"are you sure about this?" Jisoo asked Ash one last time before she went to meet Myung Suk.
"..no..I'm not sure, but come to think of it Jisoo, I'm never sure about anything..life itself isn't sure about a thing..plus I'm not asking him to marry me, it's only a date.." Ash smiled as she wrapped the muffler around her neck
Jisoo wanted to smile, to encourage Ash but she was worried, worried that Ash might end up getting hurt.
"you guys are going really fast..slow down there, I'm actually worried you'd come back wearing a ring tonight!" Jisoo joked, but seeing that Ash didn't smile, rather she seemed distant and immersed in her own thoughts decided to cover up the joke but before she could say anything Ash surprised her by saying, "time isn't stopping for anyone, it's in a hurry..I don't want to waste it by worrying about things we have no control over..people do fall in love and they do take it slow, like you and Minhyuk sunbae! but jisoo..I..we don't have time to waste.." Ash blinked away her tears as she wore her shoes and walked out, "I'll be late..don't wait up for me!" she said walking towards the elevator.
~
There he was, Myung Suk, reading a book quietly in the corner of the coffee shop, in his own little bubble, waiting for Ash. Ash fixed her muffler as she took a deep breath, "here goes nothing.." she whispered to herself as she entered the shop. The bell attracted Myung Suks attention and he slowly stood up upon seeing Ash, he smiled.
"oh that smile again..how much I wanted to see it.." Ash thought to herself as she consciously walked towards Myung Suk.
Myung Suk quickly pulled out a chair for her and grinned, "this is almost like a dream.." he whispered as he walked behind her
Ash got goosebumps on hearing his voice, she awkwardly took her coat off and sat down, whispering a soft hello.
"you look really beautiful..don't mind me if you catch me staring..it can't be helped.." Myung suk said, sitting down on his chair. Ash blushed, her face was bright red and as hot as fire. She tried hiding that with her cold hands
"I'm sorry I..didn't mean to fluster you..I just.." Myung Suk said in a sorry tone
"no no..I just..woah..the interior of this cafe is really beautiful.." Ash said quickly changing the topic, trying not to make eye contact with him.
Myung Suk smiled as he looked around, "I think we should leave now.." Myung Suk whispered which kind of startled Ash, "what? but..I just came.." Ash replied
Myung Suk giggled, "oh God..his giggle.." Ash thought to herself,
"yes, but you didn't really think I'd buy you only coffee on our date did you? especially when you look this beautiful? won't it be a waste, just to drink what we always drink? I prepared something for you..come on, lets'..escape.." Myung Suk whispered the last sentence, as he extended his hand towards Ash, who took it without much thinking.
"where are we going?" Ash asked as she followed Myung Suk through the crowd on the street,
Myung Suk stopped suddenly, which caused Ash to bump into him
"sorry..this isn't how I expected it to be, the streets are really crowded at this time, I had no idea since I'm rarely ever out..come here.." Myung Suk said gently pulling Ash closed to him, Ash turned bright red again, but didn't say a thing
"this might seem funny but..it'll keep you warm and safe.." Myung Suk said turning Ash around so that her back was against his chest. He unzipped his jacket and covered Ash with it's sides. So now Ash was to walk in front of him, guarded by him from three sides.
"aren't you using me as a shield?" Ash asked jokingly, which made Myung laugh
"it seems that way but you'll see.." he briefly replied as they started walking
after walking for 10 minutes or so, Ash realized he was actually protecting her because she could feel and see how people were being pushed from behind.
"are you tired of walking?" Myung Suk whispered in her ear, which shook her but she managed to nod, because she was dead tired of walking
"you see that building there?" Myung suk asked pointing at a building two blocks away
"yes?" Ash asked
"that's our destination.."
