How To Save A Life

Chapter Sixteen: Doubts

There are things we know but don’t understand. Things we understand but fail to accept. And then there are things we both understand and accepted but still deny to ourselves.

Jiyong was smiling widely as he was watching her cook their dinner with him waiting sitting on the table elbows resting on the it and chin on his hand. He looked like a child that was happily waiting for his mother to finish his favourite meal. ‘So have you thought of the theme for your exhibit?’ Dara asked not bothering looking at him as he straightened on his seat and bit his lower lips.

‘Well…’ he mumbled. ‘I haven’t I’m still deciding,’ he breathed out in honesty as Dara placed their dinner on the table. She stared at him. ‘Okay… I’ll give you until after the freshmen ball,’ she said as she turned her back and grabbed the other plates and placed it on the table. Jiyong nodded. ‘Okay,’ he smiled as Dara took her seat in front of him.

Jiyong pouted as he stood up and took the seat next to her. ‘Have any ideas?’ Dara asked as she grabbed her chopsticks. ‘Well… I’m actually…’ he said shyly as his cheeks were red as he was rubbing his nape. Dara stared at him getting him. ‘Please, not me okay,’ she said as she turned her attention back on her food. Jiyong pouted. ‘Why?’ he asked even though he clearly knew the reason.

Dara was frozen for a moment as she heaved a sigh and started eating. ‘That place is already full of my face,’ she said plainly trying to hide the reeking pain in her voice. Jiyong fell silent for a moment. ‘I guess I needed to think something then,’ he mumbled grabbing his chopsticks. Dara didn’t bother answering as she continued eating. He then started telling stories wanting to lighten the mood but like what always happen. She was just silent and he doesn’t even know if she was even listening to him.

But then he doesn’t care as long as she was sitting right next to him as they were eating their dinner it was enough for him.

‘So who is your date on the ball?’ Dara asked as she scooped a spoonful of soup and sipped it. ‘No one,’ Jiyong smiled widely. ‘Well unless you wanna come with me,’ he chuckled as Dara drifted her eyes on him. ‘I’m just kidding okay,’ he chuckled pinching her nose. ‘Don’t tell me you’ll attend it without a date?’ she asked turning her attention back on her food.

‘Well I guess yeah?’ he answered nodding. ‘I don’t want to attend it. I’ll just stay here with you that will be much better!’ he said grinning. Dara heaved a sigh as she continued eating. ‘I will be there, we are required,’ she breathed out. ‘And I will suggest you get yourself a date. Don’t stick yourself too much to an old lady like me,’

Jiyong stared at her for seconds before bursting into round of chuckles. He then pulled her landing a quick kiss on her lips as she pushed him away gently. ‘You’re adorable,’ he chuckled.  ‘You are not old Dara okay?’ he said still chuckling. Dara stared at him as their eyes met then there was silence.

‘Why not date someone your age, someone who will be able to give you what you really deserve?’ she asked forcing all the words out of her throat. She gripped her clothes tightly as she forced herself to stare at him. Jiyong was silent for a moment as he pulled her closer and smile. ‘I don’t want anyone else,’ he breathed out against her hair.