ending scene | l.hc

04

{his}

" i'm sorry to bother you, really. " i shyly sat on the couch of her condo.

" it's okay. i just live alone anyways. i don't mind having company. " she said, before placing a plate of cookies and a glass of water. she sat beside me, but she kept a distance.

" you've been living here for? "

" three years. " she said, not facing me. i get that she's not used to having someone inside her place so i felt really bothered. i guess i shouldn't have asked her.

" don't be bothered. it's really fine. you looked really tired a while ago so i thought, " she stopped talking, like she was taken aback. she was talking a little fast. " maybe i could. . . help you. "

" well, yes, i was a little tired from wandering around. " i chuckled. she only nodded, still not facing me.

" i'm haechan, by the way. or fullsun. " i streched out my arm so my hand could reach her. she was startled, staring at my open hand, like it was the most shocking thing to see.

she slowly accepted my hand, so i shook it vigorously and continued to smile widely. her hand was soft and weak. like she rarely uses it.

" i-i'm shine. " she uttered. maybe she was not used to this.

" so, where can i ride a bus home, shine? " i said, breaking off our hands. she faked cough before standing up, heading towards the balcony near the dining table.

i followed her and i saw how beautiful her place actually is. the balcony showed a breathtaking view of the cityscapes, causing me to drop my jaw.

she gave me glance before talking.

" you can ride a bus from this stop and the second stop will be in front of your condominium. " she said, pointing at the bus stop below.

" how long will it take? " i asked, facing her. she wasn't looking at me, she was just wandering her eyes around.

" less than 20 minutes. " this time, she looked straight into my eyes. and there i saw how beautiful she was. but her eyes told a different story. like she was a story that wasn't meant to be told. her face looked peaceful, but her eyes were in chaos.

chaos of pain, remorse and sorrow.

" your condo is in the right place. " i said, to avoid her gaze.

" why you say so? " she asked, her voice filled curiosity. i shrugged and continued to focus my attention to the cityscapes.

" i used to live in a small island, you know. " i pointed the buildings. " these are something i only see in tv's and magazines. i never thought it would be this beautiful up close. " i said, awe still evident in my voice.

i heard her scoff. i turned my head towards her and saw her sacrastic smile. a glimmering object caught my attention on her neck. it was a silver moon necklace.

" how dare life present me a beautiful view when i can't even appreciate it. " she muttered under her breath, and left me alone in the balcony. and right then and there, i felt pain. i wasn't hurt by her words but rather i was hurt because i know she was hurt.

i suddenly remembered her earlier. how broken she looked. how sad she felt. i badly wanted to ask her why. i wanted to ask her what broke her that much. but i know i'm not in the position to ask her that. in her eyes, i was still a stranger who saw her broken side.

i sighed and left the balcony.

•••

" you really didn't have to. " i said, still waving my hands off.

" it's okay. i don't have anything to do anyways. " she said, closing the door of her condo.

" really? " i asked. she only returned it with a nod and started to walk towards the elevator.

" so how old are you? " i asked, when we were already inside the elevator.

" i'm 21. " she replied.

" hey, i'm 21, too. " i said, shocked and amazed. she only pursed her lips and nodded.

why does she seem so distant? or does she feel awkward with me? or is she really like this? whatever it is, i just want to see her smile genuinely. soon.

" thank you for today. " i said, when people from the bus started to go down. she smiled a little and nodded.

" you're welcome, i guess. " she said. i was about to ride the bus when i went back and faced her again. she was taken aback but she said no words.

" i hope we see each other again. " i said, and gave her the brightest smile i could ever give.

i ran towards the bus just as it was closing its doors. i sat in the farthest end of the bus and i saw her still standing, not moving an inch.

i chuckled as the bus went off.

see you again, shine.

///