Gratefulness~ pt.4

"Here we are," Tae smiles by himself as he turns head to the final destination. I look at him astonished. Only now I remember to wonder why he's spending time with me and not with Ji Yong, he's best friend. Shouldn't he be comforting Ji? Has Ji not contacted him?
"Daejeon?" I read the name of the place from a sign.
"Ne," he says and keeps driving. It's almost eight because he had to stop at the gas station and took a birthday gift to his cousin before we really got to go anywhere. I have never been here but basically I have never been anywhere else but Seoul. I have not experienced Korea at all.
"What are we doing here?" I manage to ask after just silently sitting and watching the changing scenes.
"If it's still here..." Young Bae keeps checking around as he drives along a narrow road, trying to find something so bad. I keep looking for something special too. We drive past fields and head to some kind of a school building.
"Is it," he squints and leans forwards. A blond hair falls on his face and I help it off.
"Yeah!" he shouts and then I see the colorful big tent and weirdly shaped structures on the school's back yard. An amusement park?
Tae parks the car and comes to open the door for me. He really treats me like a princess.
I take a look around. It's beautiful. Yellow-colored autumn leaves have covered the ground and the yellow building is decorated with huge graffiti masterpieces. Behind the gates there are hiding a horse carousel, octopus ride, small stores and lot more. The scent of sugar is floating in the air and it gets mixed with popcorn spices. But the machines aren't running or the children aren't walking among them. The gate is closed. I glance at Young Bae who take a big bunch of keys from his pocket. He takes the red key and places it in the key hole. The lock opens. I look at him surprised.
"This place is my uncle's," he explains shortly.

I'm fascinated, looking at the colorful machines that are painted by hand and small carved wooden soldiers that stand steadily near the miniature train station. We walk slowly around the are.
"It's still not in the news... That's good," Young Bae bites his cotton candy and offers me too but I refuse it.
"And YG hasn't scolded you yet, right?" he munches.
"No," I shake my head. "But I think it's even worse. I'm constantly waiting for it to happen. I'm so anxious, my head hurts," I sigh in pain. My tummy is hurting too.
Tae points at the little train, not being able to talk because of his mouth is full of cotton candy and I nod agreeingly. He walks in the small hut while I sit behind the wheel. A creek can be heard as the train starts moving slowly forwards when Tae pushes the buttons. Soon he dishes his stick, catches the train and hops to sit beside me like a tarzan. The rails go by a small forest and its noises sound relaxing. Tsuk-tsuk-tsuk-tsuk-tsuk... Choo! Choooo! Tae pulls the rope and smirks at me. I laugh at his childish acting.
"Try it!" he presses the rope on my palm. I look at him amused.
"Yeah! Go on," he smiles so warmly that I can't help but to laugh and pull the rope. Choo chooo!
"See? I knew you would like it," he pats my shoulder in a friendly manner. I smile. My head doesn't hurt so much anymore.
"Thanks... For spending time with me and trying to make me feel better. I'm very thankful for that," I thank my friend who really wouldn't need to be so kind towards me.
"You are a good friend," I add. My energy is still limited.
"Aish, that's nothing," Young Bae smiles shortly and wraps his arm around be momentarily before the train is back to the station. Then he helps me out of it like a gentleman and I lock my arm with his, lean my head on his fluffy winter jacket.
"There's a nice restaurant nearby," he says. "Let me take you there."

The ahjumma of the house brings us the food and at the same time I see Tae coming back from the toilets, pulling his sleeves up. She smiles at me kindly and we both thank for the food in unison. The restaurant is really nice and has an earthy feeling to it. And it's warm. The radio on the counter plays local music and at the corner table a group of old men are sitting down and watching the football match.
After eating for a moment and changing a few words, Young Bae becomes oddly quiet. He takes a spoonful of the soup and then turns to look outside of the window and chews the pieces of meat and vegetables very slowly, thinking about something at the same time. And he does it again. And again. I observe him imperceptibly. After eating my own dish, I lean on my elbow and watch the ahjumma working hard in the kitchen. She's washing the dishes with his granddaughter. I listen to the calm music and enjoy my time. It's wonderful to be far away from all the fuss and work. The drama. Seoul basically. A cold glass of water presses against my skin and I take a look at Young Bae who's staring at me.
"There's something I'm going to tell you now."
I straighten my posture. Tae's expression doesn't change. I have no idea what to expect from him but I hope for no more negative surprises. He puts his spoon back in the bowl.
"You are not going to like it, I know, but it's not easy for me either..." he clears his throat. My breathing feel hevier as I stare at him afraid.
"I think you haven't noticed," his dark eyes looks deep into mine.
"There's this feeling," he pronounces clumsily what is new to me. "And it always comes back to me when I see you."
I'm not sure what he is talking about. I blink my blue innocent eyes. Then the bomb drops:
"I miss you when you're not with me. I'd really like to take Ji Yong's place in your heart."
My eyes widen. I know that Koreans are blunt people but I'm not sure if I just heard right or not.
"I can fill that spot. I really can," Tae places his warm hand on mine and I startle. I pull my hand underneath the table. I glance at the counter, hopinf no one just saw or heard anything. They could get a big bunch of money from a news tip. I look at Taeyang with serious eyes. My thought are flying again, no, they are catapulting in my mind. What is this...

Notes

Last marathon chapter!
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Teaser for chapter 26