The days went on as usual, at least for Bobby. Juggling between radio broadcast and helping Hanbin in the store. Nothing much going on for him, but not for Hanbin. He has this feeling in his chest that could explode anytime soon. He now had additional routine to his day, stealing glance through the window. Yes. He kept observing that girl which made Hanbin notice many things about that girl. She liked to sit on the same spot as him, she always had her coffee in the morning, she had tattoo on her arm, the way she tied her hair makes him flutter, her eyes that disappeared when she smiled, and any other things she did. Even when he was busy, he always made sure to glance through the window to find her there. It was a kind of relieved feeling when he found her sitting there.
One morning, he was a little panicked when he couldn't find her in the corner of his eyes. He stopped what ever he was doing and kept scanning through the window. Just by then, someone opened the store door. It was her, smiling at him and proceed to disappear between the book stacks. Hanbin couldn't stay still as she was inside the store. Should i approach her and offer some help? What if she needs my help? BUT what if she doesn't need any help? As Hanbin had this battle with his inner self, someone tapped the table.
"I will take this book" she said as she put the book on the table.
Hanbin's eyes scanned the book, a poem book. That time he knew she liked poems too. Hanbin didn't know what to do. He kept clearing his throat. He wanted to impress her, or at least gave her a good impression of him.
"10 dollar" his voice came out really flat and cold.
Damn Kim Hanbin. He cursed under his breath.
She gave him the money and came out as soon as Hanbin handed her the book.
Hanbin ruffled her hair, what a good start to ruin the day.
Days passed by, she hadn't came back to the store. Not yet finished the book, Hanbin guessed. Hanbin smiled as he saw her sitting on his usual spot while reading the book she bought days ago. Her serious look gave the most breathtaking side profile Hanbin ever see. He would kill just to see that face closer.
"Are you day dreaming again?" Bobby came into the store
"Nope" Hanbin answered shortly.
"Are you writing poems again?"
Hanbin nodded, "I swear i could make a book just by looking at her"
"Yo that sound creepy. You sounded like a creepy obsessed stalker" Bobby shake his head.
Hanbin chuckled and continued his activity
"Why don't you go there and talk to her? I mean, it makes you less creepy plus you can know more about her" Bobby talked again which made Hanbin rubbed his chin, indicating he was thinking.
"I'll come with you, but don't blame me if she fall for me instead of you" Bobby laughed as he saw Hanbin flinched. Bobby's words kept lingering on his mind. Should i really talk to her? What should i say to her? he thought.
Lunch time came, Bobby really dragged Hanbin out to grandma's stall. Good thing, she was there. Bobby grinned as he saw Hanbin could't took his eyes off her who was busy helping grandma. His smile grew even wider when he saw the girl came to their table,
"Hey, are you new here? I think never seen you before" Bobby said which made Hanbin widened his eyes. The girl didn't say anything, looked like she hesitated to answer.
"I'm sorry i didn't mean to scare you. I'm Bobby and this is Hanbin, he owns that book store across the street" Bobby continued.
Her lips curved up, she looked at Bobby, then turned her face to Hanbin.
"Kim Arin. Nice to meet you two, please enjoy your meal" she bowed and left them.
Hanbin ended up being teased by Bobby the whole time, oh God he wished he could sew his lips tight so he wouldn't make fun of him.
"You should have seen your face when she smiled at you. You was smiling like a fool pervert" Bobby laughed out
"You'd better stop talking and finish your food" Hanbin tried to hide his embarrassment.
Why tho? Suddenly he lost his ability to talk once he saw her smile, like all words inside him just evaporated. He shake his head and continued to eat.
At night on the same day, Hanbin saw her closing the stall alone. He wondered where is grandma? He bite his lower lip and approach her.
"Do you need help?" Hanbin asked
She was startled to hear him. "Nah it's okay. you can just go home" she looked at his bike.
"It's okay really. I used to help grandma too before you came. Where is she anyway?"
"She didn't feel well, so she went home earlier"
"You lived with her?"
"Yeah of course? I'm her grand daughter after all"
Hanbin's lips shaped an O as he continued to help her.
"How's the book?" Hanbin asked again to keep the conversation going.
"It's good. I love how he write the poems, not too much metaphor but full of meaning" she smiled at him.
"Come to the store once you finished the book, i know many books like that"
Arin nodded as she locked the stall door.
"thanks for helping me. I'll make sure to stop by"
"Come on, i'll take you home" Hanbin said
Arin hesitated, "I can walk alone, it's fine"
"My home is the same direction with your place tho. Come on hop on" Hanbin said as he already on his bike, waiting for Arin to get on.
Arin bite her lower lip and get on the back of the bike, as Hanbin started pedaling his bike. It was unstable at first which made Arin compulsively hugged Hanbin to prevent herself from falling. Hanbin could felt his cheeks became warm and red, thanks God she couldn't see his face now. He felt something familiar, he didn't know what. But her hug, felt familiar. Arin tried to pull her arms away but she felt a warm sensation met her cold skin as Hanbin kept her arms on their place. Hanbin noticed the tattoo on her arm, but it was too dark for him to see it clearly. What was that? Flowers or flame? Hanbin thought, he was really curious but he refused the urge to trails his fingers on her cold skin. They both enjoyed the night wind in silence, but the moment didn't last long.
Hanbin couldn't keep the ride stable enough so they both ended up walking side by side as Hanbin he push his bike. They walked while having small chat and laughed at each other's joke. Arin found out that he is a funny person. There was no romantic scene he could make but little did he know, it turned out as the most romantic night, at least for them. Hanbin couldn't wait for what's to come in the future which he wasn't sure, but one thing he knew. He would be awake all night long.
