The Nearness Of You

5

Yesung

The moment I arrived at the bar I felt something's not right. I couldn't feel Jinnie's presence, which, I usually do. Even if I'm still a few meters away from her workplace, even if I wouldn't see her in an instant, I can always be assured that she's here because I can feel her. And right now, I don't. I can sense a bit of her aura, but it's so faint I could hardly determine her exact location. If I weren't in this human form I could find her easily, but that would only mean another violation. I swear to myself that I would protect her, but I also don't want to be left behind because of another drastic act.

My eyes scanned the whole place, checked all it's corners and the peoples faces but there's no sight of her. I breathe harshly as panic coarsed through my veins. Unwanted scenarios came playing in my head and I try to focus. I don't want to think something might have happened to her.

I weave myself through the crowd occassionally bumping some other people when a familiar face came into view. She was standing at a corner holding a highball glass. I quickly made my way to that person's side.

"Alyssa." I called her name right after I tapped her shoulder. Her face lit up as soon as she saw me.

"Yesungie.." Alyssa threw her most flirtatious smile at me. I can hear her thoughts loudly but I tend to disregard it. This girl has a big crush on me, been trying to hit on me eversince I met her. And her thoughts, I'd rather not pay any attention to it. It gives me the shivers.

I tried to act normal and ask her casually. "Have you seen, Jinnie?"

Alyssa, who looked like she's half drunk, moved closer to face me and slid an arm around my waist. I stiffened for a bit and she noticed which made her smile playfully. "Come drink with me, Yesungie. I'm all alone.." She was like a kitty rubbing her body and purring at me for heaven's sake.

I gently removed her arm from my waist and asked her again politely. "Alyssa, I need to find Jinnie. I haven't seen her around." And it's troubling me, I wanted to add.

Alyssa pouted her lips like a kid deprived of having a candy. "Jinnie, Jinnie, Jinnie. It's always her huh, Yesungie? Why don't you pay attention to me for a change? Even just for once?"

"Alyssa, I don't have time for this--"

"How about now? Just for tonight--"

"Alyssa." My voice was firm, even my facial expression. I am very much annoyed with this girl. She blinked at me a few times, I bet she took it as a hint that I'm getting slowly irritated. I sighed heavily. "Where is she?"

"She's.. She left after her performance. She went out with a guy." Alyssa answered looking sober in just a snap. She lowered down her gaze and couldn't look at me straight in the eye. She was embarrassed, I can hear her thoughts reprimand herself. Somehow I feel guilty. But what she had told me made my eyes furrow in confusion. Jinnie? Went out? With a guy?

"Do you know where they went? And who is this guy you're talking about?" I asked her as my hands clenched into fists. I need to know. I need to hurry and get her back.

Alyssa shrugged. "Some costumer I haven't seen around."

She's lying. I thought to myself. I reached for her chin and have her face me, then I looked into her eyes and went inside her head. There I saw the events that occurred awhile ago. My breath almost stopped when I finally knew who Jinnie went out with. It was the same guy who approached her the last time. The guy whom she's also been thinking about recently causing her to be distracted at all times. But there's a big problem, I don't know where they've gone.

Alyssa looks hazed as I finish rummaging her thoughts. I couldn't help not to feel angry at Jinnie. What was she even thinking? She really doesn't know how to listen.

"W-What happened.." Alyssa mumbled, her eyes fluttered slightly.

"You're fine, Alyssa. You're just a bit drunk. You should go home." I compelled her.

She nodded at me. "Yeah.. I guess I should.." Then she took off without even saying goodbye.

I walk in a haste and left the bar. I have to find her. I walk the streets trying to sense her. Every corner, every alley, every building I pass through. But there's still no sign of her. I grit my teeth. Why would you do this, Jinnie?

"Yesung.."

The voice came from my back and I froze. I close my eyes. I definitely knew whom it was from. I slowly turned around to face the owner of that voice, and I was right.

"Rafael." I muttered and then swallowed hard.

Rafael laughed, and afterwards stared at me with that usual maliscious smile of his. One cannot tell if he's genuine or just faking every expression and every word that comes out of his mouth. "You look like you've seen a ghost, or maybe you're not that delighted to see me, hmm?"

"That's not true." I answered, casual.

Rafael looks at me like he doesn't believe what I've just said. Of course he can feel it. We cannot hide anything from him.

"Very well." He said to me looking bored. Then all of a sudden, his face masked curiosity and it made me nervous. I know what he'll ask me. "How come I see you alone, Yesung? Where's Jinnie?" Rafael asks me pretending to look unknowing, his head tilted to one side.

"She went out with a friend." I respond. I can feel my temporal pulse throbbing.

"A friend eh? Well, that's.. new." Rafael eyed me. "I never knew that the both of you have other friends except for yourselves.." He's really making me uneasy now, I feel like I'm about to choke at any minute. "Where did she go?"

The question I've been dreading to answer. "I honestly don't know." I wanted to lie so badly but my brain couldn't function properly in order for me to give out an acceptable alibi. I had to tell him the truth.

Rafael stared at me for a few seconds and it was penetrating. He was all too serious now. "You're not getting yourselves in any trouble are you?" Rafael's cold, deep voice almost made me cringe but I've kept my composure.

"No, Rafael. Not at all."

"Hmm.." Rafael nodded with pursed lips. "Alright, I think we're good." That phrase almost made me fell on my knees. Thank God he'll leave soon. "Say hi to Jinnie for me." Rafael winks at me and I just nod.

I thought he'll finally leave, but right before he disappeared he gave me his final words of warning. "Stay out of trouble this time." I didn't have the chance to respond as he suddenly vanished out of thin air.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed heavily. "Where on earth are you, Jinn?"