DADDY

I trudge up the hill panting at the weight of the bags I am holding. I feel happy. I've moved a few months ago, days after my encounter with Jongin, into to this lovely suburban neighborhood. It was also a quick bus ride to the hospital i am currently finishing the last leg of my nurse internship before I take the board exams.

Mijung forgave me eventually for abandoning her in the city. Luckily our lease was set to expire since we knew my internship was coming up. Mijung got a job in America and after a lot of tears, apologies and goodbyes, my best friend left with a light heart and promises of keeping in touch. If I hadn't taken off a year to mourn the death of my parents I would have been leaving with her. To a new land, to a new future. Instead, here I am walking up the hill. Just like my life.

"Good Morning Unnie!" I waved to my friend currently waving at me from her window. I met Jungah unnie a few days after I Mijung left. I was feeling lost and alone. She bumped into me as I was sniffling in the refrigerated aisle of the local supermarket. She handed me a pack of tissues. Before I knew it, I was crying while holding a cup of tea in her kitchen. I cried and cried until I had nothing left. I never mentioned any names, unnie never gave any judgement. She just patted my shoulder and let me cry. Eventually, I ran out of tears. I met her mother later, and she was a lovely woman who mothered me just like my own.

"Yah! Jin-ah! why did you bring all of those up by yourself?" Unnie was laughing at me.

"Its okay Unnie! I bumped into Imo at the market and knew she can't carry all of these by herself." I replied with a laugh.

Her mother was coming up behind me smiling and shaking her head. "Aigoo, this young one. Always helpful and kind. You coming over for dinner tonight? My son is coming to visit that's why I bought so much."

"I'm sorry Imo. I actually have to be at the hospital in a few hours. I just have to take a quick shower and leave right away."

"Set those bags down. Jungah, grab that lunchbox I made and bring it here so that Jin-ah will have something to eat later."

"Ani, ani, ani. I'm okay. i don't need..." I was shaking my head but it was too late. I had a bag full of food as I was sent off.

I was getting inside the bus to the hospital when i noticed a rather non-descript passenger van with heavily tinted window turning into the street that led to unnie' house.

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Jongin's P.O.V.

It has been awhile, but I still can't shake the memory of Jin from my head. I still wonder why she suddenly left. I just don't have as much time to think about it right now. I'm usually too exhausted from our never ending practices at the company. It's only when I am alone in my bed at night that I think of her. In the morning, I usually wake up hugging the pillow she used. It still held a whiff of her scent.

"Umma! I'm home!" I called out as I toed off my shoes by the front door.

"Yah! Come here!" Noona suddenly enveloped me in a hug. Jungah Noona is really the best sister any kid can have. She's my biggest supporter when I expressed my wish to be an idol.

My parents were initially against it until they finally saw me at my first performance. I laughed as I returned her embrace.

"Aigoo! My baby's home!" Mom cried happily as she ran up to hug me too. I'm home. Everything's going to be okay now.
"Yah! You should have come a little bit earlier. I could have introduced you to this lovely girl that just moved into our neighborhood."

"Stop it noona! I already have enough of girls to last me awhile." I complained and got a head slap.

"She's not one of your crazy fangirls!" Noona replied. "She's a good girl who studies really hard and will be taking up her nursing examinations soon."

Umma was shaking her head at us. "Both of you stop it now. Let's just eat dinner."

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JIN's P.O.V.

I bought and paid for ramyun at a nearby convenience store. I can smell its familiar scent, the heat radiating under my hands a welcome change from the cold. I hurriedly set it down an eating counter and perched myself on a stool. Grabbing a pair of chopstick, picked up and quickly blew on the noodles to cool it down. I stuffed the warm noodles into my mouth and I nearly choked to death when my eyes clapped on a pair of equally startled eyes beyond the store's glass front. JONGIN.

Notes