The Unexpected (Namkook)

Part 9

"Baby?"

The asked woman said a "yes" in response. Things are getting more convoluted with each passing day and each new discovery. It's 4 in the morning that Jungkook got a call from one of the female constables working in the night shift.

"Sorry I didn't hear it properly. So she just said baby?" Jungkook asked blinking his eyes fast to gain consciousness.
"Yes sir, she just kept saying that 'I'm sorry, baby please come back once'. I thought she was sleep talking but unlocking the lockup, I found she was wide awake but curled up in the bed. She was crying so hard and kept saying that. When I asked who was she referring to, the crying stopped all of a sudden and she closed her eyes." The lady on the phone explained the details of the situation.

"Just give her some water, Ho-sin shi. I will be there in half an hour." Jungkook clicked on the end button and connected the phone to its charging point. Although he could ignore the incident, his extra attentive mind thought of trying once by himself. He suspects something about the entire murder where Byeol was forced into the situation.

He took a quick shower and changed into his uniform before setting out for the bureau. Breakfast was skipped for the time being though. He wanted to inform Sung-ho and Bin on this but calling at this early hour felt a bit awkward, so he just sent texts to both of them.

********

Few steps towards Byeol's cell and Jungkook could clearly hear the exact words as Ho-sun narrated.
"I told you she stopped once I asked but after some time it started again. As far as I know, she doesn't have any child, so who is she addressing to as 'baby'?" Ho-sin unlocked the cell to let Jungkook enter while she followed.

Jungkook pulled a stool near Byeol's bed and sat on it as the prisoner was back facing him.
"Mrs. Lee, if you tell us who you are looking for, we might be able to help you." He said in a gentle tone and gestured Ho-sin to pat Byeol's back as a comforting acknowledgment.

"Byeol shi, you can trust Jeon sir. He will help you if you tell him who you want to see." Byeol turned sideway to face the cops, with red swollen eyes that needed no explanation how long she has been crying.
"Just ask baby to come back once, please!" She folded her hands in front of Jungkook as if the 'baby' she is referring to is the most important person to her. Jungkook held her hands and tried to ask one more time in a soft way.

"I will ask. Now you need to tell me where will I find that person. Who is he or she?" As Jungkook started unfolding his questionnaire, Byeol's crying and pleading gradually stopped, finally took her hands back not to answer anything she was asked about. Rubbing his temples in frustration, Jungkook stood up and was about to leave when a sentence broke the silence of the 6 by 6 cell.

"Kun-woo was always jealous because I loved baby more than anything in the world but baby just wanted me to stay in the marriage for money."

Both Jungkook and Ho-sin quickly went to Byeol's bedside but she started sobbing at the top of her voice again.
"You heard that, right?" Jungkook asked his colleague for confirmation.
"I did, sir. The way she said, I don't think this 'baby' is any actual kid. What if it's-" Ho-sin got cut off as Jungkook concluded, "It's her lover!"

Brand new information didn't take much time to reach Bin, Sung-ho and Do-guk. All started their own investigations based on the tiny hint received from an unstable Byeol.

********

After lots of planning, the newly opened Japanese cafe was selected for their next hangout. A plate of fruit sandwiches and two cups of matcha latte were ordered for the evening. Joyful smile failed to take its leave from either of the men's lips at the company of each other. A hectic day at work for Jungkook and a stressful day at university and library for Namjoon would wait for such relaxation.

"Namjoon?" A lady in her late thirties, dressed in an elegant formal dress made her way towards their table. Namjoon frowned at her initially but stood up abruptly realising who it was. Jungkook was confused at the interaction but understood once more words were added into the conversation.

"Ms. Park! How are you?" Namjoon bowed in front of her.
"I've been good. How are you, Namjoon-ah? I think I'm meeting you after ages." She asked placing her hand on Namjoon's shoulder.
"I've been good too, Ms. Park. I'm in university now."
"That's great! What are you studying?"
"Law, final year."

She wished her best to Namjoon while passing a smiling glance at Jungkook.
"Are you his brother?" Jungkook had no grudge against the lady until she unknowingly chose to be on his bad side, mistaking him as the man's brother who happens to be his crush.
"That's my friend, Jungkook." Namjoon beat Jungkook to answer, clearing the confusion of the woman.

"Jungkook, this is Ms. Park. She was my teacher in seventh grade." Namjoon turned to his friend to introduce his teacher and then did the same with Ms. Park.
"Ms. Park, this is Jungkook, my friend."
Respecting the seniority of the woman, Jungkook bowed too just like Namjoon did which was returned with a warm smile. Maybe, she will be removed from Jungkook's bad book now.

********

"Should I have asked her about your embarrassing moments from childhood?" Jungkook teased the other while walking their way towards the parking lot.
"I was always a good boy in her class. She was my crush back then." Namjoon started chuckling at the memory, missing the jealous face of Jungkook.

"Her? You had crush on her? I know she was way younger back then but still too old for a seventh grade kid!" Jungkook's judgemental scrunching of nose increased the pitch of the other's reactive chuckle.
"She was more beautiful back then and I kind of had crush on some other teachers too. It might be the case that I was into older women that time."

Jungkook fisted his hand to suppress his feelings as this was a clue to Namjoon being a straight man. He is single now, but maybe someday he will find someone worth of his love and Jungkook won't be that 'someone' in his life. With this thought and a heavy heart, they called it a day.