Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 42 : A little reunion

"Huh..." another sigh could be heard. All eyes are on him.

"How many times is it already?" Someone opens their mouth, asking, sounding exasperatedly annoyed.

"Bet me," one of them answered. Then, their surrounding became silent again, as the question was still unanswered. All that could be heard are some soft rustling sounds of paper, clicking on the keyboard, and shuffling from their chairs. Everyone seems busy with their work, trying to catch up with whatever work they have for today. Except, that one person who seems lazily laid his head on the desk. Eyes opened, staring at nothing. When suddenly, he sits up straight and suddenly yelling.

"Ahhhh!" then, a loud banging sound can be heard throughout the whole area, resulting in more than 5 heads turning towards the source of all the commotion.

"Gah, Jihoon! Shut it off! What's up with you?!" A tall man across the room exclaimed, his voice slightly raised and almost angry.

"Rohee, calm down," Kang Rina, a female colleague who is sitting at the table next to him spoke. Her face is full of worry, scared Rohee might lose his mind and cause a ruckus. Though Rohee isn't someone like that, it's better to prevent it before anything unwanted happens. Rohee slowly puts his hands in front of his chest and takes deep breaths to make himself calm down a bit before answering. His face shows no sign of the previous outburst and only a tired expression could be seen on his face.

He then gently massaged his temple with his right hand, leaning his back on the chair. "He's been like that ever since he comes from his long trip two weeks ago. Did he probably get dumb by any foreign girl, I wonder?" He muttered while shaking his head, clearly not happy about Jihoon's behavior.

"Hahaha, you think so? I thought it was me only. Now, that we're on it, I'm curious how pretty is that girl to make our bright Jihoon become this glum," Rina said,  smiling a bit at his last statement.

Rohee could just let out a sigh hearing Rina's remark. His eyes now focused on the said man, who seem to be completely lost in his thoughts.

He remembers the first day, Jihoon comes to work after comeback from his unannounced trip. It was so unusual that Jihoon didn't talk much about his trip. He just silently transferred the photos on his camera to the computer. As usual, Jihoon's works never disappointed but he isn't used to seeing him being so quiet and gloomy.

He has known Jihoon since high school. Although Jihoon is younger than Rohee,  they've always been good friends due to both having a similar interest—photography. Their friendship continues from high school and into university, until now, when they have been working together for more than two years. Despite his young age, Jihoon is mature and capable of handling everything on his own, which means he rarely needs or asks for help. It also means Rohee could never really understand why Jihoon suddenly becomes silent and gloomy when he came to work late and late again. After all, as far as he knows Jihoon, the latter never seems to be interested in romantic stuff which resulting to why he never gets himself a girlfriend with that handsome face.

Rohee shakes his head in frustration once more. He feels like seeing a son of his finally having puberty. He then raises his head as he heard a knocking sound on his table. Jihoon. He gestured his hand, telling that he has some stuff to talk about outside of the office.

"What?! Do you need advice about relationships? This Jihoon who smilingly rejected tons of girls in the college?! So, what Rina and I thought is right. Park Jihoon finally has a relationship issue. Gotta tell Kang Rina," Rohee said with a high-pitched voice as he was about to leave.

"No," Jihoon said, holding his wrist, stopping him from leaving. Rohee then turns his head at Jihoon. Jihoon looks like an abandoned dog, who was thrown by the road, looking sad and hurt at being left there. He then let out a heavy sigh. He turned his head, looking straight ahead.

"Do you get dumped?" Rohee asks after a short while. The silence engulfed them. Jihoon who is staring at Rohee now throws his glances in the same direction as the man. The sound of birds chirping in the summer breeze and cars passing them can be heard.

"Yes," Jihoon replies calmly. There is sadness and helplessness in his tone.  Rohee just looked back at him. After a few seconds of silence. He patted Jihoon's back. He knows too well how painful it feels to not feel loved. To know that your loved one didn't want you anymore. To know that you might never meet again. He also understands how hard it is for someone who is in love. He has experienced it all.

"It must be hard for you. If you asked me about relationship tips, I'm afraid I can't help when all my relationships are falling apart," Rohee said with a slight smile on his face. Jihoon glances at him, he feels bad for him.

"I'm sorry," Jihoon said.  Rohee just smiles at him in response.

"Don't be, I am fine. It's just weird seeing you like this. You are always so happy and bright, yet now look downcast. Now bro, cheer up! There isn't just one person in this world. You can be looking for someone new,"  Rohee smiled and he pats Jihoon's shoulder.

Jihoon can only give a small smile in return. There's no way he would ever find someone to change Hyunsuk's place in his heart. It's impossible.

"Thanks, Ro-"

"PARK JIHOON!" They both flinched when they heard that loud voice. Rina appeared in front of them with a serious expression, she was trudging her feet and glaring fiercely at Jihoon. "Y-you...," She pointed her finger at him. Rohee and Jihoon can only look at each other with worried expressions and confusion.

"A pretty girl is looking for you!" Rina exclaimed which later gain a jaw drop from Rohee while Jihoon just stands there, dumbfounded. He glances at Rohee as if he's trying to get a hint from him, about who's the girl Rina mentioned. He's completely lost in his thoughts. And Rohee seems to have noticed it just shakes his head, signaling to Jihoon that he's clueless.

"Quick!" Rina said as she grabbed Jihoon's arm pulling him away into the studio again. He just could only follow, wondering who's this girl that's seeking his presence.

"Jihoooooon," the familiar voice drawled as soon as he finally step inside the room. He turned around and his eyes meet a pair of familiar pairs,  his eyes widen slightly. A woman is standing near the door, she's wearing a white dress and dark blue heels while wearing a thin cardigan over it. She has beautiful brown hair cascading down her shoulders and her chocolate-colored eyes are looking at him. She's giving him a big wide grin.

"Hyuna noona,"  he greeted, he puts on a  genuine smile as he slowly approach her.

"I've missed you!" Hyuna squealed as he wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her back while chuckling. All eyes are fixed on them both,  some of them were surprised because of their interaction and others had their jaws dropped, still processing what happened earlier. They surely have a lot of questions and things they want to ask but they're not going to interrupt the moment between both them.

Until they heard a voice, come out later asking, "Jihoon, is she the person you mean?" Now, all eyes are on Jo Rohee who is wearing a shocked expression.

Rohee looks at them with a confused expression while they're putting on a 'Shut the fucked up face. Don't know why, but Rohee feels like he missed a lot of information. He just looks at the surroundings and demands an answer but looks like everyone is ignoring him.