Chapter 3
Kym Hyun Joong didn't stop watching me.
I didn't know if it was due to his curiosity about me, or if he was just trying to steal some words with those big brown eyes. I was feeling so uncomfortable. I watched them laughing and talking so sweetly. She often asked me about some random stuff, and I know she just wanted to know me better. Yet I wasn't so nice to her; I responded briefly or in short phrases. Or simply, I did not answer.
-You could at least give it a try.
Hyun Joong tenuous voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked at him for a while.
-Huh?
-Speak –his eyes found mine when he said it – Or at least try to be polite
-You are not the best example, are you? –I refuted him smoothly.
He just looked at me and continued eating. Everything about him was starting to upset me. His manners in eating, the way he was using the fork, drinking, saying those "cultured comments". Even his fake laughs disgusted me. Nothing about him seemed natural to me.
My dad continued, fascinated, to talk to Hwa Ji. He, as well as her, seemed to have forgotten that me and Hyun Joong were present too. Or at least, that's what I thought
-Hyunnie, did you know that Hye Sun will attend the University of Seoul too? –she caught his attention with this
-Interesting.
"Interesting". Didn't he have something more to say about it? Fool. Wait, ¿he studies there?
-Have you decided what to study? –asked Hwa Ji
-Arts, it has always be my dream.
-The paintings I showed you a few days ago are hers –my dad said proudly -¿Isn't she the great artist already?
Hwa Ji agreed and looked kindly at me with a sweet smile on her delicate face, quite different from her son's weak smile, who seemed to be smiling just to be polite. They were so different. Hwa Ji was very outgoing, while Hyun Joong almost barely spoke. He just takes a look on the situation, intervenes with a phrase, and then went back to his inner world of thoughts.
The dinner was over almost an hour later. Dad decided to go back with Hwa Ji, asking Kym Hyun Joong to come with me.
I never had a journey back home as silent as this one. The only words he said during the whole ride were "Is it cold?" He drove so serious and focused that I wasn't compelled to interrupt that with any question at all. It made me feel awkward. And him, as well.
-Here –he said, as he drove the car up right next to the sidewalk and stopped.
-Thank you –I answered, getting out of his car and closing the door
-Good bye –he said
And he left, with a powerful acceleration from his car.
Dad arrived during the night. I could tell this, due to my unability to sleep. My mind was still chewing what happened at the dinner, and I was trying to find any defections in Hwa Ji, with no success. Convinced with that, I began counting sheep to sleep.
1 spongy furry sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep, 4 sheep, 55 sheep, –this isn't working –I complained to myself- 144 sheep, 158 sheep …
11 in the morning.
I don't remember at what time, or at how many sheep I fell asleep. The only thing that I can assure is that the sheep thing works! My cell phone ring-tone woke me up
-Annyeong?
-Hyeeee Suuuun! –Seung Ji's voice broke through my sleepy brain, with a cheerful sound- Good morning!
-Good morning –I responded with my sleepy voice –what time is it?
-It's 11:10. Ara ara, don't tell me that you were still sleeping.
-Last night we went out to dinner with my dad and we came back late at night –I explained –And why am I receiving this call? The other day you left me waiting for you.
-I know, I know. Mianhe, nee? –And she released a lovely giggle –I wanted to propose something
-Speak.
-Well, as you are beginning your college year next week, I thought it would be nice to get you there to know more about it, considering that I have already had a semester studying here, I can help you. What do you think?
-I think it's a very good idea, I accept!
-Then I'm going to pick you up after lunch, so now … wake up your lazy ass and get out to the day! –she said, with a naughty laugh, and cut the call.
I rubbed my eyes in order to be able to open them more easily. The sunshine was invading most of my room already. I walked by the window and saw the snow covering almost every tree and bench, and even the street. Despite being still sleepy, the smell of the milk coffee that my grandfather was preparing woke me up immediately. I took a shower, had breakfast and before 2PM had already lunched and was ready to go out.
