Withered - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

It's been seven months Chaengie, another three months of waiting. I already start my college life majored in Biology and Chemistry, minored in Art. Everything is good as for now, I met a lot of friends, I like my study, the lecturer here is fine. But it just Chaengie and I never contact each other. No, HE never contacts me, ignoring my video call, messages, and everything. Did he forgot about me, I tried to stay positive that maybe, maybe he just too busy. We only talk for the first month, then he just disappeared. I'm mad but deep down I'm worried, what if something happened to him. Is he got into an accident? No! Stop thinking nonsense mina-ya, he's probably just lost his phone or something.
I've asked Tzuyu and Dahyun about this but they just said that he's super busy and even they rarely can reach him.
I have always loved him with devotion and purity; I have in mind that our friendship would last forever, he will always be next to me. Then he leave. There is hole, an emptiness where he has been. Being away from him made me realize it's never the physical love which made it special, it is something different - a connection between two souls.
As I am surrounded by different people, tasks, I still feel his presence, his smile, his silliness. I'm never with him but find myself with him all the time. Everything in my room reminded me of him and I would borrow his clothes from the guest room just to smell his fruity scent. I missed him.
"Mina?"
I blink and all those thoughts dissapears like a smoke with no trace. I lift my gaze, witnessing Jihyo's unnie worry expression as she settle next to me, leaning against the wall of the dance practice room."You're dozing off again, something bothering you?" She ask.
"Ah, no, nothing" I sigh divert my attention to the group of dancers in front of me, walking around while calling names "What's the occasion?" My brows raise.
"The coach said, he'd arranged the pairing for the musical project. Unfortunately, my pair him " She boringly points to a guy having a rap battle while his friend cheered. I laugh at the sight.
I nod and ask "Who's my pair agai---"
"Myoui Mina?"
I flich when I heard my full name uttered. We both look to the source of that deep and low voice and sees a guy wearing a black and white strips sweatshirt, black ripped jeans and a black hat, covering half of his face. He take off his cap and smiles at me. Ah, I know this person.
He's known for his funny nature and kind. The clown of the class. But it isn't what makes him popular, well set aside his good looking feature, he's famous because of his background. That guy who always throw jokes everywhere had finished law school and earn a prestigious law degree at the edge of twenty. No one notice this at first, everyone sees him as a normal art student but the kids from the Faculty of Law immediately recognized him. There is article about him being one the youngest lawyer that earned their law degree. He owes his success to his mother, a fellow lawyer and father, a High Court Judge.
Everyone including me wonder what is he doing here, taking Art instead of starting his own law firm. When asked, he only said he's bored with law and wanted to explore the art world. What a pity to that degree. Jihyo's unnie boyfriend is his teammates, so we'll always go out together. I can say he's that kind of friend that's not 24/7 with you but will be there if you need him. Unlike usual, my inteoverted self opened up to him easily. I think it's bacause his presence is inviting. Then I realize, the one thing that drawn me to this guy is his resemblance to him. The way he laugh, his lame jokes, his stunt, his childish act, they somehow look a like.
So, he's my pair huh?
I reciprocates the smiles and nod my head. He take off his cap and show me a piece of paper that contains our names and a song title "We'll have to sing" He remarks, sitting beside me while Jihyo unnie is long gone and now is with her boyfriend.
"Let's go to the practice room, it's quiter there." I state, standing up. I know he could play guitar and even a better singer than me. He agree and carry his guitar with him as we head to the music practice room located in the second floor.
"Are you alright? You look spiritless" He says as we climb the stair. I just smile and thanks him for the concern. We settle in and I look back at the piece of paper, so we have to perform Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. We listens to the song first and divide parts. He'll also make his own tabs for the song to play with his guitar. We
dont start to sing right away, but more like experimenting. Trying to know the song and get comfortable with it. We spend a good time together, like I said he has that inviting warmth that makes you feel relax plus his humour is one killing your stomach. I really enjoyed his company.
The bell rings and we end our discussion. "So, I'll meet you at the River Café? Wednesday morning?" He ask as we pack our things.
"Yup" I nod and we walk downstairs, through the hallway. "Then I'll see ya later, Jeong Oppa" I wave as we reach the parking lot.
"Okay. Mina, I don't know what happen but don't think too much, you'll get old" Jeongyeon Oppa teases as he jump to his car. I only laugh and turn on the ignation, waves at him before I drives away. My smile mantained on my face. He does sounds like him.
*  *  *  *
Before I step inside my house, I stop in front of the mailbox. Thought of whether I should open it, although there is never any letter sens to me---I know because I've been checking it out every single day hoping for a letter from a certain someone. But today, I don't. I walk pass it, go straight to my bedroom, wash, get changes and force myself to sleep.
