UNEXPECTED // P. JIHOON

thirteen

i just arrived back at my place at almost 9pm, so i'm a little earlier than expected.

everything went pretty good at my parents place. i got along well with my brother and talked a lot to my mum. my dad sat there and sometimes said something but nothing important to mention. at the end when before i left he said something interesting though.

-

—throwback—

"take care and make sure to eat all the food that i gave you", my mum says and hugs me goodbye.

i tell my brother to do good in school and to text me anytime he wants and make my way out of their house.

suddenly my dad comes outside and closes the door behind him to talk to me alone.

"i know how you feel about me but it would mean a lot if you gave me a chance to become a better father", he says and smiles awkwardly.

"hm ... i will. we can talk about everything the next time i'm coming home."

"perfect." that's the first time he doesn't refuse to talk about our situation.

that's a good start, i guess.

i nod and walk away.

-
—throwback end—

i change into some joggers again and take out my phone to text jihoon.

text from me: hey. i'm back. how do you want to do this?

text from jihoon: hey, come to our apartment building and i'll find a way to get you inside.

-

25 minutes later and i'm at the building waiting for him.

i see a man leaving the building but all of a sudden he trips and falls to the ground.

i immediately run towards him and ask,

"sir, are you okay?"

he mumbles something but i can't understand him.

"excuse me, what did you say? do you need help to get up?"

i offer him my hand and he takes it so i try to pull him up carefully.

as he's standing and fixing his clothes i see his his pants ripped on his knee and he was bleeding a little bit.

"oh wait", i tell him and take out some band aids that i always carry with me.

i give him a bigger one and point to his knee.

"make sure you clean it up at home but for now just put this band aid on."

he looks at me,

"thank you very much. do you perhaps live here?"

weird question.

"no. i'm just here to meet... a friend", i smile.

"oh, he should be thankful to have a nice friend like you", he laughs but stops when he puts one hand on his knee.

"are you okay?"

"i had surgery on my knee not too long ago that's why it hurts a bit..."