Your Love is Unkind

9pm

Confused like always, I head to my own room. Subin's door opens once again and out runs Daehwi. "Subin wants to know if you'll go on a date with him," Daehwi proposes. Everything inside me says it's a bad idea, but I go against my own judgement. "Uh, yeah, sure," I answer subtly, trying to hide the excitement. The last thing I wanted was to sound desperate.

"Ok, so meet him at the bird park, 9pm," Daehwi announces and runs away in the same beat.

Subin made life complicated, yet I loved being part of his game. It's like he knew he had me under his grip and only gave me enough space to feel free. But in actuality I was a prisoner, and I couldn't escape, nor did I want to.

As I prepared myself for the date, Byungchan walks in and corners me. "And where do we think we're going," Byungchan badgers until I give him an answer. "Out with some friends," I lie effortlessly.

"I worry about you sometimes Jun," he exclaims. But he walks away with his mind at ease, unsuspecting of the real plan.

Once I was dressed and ready, I headed outside. The darkness had taken over the sky but the lack of lights made it easy to spot all the stars. I thought of waiting for Subin to walk together, but instead I walked alone, respecting his proposal.

The bird park was empty, almost eerie at night. Nine o'clock came and went, but Subin hadn't appeared. I had texted him 30 minutes ago and still no answer. The park was a 15 minute walk from our dorm, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Another half hour goes by and now I'm certain Subin wouldn't come. As I get up to leave two shadows emerge from a distance. Initially I'm not afraid, until the two men are steps away from me and I notice who it is.

I knew then that this had no easy way out, I'd have to fight me way through.