"Mina-yah how about dinner?"
I heard a voice and lazily open my eyes seeing Sana unnie peaking his head inside through my bedroom door.
"I'm full," I state in almost a whisper.
"You're bad at lying. I'll bring food here then we'll talk okay"
I sigh at her persistent self. Unnies know me better, they always well aware of me, know if I'm having or facing any problem and I'm not sure whether to call it a bless or a curse because I don't want them to know and I don't want to talk about it. I feel somehow insecure, uncomfortable and embarases. Soon after, she's back with a tray and lock the door as she enter.
"So, what is it?" Sana unnie ask as she sits on my study chair putting the tray of food on the bedside table.
"Nothing, I said I'm full. I don't want to eat" I get up and sits straight, leaning against the headboard.
"Nope. I won't leave until you eat or talk about it. For your own good. Choose" She threatens, raising her brows. She sigh after a prolong silence then sits across me on the bed. "Is it because you can't reach Chae? He's a busy person Mina ya. Don't act like a child and be moody because he's not answering your call, besides you are not his girlfriend or wife" Sana unnie add. Slapping me with hard truth.
"I'm...... His best best friend unnie. At least a text would be enough. A single text saying he's fine or he's doing good because---" I bable defending myself.
"Because you're worried? Look Mina ya. Let me ask you for the last time, are you really see him as your best friend. No more than that? Cuz your action against your word. " Sana unnie cut in.
Chaengie. Do I see him more than a friend? Even if I do he's not, so what's the point of my feelings. In the end, it will just hurt both of us. I'm afraid. Really. For now, I don't want to think about relationships. I'm happy as of how I am with Chaengie right now. I don't want to take the risk. What is so wrong about worrying your friend well-being? Why do everyone keep doubting our relationship? It can a treasuring, heart-warming and beautiful friendship instead of romantic relationship. Why do everyone keep romanticise us? With him as my friend, we'll always stay beside each other. That would be better.
"Yes" I answer.
Sana unnie sighs and shakes her head before she stands. She hugs me and said to not take it to the heart for what she just said and asks me to mull over it. Leaving the food untouched, I fall sleep after staring at my bracelet for God knows how long.
*  *  *  *
"Momo unnie, have you settle things with Dayhun?" I asks Momo unnie who's not bothering to answer but just eating her chips. Today's Tuesday, we have no class so here we are just staying at the house watching Netflix. I sits nest to Sana unnie on the couch, still staring weirdly at the eater maniac.
"Hello?" I adds, waving my hand in front of Momo unnie's face, trying to grab her attention but to no avail.
"Leave her alone for a while. She's probably dreaming about something nice, or should I say, someone." Sana unnie butt in and giggles at her statement.
"Why? What happened?" I ask furrowing.
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|Flashback|
"Momo noona! Listen to me first." Dahyun held Momo's wrist stopping her from walking away. Dahyun waited in front of Momo's college because he never had a chance to talk to her and today he's determined to end everything.
"I don't think we can do this anymore" Dahyun said in a low voice. Momo's eyes widened. she was not able to hold back her tears anymore. Without turning to face him, she calmed herself and tried to sound normal.
"So, you wanna break up? I'm fine with it" Momo said successfully without cracking her voice. She pushed Dahyun's hand that clasped her wrist then walked away. Biting her lips not wanting him to hear her sobs.
"No! Wait! Noona!" Dahyun ran and chased after her. Stopping her by back hugging. "Can't you listen to me first. That's not what I meant. What I'm trying to say is, let's make it official. Our relationship." He panted still back hugging Momo and catching his breath from the running earlier. He tigthened his grip when Momo tried to free awat.
"What do you mean? " Momo asked, standing stiff.
"In the past months, I realized I can't lose you. So, I make a conclusion-----" Dahyun held Momo's shoulder and turned her around to meet his eyes. They stared at each other before Dahyun continued his words.
"Let's get engaged"
"Eh?"
====================
"Hontou? Shinjirarenai" I exclaim, glancing at Momo unnie. I stare as if she has just produced a rhinoceros from her pocket, truly atonished. Seriously! Hyun got some gut. Isn't it too early?
"Too early isn't it?"
Woah, Sana unnie just read my mind. "Y-yeah. They've been in relationship only for two years? but together since we were young. I believe, they know what they are doing. I'm happy for them. So, is it the reason she's like that, chewing the same chips for half an hour." I grimace. She must be conflicted right now because it's too sudden.