Seung Ji got here at 2:15. When she saw me, she hugged me immediately with such strength that I had to tell her to let me breathe. She was really gorgeous. I can really tell that she was taller than me now. Her dark curly hair was reaching her shoulders, and her color allowed to see her beautiful her smile was. She took my hand and with haste got me to her car. Our journey in way to college was full of laughter, we commented about her situations and I obviously talked about the dinner last night with my dad and his girlfriend, about Kym Hyun Joong and about …
-Oh, really? –yelled Seung Ji inside the car, with a excited face
-Yep, he followed me to give me my cell phone back. It was thanks to him that I could read your sms telling me you couldn't come! If not, who knows how long I would have waited for you?
-And was he cute? –asked her with a naughty expression
-Seung Ji!
My answer was obvious. I had blushed and was so nervous that she just looked me with a smiling expression. We both were laughing
-His smile was cute –I said, smiling and recalling that memory
-Ahh, but you did exchange phone numbers, right?
-No –I said, looking at her, surprised
-Ohhh … -she said, a bit disappointed –At least you know his name, do you?
His name … his name … err, before we said good bye he told it. I know! But I was so concentrated on his smile. Afff! How was it? … Aha!
-Kyuhyun!- I shouted, happy for being able to remember it
-Huh? –questioned Seung Ji with a curious face
-I mean, his name … he is Cho Kyuhyun –I said a bit ashamed
Seung Ji laughed and she was going to say something, but our arrival saved me. Right there we were going through the Sha gate, which was huge and built in a quite triangular structure, something unexpected for a regular architecture. Seung Ji drove looking for the student's parking area. I saw many going on the cycling way, which went around "the whole university" as Seung Ji told me. We stepped out of the car and began walking. There were many students passing by, with books, chatting with each other, and many others hasty to get to their classes.
-And here we are: The Seoul University's Arts Faculty –said Seung Ji pointing at it
It was really huge. A great building, beautiful, surrounded by snow covered trees, and it consisted of three different building sections. In front of it, Seung Ji pointed to the Music Faculty, where she was studying, which was also hidden between the trees of a very vegetated avenue, and consisted of a similar number of section buildings.
-We'll be quite close to each other, won't we? –Seung Ji said, smiling
-Yeah! –I replied with a smile as lovely as hers
I walked with her to her faculty. I heard her whispering about some paperwork, about a song, and telling me to please wait for her… I was completely fascinated looking at the enormous hall, the classrooms, the people walking around, that I barely listened to her words, and mindlessly agreed everything she said.
-Woo, this is so huge! –I turned around to see her
But she wasn't there. I looked in many different ways. Nothing. I didn't remember either any of her last words, so, I wasn't sure if she was coming back for me or is she asked me about something. I hesitated a while about what to do, and I finally decided to walk through the hallways and to try to find her. I walked and walked, with no idea where I was heading to. Crossing many hallways, hearing behind some doors trying to find her voice in one of them. But when I came close to one door, my ear heard made me felt in awe.
Tenuous and harmonious music notes. A piano. Someone was passionately playing those notes that took my attention. They called warm memories back and made me feel peace.
Chilnyeoneul mannatjyo amudo uriga ireoke
Swipge ibyeolhal jureun mollatjyo
Geuraedo urineun heeojyeo beoryeotjyo
Gin sigan ssahawatdeon gieogeul namginchae
A soft and beautiful voice intoned a song that sounded familiar to me. I remembered having heard it sometime when I was younger. But this wasn't the moment to think about it. That voice got me curious and I came closer to the door, to hear better
Geu huro samnyeoneul bonaeneun donganedo
Gakkeumssik seoroege yeollageul haesseotjyo
It was a male voice. Led just by curiosity, I opened the door slightly and carefully stuck my head in the small opening. The room was a small auditorium, and on the stage was the person who played the song. Trying to enter sneakily, I silently walked in and hid behind a row of chairs and slowly approaching to see well.
That man had wavy, chocolate colored hair. He wore some jeans and a black pullover. I could just see his back and catch a glimpse of his face, and of course, I couldn't watch him very well.
