chaeyoung, I-I'm sorry if I startled you...I'm sorry" He cooed.
It takes Mina several minutes before she can process everything. Her body becomes loose and slowly her hands fall to the side. In that moment of silence, there's that one second that feels like a hundred years for Chaeyoung, the sound of their heartbeat synchronizing. And he's scared that Mina could hear his heart beating so loud.
While the other is tired after the ruckus she made. She sighs and just standing there, calming herself. Not minding Chaeyoung's presence or the hug of gentle arms that still gives the space for her to breathe or even the fact that she bathed in his warmth and the smell of his natural fruity scent. None of that, really bothering, and even gives her a sense of comfort. Not until a flash of memory crosses her mind. She opens her eyes, unknowingly clenching her fist.
"Buzz. Off" She hisses.