Chapter ten [part five]: Homecoming

3 years later

Woobin strolled around the space, watching the photographs of four smiling boys on the wall staring back at him. Images of bygone times spent with F4 in that place made him felt an overpowering distant. In the past, he'd always be there hearing out everyone's dilemma and giving out advices. Being the good listener in the group, he felt an obligation to look out for the others, and he fit that brotherly role over the years they've been together. Now that they're on different paths on becoming successful man, Woobin can't help but to feel his presence was no longer needed. With Junpyo and Yijung abroad, Jihoo preoccupied in his medical study, he was left all alone here. The frustration got into him sometimes that he can barely breathe.

But the thought of them coming home made him felt more relaxed. Junpyo, who wouldn't have guess what plan he had set up for Jandi? She was all that he had talked about on their phone calls and video conferences. Jihoo, now that he's graduating soon, might be more engaged to his job. As for Yijung, his homecoming might be the greatest news of all, because it'd bring a smile to Gaeul. Woobin didn't miss the gleam in her eyes everytime Yijung was mentioned.

****

Excitedly, Gaeul turned the door knob and slowly opened the door to reveal a completely furnished apartment with all her belongings placed accordingly. Her jaws dropped as she scanned through the whole place. From the lavish sofa and television set in the living room, to the pinkish medium size bed and clothing wardrobe in her room, to the perfect kitchen and flower scented bathroom, everything was perfect.

Moving out and living on her own has been Gaeul's first step into embracing adulthood. After graduated from college, she worked hard in preparing for working challenges. She wanted to be able to stand on her own two feet and be an independent woman that she always dreamt of. To improve both physically and mentally, present the new mature side of her and flaunt her womanly essence, Gaeul wished she can do all that before Yijung's homecoming.

Fortunately, the rent was affordable, thanks to a certain someone. Gaeul had planned on getting a small room in the centre of the city, with good location and a cheap rent. But Woobin had insisted that she moved in here instead. Given that he owned the place and offered a much cheaper rent than anywhere else she had looked for, Gaeul reluctantly accepted his offer. Gaeul was well aware of her tight budget and she can't really afford the freedom that she seeks without his help. Gaeul felt a sense of bittersweet gratitude, and undeserving of his expenses for her.

Nonetheless, the friendship that grew within the 4 years span has caused a misinterpretation on Gaeul parents' part. They clearly believed that something was up between her and Woobin, even when she repeatedly insisted that they were just friend. And to remember how they had invited him over for dinner and interrogate him relentlessly the last time, Gaeul cringed every time.

Flashback

"So, you're the heir of the Song's Construction Enterprise? How old are you now? Are you the CEO of the company at the moment?" Gaeul's father bombarded Woobin with so many questions within minutes after the introduction.

Woobin smiled awkwardly in return, and show a beaten look at Gaeul.

'Sorry, sunbae', she silently signaled him. "Appa, cheh bal (please)." Gaeul pouted. This is embarrassing!

"Be quiet," her father said in respond.

Woobin was clearly trying his best to be polite and be a good sport about it, since he responded to Gaeul father's every query. "I am. I'm 25. And no, I'm only the general manager at the moment."

"Oh," her father nodded slightly. "So, what is your relationship with my daughter?" he added with a straight face. No point in beating around the bush, right?

To which Gaeul responded with a whine, "Appa!" When her father shooed her, Gaeul scoffed in exasperation.

Woobin let out a soft chuckle before he replied simply, "I'm her bodyguard." When Woobin didn't add anything to his last respond, the room was silent for a split moment before both men burst into laughter.

End of flashback

Now that she's moving out, they won't be seeing much of Woobin anymore, Gaeul had opted to use this opportunity to banish the misunderstanding altogether. They need to get their fact straight before Yijung comes home. However, explaining about Yijung would create another headache for Gaeul, in which she wasn't prepared at the moment.

"So, what do you think of the place?" a deep voice greeted her from the back.

Gaeul turned around and took a glance at the tall and strong figure that has been her protector over the years. "Sunbae." She welcomed him with a smile.

"Do you like it?" he asked again.

She only managed a pleased nod. "This is just too much, sunbae. I have received so much from you and I barely give anything for you in return. I've become more and more in debt with you," she admitted.

"I'm not doing all this to get something in return," he said.

"I know, but still," she protested.

"Relax. I'd let you know how you can repay me in the future, after I figured it out, okay? How does that sound?" he suggested.

"Good. Even if you want me to be your bodyguard in return, I'd agree to it," she responded.

The conversation was interrupted when Gaeul's cellphone rang. Her forehead was deeply wrinkled as she quietly spoke to the person from the other end of the line. Almost as soon as she hung up the phone, a big grin was plastered on her face, "I just got a call from the kindergarten. I got the job!" she stated ecstatically.

"What? Seriously?" he started to say. When Gaeul narrowed her eyes at him, Woobin retreat his joking plan and threw up him hands in defeat, "Okay, I won't say anything."

"Could this day be any better?" When she realized his eyes never left her, she shot him a questioning look. "What's wrong?"

