1 September 2012
Chapter 1 part 2
Surprisingly, the next day he found her sitting on the same spot with a book in her hand. He was on his way to his coffee shop, which is also a music shop all at the same time. Not really knowing how to approach her, he sat beside her quietly with just enough distance between them.
The after rain effect really gave the feeling of a fresh start. The winds' breeze was cool and yet it felt good as it touches their skin because it felt perfect along with the sun.
And when he noticed that she hadn't notice him at all beside him after a moment, he decided to clear his throat only it felt awkward. Finally, she glanced his way in surprise.
She smiled lightly giving him a small bow. "Hi..."
Unexpectedly, their eyes met. He didn't speak instead he just looked at her with curiosity as if she had said or done something that had surprised him. But it was the way she glowed in the light and how eyes were as clear as water. Last night, he didn't exactly get to take a better look at her because he was too cold and his eyes were too blurred by his tears.
Then suddenly he remembered why he was in front of her in the first place. He flinched and bent his head down. They were silent for a moment until he finally found the courage to speak up.
"Thank you..."
"huh?" she asks, caught off guard.
"Thank you for the umbrella." And the company.
And without another word, he stood up burying his hands on his pockets as he walked away. He wondered about her reaction and what she thought of him now. Not that it mattered to him of course, after all, she was just a stranger that felt sympathetic over him, at least that's what he thought.
It was since then he would find her there, all at the same time. A book always in hand and everyday she would give the same light smile and a polite bow every time he passes by. At first, he felt unsure on how to react but eventually as days passed he got used to it and started to respond to her little by little sometimes with a small bow and a smile, sometimes with a simple hello or hi when he couldn't help himself.
It almost felt natural for him to find her sitting in the same bench reading just about anything. And sometimes he found himself wondering why he hadn't notice her before. Or maybe he wan't looking closely. Little things that he noticed about her suddenly kept his mind come up with endless questions and yet left unanswered.
A week passed, and then another until finally it was a month. It was spring and often showers occurred though there were still sunny days. Ever since that night, something changed about him. And somehow he knew it had something to do with her. That night, when she had stop him, he was almost certain that it was Shinhye until he turned around and found a stranger, instead. And everything else came as a blur. They sat down and filled themselves with the sound of softly dewdrops of the rain calming as moments passed. When the rain calmed down, that's when he had first heard her voice. Her voice was soft and light as if she was reading to herself in a whisper and by the way she spoke, he could almost tell that she was contented. He was also surprise why she hadn't ask him any questions at all as if she already knew the answers or that it didn't matter.
It's like she pretended that nothing happened at all. And deep inside him, he was grateful to her more than he would ever admit.
In a blink of an eye, big drops of water started to pour from the sky. He sat on the wooden bench with an umbrella at his right hand sheltering himself from the sudden rain. He noticed that he hadn't seen her at all today, not that he looked for her, but when he first passed by where she usually sat and read, he found no one. The bench was empty.
Sighing to himself, he walked his way through his shop wondering what had happen to her.
One day stretch into a week, and this time he had no choice but to admit to himself that it bothered him that he doesn't see her anymore and more so, adding to his frustrations is that he doesn't even know anything about her except for the fact that she likes reading and that she loves the rain the way he does. And when Jonhyun asked what was bothering him that week, he couldn't help himself and just told the truth leaving the part where she had saved him.
"So... for the past month, you never said any words except for thank you? And all you know about her is she likes reading and she loves the rain the same way you do?" Coming from Jonghyun's mouth, Yonghwa thought it sounded more ridiculous than he had expected. Jonghyun laughed until his stomach hurts.
Yonghwa nudge him and glared at him with warning. In response, his best friend stopped immediately and for the moment he looked at him, he knew Yonghwa was serious. He smiled inside at the thought. He hadn't seen this side of him in a long time and he was glad that he was finally coming out of his shell.
"So, what are you planning to do?" Jonghyun had asked. Yonghwa just looked at him his expression almost helpless.
Current day...
