Falling Petals (songkim; completed)

c h a p t e r e i g h t .

It was busy, as in buzzing with people coming home and leaving home. It was the place where sad good byes and sweet reunions happen. And that day, Jinwoo was there too. Because he thought he needed to go home, because he thought he needed to escape.

Little did he know, the reason for his escaping act was there right that moment, looking right at him.

Then they were only inches apart.

Then Jinwoo walked pass him.

Then Jinwoo was stopped by his hold.

Then Jinwoo looked at him. Finally.

"Mino?"

Déjà vu.

He was admittedly an indecisive person. He thought there's a lot of things he wanted to do, he wanted to write... It was so hard to choose for him.

As if he was out of character, yes it was exactly that, Mino drove to the airport. He was the most decisive that he has been that day, it never crossed his mind to turn back.

Mino reached his destination, parked his car, and climbed down with a duffel bag carrying what he thought he needed for a few days trip.

He made determined strides inside the airport to his designated gate. But his strides halted suddenly. And suddenly his determination turned into confusion and to delight.

This is crazy, he thought. And then ran towards the person who seemed to be an aparition at first before he realized he was real, that he was there.

But the person didn't seem to realize Mino was there and approaching him, he looked like a lost puppy, eyes down, strides slow.

The person walked pass him.

He grabbed his arm before he can walk further.

And Jinwoo looked at him. Finally.

"Mino?"

Mino smiled. "Hey, why did you come back?"

"Mino?"

He was surprised, confused, hurting, happy... Jinwoo didn't know which emotion weigh most. Seeing Mino was making him want to escape more. Ah, he too was scared.

"Are you going home?" Mino asked him.

Jinwoo nodded. "I should," his lips let out on their own.

"Can we talk?" Mino's eyes were pleading.

And so he wanted to look down the floor instead but he can't take his eyes off Mino's. They stared at each other's eyes, like they were speaking through them.

"Please, Jinwoo. It won't take long. I just want you to listen to me. If you won't take me back, then maybe we can have our closure."

Jinwoo shook his head. He didn't want to be lured by Mino's words. He wanted to think on his own. "I don't think we should do that now. Remember what you said that you'll let my mom make a film out of your book if I read that book again? I'll do it. I'll read Rose Tattoos again, Mino. And after that, maybe I can give you the closure you needed."

Nothing else. He didn't want to say anything more. Jinwoo took his leave, taking advantage of stunned Mino.

He wasn't any further when he stopped walking. Don't wait too long to forgive him. Jinhwan's words echoed in his mind. You might lose your chance to.

His heartbeats doubled its pace. Jinwoo held his chest. Don't wait too long to forgive him. You might lose your chance to.

Jinwoo turned around, and just as he did, he was facing Mino again.

"I still love you, Jinwoo. My feelings for you didn't change. I know you've moved on." Mino's eyes went down, to the direction of his hand. Then back to his eyes. "I went to your house. I thought you went home the day after the wedding.

"I'm dying to tell you that I still love you but your mom said you stayed here with your best friend. I'm glad you've found someone else, I'm glad that you're happy."

"Make up does wonder." To stop Mino's assumptions, Jinwoo raised his hand for him to see. "Every time I think about erasing this, I get reminded of the time I had it. I had it because I wanted it. I didn't have it because of anyone, because of you so I have no reason to get rid of it.

"But I concealed it on the day of Seunghoon and Seungyoon's wedding because I'll be talking to you, because I'll be close to you, because I don't want you to see it in me and think I still love you when you've already moved on or so I thought."

"Jinwoo..."

Jinwoo stepped back. He can't believe he said those things.

"That day..."

Jinwoo realized the emotion that filled his heart most that moment - fear. "Mino... I should really go now. I... This..." He couldn't organize his thoughts "Please just let me go for now."

Mino nodded. "Okay. I understand. I'll wait until you're ready to talk about it. And thank you, thank you for showing me your tattoo."

He nodded as well, and then left for real this time still confused, still all over the place but a part of him was relieved for some reason.

Rose Tattoos
Chapter 5

Airport.
The moment I had my hands on your address, I ran to the airport.
My strides were fast as I carried my bag, those strides were towards you so how can they slow down...
My heart was beating loudly in my chest, I was about to jump to a plane - hoping to jump into your life too.
The only goal I have then is that - be a part of your life.

But then I bumped into you.
At the airport.
How magical that was.

I asked you why you came back.
You asked me where I was going.
And I thought I should kneel down,
Kneel down and ask you,
"Can I be a part of your life?"

I said instead, while still standing: "I wanted to see your play."
I still remember your eyes going wide. "But I am not doing it anymore."
"Why?"
"You tell me."

And I've never imagined how our hearts started beating the same before we even realize it.
You were right when you said we're soulmates.

But there was one thing I regret that moment.
I regret that you were one step ahead of me.
You came back for me,
Before I come to you.
And so ever since,
I promised myself...

I'll be the one to love more.
I'll be the one to give more.
I'll be the one to sacrifice more.

And if there'll be pain along our way,
Then I'll be the one to feel it more.