Manual Of The Forbidden - Ryeji

Chapter 12

—Did Ryujin give it to you?— His brow furrowed and his voice took on a tone of confusion.

—Uh... no,— I managed to articulate. —No! I mean, Ryujin left it for you, it's for you,— I said, feeling the beast inside me go against all my words and claim the flower as its own and no one else's.

—Did she do that?— His expression changed again, becoming tender and sweet, as it was. —Aww, how sweet she's ,— he approached the rose and took it, then smelled its fragrance. —I have to put it in water.— He smiled and I sighed, relieved and with regret.

Relieved because I had gotten out of the mess that was about to happen, regretful because the rose was now in the wrong hands, ironically, the hands it should have been in.

I sat on one of the chairs by the railing as I watched Lia immerse the stem of the rose in the water of a small vase.

—And how was your day with Chaeryeong?— my friend asked.

—Great,— I muttered confidently.

—Oh, but you say it as if you didn't enjoy it,— her sharp voice approached as she sat beside me.

—No, it's just that I'm tired, you know me,— I smiled.

—It's not fair, you know?— she said.

—What do you mean?— I looked at her.

—That I can't spend time with you. God, you're my best friend and we hardly talk! I have my job, and when I come home from work, Ryujin is there, and you disappear.—

—But Lia-Lia, we live in the same apartment, just like we wanted since we were kids, remember?—

—Yes,— she smiled. —And still, I hardly see you. It's not fair.—

—It's okay. We have Sundays,— I said.

—One day out of seven,— she pouted.

—I'd like to spend more time with you, Liayah, like when we were kids, but we're not anymore. You have a job, and I have many things to do. But at least we share it, and that's what counts.—

—I feel so lucky, you know?— she sighed. —I have the best friend in the world and the most beautiful girlfriend on the planet,— she laughed. —Plus the job I wanted,— she added.

I didn't know why I felt guilty when she said —the best friend in the world— and jealous when she said —the most beautiful girlfriend on the planet.—

I smiled and hugged her. If there was an excellent friend, it was Lia. Not me.

—I have to sleep, Lia-Lia,— I said.

—Oh, no!— she exclaimed like a little girl. —Are you not going to have dinner?—

—I'm tired.—

—Come on! Have dinner with me, several times you've left me eating alone,— she pouted and I laughed.

—Okay. What are we having for dinner?—

Lia's gummy smile spread happily across her face.

....

I looked through the window at the completely darkened sky and counted the few stars there were that night. Then I glanced at the clock, it was going to be one thirty in the morning and I still couldn't sleep.

I snuggled into the blanket and sighed.

I couldn't continue ignoring the beast inside me, because its thoughts no longer completely disagreed with mine. But I still retained some sanity somewhere in my head that told me I couldn't fall in love with Ryujin. She was as untouchable as the fire under the skillet, as forbidden as breaking any law of the constitution; she was my best friend's girlfriend, and I had to step back from the steps I shouldn't have taken.