Chapter 22

She shouldn't have said anything. She should have just kept quiet and dealt with things by herself like she always did. It stopped her from getting hurt and it stopped her from hurting the people around her. And she could tell her question had hurt Enrique, just as she knew it would. She shouldn't have asked him, but she needed to know. She needed him to tell her if this was just a dream, or something she had forgotten. His face told her everything now. This wasn't an ordinary dream. She had already known that in her heart, but she needed him to confirm it.

She still couldn't decide if his answer had been the one she wanted or not. If it was a memory, it meant she was beginning to remember her old life. She also hadn't decided if that was a good thing. There was no use denying that she had started to like Enrique, just as he claimed she used to. But… if she had really been in love with him before, how could she ever have forgotten him. How could she have ever let this boy get away from her?

He was unlike anyone she'd ever met. He was annoying and obnoxious, just the kind of boy she always hated. But he was also kind and caring, and loyal and willing to do anything for someone he loved. How could she have forgotten him for even one moment? In her mind, she believed that even if she remembered everything, she didn't deserve him anymore.

She should say something. Tell me about the beach. Tell me you forgive me. Tell me you love me. Kiss me. I like you. A million things went through her mind.

"I should go" she said instead. She got up quickly and scurried to the door.

"Wait," Enrique said as he jumped up after her, "Dok Mi" he said

She was turning the knob when his fingers gripped her wrist, "Wait"

She turned around and tried not to look in his eyes. If she looked at his face, she knew her resolve would crumble.

"Are you…" he said. He was trying in vain to keep the hope out of his voice, "Are you remembering?"

"I don't know" she said meekly, "Sometimes it feels like I am… like it's just out of my reach. But the moment I jump to grab it… it vanishes"

She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. She wanted to do a million different things. But mostly, right now, she wanted Enrique to hold her. There was something about him that made it all go away. She wanted to feel unburdened, if only for a moment.

"Ahjumma" he said gently, "Look at me"

He put his fingers below her chin and tilted her head up. They were so close… closer than she could remember ever being with another person. She used to wonder how he had ever gotten past her walls, but now she knew. Looking into his eyes… she knew she had loved him. And that she probably would again if she wasn't careful. She needed to stay away.

"Okay" he said. He could read her mind, she had forgotten that.

"Okay?" she asked. He had been so persistent earlier, how could he give up now?

"Because I thought it was the right thing" he said. Was he crying? She hadn't thought someone as energetic and optimistic as him would ever be caught crying. But there were tears falling down his cheeks now, "I was wrong. I thought this Dok Mi was the same as the one I first met, but you're not. The Dok Mi I knew didn't want me at first. I had to fight my way in. I had to make her like me. You… you want to remember. But you can't with me here. I make things too confusing for you. I can see that now."

"Enrique…" Dok Mi said. She was nearly pressed against him already, but she wanted to be closer.

"But don't think this is me giving up," he said, "I can still hear your voice in my head, every time I'm with you. As long as that voice is there, I will never give up on you."

His voice was breaking, just like her heart. There was truth in his words, but she didn't want him to stay away from her. She wanted to be closer. To spend more time together. She needed him. Before she could stop herself, her arms were around him. She held on so tight, as if she would float away if she just let go.

His arms wrapped around her, in a perfect gently contrast to her tight grip.

"I asked you once to wait for me," Enrique said, "Now it's my turn to wait on you"

He carefully unwrapped her arms from around his waist and opened the door for her. With tears streaming down her face, she walked out of the apartment, fighting to urge to run back.

A.N. it's been a few days, hasn't it. Rest assured, I will not abandon this fic. I'll try and regulate updates more to pace myself. I really like this chapter, tell me what you think