365 Days of You

Chapter 30

Mina is beyond exasperated. She is at her wit's ends with Nayeon.

They are at Momo's house for her birthday party.

Things are volatile and fragile between Nayeon and her. And Momo has made it worse by inviting Min to the party.

"Hello oppa. How are you?" Mina asks to make polite conversation.

"He must be perfect baby."

Nayeon drawls, sarcasm dripping in her voice. Mina decides to ignore her.

That's not the first time it happens.

"Mina. How's this drink? I made it myself."

Jeongyeon enquires expectantly.

"I'm sure she thinks it's purrrfect."

Nayeon slurs. Mina knows she isn't drunk. Momo eyes Nayeon curiously- Nayeon is coming across as strange even by her standards.

Mina doesn't miss how Nayeon uses the word repeatedly in a mocking tone and she's had enough when Nayeon insults Min, calling his hair the most perfect manbraids she has ever seen.

She drags Nayeon into an empty closet.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Why? Am I not perfect today?"

This is getting childish.

Mina twists Nayeon's shirt in her fists and pulls her to her.

"Do you really want to ruin Momo's birthday with this attitude?"

Nayeon looks pensive for a moment. She blinks as if to clear her thoughts.

"No."

Mina loosens her grip on the older girl's shirt with a breath of relief.

"I want it to be perfect."

Nayeon finishes.

Despite herself, Mina chuckles, all gummy and bright. Because this is ridiculous.

And Nayeon can't help but join because Mina's laugh is infectious.

They look at each other for a moment for no reason, laughter dissipating into soft smiles on their faces.

Mina can feel blood rushing to her ears, a heat slowly spreading across her body.

Nayeon feels herself taking a step closer to the younger girl, hands closing around the fists on her shirt.

A knock on the closet door shakes them out of their reverie.

"Come out of the closet now fuckers. "

They laugh again, pink faces and bashful smiles, and obey the birthday girl without further argument.

21 days

Mina has stopped counting in weeks because it makes their time together look smaller.

Pretty soon, she knows she'll be counting in hours. The day is inevitable and fast approaching.

They have a public argument on that day, letting paps take few pictures. They have to make the divorce look real.

Mina is asked to take off her ring and be spotted in a store on the 18th day. She does as she is told.

Trouble in heaven? Is it the end for the greatest love story of this decade?

The newspaper headlines reads on the 17th day. She throws it to her side.

Nayeon still works long hours. Mina hardly gets to see her. When she does, she doesn't miss the dark circles forming around the older girl's eyes.

They act loved up in front of a restaurant on the 15th day. Mina wears her ring again.

"Mina and Nayeon are trying at their marriage?"

"Is Nayeon unlucky in love?"

"Is Mina's affair with Geun the reason for their falling out?"

Nayeon crumples the newspaper and tosses it into the bin. She is used to the shite these tabloids write about her, but Mina doesn't deserve any of this. How dare they write her with Geun, that fucking scum of a human being.

"What are you looking for?"

She hears Sana ask Mina.

"Today's newspaper."

"It didn't come today. The delivery boy is sick."

Nayeon answers, looking guilty and walking away to her room.

Sana and Mina glance at Nayeon's retreating form suspiciously. Mina is sure just one person delivered their milk and newspaper.

The bottle of milk is in the fridge. So how is the newspaper missing?

She doesn't take long to find the papers in the bin. Something pulls at her heart strings when she realises why Nayeon has lied.

That feeling she can't name, comes out in full force, momentarily assaulting her, leaving her in a daze.

On the 13th day, Mina has to be spotted without her wedding ring again.

When she comes back home that day, the house is quiet save for the sound of Romeo barking in the backyard.

Nayeon's bedroom door is open but she isn't sleeping.

"You're home early."

Mina stops in her tracks. The older girl's eyes look tired and heavy.

"I," Nayeon palms her forehead when Mina doesn't say anything. "I can't sleep."

Nayeon sees the blond walk past her bedroom to the guest room.

She is certain she doesn't deserve the younger girl's attention or time but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

Nayeon rubs her temples as she tries to get some sleep.

She feels the bed dip by her side.

"Come here."

She hears a soft voice say.

Nayeon lets herself be pulled into the warmth of Mina's chest. She finally falls asleep after many sleepless nights as a dainty hand threads through her short hair, tracing soothing circles on her scalp.

Mina only stops massaging her head, after she is sure she hears Nayeon's breath even out.

She kisses the top of the older girl's head and falls asleep with her as midday sun shines brightly outside their window.