𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐨 𝐌𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 || 𝐉𝐢𝐇𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

3

Donghyuck watches as the old lady waves him goodbye while inside the beat-up truck of her husband. She left him a pack of bread and two pieces of boiled sweet corn that she says he could eat on the way to his destination. Donghyuck accepts it. It’s food and he is in the middle of nowhere. A little emergency resource is very much welcome.

According to one of the gasoline boys, the next bus going to Changwon will arrive in five hours as the last bus from Seoul was the one he boarded. If he really wanted to go to the main town, he could try hitching with private cars. It’s already almost midnight and there are not a lot of cars traversing the highway at this hour. His best bet is to rent a motel along the way. The nearest one is about five kilometers from where he is and the best option to go there is to start walking now.

Donghyuck has decided to do just that. He fastens the strap of his backpack on his shoulders and proceeds walking. He regrets not taking the cellular phone his parents are giving him. Not a lot of people are privileged to own a mobile device. It’s considered a luxury. He thinks it’s too tacky to carry around a chunk of metal around and flash how rich his family is. But now, in a situation like this, he wishes he wasn’t that stubborn and too self-righteous.

It’s too dark. Donghyuck is not afraid of a little dim in his surroundings. This highway, though, creeps him out. A vast field on both sides and the street lights are like a mile apart from each other. He could be taken by anyone and get murdered easily without anyone witnessing it. No one could hear his screams. His body would just be discarded in the middle of this grassland and would only be found a week after.

He shakes the thought of his possible demise off his head. He could survive this. Five kilometers is nothing. Perhaps, if he’s luckier, a car would pass by and offer him a ride to the livelier part of this province.

“Hey.”

Donghyuck thought he is just imagining things. It’s only been a few minutes since he was walking when a car stops for him. It’s either it’s his murderer or it’s his savior.

“Where are you going?” The driver rolls down his window to reveal himself.

“To town.” Donghyuck answers. He looks young to be driving a white 1992 Hyundai Pony. The car reminds him of his parents’ car when he was younger. This one is just dirtier and older and he feels like it won’t survive another mile on the road.

“Do you want a ride?” The young man offers. “The gasoline folks told me someone got left by their bus and I should offer them a ride. I suppose it’s you.”

He looks harmless, Donghyuck thinks. The condition of his car is questionable but Donghyuck is not in a position to be choosy right now. Going with him is the best option right now. It’s the only option he has. “Is it okay?”

“Yeah, sure.” The other says. “I can drive you to where you’re going. I have all the time.”

That seems like something a pervert would say. Donghyuck is hesitant to get in.

“I really have no destination. I just wanted to go for a drive. I won’t kill you, don’t worry.” The driver must have sensed his hesitance.

Too exhausted to even think properly, Donghyuck opens the door of the passenger and hops in the old car. Despite the dim lighting inside, he sees a friendly smile welcome him. The driver seems younger in this angle, his lips stretch from one ear to another. His dominant nose is hard to ignore especially when he starts driving and his side profile is on display. He has a perfectly defined jawline that it takes two seconds for Donghyuck to stop staring.

“Seatbelt?” The guy asks but more like instructs.

Donghyuck buckles up. They are driving slowly initially until they speed up when Donghyuck is already safe and settled.

“Is it okay to ask where you’re going?” The guy starts.

“Changwon.” Donghyuck answers.

“That’s still 3 hours from here.”

Donghyuck isn’t aware. He doesn’t even know where they are at this point. It’s his first time taking a public bus in his life. He either rides the train or he drives with his parents whenever he travels to or from Seoul.

“I could just get on another bus tomorrow. I just need a place to sleep tonight.” Donghyuck says.

The guy doesn’t say anything and continues driving down the dark highway. Donghyuck assumes he gets it, agrees with him. Who would want an awkward conversation with a stranger and allow them to ride with you for more than five minutes? Donghyuck wouldn't put himself in this kind of situation if he had a choice. Small talks ain't one of the things he knows how to do seamlessly. He's even worse at talking, bad at interacting with people in general. And it shows with the way his fingers are fidgeting on top of his backpack on his lap. He couldn't wait for this ride to be over.

"Are you okay?" The guy finally speaks.

"Yeah." Donghyuck nods, tilting his head to the left for the other to have a glance of his face but not enough to meet his eyes. "I'm fine."

"You seem uncomfortable. Is it hot? Do you want me to lower the AC?"

"No, it's fine," Donghyuck says. The air-conditioning in the car is fine. He's not hot. He's not cold. It's the right temperature for him. He's just really uneasy around people he doesn't know. "I just really wanna sleep."

"Take a nap first."

"But they said the nearest motel is near."

"This one?" They stop and the guy points at the very old three-story building right by the highway on their left.

There are about three cars parked outside, shady green lights illuminating the entrance to welcome the guests. The sign says "Midnight Motel". It looks like a whole building of massage parlors that offer extra service to its customers. Donghyuck thinks it should be fine to stay there for a few hours if you're not really picky and you could sleep on beds that have sheets you're not really sure were changed.

Donghyuck's skin crawls at the idea of lying on a bed soaked with other people's body fluids.

"You know what?" The other guy starts. "Let's find a better place for the night and then I'll drive you to Changwon tomorrow."

"Huh? Why?"

"I haven't been there."

"So?" Donghyuck is really trying not to sound rude but he just can't help himself when he doesn't understand what this dude is trying to do. With him.

"Roadtrip?"

"I don't do road trips with people I don't know. We just met 10 minutes ago."

His calm expression transforms into something like that of a kicked puppy. Donghyuck feels bad for being too straightforward but he also has to be cautious around strangers, especially those who offer to drive kilometers with him after meeting them a few minutes previously.

"I get it." He brings the engine back to life. He looks so dejected Donghyuck hates himself. "But we won't be staying here. I can't. It's too sketchy for me."

"Do you know another place?"

"No, but we could drive further. I'm sure there are lots when we drive towards the main town."

"Alright."

Donghyuck relaxes on the passenger seat as they drive back to the highway. If it’s even possible, they get more silent than before. Maybe it's because of Donghyuck's sharp words. Maybe the other guy is pissed. It's so awkward inside you could feel the palpable tension between them. Donghyuck keeps psyching himself that it's okay. It's not his fault. They don't know each other. It's fine. After this, they won't see each other again.

Donghyuck checks his wristwatch. It's midnight. The main town should be near now. He can't wait to sleep on a proper bed.