petrichor ¦ hwang hyunjin

page 15

My hands trembled when a surge of regret took over me. I shouldn't have asked something so unnecessary that I would've known would made him uncomfortable. After this, there might be a possibility Hyunjin wouldn't talk to me ever again. Someone like me, who didn't think twice before questioning a matter that might've been sensitive towards him.

But Hyunjin looked unbothered. He told his story as if he had been asked for a thousand times. The look in his eyes, there was no emotion. There was no sadness, anger, no nothing.

"That son that was studying abroad, they're talking about me." His voice was monotonous.

He was laid back, I was not. I should've known behind all the sunshine and rainbow he had shown all these time, lied an actual side of Hwang Hyunjin.

"He knew the business wasn't doing well. After all dad had been arguing over this matter ever since mom was still in this world."

I silently listened to his words, his voice quivered slightly upon mentioning his late mother.

"As a CEO of an infamous company he was embarrassed to have someone in his family who was managing an unsuccessful business. But I knew mom cherished that cafe so much, so how can I let that person close down the precious place?" Hyunjin tightened his grip around my legs and adjusted my position on his back so I wouldn't fall.

Hyunjin smiled once again, glancing at me. His gaze was warm and comforting. "That's all about it. Ah, and also," He paused, his smile growing bigger.

"What is it?"

"You're not making me uncomfortable by asking that. I know you're blaming yourself right now, aren't you?" His words made my heart beat twice faster. How could he knew exactly how I felt?

Hyunjin hummed, "But if you still feel bad, you can do me a small favor."

"Of course, I'll do anything!" I quickly responded, receiving a chuckle from him.

"Let me send you home tonight. I just... don't wish to go home this early. At least not tonight." The tone of his voice made me feel some ways. Right now, all he deserved was a reassuring hug. But considering the position I was in, there was no way I could give him a hug.

By the time we were sitting down at the back of the bus, Hyunjin was worn out. I could noticed how his hand reached over to his lap and massaged it from time to time when he thought I wasn't looking, which made me felt ten times more worse than I already were.

I pretended that I was busy looking at the late night view, leaning my head against the icy material of the window. Upon the cold air despite being in the bus, a warm fingertip brushed through mine, catching me off guard.

I didn't look, as I was positive the delicate fingers were no other than Hyunjin's. Instead I unfurled my fingers and quietly let his fingers wrapped around mine until I could fully feel the warmth of his palm against my cold hand.

It was as if he knew I was weak to his touch and tried to torture me further by initiating something that he had probably done to other people too. Anyone, besides me.

It went on for the rest of the bus ride. With me looking out the window and Hyunjin looking at the opposite side. Hands gripping on each other's ever so tightly, as if we had been longing for each other's warmth since forever.

The clock strike ten from the moment we both alighted from the bus to the moment when we were both standing in front of my apartment. None of us dared to bid goodbye nor goodnight.

"About the poster..." I started, "I tried my best to promote it to my colleagues. But if it don't work out, I'm truly, deeply, sorry for that."

Hyunjin took me by the shoulder and gave it a reassuring pat, "The fact that you even tried to do something to help me is more than enough. Don't worry about the rest, you hear me?"

I nodded attentively to his words.

"For now, worry about those." Hyunjin grinned as he pointed at my barefoot.

I was worrying so much about Hyunjin's surprising statement earlier that I hadn't noticed that I was standing barefoot on the cold tiles of the apartment.

"Room 301, huh? I guess I will know which way to go the next time I need you." He winked as he slowly backed away.

I stood there, stunned. When he said 'the next time I need you', what did he meant by that?

"Goodnight, Han Yuna. Thank you for today." His expression softened at the last sentence.

I bid my last goodbye as I watched the door of the elevator shut tight.

Seemed like tonight was yet another sleepless night for me.