Beyond Us [Bangchan] [Finished]

Chapter 19

Monday was busy as usual. And I had to hear out Richard because he fought with his wife. He always had his fair share of guilt in those fights though. Richard was my friend, but he had his issues too, I knew it well.

I spent Tuesday reading and editing. I liked Tuesdays; it was the calmest day of the week. I had a short video call with Chan at lunch, and I went for coffee with Sophia in the afternoon. I really enjoyed going out with her, it was always fun and I had my share of fangirling to keep myself at ease. But I have to admit that it didn't feel the same anymore, probably because I was going out with Chan.

On Wednesday, I woke up at 5 am and took the bus to Busan at 7. I thought about taking the train but taking the bus was cheaper and more convenient. I still wanted to sleep a little bit more, and it took a little bit longer so I could get some work done before arriving in Busan. I know most people get up between 5 and 6 in the morning in Korea, but I wasn't. I needed my 8 hours of sleep so I slept the first hour and a half of the trip; that was not negotiable.

Despite forgetting my mid-morning snack, I really enjoyed taking the trip by bus. I was constantly distracted by the view from my window, and I wasn't mad about it. The old lady sitting next to me gave me some candy too; we even chit-chat for a little bit. She was going back to Busan after visiting his son in Seoul.

The moment I got out of the terminal, I ran to the first restaurant that got my eye. I was starving!

"Hello", I greeted on the phone.

"Hello", he said on the other end. "Did you arrive already?"

"Yup, I'm about to have lunch". I was waiting for my food to be served so I took the chance to call Chan.

"Is it that late?" He exclaimed surprised.

"Yeah!"

"No wonder why I was getting hungry then". I could picture his shocked face.

"What were you doing?"

"Uhm... I was playing on the phone". He laughed.

"Oh, am I interrupting?"

"No, it's ok. I should get myself some food".

"Are you cooking?"

"Nope. I have leftovers from yesterday". He muffled another laugh. "I don't know why, but I've been feeling so lazy these couple of days".

"Good thing you don't have much to do. Just enjoy it".

"Yeah, the dorm will get noisy again today though".

"Oh, are the boys getting back?"

As far as I knew, Changbin and Hyunjin were at their parents' house. Not because Chan said something, they sent some photos on bubble. The only one at the dorm with him was Han, and he would be binging on series and sleeping most of the time. I know they sometimes ate together though, Chan didn't say that to me either but I figure it out when he would start telling me funny things that had happened to him lately.

"Yeah, you have probably heard me complaining about them being too noisy a few times but I miss them when they're not around after a few days". He sighed. "What am I saying? Ah!" He blurted out. I just could laugh at him; it was sweet though. "What did you order?" He asked changing the topic.

"Uhm... I'm not sure".

"How come?"

"I didn't know most of the dishes in the menu, so luckily the waiter knew some English and I asked for something that had cooked fish". He started to crack up.

"Ah, is that the reason why you always invite me to eat out with you?"

"Oh, no! You got me!" I said jokingly while I saw the waiter walking to my table. "Of course not!" He sighed dramatically.

"I never thought I'd be used this way".

"Shut up, I said it's not like that". I got my food served and I bowed to the waiter.

"I know, I know". He chuckled.

"This looks insanely good". I muttered looking at the fried fish and all the side dishes.

"Are you already eating?"

"I just got my food, should I send you a photo? This looks great".

"I'm curious about what you got".

"Ok, give me a sec". I quickly opened the camera and send him the photo.

"Shit, that looks delicious". I smirked the moment I heard him curse.

"It is, right?" I exclaimed kinda proud of myself without a good reason. "What are you having?"

"Bibimbap". I laughed.

"I feel sorry now".

"Ah... it doesn't matter. I'll get some fresh fish to Busan myself this weekend".

"Are you coming?" I asked excitedly.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" He giggled.

"I didn't think you'd actually come".

"Well, I have to use my vacation right. I'll be taking the first train on Saturday morning".

"Ok! Good, tell me if you feel like doing something. We can do whatever you want ".

"Is that ok?"

"Of course!"

"Ok, I'll think about it". Chan sounded excited too. I was already dying of anticipation.

We both ate talking over the phone. It was a bit uncomfortable but I didn't mind it, Chan was really cheerful that day.

After lunch I went to check in at a small hotel I had reserved and went for a walk around the city. The air was so much fresher than in Seoul, it reminded me of my parents' house back in L.A.

I went for a walk at the beach too; you don't know how many photos I took. I uploaded some on Instagram and send a couple more to Chan.

I stopped for dinner at the same place where I had lunch and met the same waiter. He helped me with the menu again and we even talked a little bit this time.

Back in the hotel, I took a shower and called my parents.

"Happy birthday!" I greeted my dad the moment he picked up his phone.

"Glad you still remember me!" He exclaimed.

"How could I not?"

"I don't know. I know more about you from social media than from yourself".

"I'm sorry". It's true that I had been MIA. "Did you have your birthday cake already?"

"We will have some cake later. Since your brother and you are not here, your mom and I will have a date". Dad was clearly excited about it.

"Oh, how romantic".

"I didn't know I would enjoy having my kids leave the house so much".

"Thank you, dad". I pretended to be offended.

"Sweetie, I have to go back to work".

"Yeah, go, go. I'm sorry".

"Call more often".

"I will! Have a nice day dad, I love you!"

"Love you too!"

Hearing my dad's voice made me miss them so much... I called my mom right away and almost tear up a little bit. I even called my brother.

Being in complete silence in that hotel room at night after talking to my family made me feel somewhat lonely.