squid game oneshots

016 ali

Browsing through the snack section, I couldn't help a conversation between two men. Well, I use the term 'conversation' loosely as most of it was one man repeatedly thanking the other. I kept my eyes in front of me as I heard footsteps coming toward me. After looking up a few seconds later, I noticed one of the men talking on the phone while pacing back and forth. He was no longer speaking in Korean but in Urdu. I had no idea what he was saying but I recognized the language. The more I looked at him, the hotter my cheeks felt. He was pretty cute. He was not Korean though; Pakistani, maybe? Around that area for sure. During my study of him, he noticed me and looked back at me with a confused look in his eyes. I quickly looked away, pretending to read the nutrition facts on a bag of chips.

"Shit..." I mumbled to myself, quickly picking some snacks and hurrying to the counter.

I hurried out of the store and turned the corner, stopping. I leaned against the building, panting heavily. You moron, he totally saw you looking at him. Why can't you keep your eyes to yourself? Closing my eyes, I let my head fall back. His face appeared in my head as I attempted to catch my breath. Confusion plastered across his face, his brows slightly furrowed. His hair was a curly mess but it looked cute on him. No no no, stop thinking about him. I was so quick to fall in love, not this time. He soon would be just another face in my subconscious, never to be thought about again.

"Thank you, sir" I heard a familiar voice say in the distance.

It was that guy again. I could just leave right now. I could end this fake love story right here. But my body refused to move. I was stuck against this wall, eavesdropping on their conversation again. Weren't you ever taught not to listen to other people's business? Maybe... Something in me wouldn't let this man go. It scared me but I played along, hoping it would be over soon. I peeked around the corner to get a glimpse of him. I got a glimpse alright; close up too.

"Excuse me," he quickly said, dodging me.

I stepped back out of his way and stood up straight, "oh my god, I'm so sorry."

"Wait, you're that girl from the store!"

My knees weakened as a smile appeared on his face. It was so cute.

"I- Uhm-" I struggled to explain myself.

"It's alright, I get it all the time. I'm a Pakistani guy in Korea."

"Oh, no no no! That's not what I meant, I-" I stopped midsentence, trying to choose my words carefully.

I let out a sigh of defeat and looked at the ground. I couldn't tell him I thought he was cute, that would be insane. But maybe he would take it as a compliment? I raised my gaze a bit, noticing the two missing fingers on his left hand. My stomach churned, thinking of what could've happened. Seeing him put his hand in his pocket, I looked back up at him. His smile had disappeared. This guy had been through some shit, and I probably wasn't helping at all.

"I'm sorry," I continued, "I just...thought you were cute and... I dunno."

His bright smile had reappeared.

"Wait, really" his tone sounded bewildered.

"I mean, yeah. Look at you."

He held his arms out as he looked at himself. I held back a smile as he looked back up at me with excitement in his eyes. I could tell he knew he was cute. I'm glad he knew it.

"I'm cute," he exclaimed, doing a little dance, "Good news for you, I think you're pretty cute as well!"

I rolled my eyes, trying to contain my excitement.

"I'm Ali, Ali Abdul" he stated, his smile growing.

"I'm (Y/N). Nice to meet you, Ali"

"Pleasure's all mine."

YOOOOO A NEW STORY WOWIE. Thanks for sticking with me ya'll, I appreciate it more than you'll ever know xx

-stan