hiraeth - park jisung

20

"you know, this has been in my head for a while because i kind of didn't understand but i had a, kinda dream?" i say, and jisung turns the volume down to hear me better.
"what do you mean?" he asked, glancing at me every so often.

"i guess it was like- like a voice almost? i don't know but i.. you're my hiraeth sung" i slightly chuckle while saying it out loud because of how stupid it sounded- even to me, when i notice that jisung was slient.
"yeah i know it sounds kinda dumb" we both just brush it off, continuing to talk about anything and everything before the car comes to a slow stop.

"we're here!" he cheers and unbuckles his seatbelt, running out and around the car to my side, opening the door for me all grand and dramatically.
"pfft- thanks sung"

"woah!" i look up at the sign in awe-

a meerkat cafe huh? cute.

the boy walks into the small building and i follow.

"welcome! just two today?" the woman at the front desk smiles.
"yes ma'am!"
"the entrance fee is a drink each, so please pick what you want from our menu" she points towards a small stand with five drink options on it.

"we'll take two peach teas.. thank you" jisung says almost immediately and gives me a warm smile.
"how'd you know?" i ask as we walk into the glass enclosure filled with small meerkats.
"you love peach" he shrugs and kneels down to pet one of the small creatures.

what is this feeling

i sit on the floor next to him and smile, snapping a few photos.

"hey hyun?" the boy says after a moment of peaceful silent of petting meerkats and i hum in response.

"yaknow about the whole hiraeth thing..." i let out a small mhmm as a sign that i was still listening and he continues.
"i- just look" he hands me his phone and i unlock it with the fingerprint function.

i gasp when my contact pops up, my picture being an ugly picture of me btw, name being "my hiraeth"

we both just sit there in silence but i brush it off as another stupid coincidence.

time flies, and the sun's already setting. we both start gathering our stuff after i pointed it out and jisung rushes out to the front desk while i'm cleaning the table we were seated at.

jisung
"you got yourself a beautiful girlfriend over there... such a cute couple you guys are" the woman softly smiles, making small talk as i pull out my money from my wallet.

"she really is beautiful..." i unintentionally sigh out and widen my eyes as i catch myself blushing, scolding myself internally.
"young love... would you like your receipt?"
"no thanks! have a nice evening.."

i can see hyun's small figure running- more like waddling towards me as i open the door.

"sorry! ace would not let me go" she cutely huffs out, untying her hair.
"i still can't believe you named that thing... and you named it ace? why not something cool like, like, uh give me a second." i tap my mouth and try to rack my brain for any cute pet names.
"cute.. and ace is not a thing" she mutters under her breath and fakes being pouty.

hyun
i turn around from him and think to myself
little does he know.. i heard what he said
my face turns warm.