Seventeen Imagines III

#110 "How to Make You Turn Around" (part 2)

I have this favorite coffee shop near Jiyo street. Usually, I have my coffee at the shop's balcony. Reason is that I found watching people going back and forth in the busy street quite gratifying. It was as if I am watching different stories at the same time.

But among all pieces, there is this one story that makes me curious. It is about a guy and a girl who always separate at the intersection of Jiyo street.

The guy is tall and handsome. I bet he's also popular in his school; if ever he's still studying. About that girl. Hmmmmmmmmmm.... I could say that she's cute. But truthfully speaking, the guy is at the higher league than her.

However, I caught his secret.

Every time they separated, the woman walk away without turning back. Meanwhile, the guy will stay at his place and observe her back until she's gone.

It's always like this.

I have lot of guesses in my mind. Yet, I dare not name one. Mainly because I don't know anything about their relationship. Are they friends? Cousins? Classmates? Couple?

If there's one thing I'm sure, then it is that the man holds a special place in his heart for that woman. Somehow, he looks pitiful to me.

'What makes him wait for her to turn around? What kind of girl she is?'

I kept on hanging near that street just to wait for the day she'll look back toward the pitiful man.

"Mingyu! Come on! Join us for the blind date!"

My male friends kept on persuading me to attend their group blind date. This is something that always happen to me from time to time.

"I don't want!" I declined. "Just how many times I'll tell you that I am not interested in dating?"

"You really don't need to take it seriously."

"Bernard," I said, staring at him with my most apathetic gaze. "Just spill the truth."

"A-About what?"

"Did you make a promise to the other group that I will attend the date?"

Bernard eyes went to the empty white wall. I caught my forehead with my palm then heaved a sigh.

Due to my intense popularity not only around my school, but almost every university in our city, I became a bait whenever my friends try to set up group blind-dates. I really don't want to do it, but they know my weakness, so I don't have a choice.

"Ohhh, n-nice to meet you, K-Kim Mingyu," one of the girls greeted me.

Today's group blind-dates held inside the coffee shop. It's 5 to 5; five men and five women. But there are only four women in front of us so we could not start.

Forcing a smile on my lips, I greeted the girl back. "H-Hello."

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe we will be able to meet the famous student of Seoul University!" another exclaimed.

"You're more handsome than picture."

"What is your height again?"

'Geez. I just wanna go home right now.'

Bernard, who saw my struggle, butted in to stop the girls from bombarding me questions and praises. Thank you bro.

"Instead of asking Mingyu, don't you have any question for us?" Bernard said.

One after another, they all looked at my friend as if they saw a fire in the middle of the lake, or a snow at the desert.

Silence settled awkwardly. Fortunately, the last woman to fill the other group's attendance has arrived.

"I am sorry, I was late," she said, sitting on the chair across mine.

I took a sip on my juice and continued listening to her voice without looking at her face.

"I finished my thesis and... oh? Kim Mingyu is here? That famous student from Seoul University?"

It's me again. Tssk.

"Wow. That's cool," she added. "By the way, I am really thirsty. Can I take a sip on your coffee, Hana?"

That's all?

She won't say anything?

Like saying "hi" to me or introducing herself?

My curiosity reached its peak. Thus, I lifted my head to see the face of her.

She is...

This woman is...

"Okay!" Bernard dropped the cue. "Since everyone is here, then we can start our date. First, we need to choose our partner and..."

"She will be my partner," I murmured.

All pair of eyes turned to me. But I kept my gaze towards the cute girl sitting in front of me with her widened eyes.

"I wanted her..." I said, pointing her. "...to be my date today."

A genuine smile spread on my lips towards the girl I saw in the Jiyo Street.

Just like what I've said before, among the stories that I saw in that place, hers is the most interesting.

Why won't you turn your back to look at the lonely boy behind you? And what makes him longed for your gaze?

I wanted to find it out... right now.