GIVE ME LOVE (WINRINA AU)

CHAPTER 6

Winter sits at the bus-stop, casually smoking while staring at some random pedestrians. Then, an unfamiliar car parked near the apartment. Winter keeps an eye on it as the front door opens.

"hi!"

Winter stares at Yeji who's standing in front of her. she takes a last puff and throw away the butt on the ground.

"I didn't know you're a smoker." Yeji said as she follows Winter, walking inside the building. "that day you didn't smell."

Winter let out a long sigh, walking upstairs lazily.

"did I offend you? I'm sorry. I have no problem with smokers." Yeji purses her lips. "damn. I wish this building has a lift."

Winter doesn't respond.

"you're not much of a talker, aren't you?" Yeji leans in to better look at Winter's face.

"I'll be going first." Winter said, knowing that they're already in front of Karina's unit.

"why don't you join us?"

"no, thank you." Winter then continues to walk. a little faster so she can avoid any further conversation.

Shortly after Yeji ring the bell, Karina opens up the door for her, letting her in.

"is she really like that?" Yeji pouts slightly.

"who?"

"Winter." Yeji drops her purse and sits on the couch. "it'll take a long time."

"at least she's a great listener." Karina chuckles. "she's always on the bus-stop. I don't know why."

"yeah, it's kinda weird. Every time I visited you, she's always there. I mean, you have a lot of cool places to hang out. why a bus-stop?" Yeji wondered.

"you'll never know someone's pasts."

-

Winter gets out of her room, hearing some noises from outside. The more she gets close towards the living room, the more she can hear her parents arguing. She never know what is it all about and she doesn't wanna know.

"that's a fucking lie! You know that! I don't have an idiot daughter like her! you must've fucked that man to get some fucking money!" the father shouted.

"that's not true! I swear on my father's grave!" the mother responded with teary eyes, salty water running down her face.

"you're a fucking whore! Do you think I don't know? I don't know how much I work for this shitty thing you call family?! I was wrong for marrying you. I'd rather be a widower, you fucking bitch!"

Winter can only listen and stay still, listening to them. Seems like they're too caught up in their own arguments, not noticing Winter. she then gathers up some courage to come between them.

"mom." Winter holds her hand. "let's go inside." She pulls the woman's hand a little harder.

"oh, I'm not done." The man grabs his wife's wrist roughly, making her hissed in pain. "I won't let you lose this time."

"stop hitting her, will you?" Winter looks at him in the eye. "what if she dies? Why don't you hit me instead? I'm still young. she's had enough."

"you have the nerve to challenge me, kid." The father grabs her neck, squeezing it as hard as he can. "you'll get what you wished for."

Winter can only protect her mother this way. She has nothing else to give but herself. The woman keeps pulling Winter away, trying to save her, but the man is way stronger. He keeps hitting her in random places on her body.

The ordinary night ended with an ordinary event. That is according to Winter because she's used to it.

Winter walks into her room, seeing her mother crying on the bed.

"oh, dear." The woman runs towards her, checking her daughter's whole body. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you... again."

"I'm fine." Winter sighs. "you can come to my room anytime. I kept telling you that. why won't you listen?"

"I don't want to disturb you." the mother looks down. "you have a lot of work to do. I don't want to be a burden."

"you're my mother. your problem is mine too." Winter leads her to the bed. "go to sleep."

After that, Winter gets out of her unit. She let out a long sigh again as she walks down the stairs. At the same time, she hears an open door. It's from Karina's unit.

"hi, Winter!" Yeji greets her with a smile. "I heard some sounds from upstairs. are you okay?"

"I'm okay." Winter pressed a smile.

Karina stares at her face, noticing some new bruises on her.

"she has the same problem as mine." Karina said to Yeji. "must be hard fixing those plumbing." She giggles.

"excuse me." Winter lowers her head as she continues to walk down.

"what was that?" Yeji raised her eyebrow.

"family problems. I don't wanna talk about it. it's not my place." Karina purses her lips.

"hm... how much do you know about her life?" Yeji squinted her eyes, getting suspicious.

"she doesn't like to talk about it. if you look closely, you'll know what I'm talking about."

"you're no fun." Yeji pouts. "I'm gonna check on her."

Yeji finally gets out of the building. As expected, she sees Winter at the bus stop with a cigarette on her hand.

"you can go to a café to hang out." Yeji sits beside her. "why do you like to be in here?"

"I don't know." Winter replied shortly. "go home. It's late."

"aww... you're worried about me? I'm flattered." Yeji boldly holds her free hand.

Winter quickly looks at it and snatched her hand back.

"sorry. It's a habit." Yeji giggles. "well, then. I'll be going." She stands up. "have a good night, Winter." she smiles.

On the other hand, Winter knows that Yeji is trying to get close to her. sadly, she's not interested.