The K2

Chapter 8

Where does it end?

The live together. To breathe the same air. But an invisible barrier exists between us.

Another stroke.

To quit smoking and take up a hobby was her idea.

Painting. An elegant yet precise activity. Much like her. I ask her to model for me but rejection is all I ever get.

She leans over to look at the pottery I'm painting.

"You need to shade this area more for clearier definition."

She holds the brush on my hand, showing me what she means.

I lean back into her a little.

"Should I get a job?"

Our hands pause.

She looks at me, fascinated.

"Did you quit?".

"I didn't quit, but I thought it would be nice to have you see me off every morning and having you wait on me during the evening."

He eyes glaze over. A bitter smile.

"Waiting for someone is a pointless exercise.".

Such an ugly expression.

I make her face me. With a big smile.

"Yeah, I don't think I could be away from you for that long anyway."

She shakes me off.

Smiling she says, "You're such a child."

If she's alive, then that **** is probably alive. He doesn't need to exist in her life anymore than he already did. The past should remain buried under that explosion. 

I smile back. A child, she says...

"A child. I wonder if a child would brighten up the place."

An all knowing smile.

"I already feel like I have one thought."

It's my turn for a bitter smile.

"Surely if you thought of me as a child, you wouldn't mind if I did this."

I hold both her hands.

"Or this.".

A kiss on her cheek.

"Or this.".

I aim for her lips.

She pushes me away. I let go easily. I smirk at her.

The cracks appear on her mask. She pretends to be busy, avoiding my gaze.

I know the punishment for my actions. She won't talk to or interact with me for a while. It's still fun to test the limits from time to time though.

I can let her treat me like a child but she shouldn't confuse me for her child. Changing the states quo later, would be too hard.

I wash my hands in the sink.
"Should we have japanese curry for dinner."

She ignores me.

"I learnt this new recipe from youtube. There's an interesting old woman who cooks with a talking dog."

As I'm walking past the pottery, I trip.

"Jaeha-ya!"

This is so cheap. I know how cheap this is. Maybe if I was a natural klutz.

Her body reacts before her mind can catch on.

Her treatment is unnecessarily rough.

I whine.

"This is stupid."

She reprimes.

"I know."

"I warned you before not to do this."

"I'm sorry."

"I'll kick you out if you pull this again."

I nod.

"Don't you like babysitting me?"

A hit on my head.

"Don't hit an injured person."

Another one.

"Ok. I deserve it."

"We're going to the hospital. You need a shot."

"I feel fine though.".

"Maybe I should admit you for a month in the psychiatric ward."

"A month away from you might do the opposite."

"Were you always this obsessive?"

"Yeah." I simply add.

"To the point of hurting yourself?"

I thought deeply.

"I was obsessive, but my obsessions were not really people, so no; I didn't usually go this far for someone's attention. I don't think I do it that often"

"It's the second time."

"In a year."

Realization flashes through her eyes.

"It's been a year..."

"Time flies when you don't do anything." I add.

"A year..."

I can see her getting lost in the past.

I hold her hand.

"A year, with me, here."

"Look at me, don't look back. You left that life behind you. I will be anything you want me to be but don't look back."

"... please."

She stares into my eyes.

"I feel like coq au vin."

"Huh...?"

She removes her hands from mine.

"Coq au vin is perfect for this weather."

Her mask is back on.

I give up.

"Yeah it is."