c l i m a x

c l i m a x // XII

“Yah! Bom-ah, are you really not going to tell me?” said Dara but Bom just stayed silent and plopped down on the couch. “Speak up, Bom or I’ll throw all you corns in the trash.”

They glared at each other until Bom looked away then heaved out an exasperated sigh.

“Okay, fine! I’ll tell you just don’t throw my corns away and I don’t want our friendship to be ruined just like that.”

“Go ahead. Tell me.”

Bom inhaled an amount as she recalled the memories of her vacation in New York 2 years ago. “Do you remember when I went to America for 6 months 2 years ago?”

Dara nodded as she recalled that time when Bom had to go to US 2 years ago for her 6 months job training. Yeah, she was missing her badly at that time.

“That’s also the same time when I met Youngbae. I live next door to his studio. I was new to the city so I was really glad that I had a Korean neighbor.”

“So he was the Korean friend you were talking about before when were on the phone?” asked Dara.

Bom nodded. “The adjusting period was easier than I’d expected because of him. We became really close at that short period of time. We would eat out, shop together and sometimes he would sleep over in my apartment when he’s lazy to go back home to his own pad.” Bom said, making Dara gasp. When she realized what was going through in Dara’s mind, she waved her in front her and shook her head. “God, Dara! We just slept…no more, no less.”

“Oh…okay. So, what happened then?”

“Then we got so comfortable with each other that I realized I was…”

“Falling for him?”

“Yeah, I did. I fell for him. Hard.” She answered, her voice shaking. “Then one day, when we were hanging out in his studio his phone rang but he wasn’t the ‘cause he went out to buy me food. So I had no choice but to take the call.”

[FLASHBACK]

“Hello?” Bom said after pressing the receive button.

“Who are you? Where’s Youngbae?” an annoyed female voice from the other line greeted her.

“I-I’m his friend and he’s out. But if you want to leave a message, I’ll take it and pass it to him when he comes back.”

“No. Just tell him his girlfriend called.”

Before she could respond anymore, the dead tone beeped signaling that the girl on the line hanged up on her. And the next thing Bom knew, tears ran down her cheeks as she cried silently on her own. How could she have not known that? All this time, she’s having thoughts of her and Youngbae might end up together. All this time, she loves someone she shouldn’t have.

“Bom?” she stiffened as soon as she heard Youngbae’s voice from behind. “Hey, something wrong?”

“A-aniyo.” She said, trying to sound normal to him. “Uh…someone called just moments ago. It was for you.”

“Who?” Younbae asked as he placed down the food he bought in the table for her.

“Your girlfriend.” Said Bom, turning around to meet him. Her tear-stained cheeks didn’t escaped Youngbae’s eyes. He gasped and ran to her immediately.

“Bom…I’m sor—“

“Don’t, Youngbae. I should be the one to apologize for thinking that…” Bom took a step back, putting some distance between them. If she’ll get any closer to him, she’s afraid that she’ll break down. “I’m sorry for not asking if you’re already committed.”