“So, that’s how you met?” Go-eun asked Hana.
“Yes. Pretty much, I met Oppa Kang Jun first before you fellows. And when I met him again last year on my birthday, we never lost contact.”
“Your birthday last year was a dope. Any plans this year?”
“None. Well, none that I know of. I’d go for a simple celebration here in the sanctuary with you guys.”
“That reminds me. What’s up with you and Baekhina?”
Hana gave a deep groan.
********
A week ago.“Okay, class, listen,” Mrs. Min whacked a long wooden stick, which the teacher’s call a magic wand and kids refer to as a disciplinary stick, on the table.
Everyone in the class hushed and twisted to the homeroom teacher.
“We’re going to have our annual festival this month.”
The class of girls woot and hooted like it’s t
“Hana, Hana,” Go-Eun shouted as she rushed towards the girl standing at the door. “Come instantly,” she continued, grabbing Hana’s wrist, yanking her towards the school grounds.“Wait wait, Go-eun. What’s going on?” Hana asked while she dashed behind Go-Eun.“Baekhina is looking for you,” she responded.“Oh! There you are,” Baekhina turned around and waved towards Hana.She scan their surrounding. Her eyes spotted a glimpse of Kwanghee and Suho from a distance. She shuffled closer to Hana. One of the ladies supported her as she trudged, and the rest of the girls made way for her like the red sea parting.“What is she up to this time,” Go-eun asked Hana while watching Baekhina sashayed amongst the flock. “I have a bad feeling about this.”“Why are you looking for me, Baekhina,” Hana asked with a deadpan expression
Suhostared at the room facing him, in profound reflections, pondering...“I couldn’t do anything for my dad then, but perhaps there’s something I can do for Hana. I won’t be able to forgive myself if something serious happens to her. And the best birthday gift that I could possibly give her is to watch her, even from afar, keeping her safe and happy.”The sun has set. Dusk settled in, burying the entire city in eerie silence. Soft whispers tingled the ears. A needle-like breeze stroked the skin, sending chills to the spine, inching down to the lumbar spine as if an icy hand thrust the back forward.The climate has rapidly fluctuated over the last few days as fall kicked in. But it sketched a fascinating landscape that softened the burden of the people.Rays of the sun trying to break through the dark-colored drapery, almost pleading to let them in. A gu
Riiing. Hana’s phone buzzed and pulsated in her handbag. It was Baekhina, and she was looking for her. She didn’t realize it was already 2 pm. And Baekhina’s voice was shaking her brain like a rainstorm in mid-autumn. Hana pulled the bike out of the storage room, refilled the dogs’ water bowl, and dashed outside. If it wasn’t for Kang Jun, she might not have attended the celebration. But she owed more than she can imagine that his simple request might not even account for everything he has done for her. Hana struggled for a bit, trying to adapt to her new bike. She noticed that the chair was extra fluffy and soft, unlike the ordinary bicycles out there. A little bit of Suho’s touch, she flushed. The wind turned cooler as she pedaled her way to Daegu Hotel. Her eyes scanned for a bike rack at the hotel, which she discovered concealed between bushes and tall plants. After securing her bike and tulips in the basket, she stormed upstairs. “Room 402, it read.” As she steppe
The elevator ride to the ground floor was the slowest and agonizing lift in Hana’s life. Outside, the climate has turned a new leaf. Rain clouds prevented the sunlight from radiating, covering the entire blue sky. An impending downpour not far from the horizon.The immediate drop in the temperature didn’t appease Hana’s mind and anger. Cold sweat formed on her forehead while her face allflashedin red—her ears buzzing from the loud noise coming off her chest.Hana knew only one thing — SHE MUST GET OUT THERE IMMEDIATELY!Her trembling hands and shortness of breath made leaving a struggle. Hana could hardly hold herself up as her knees wobbled. Unlocking the bike was tough.Mounting her bike, Hana couldn’t contain her grief. The agony weighed her down, and her heart stabbed from all directions. “I knew it. This was a big mistake,” she lamented.&n
Dingdong. Dingdong. “Hana, Hana, are you there?” A loud knock drew her back to earth. Hana closed the box, jostled on her feet, and dropped the gift on the nightstand. “I’m here, Go-eun.” She opened the door and saw a giant balloon bouquet and an armful of presents and things standing in front of her. “Happy Birthday!” Go-eun peered behind the bouquet, beaming at her. Hana lit up, “Go-eun! Let me help you with that.” Reaching for the wreath and the plastic pouches in her hand. “Wow! You carried all of these.” “I know, right? They’re from the party. And since you didn’t come, I carried them here instead.” “Oh! Didn’t you eat? Come in.” Hana held the door for Go-eun. “Well, we did. We ate some kimbap, Mandu, and japchae Suho brought. Kwanghee also brought some ice cream. And we finished that one too, or else I’ll bring you colored liquid. Jim and I made this bouquet for you.” “Really?! I didn’t think you’d get a party going for me. Oh, you can set them down there,” Hana po
“Sunday night came but still no trace of Suho?” Hana wondered what’s up with him. He had been missing in action since her birthday. And if not for the gifts, she would’ve assumed he neglected her altogether.Mrs. Lee came earlier that morning to refill the food inside their refrigerator. She also brought some seaweed soup for Hana.“Oh, Hana. I am sorry. I only found out from Naeun about your birthday last night after helping her stitch up… Oops. (pretend you didn’t hear that — she whispered) That’s supposed to be a surprise,” Mrs. Lee laughed. “Anyway, have some seaweed soup, it’s food that’s usually served on birthdays.”“Thank you, imo. By the way, Is Suho home?“Not anymore. He took off early with Kwanghee. Sometimes I think those two are up to something.”“Maybe they’re just busy readying f
On the day of the basketball try-outHana had been restless after not seeing him for the last four days. He didn’t drop any message except for her birthday greeting. The basketball court was full, and every player brought in their own cheering squad to the game. Hana’s eyes darted left and right, searching for Suho, but he was nowhere in sight. She descended and started seeking for Kwanghee, who had been absent at the shelter as well. Hana caught up to him as he was leaving the gym.“Hey, Kwanghee. Where’s Suho?”“He’s not here,” Kwanghee answered, his back against her. “Obviously. Why would I ask you if I can see him here? So tell me, where is he?”“He’s busy.”“I know, but shouldn’t he be here? He had been waiting for this opportunity. I am sure he’ll not let this pass. So where the hell is he?”Kwanghee turned around, flustered, “Why the hell are you mad at me when it’s your fault that he’s in a hut, Kwanghee mumbling to himself.”“What?”“Hana, Hana…” a voice called out behind h
“I’m sorry, eomma. I should have explained to you sooner,” Suho mumbled.Mrs. Lee stood by the door, listening attentively to what Suho had to say.“I just didn’t want you to worry too much. I guess I’m paying for all the bad things I’ve done before. But I promise you I’ll do better.”“Go ahead. Rest now. That’s all that I wanted to hear,” she responded, closed the door, and walked away.Suho stared at the closed door. For some reason, he’d prefer that his mom would’ve screamed at him like she constantly does. At least, that meant she’s over and done with what happened. But seeing her calm and composed response ripped his heart to a million pieces. So, he vowed to make it up to her by studying hard and passing the exam.Then, Suho remembered he still had one more person he had to explain things to.&n