And he continued
Na ije gyeolhonhae geu aeui maldeutgo
Hanchameul amumaldo hal suga eobseotjyo
Geurigo ureotjyo geu ae majimak mal
Saranghae deutgosipdeon geu hanmadi ttaemune...
And finished. Unable to control my actions, I applauded. When he heard my presence, he rose, quite nervous, looking for the one who had watched him while he played the whole song.
-I'm sorry –I said, raising my voice to be able to be heard from the other side of the auditorium, while standing.
I became really awkward trying to put him at ease, but he suddenly shouted a laugh
-Hye Sun, aren't you?
When I heard him saying my name, I looked at him. Staring at him more carefully, I recognized him. That smile!
-Cho Kyuhyun! –I said, surprised.
-I told you we were going to meet again sometime, come! –he made a gesture of invitation with his hand.
-You were right –I stepped up onto the stage with him –What are you doing here?
-I study here. Music
-Ohhh –that was the only thing I managed to say, absorbing the information he just gave me
-And what are you doing here? –he asked, sitting once again in front of the piano
-I was with a friend, for a University tour, just to know more about it. Next week I begin my classes here.
-Music?
-No, Arts –I said with a shy smile –but, for some weird reason, I was separated from my friend and …
-Let me guess. You were lost, wanted to find her, and ended up here.
-Bingo!
And we both laughed together. I didn't really know the reason, but I was feeling so happy to see him again. The feeling of having him close was nice
-Come, sit down by my side –and he moved aside on the piano seat –Do you like piano?
-I love it… I've always wanted to learn, and I know a few basic things, but I'm not so good –I clarified, sitting on the empty space on the seat.
-Play for me.
-Huh?
I stared at him while his eyes were telling me to play as his head nodded at the piano. I moved my hesitating fingers very carefully on the piano keys, playing just a few notes. His face was one of approval.
-Not bad
Right after that, he began playing again. His fingers were moving so dexterous and agile, yet subtle, that it was a pleasure to watch.
His glance was focused on every key, and his eyes were trying to catch up with the notes. Then he began to play the same song.
-It seems familiar –I said, puzzled.
-It's "7 Years of Love" -and he smiled –you don't mind hearing it again, right?
-Not at all.
-Anyway it'll be different this time –and, pressing the keys, he added –Because this time I'll play it for you
I felt my cheeks quickly blushing. And during the minutes he played it I could only close my eyes to avoid looking at him and become a living tomato.
-Thank you –I told him when he finished
He just smiled.
Behind us there was a large window that allowed the sunlight to enter and bathe us in it. I will blame it and the sun for the heat I felt in that moment. Until then, I had forgotten that I was looking for Seung Ji. The sound of my cell phone and the words ''Where are you? I'm waiting for for you at the entrance!" reminded me about everything.
-You have to leave –said Kyuhyun when I finished the call.
-Yup, Seung Ji is waiting for me
-The same friend from the last time?
I nodded, smiling. We both left the seat and walked up to the door.
-Do you know where the entrance is?
-Err, no –I answered
-Go straight down this hallway, then turn left, you will walk by three classrooms and then you'll see another hallway to the right, follow it. It's the easiest way to get to the main hall.
I simply thanked him with a smile. I said good bye with a little reverence and started to walk.
-Wait!
Kyuhyun's voice made me turn around. And then my cell phone ringed. An unknown number.
-Annyeong? –I answered, curious.
-When do you start your classes?
A familiar voice. It was Kyuhyun speaking at me from a distance with his phone
-On Monday… Where did you get my number?
-From your cell phone –he said, with a little giggle –I'll see you on Monday, at 6, outside your faculty.
-Huh?
Then he hung up. I was so surprised, I just laughed, while he in the distance showed me his best smile and he moved his hand hesitantly saying good-bye. And my heart began to beat fast and I felt my cheeks blushed again. I turned and started to walk.
Smiling, humming and happy.
*Lyrics are from 7 years of love.