Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 24 : New hope

The rooms filled with the sounds of running water from the bathroom. Jihoon, standing by the sink, with his eyes glued to the mirror. His hands grip strongly on the sink, as he watches himself in the reflection. He's staring at his dull gray eyes with a hint of tiredness and sadness. "Ugh, eye bags," He groans before sighing as he runs his hand over his face to his hair. He turns on the tap and lets the cold water run on his hands. Water has been pouring out, and he stares at it intensely for a few minutes. 
 
Jihoon bends closer to the sink and splashes some water onto his face before rubbing it hard. Taking a deep breath, he looks up into his tired eyes once again. His vision is hazy, but when he closes them, that same familiar feeling he felt earlier comes back. But it was only faint and just barely noticeable. He knows what this feels like. The feeling of emptiness inside and the heart feel like it's breaking inside. 
 
He turns off the water tap and he hears the sounds of knocking on the door. He taps his face softly, softens his facial expressions, and moves towards the door. Likewise, he put on a smile as he opens the door. 

"Morning hyung," Jihoon greets the person by the door, who is wearing a white thin tee on top of a nude cardigan. His hair looks a bit messy, but still neat enough. 

"Hmm, morning." Hyunsuk greets him back while entering the room. He didn't say anything after and just went straight to his bed and takes out his luggage before moving to the closet. 

Jihoon stand there by the door for a second and took time to watch the boy. He looks so peaceful, so calm. He looks so beautiful. Jihoon took a deep breath to calm himself down before closing the door behind him. "Hyung, do you have any recommendations on where should we have our breakfast?" Jihoon asks as he walks to his bed and reached for his phone. 

Hyunsuk halted his movement. He then turned to Jihoon for a second and continue his actions, "I don't have appetite yet. You can have breakfast alone." He said with a small voice. 

"Alright. Hyung, you may take your time. I'll head out." said Jihoon. He took out his black shirt and put it on. After grabbing his phone and wallet, Jihoon headed out of the room. 

"Glad he didn't agree. I look so ugly right now," said Jihoon, looking at his reflection on his phone screen. His eyes look puffy and swollen. He let out a heavy sigh and walk away. 

Jihoon remembers he wakes up in a solemn mood and feels bad. It is still clear in his head that he cries himself to sleep, and together with the sounds of heavy rain, his sobbing voice echoes in his room. He still remembers the pain he felt every time he sees Hyunsuk's face, but right now, everything is like a magic spell, it's all gone. The birds chirp as if it's talking to Jihoon, asking how's he doing. He just looks above for a few seconds upon hearing the bird flapping its wings and flying away.

Jihoon then walked slowly leaving the hotel. He looks to surround him. The smell of muddy roads and fresh grass filled the air. The water droplets have been falling on the ground from the rooftops making comfortable trickle sounds. A soft melody played by the wind. The sunshine is bright, as it gives new life to the earth, creating a new color for the land. The grass that used to look dull and dusty, now, it's full of vibrant green color as the water droplets trickled down the leaves. A small smile crept on the edge of Jihoon's lips. There's a hint of happiness he's almost failed to hide. This 'new layer' of Earth, gives him hope. 

 It makes everything feel a little better. His heart is lighter. Jihoon hummed the tune while moving his way through the city until he reached a restaurant. The smell of food fills Jihoon's nostrils, making his stomach growl. The door wind chimes when he pushes it open, announcing his arrival. His lips tugged into a smile, he likes the restaurant setting, from the interior design, background music, and how welcoming people are there. The interior was warm and inviting. The wall was decorated with fake leaves and flowers. A man who seemed in his 50s greeted him, with a smile. 

He brings Jihoon to an unoccupied table and gave him the menu. After having Jihoon's orders, the man brings the menu to the kitchen. Jihoon just looks around, while waiting for his food. He likes the ambiance here. He turns his head when he heard a lady probably in her late 40 speaking in Thailand walking in his direction. Look like she's talking to other waiters, maybe she is the owner of this restaurant. She even looks friendly with other customers. 

"Enjoy your meal~," she said in English, with a coarse Thai accent, putting on a plate of fried rice. Jihoon nodded with a smile. "Uhm excuse me?" Jihoon said as the woman is about to leave his table. She halted her movement and gives attention to Jihoon. 

"Yes?" 

"May I ask, are you the owner of this restaurant?" Jihoon ask. 

The woman laughs and turns her head. Jihoon turn his gaze to the direction of reaction she looked at. Their gaze falls on the man that was greeted Jihoon earlier on. 

"That man over there is the owner. I am his wife," the woman said smilingly. Looking at her smile, make Jihoon smile too. Jihoon could see how much she is in love with him. How happy they are. He wonders if he would be in this situation in the future, living with the person he loves until they grow old and wrinkled. "You're lucky to have each other," remarks Jihoon, which later makes the lady turn her head at him. 

"Yes, how lucky I am. He kept chasing me even after getting rejected many times. Oh nostalgia," the lady said in her dreamy tone. The mixed Thai in her English makes Jihoon chuckle a little. She asks for permission to leave when hearing the door chiming. Jihoon smiles at her and nodded. 

"Thanks for the food," Jihoon mutters alone and continues eating it. With each spoonful in his mouth, the flavor of local spices explodes in his mouth. Strange, it makes him emotional. It's like he could feel the love added to the food as if it's telling him to keep going and never give up. Without realizing it, tears already start streaming down his cheeks.

"What's this?" He said, feeling his cheeks wet. He then continue eating his food with tears blurring his views. As he keeps wiping his tears after a few bite, he finally emptied his plate. After finishing the heartful meal, he paid for it and leave with a new hope in his heart.

There's no trace of Hyunsuk left in his hotel room. As well as the closet, it's empty. "Seem like he has already done packing," said Jihoon. He then went out again, knocking on the door next to his. 

The door clacked open after a few seconds. Jihoon creates a wide smile when the small guy opens the door. "Um, hyung. I bought this for you. In case you're hungry. YOU MAY THROW IT AWAY IF YOU DON'T WANT, but after I leave," said Jihoon with a sad tone at the end. 

"Thanks. I'll eat this while it still hot. Take some rest. We will leave for the airport an hour later," said Hyunsuk, taking the paper bag from Jihoon's hand.

"Thanks, hyung! Please eat it nicely! I'll take a rest! Bye!" said Jihoon. He turns his back again, "Please wake me up if I don't appear in an hour," he continued and left Hyunsuk, dumbfounded. 

Hyunsuk just stood there, looking at Jihoon's retreating.

"Huh... At least he turns back to his usual self?" Hyunsuk said to himself. He then closes his door and put the food on the table.

"Yummy,"