So with no options left and for his own peace of mind, he followed Jonghyun's advice. Well, since you don't know anything about her at all, no address, no name, maybe you should just wait for her where you found her first. You never know, you might be able to catch her, Jonghyun had advised him while pretending to be nonchalant about the fact that Yonghwa really is changing, maybe for good.
As soon as he opened his eyes to start the day, he thought of her, his nameless savior. He carefully planned everything in his head just to be sure that if he does see her again, he wouldn't act like a lost puppy.
And for that, he has a reason of course (just to be safe that he isn't falling too hard, too fast) he likes to think that finding out her name would be enough to stop the raging war inside his head, because frankly for him, it's almost a crime that she suddenly pops in his mind in between of his peace, and that she would smile the way she smiled at him every time they greeted each other briefly.
A while later...
As expected, it has already started raining but luckily it was just mild, nothing to worry about, he thought silently. The only sounds he could hear is the raindrops and the cars passing by behind him. He was almost glad that it was raining since the surrounding was almost empty because usually people tend to rather stay at home or somewhere else where there is a roof and warm place to stay than wander around the streets while its raining.
It's been five hours to be exact and the sky was getting darker by the minute, he sat in the wooden bench with an umbrella in hand, protecting himself from the rain. And for something to be proud of, he only left once to buy something warm to drink. He didn't mind actually, waiting that long, only a part of him obviously thought its a ridiculous idea to wait for someone the entire day just to find out her name. Only people who are in love does that, or maybe, those who just doesn't have anything to do.
Ignoring that part of him, he suddenly found himself thinking what would come next if she doesn't pass by at all and that he waited for nothing. Honestly, that thought hasn't crossed his mind at all. His mind just focused on seeing her that he hadn't think about the negative sides of his plans.
Slowly, he started to frown at the thought, silently cursing himself. He stared down at his shoes contemplating whether to just leave or stay until the end.
"Hi..." His train of thoughts suddenly froze at the voice in front of him as his eyes automatically found the person standing a few feet in front of him.
It was her. With a book in hand placing on top of her head and a familiar smile that made his heart leap for a moment.
Without a second thought, he leaped from his feet, took a few steps forward and then stopped in front of her just enough to protect both of them from the rain. They stood face to face, somehow both lost for words.
He held his breath for a moment as he could feel his heart rapidly beating almost out of control.
"Hi..."
"Hello."
"It's raining... I just don't want you to get wet."
"I... thank you. Uh, why are you here?"
Hm, waiting for you? "Uh, err, I just wanted some air and I thought I'd walk around just to you know - stretch." Stupid!
She smiled knowingly. "I see... it's getting late, I think I'll go-"
"Wait... but it's raining. You'll be drench before you even get wherever you're going and..." he trailed off, choosing his words carefully, "...you might get sick." He said with an unsure smile.
She looked at him puzzled. "I still owe you, remember? I can walk you to wherever you're going. Besides, I'm done getting some air, anyway." he said, this time with a bit more confidence.
She laughed lightly. "Thank you..."
"Is that a yes...?" She nodded.
"Thank you." He smiled, almost feeling giddy and proud at the same time. A month before now, he couldn't have imagine himself smiling like this, being able to smile or to think freely only for himself.
With light steps, beating hearts, and the only sounds they could hear is the cars passing by and the soft raindrops coming from the sky, they took their time until they had finally arrived.
"Do you mind if I ask your name? I mean, I just want to..."
"Seohyun, short for Seo Juhyun."
"Ah... Yonghwa, Jung Yonghwa."
"I know."
"Wait...you know? How?"
She looked at him, her gaze soft with her heart on her sleeves. "Thank you... I've always wondered what it feels like to walk with you in the rain" she said with a pause, "I know you don't know nor remember me but... I remember you. You saved me once just like how I saved you, only mine wasn't enough to repay you. You don't owe me anything."
"I saved you? How?" He looked at her, confused.
"You gave me her heart even though you didn't want to... but you did it because you loved her. And I'm sorry for taking it." Tears already started streaming dow
When It Rains 01.2 • Opuss № I