Woobin took a deep breath before laying it out to her. "You know he's coming home soon, right? How do you feel about that?"

Gaeul was dazed, caught off guard by the question. "Scared," she said, owning up to the fear she felt inside. "Truthfully, I waited so long for this day to come, and finally when it's drawing near, I think I'm having cold feet. Even though we have kept in contact for the past 4 years, I can't help but to fear if he might have a change of heart. In the same time, I'm excited to meet him again. I missed him to a point that I can barely contain myself. I just hope he'd come home soon."

****

Yijung walked slowly through the crowd trying to find something, yet nothing in particular. He has been feeling lightheaded these days, giddy to the realization that he's going home soon. His flight to Korea has been scheduled for next week and he couldn't contain his excitement. The first person he had promised to look for, he wished to get something nice for her, but not something extravagant that'd cause alarm.

"Oppa!" she called out and rushed towards him until she caught up with his pace. "What are you doing here?" Shinhye asked after she managed to catch her breath.

Yijung shrugged. "Looking around," he said simply.

"Aiye, you're looking for a gift for her, aren't you?" she said.

"There you go again. Stop being so nosy, missy," he said, not slowing down his pace. In fact, he was getting distracted as they approached a stall where a set of ruby ring caught his attention.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" the old lady said when Yijung clearly focused his gaze on the ring. "It is said to bring good fortune to lovers that wear it," she continued on.

"I don't believe in myth," Yijung responded.

"I see." The old lady gave him a warm smile. "Do you believe in love?"

Yijung's eyes met hers. "What if I do?"

"Then you do believe in myth," she said, offering no further explanation.

Yijung's lips curved up a smile. "I want this set then." It was crazy, a spur of the moment, he wasn't even sure if it was her size but he had a good feel about it.

The walk home was quiet. Yijung didn't pay much attention to anything but the ring for the whole time. It seems like he was in his own world where no one else exists but the ring.

"Oppa, you must be real excited to be going home soon," she broke off his trance.

"Oh, mm…" he silently nodded.

"I really wonder how she looks like. That dream girl of yours. I imagine her to be an angel-like person." she went on. "Oppa, how would you describe her in your eyes?"

Yijung was quiet for a while before he finally responded. "She's the kind of person that makes me want to live my life diligently. Like a breath of fresh air, she makes me feel and think in a way I've never before," he said. The kind of girl I want to spend the rest of my life with, he thought to himself.

"I wonder if she knows how important she is to you."

"She will. Soon enough." A content smile spread across his face.

****

Yijung had purposely avoided texting or calling her for the past few days. He was afraid that he might in any way hint his homecoming and thus ruined all the surprise. Even though it was a public knowledge that he'd back to Korea soon, he wanted to keep the date a secret. He wanted to see the look of surprise on her face when he dropped by. He had the day planned ahead by getting the information of her schedule for the day from Woobin.

He glanced nervously on the boarding plane board list, his plane will take off in about an hour. He took out the small box in his jacket once again and gazed intently on the ring. His thought turned to the conversation he had with Shinhye earlier before he came to the airport.

Flashback

"I like you, always have been for the past 4 years," she confessed, opening her heart to him on their last goodbye. "I know how much you love her, but I still like you. No, I like you more for that."

"Shinhye ah," he tried to say.

"I don't want you to feel any pressure. I'm not telling you this hoping that you'd fall for me. I just don't feel like having regrets in my life. If only I had met you sooner," she said.

"It won't change anything," he responded. "That girl, I wished her to be the first person I lay my eyes on every morning. I wished her to be the woman that laughs with me even when we're grey haired by then. And I wished for her to be the mother of my children. I don't think I'd be able to admit this to her personally, but I want my future to be filled with her," he quietly said.

Shinhye forced a smile, her tears threatened to fall down her cheeks. "I know. Go home and live a happy life with her, oppa."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. As long as you're happy with her," she lied, a stab of pain surmounted her heart.

End of flashback

****

Shinhye watched from afar as his plane took off from the lane. It was like watching a piece of her leaving. Emptiness that had once overthrown her heart was eating her inside, again.

"You have to be happy. You have to…" she muttered through her sobs.

****

"Sunbae!" Gaeul said to the phone.

"Oh, I'm in the airport right now. I'll be home in a few hours," he mumbled through the phone, and stretched his sore body.

"Tired?" she asked.

"Mm…I was planning on going home in a day or two but Junpyo had insisted that I come home today. I guess something is up between him and Jandi. I bet he'd announce their engagement by tonight," he said with a smile.

"I know what you mean. I saw his interview when I was on my way to work earlier. I'm so jealous…"

Woobin chuckled. "You'd get your turn soon," he said in respond.

She scoffed. "Sunbae…stop teasing me."

"Araso. Just brace yourself, he's coming home any day now."

"You're talking as if I'm going to war or something."

"Well, just a reminder madam."

"Hey, stop calling me that."

"Yes madam," he joked. "By the way, I have to go now. Talk to you later, I'm hanging up."

****