~
"well..you're free to go miss.." Myung suk said as they reached their destination
"do you live here?" Ash asked
"..yes, I do..should we take the lift or the stairs?" he joked
"haha..the lift please..my feet are frozen.." Ash replied, knowing taking the stairs to the 12th floor isn't exactly a good idea for Myung Suk
~
"okay close your eyes now.." Myung Suk said after they reached his apartment
Ash tried protesting but ended up closing them anyways, Myung Suk gently took her hand in his as he lead her to the terrace. There was a vintage table for two, with a mason jar in which there was candle, which Myung Suk quickly lighted. There were wild daisies and a wonderful view.
"open your eyes, Ash.." Myung Suk whispered
Ash did as he said, she slowly opened her eyes and gasped as soon as she did. She blinked a few tears back, she tried but couldn't and a few tears did roll down her cheeks..she smiled, "did you do this all yourself?" she asked weakly
"yes..I did this all myself, I didn't even unpack..and I'm just realizing that..this looks romantic in summers or spring..it's too cold for us to sit here and it might even snow.." Myung Suk said wiping her tears away, "do you like it?" he asked innocently
Ash took a deep breath to compose herself, "I've never received anything like this before..I don't just like it..I absolutely..absolutely love it.." she said hugging him.
Myung Suk sighed a sigh of relief, "I'm glad you do.." he whispered as he hugged her back..but his smile had disappeared as tears filled his eyes.
"come on, let's eat!" he said breaking the hug and caressing Ash's cheek.
~
"this is a picture of me when I was in high school..oh and this one's from middle school.." Myung Suk excitedly told Ash as he showed her his pictures, "um, you're probably thinking why I don't have any baby pictures here..I haven't seen my baby pictures either..my mom and dad don't have them because I was in middle school when they adopted me.." Myung suk said nonchalantly
Ash quickly looked at Myung Suk, "..I'm..sorry.." Ash whispered
"yea but there is no need for that, my parents died in a car crash..I lost my memory due to the accident, they say it's because of the trauma..anyways, I don't really remember my biological parents at all..but I know they loved me..that's what everyone who knew my biological parents says..so the doctor who operated upon me..my mother, your professor, adopted me..isn't she the sweetest?" Myung Suk grinned widely
"..yes..she is..but she doesn't give really good grades!" Ash joked which made him laugh
"I really love your jokes..oh look! it's snowing, let's go in.." Myung Suk said quickly getting up and pulling Ash behind him inside.
"oh shoot! look I ruined my dress!" Ash exclaimed pointing towards a stain on her shirt
"aw..can you be more adorable than this? You can borrow a shirt from me, I'll wash this for you.." Myung Suk suggested
Ash thought for a while, before she said, "..that's probably the most manliest thing anyone would do for me.."
Myung Suk laughed but Ash didn't encourage that, "it's true though..not letting your man ego interfere.." Ash smiled
Myung Suk opened his mouth to say something but didn't and went inside to grab a shirt for Ash to wear.
"we're doing all kind of stuff today, here..go change in there..I'll make hot chocolate for you.." Myung Suk said as he shut all the windows.
He switched on the television to watch the weather report, it was minus 13 degree centigrade outside and the snow wasn't expected to stop till morning.
Ash came out of the room wearing his sweatshirt, it's arms were a little longer but otherwise it was fine, she looked cute with his sweatshirt and a skirt.
