How It Should Have Ended (A Ji Hoo and Jan Di Story)

Chapter 8

"Gu Jun Pyo!" Jan Di exclaimed, as she picked up her phone. "I'm running late for class."

"Again?" she heard him say on the line. "Have you ever heard of a thing called an alarm?"

Jan Di made a face, though she knew he couldn't see it. "Ha ha." She brushed her hair furiously. "I have one. How's school going?"

Jun Pyo laughed. "Way to change the subject. All is well, I'm graduating soon." He paused. "I can't believe it's been almost 4 years, Jan Di".

Jan Di paused. The years flew by. "Me too."

She couldn't believe it had been that long since she last saw him. How had she survived? She thought of Ji Hoo and smiled. That's how.

"So, are you excited?" Jun Pyo's voice cut into her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I'll be home soon!" he exclaimed, excitement in his voice. "It's been a hard and trying four years, Jan Di. I didn't think we'd make it."

"Oh yeah, that."

"How's Ji Hoo?"

She thought for a minute. "He's doing well. He's almost done his clinicals and will also be graduating soon." The thought of Ji Hoo graduating and her not seeing him again around campus made her sad.

"I'll call him one of these days. Me and him need to catch up on things."

Jan Di looked at the time. "I gotta run soon, Jun Pyo. My professor is a terror to those who are tardy."

Jun Pyo laughed. "I'll call you again later." He paused, then added, "I miss you."

Jan Di smiled, though the smile did not reach her eyes. "Me too."

...

Ji Hoo spent less and less time on campus during his clinicals, occasionally dropping by just to head to the library. She spent every free time she had at the library, hoping to run into him. She knew where he headed to most nights, but they were supposed to alternate at the clinic, and her dropping by the art centre unannounced would arouse his suspicion.

The truth was, she missed seeing him.

Just ring your emergency bell, the voice in her head told her. No, she couldn't. She couldn't take advantage of him like that. She knew how busy he was. Grandfather was going to retire soon, so Ji Hoo had been going to the clinic even on weekends. They considered just selling it when he retired, but Grandfather was not ready for that yet.

She sat down in class and noticed a cup of coffee at her desk. She cocked her head to the side in wonder, turned the cup around and smiled as she saw the smiley face on the side. She drank the still very hot coffee in little sips, savoring it. There was a small paper bag with a chocolate croissant in it and she devoured it hungrily.

She had a feeling it was going to be a good day.

...

Ji Hoo was filling out paperwork at the clinic when his phone rang. He glanced at it.

It was Jun Pyo.

"Hey man, what's up?" Jun Pyo asked, as he picked up.

"Ridiculously busy." Ji Hoo said. "Who knew doctors had to fill out this much paperwork. I thought I'd have more time to nap."

Jun Pyo laughed. They hadn't spoken on the phone in a while. They talked about school, work and got caught up on what the other 2 members of F4 were doing – Song Woo Bin and So Yi Jung. Song Woo Bin was busy expanding their empire, and So Yi Jung had almost fully recovered and was sculpting spectacular pieces again. So Yi Jung was due to come back in Korea around the same time Gu Jun Pyo was coming back.

"I can't wait to see everyone again," Jun Pyo added, excitedly.

Ji Hoo nodded. "Yeah, we miss you, bro."

Jun Pyo was silent for a moment. "You know, I'm going to ask Jan Di to marry me when I get back."

"Do you think she's ready for that?"

Jun Pyo gave a short laugh. "She knew this was coming. Besides, it's not like I'll give her a choice." He paused, then added: "Hey, thanks for looking after her for me."

Ji Hoo shook his head, though Jun Pyo couldn't see it. "No, thank you for letting me look after her."

"She told me how much you've helped her this past 4 years. I can't thank you enough." Jun Pyo paused for a few seconds. "Don't worry, I won't leave her side again when I get back."

Ji Hoo lightly touched the ring that hung on a chain around his neck. "You better not."

Ji Hoo sat there at the clinic, stroking his mother's ring. He had taken it off and was staring at it. He thought of only one girl that deserved that ring, but she had rejected it nonetheless. Confessing to her hadn't been easy for him, and although he didn't expect her to accept it, a part of him had hoped she would.

Time's almost up, Ji Hoo. Time to let her go.