For me, I approve it. I've seen them all those years, they might not each other first love but their are each other true love. If I'm not mistaken, Hyun was on a serious relationship once before Momo and I'm not sure how they ended up separated or what had happened. As for Momo unnie, her first love was everyone crush back on junior high school but since the day Hyun surprised her with a pre-ordered cake with whale theme, she had her eyes on him. They are friends some time. I've see how they puts other's first, each treasures the other above themselves. They don't hold another back, they aspire one other to new heights while always being there to catch after falls, pick the other up, set them back on the road to success and happiness. Hyun is the only one who could actually understand Momo unnie in every circumstances because that kid something speak no human language.
Sana unnie laugh "Yup. Thinking about her wedding day, I guess"
"How about dad. Does he knows?" I ask, wondering about Dad's reaction.
"Yup. Dahyun went and asked for permission from dad and mom if they agree with the engagement that day before he met Momo. He's a good guy." Sana unnie explains. It seems like unnie also approving this. I secretly smile.
"Ah.. anyhow, how about my SatZu couple?" I wigggle my brows in a teasing way. There must be something good happened for them, right?
"You just combine our name, are you affected by Chaeng lame humor?" She fired back
"Don't change the topic" I says in a stern voice. She sighs and lay on my lap before she speaks up. I caress her hair, waiting.
"It didn't turn good, really"
=====================
|Flashback|
[Is she's okay. Did she eat well? How about study? Did she meet someone? Did she forget about me? ]
"Hyung, Stop calling me every single day questions about her. Why would you ask me all this when you can ask her directly. What the hell are you thinking? Why don't you call her or pick up her call at least? I know you're busy but stil---"
[Are you going to answer me or not]
"No. She's waiting for freaking six
months for a ring from you. It's your punishment, wanna know about her. Talk to her yourself. I'll end the call"
[Yah! Tzu-]
Tzuyu ended the call. He knew he was sounding rude but it was for his brother's own good. It was so frustrating to watch Mina and his brother separated by that barrier called friendship. From what he thought the only way for them to sort things out is to break that friendship that they valued the most. But that's impossible.
He sat on the couch sighing, planning to have fun with his friends but something kept bugging him or more likely someone so he cancelled the plan and stayed home instead.
Knock
Knock
He rolled his eyes, lazily get up from his comfortable position to open the door, seeing his noona behind the door."Sa-na noona" he said stuttering. It had been months they last saw each other.
"C-can we talk," Sana said looking down. Even by seeing his face only, she can't stop her tears from flowing.
"Come in," Tzuyu said before walking back inside. He was trying to not show how nervous is him right now. He expecting to receive a yell for what he had done, ignoring his noona even the harsh words he had said before.
"I'm sorry for what had happened. But its really not what you think, Eunha and I really only a friend." Sana said as soon as she reached the living room. She badly wants to explain herself although she I'd it  know why she had to do that.
Friends?! You're joking
"Yeah. Friends right. That kind of friend that's going around kissing? Is that what you mean?!" Tzuyu half shouting when he faces Sana. At this moment, he was pissed about what Sana just said.
"Please.....believe me," Sana said pleading. Without her notice, Tzuyu ran towards her pulling her waist, caught her by the arms and capturing her lips. His kiss was so sudden and fierce that Sana almost falls down by the impact. She didn't move but standing stiff still shocked from what just happened, not responding to the kiss her eyes widen feeling like her heart could burst anytime. Then he was gone. She stared at him, incredulous, then pushed the incident to the back of her mind. She quickly covered her mouth gasping for air.
"What? Friends right?" Tzuyu said smirking though his eyes said differently. Sana still processing the intention and reason behind the kiss and when she finally understood, she lifted her hand slowly and slapped him across the face as hard as she could, not minding the stinging pain that spread through her palm. Tzuyu expected that coming and he was ready for it.
"Why are you acting like this! Why are you doing this to me?! Why Tzuyu!" Sana yelled back walking closer to him, hitting Tzuyu chest weakly as she cried harder. The pain she felt was unbearable. She can't control her feelings of sad and mad, the emotions are just overwhelming, It was even harder for her to catch her breath. The things she can do now is to cry and cry for nonstop.
Tzuyu pushed Sana's hand that griping his shoulder making Sana slowly fall on her knees. He left without a word leaving Sana crying alone hitting her chest rapidly hoping the pain will soon fade.
It's always like this. I'm the bad one and you're too nice
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*  *  *  *
Ding
Dong
"Who's that? Do you invite someone honey?" Mrs. Myoui asked her husband which he responded by shaking his head.
"I'll get it, mother" Tzuyu said standing up from the dining table.
"H-hyung"