Cherries and Chocolates

“Where do you think you’re going???” Kevin grabbed her arm after Noah left her room. “I have plenty of others girls to date with and I am just here wasting my time with you!!!”
“Then don’t waste your time and leave.” She softly said harsh words. He glared at her for sometime and then left.

NEXT DAY

“Can we walk home together?” Kevin asked Noah after the classes were over.
“If I say no, would you not come?” She asked. “You don’t have to ask me before anything since you never listen to what I say.”
“You’re so ungrateful.” He said and they started walking together with her.
They reached near the playground.
“Lets stop here.” Kevin said.
“I am tired.”
“Lies…”
“Kevin, why isn’t Bomi responding to me?” She asked.
“Why would I know? You’re so boring that no one can be your friend unless its another bore person like Byunghun. Ok why are we talking about Bomi?”
“You told her something, right?”
“I told her everything.”
“WAE???? You even told what you did to me??”
“SO????”
“How can you do this?”
“Cuz she was constantly asking questions.”
“I LOST ANOTHER FRIEND BECAUSE OF YOU!!” She shouted.
“Oh please… you weren’t supposed to befriend anyone in the first place, right?” He mocked.
She just stared at him with teary eyes.
“But I am here for you.” He slowly embraced her. Before she could push him away, she received a message and then saw Byunghun standing at a distance watching them. He had his cell phone in his hand.
She hugged back Kevin to carry on their fake play.
“Oh…” Kevin was shocked at her response.
“Don’t be … Byunghun’s watching.
“Is he behind me?” Kevin asked while hugging.
Noah was looking at Byunghun who was staring back at her. He smiled weakly and awkwardly. She hid her face behind Kevin’s shoulder.
“Should I take advantage and kiss you? I hope you’ll kiss back.” Kevin whispered to her.
“Don’t make it difficult for me.” She mumbled. She was vexed with Kevin.
Kevin smirked. “Is he still there?”
“I don’t know. I am not looking at him.” Noah pushed Kevin away as his grip wasn’t strong. “Leave me alone. I need sometime alone.” She pleaded. “You don’t know how hard it is for me.”
“You still love him? He cant even read your true feelings!” Kevin felt annoyed. Byunghun had left already.
“I…. I don’t …… I don’t love him anymore.” She tried to convince herself. “Just go.” She pushed him again.
“I’ll come back.” He threatened her and slowly walked away.

15 MINUTES LATER

Noah was alone in the playground. She sat on the grassy ground and touched the green grass with the tips of her fingers. She smiled and gulped back her tears. As she moved her eyes on the ground, she saw the boots of a man standing in front of her. Without looking up at him she made an annoyed face.
“I told you I need some time alone. So leave.” She mumbled angrily.
“Noah…” She heard her name from a familiar voice. She stood up with a jerk and was startled to see Byunghun standing in front of her.
“Byungh-hun?” She stuttered.
“Were you expecting Kevin?” He asked softly and smiled.
“I-i… why are you here?” She ignored his presence and looked away arrogantly.
“Why are you playing this with Kevin? You don’t have to.”
“I am not playing anything. I like him and --- and – I am very happy with him.” She tried to cover up.
He laughed smoothly. “Since it’s you who decided it for me, I’ll play along with it and find a nice, healthy girl.”
His words pierced her heart like a dagger. She just nodded.
“I am leaving Seoul. I won’t tell you to where. It might hurt you and you might try to come to the same place since you still love me.”
She again nodded and then realized she did the wrong gesture. “ No… that’s your imagination.”
“I’ll just live with the thought that you wished me a better, healthy life. Your existence is enough for me.” He said.
“S-Stop it!” Tears flowed out of her eyes like a water fall. Her voice lost balance.
“Can I kiss you, as our last memory? I don’t want it to be bad but sweet so can i?” He asked while putting a persistent smile over his sad face.
She looked at him for a moment and then gave up by nodding.
He leaned closer and lowered his head, while holding her cheek with one hand. She closed her eyes and raised her head.
He gave a quick kiss on her forehead. It shocked her and she opened her eyes to glare at him but the next second he kissed her lips. She blinked. He took a hold on her by placing his other hand on her waist and pulled her closer. She moved her hand on his back and kissed him back.
Kiss from your lover is definitely different from the frequent kisses from a guy you have no feelings for.
Noah parted slowly.
“Wae?” He asked wanting for more.
“Do you want to make my efforts useless?” She mumbled as she wiped away her tears.
“Huh…” He sighed. “ I wish you live a happy life---- with him.” Byunghun said as he turned around to leave.
Noah looked into his direction. She wanted him to stay by her side forever but life isn’t as simple as we may assume. Her heart was crying out loud but all she could do was watch him go.
Byunghun looked back at her.
Noah stared into his eyes.
He took fasts steps towards her and kissed her again. He hugged her tightly after parting. “I’ll miss you until I forget you, may be until my death.”
She giggled. “You’ll forget me once you get your girl.” She said.
“Will you forget me when you’ll really develop feelings for Kevin?” He seemed serious.
“Don’t worry. He doesn’t love me. He just likes to tease me all the time. That’s all and I bet when you wont be here, he would just vanish out of my life.”
“You’ll be lonely then.”
“I am used to it. I’ve been lonely most of my life. Now go, or else it’ll become harder to leave.”
He separated from her and looked into her eyes for the last time. He waved goodbye and left.
The tears she was holding slipped out. She laid on the grass and stared at the clear sky.
“Wae wae wae???” She wept non-stop as she read his last text.

Notes