Love is blind

Chapter 19

Sana POV

Then, I raised my voice a bit so she could hear me.

"I don't think she's a stray. She has a home." I said.

"I used to bring back every stray animal I would find on the streets and that drove her crazy. Not like she hate animal or what but, here it comes." I explained to Chaeyoung in low voice.

"Does it have a tag or collar? Call the owner right away. Please!" Aunt Mina said in her annoyed voice.

"But, aunt Mina.. Lets keep her for a while. Its raining. You should see her." I giggle.

Chaeyoung beside me seemed started to enjoy this too. She also had this tiny giggle beside me. Awee, she's too cute.

"No! We talked about this Sana. You know we don't have space for a pet. You can't just bring any stray you find back home. Plus, who's going to take care of it when all of us are out. We can't keep it sweetie. You know that and with Jeongin's asthma.." Her sentences trailed off as she entered the living room.

"Aunt Mina, meet the stray. Her name is Chaeyoung." I said cracking up by the glare she gave me and Jeongin.

Her face turned bright red and she cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realise we had a company. A human company." She said still glare at us.

Jeongin was hardly able to walk from the fret of funny laughs and snorts. His asthma made him wheeze as he laughed which made me laugh even harder. Then, aunt Mina also started to crack at the sounds of our snorts.

"I just.. assumed you were furry.. with tail.. whatever with that. Nice to meet you, human Chaeyoung." She said to Chaeyoung.

By then, Jeongin and I broke down. Tears streaming down our faces. Not long before aunt Mina joined us. Chaeyoung's face relaxed a little and she smiled. Almost. After the wave subdued, aunt Mina apologised again.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry, Chaeyoung. You must stay for dinner." She said.

"Hmm, in a plate or a bowl?" Chaeyoung asked innocently falling into the roll too.

Jeongin and I snorted while our lovely aunt turned red again. Of course she continued to kill us in her glares.

"Plate. Definitely a plate." She answered quickly.

Then, aunt Mina when to kitchen started to made the dinner. While, Jeongin doing his homework. It was kind of his big plan to have the weekend homework free. I scooted closer to Chaeyoung. Just as we were alone she slipped back in her thoughts. If only she would talk to me instead of bottling everything up. We still haven't reached part where she can open up and tell me anything. Not like I'm in specific place either.

"Chaeyoung." I called her softly.

She head titled my direction a little and I reached out for her hand. She stiffened at the beginning, but then she took a deep breath letting it out slowly. She seemed more relaxed but still not talking.

"Let me know every once and a while that you're fine." I said to her using her words.

She smiled a little and her fingers closed tighter over mine. She take a deep breath.

"I'm fine." She finally said. Then, she take a breath again.

"I just. Hmm, how can I say it. I thought. I don't know." She stopped and then started again.

"Grandpa and I were friends. But, after the accident.. I just.. stopped.. everything." She said and I totally understand what she was talking about.

"He's the one who raised me. My parent are too busy with their work. So, I basically live with him. And aunt Jeongyeon. He was the one who took me to fishing, doing farm. He's the one teach me about art. The one who give me first drawing and driving lesson. Not like I have bad relationship with my parent, but I guess I more closer to grandpa. But, after the accident. I shut down all people around me. Included him." She said to me.

The way she spoke of him, showed the special relationship the two had. I could tell without doubt Chaeyoung loved her grandfather a lot. And without thinking, I placed my head on her shoulder as I squeezed her hand just letting her know I'm here. Chaeyoung than pressed her cheek to my head. I knew what she was going through. The helplessness, the inability to do anything, that numbness that engulfs the senses, when one's brain can't process or believe what was happening. I knew all of that. Chaeyoung sighed heatedly, her body restless next to me.

"I- I didn't.." She breathed out heavily.

She looked like there were many words forming in her mind but none were seemed to be said.

"I shouldn't push him away. I should have visited him more." She said.

Her hand jerked in mine.

"And now, he might not be able to... and I didn't get chance to.." Her words trailed off.

But, leaving the rest unspoken but well understood. That made me ask the obvious question.

"Why aren't you be there?" I asked.

I leaned away to look at her. I might not be able to see her eyes, but I have learned to read the rest of her features. The way line of her mouth, the set of her jaw, the expression of her eyebrows and every visible feature was in woe and on the brink of frustration and rage.

"And do what Sana? I will only be in the way. I can't help in any way. There is nothing I can do and I will only be a burden to everyone. With my condition. And my family doesn't need the extra weight right now." She said as she turned away her face.

But, I saw the firm set of her jaw exposed that she thought a lot about this in many occasions and it broke me that she thought that way about himself. Our fingers were still entwined when I lifted her hand up to my cheek. She turned her head back to me.

"You know, you don't always have to do something. Sometimes, just being there is enough." I said.

Chaeyoung's anger froze for a moment and then her features softened as my words fell in a place she well understood. The back of her thump brushed my cheek gently while still grasping my hand and she smile a little. There's something happened in my heart as I seeing hers smile. God, Sana. Stop it! Now, its not the right time to think something else.

"I don't know what I did to deserve having you in my life?" She said.

My god! Despite the double back flip my stomach made and off beat heart rhythm, I grinned and try to calm myself.

"Well, you must have done something really horrible." I said.

I had to move our joined hands away from my face before the heat that invaded my cheeks burned her. Chaeyoung then pulled her phone from her pocket.

"I will call aunt Jeongyeon." She said.

I was glad that she decided to go, but I didn't want her to do this alone. Good or bad, no one should go through such this situations alone.

"Give me a minute before you call her." I said to her.

She paused and looking confused but nodded anyway and I ran to the kitchen. I needed to asked permission.