"I could've just washed it at home.." she said showing her wet shirt to Myung Suk who was behind the kitchen counter pouring coffee into two cups
"the earlier the better..stains can be stubborn if left untouched..plus you're not going back until the weather clears.." Myung Suk said taking Ash's shirt and putting it aside
"what do you mean? you need to rest..you've been working since morning..you must be tired.." Ash said making eye contact with him for the first time tonight
"..I can rest with you here..I'll honestly sleep more easily..so will mom..which reminds me I need to call her!" he said quickly running towards his phone
Ash quickly got stiff, she cleared her throat and fixed her skirt and hair
"mom..yes the date went great..haha..no I told her not to go, of course I'll give her food..what? you want to talk to her?" Myung Suk asked as he glanced at Ash
He laughed when he saw her sitting so stiffly, "she's scared mom.." Myung Suk gave the phone to Ash who reluctantly took it
"hello? Yes! no..ha ha" Ash laughed robotically, Myung Suk took the phone from her and put it on speaker
"Ash...thank you..I'll finally be able to get some sleep now that I know you're there with him..thank you.." his mom said on the phone, Ash smiled, "you don't have to worry about a thing professor! I'll make sure he takes his medicine, he eats well and goes to bed in time..don't worry about a thing!" she replied confidently, Myung Suk ruffled her hair, and smiled
~
"I hope you aren't afraid of cats.." Myung Suk said getting up from the floor to put the cups aside
"afraid? I terribly adore cats!" Ash exclaimed, standing up with excitement
"terribly? haha well.." myung suk opened a door and out came two little kittens.
"awww.." Ash jumped to cuddle with them
"I haven't named them yet because I just found them near the dustbin today..poor mother less kitties.." Myung Suk said picking one up and kissing it
"did you give them a bath?" Ash asked getting up while holding the other
"uh no..I couldn't.." Myung Suk scratched his head in embarrassment
"love, we need to wash them before..prepare the tub! warm water and um..towels..increase the temperature of the house please oh and warm milk afterwards.." Ash said as she started walking towards the bathroom but stopped midway, realizing she got a little too excited
Myung Suk quickly followed, his eyes were sparkling, he quickly turned the warm water on and helped Ash with the kittens
as Ash dried them and brushed their fur, Myung Suk warmed some milk for them and poured it into two tiny bottles.
"at this stage these poor guys need their mommy's milk but I'm sure their mom had her reasons..I just hope she's alright though.." Ash said taking one bottle and feeding the kitten
Myung Suk sat down next to her, with the kitten wrapped inside a little hand knitted blanket, he too fed it with the bottle.
"we look like an ideal couple right now.." Ash whispered as she kissed the two sleeping kittens.
"..except the situation isn't that ideal.." Myung Suk thought to himself
"what should we name them?" he asked instead
"you choose a name for this one and I'll choose the name for this one.." Ash suggested pointing at the kittens they were holding
"fine, I name this one Akira! because of it's bright eyes!" Myung Suk said
"it seems like you thought about it a lot! then I name this one here..Aki!" Ash exclaimed
"Aki and Akira.." Myung Suk whispered ever so softly
"come on..they're asleep, it's time for you to sleep too.." Ash said slowly getting up so Aki doesn't wake up
Myung Suk tried protesting, he pouted, made faces and even tried acting cute but Ash didn't budge, even though her heart was about to explode
"I'll sleep here, on the couch, you go inside and sleep!" Ash exclaimed but Myung suk shook his head
"I can't let you sleep here, I'll sleep here and you go inside.."
In the end Ash won and got comfortable on the couch with Aki, Myung Suk took his medicine and fell asleep quickly because he was tired.
At night when the wind blew and the windows rattled Ash took her blanket and ran to sMyung Suks room, she stood at the door, contemplating about what to do, whether to wake him up or go back in the lounge, the windows rattled again and Ash shrieked, running inside his room
She quickly lifted the bed cover and got in, her feet were freezing and when they touched on Myung Suks feet he quickly got up
"Ash! are you alright?" he asked turning the lamp on
Ash who was hiding like a baby under the cover took her face out and shook her head, "the..windows were rattling and it's cold outside.." she whispered innocently, Myung Suk giggled, as he extended his arms towards her, Ash hesitated a bit but she was freezing and so she scooted closer to him and he wrapped his arms around her, with her head resting next to his chest.
"where's Aki?" He asked Ash
"behind me.." she whispered back, Myung Suk nodded slowly , turning the lamp off and closing his eyes
"goodnight Ash.." he whispered kissing her forehead
"goodnight..Suk.." she replied closing her eyes, trying to take everything in
It's almost like a dream..I wish time stops at this moment..
