When We Return

Chapter 2

Okay, so what do I do now?

It’s my second day here and I only got bored staying inside my apartment so I decided to go out. But the problem is, I don’t know where to go. Good luck to you, Sowon!

I called my mom earlier this morning asking her if there really is someone she sent to guide me here. She said yes and he’s here already. HE. As in H-E.

A guy!

And I’m not liking this idea.

I got out of the building, wearing jeans and a white shirt, instantly regretting my thin fabric outfit because it’s a bit chilly out here. Good thing I brought a jacket but not thick enough to make me warm. Too tired to go back up my room, not to mention my room’s on the 9th floor, I started my journey without knowing where to go.

I came across a coffee shop and I realized I haven’t had my breakfast. Confirming it, my stomach started to growl. Without hesitation, I went inside the shop and proceeded to the counter.

What I love about my father is that even though he hates me right now, he still deposited some money to my bank account. So, I’m not worried with how much I’m going to spend here.

The sad part about going on a trip alone is that you’re just usually quiet. Of course, you had to be, otherwise people would judge you if you start talking there by yourself. Lol. And I’m frustrated right now, I want my mother this instant!

Sitting at the corner of the coffee shop with my ordered food, I started to eat quietly when my phone rang.

Mother calling…

Dropping the sandwich on my plate, I picked up my phone.

“Mother!”

“Omo! Do you miss me that much?” I heard her giggle that made me frown. Of course, I miss her!

“Ehh, mother. I wanna go home now.” I said making it extra cute and made her laugh even more.

“hang in there, Sojung. You should enjoy it while it’s still there. You might regret it after if you won’t.” I could’ve enjoyed if she’s here with me though.

“yeah right, how could I enjoy this if I’m alone here.” I said and had another bite of my sandwich.

“oh? Alone? I thought he’s there already?” she mumbled at the end of the line.

“I thought so too mother, as what you’ve said. But I’m still alone now and I’m getting bored here.” I pouted.

“Hang on, I’ll call you back. Bye honey!” and she abruptly ended the call. With a sigh, I pressed the lock screen and placed it on the table.

I continued to eat my breakfast when I noticed a familiar figure in front of me wearing a gray long sleeve shirt made of wool, earphones placed on both ears. We’re facing each other but he’s too busy writing something on a piece of paper.

He looked like a celebrity, with that shaggy brown hair and perfect eyelids. His lips are thicker than mine.

Fuck, too handsome.

Wait, did I just cussed? What the hell is happening with me nowadays? 

I’m not so sure where I saw him but his face looked familiar. I wasn’t aware that I’m already staring at him when he stopped on what he was doing and looked up, meeting my eyes.

Oh, damn it.

I instantly looked away and felt my cheeks burning up because of shame. To save myself I picked up my half-eaten sandwich and started eating again with big bites. After a few bites and forcing myself to swallow everything, I suddenly felt a lump on my throat.

Argh!! This is too much already!

With a panic, I drank my still hot coffee to get the lump off my chest. The heat stings my tongue that I almost spit the drink but it would be more embarrassing so I gulped everything down.

“Ow! Hot, hot!” I let my tongue out and fanning it with my hand, still feeling the burn on it. I almost tear right then and there when I my eyes trailed to the man sitting on a table across from mine. And I wish for the floor to open and swallow me up right now.

He’s looking at me.

While leaning his head on top of his hand.

And a teasing smile is plastered on his lips.

Double kill, a handsome guy is making fun of you. Great!

Leaving my food behind, I gathered my things and stood up. Making my way out of the embarrassing scene.

Not knowing where to go, I walked around. Making sure that I knew my way back to the hotel. I don’t travel much so I don’t know what to do especially when I’m alone right now.

In a distance, I saw a park so wide I’m instantly awed by the view. At the end of the park, is a river so I half ran to reach there. I fumbled for my phone on my pocket while running but it’s not there. I stopped on my tracks, panicking, and started to rummage my bag.

“Where is that phone?!” I retraced my tracks, thinking it fell when I ran when a realization hit me.

“You left it at the coffee shop!” I let out a grunt and pulled on my hair. “stupid, stupid! Ah! Sowon!” while hitting my head. without much choice, I left the park and made my way back to the coffee shop.

“I just hope it’s still there.” I mumbled to myself.

In no time I’m inside the shop and went for the table I previously occupied, sparing a glance on the guy’s table earlier on the process.

Thank God, he’s not here.

The table was now occupied by a Korean couple laughing and all giddy.

“Tsk.” I got to my table but it’s all cleaned up and not a phone in sight. Panic rises on my chest and moved around the table to make sure it’s not on the floor.

“agassi, doum-i pil-yo hasingayo?” (miss, you need help?) I turned to the voice and saw it’s the waiter.

Not sure if he understands English, but f**k it, I don’t know how to speak Korean.

“u-umm, I left my phone earlier on this table.” Pointing at the table behind us to make my point. The waiter seems to understand me though.

“Have you noticed it? Maybe you’ve picked it up, or someone from the staffs.” I said teary eyed. Why am I so unlucky today? Second day just started, for Pete’s sake!

He motioned for me to wait and went to the counter to ask some of the staffs. But I can’t stay put so I followed him on the counter and trying to understand what their saying in Korean.

“naneun geu teibeul-eseo jeonhwaleul boji moshaessseubnida.” (I didn’t saw a phone on that table) and the other staffs agreed too.

The waiter who asked me earlier turned to me and tried his best to tell me that none of the staffs haven’t seen a phone.

“if, uhh, someone see phone, I, we, uhh, contact you.” I wanted to say that he’s such an i***t because how can he contact me if I just lost my phone but of course I stopped myself.

So, with disappointment I just walked out the coffee shop after saying thanks and went back to the hotel. How can I call my mom now? Sure, I can buy a new phone but I can’t memorize her phone number. And that phone is just 5 months old!

Why are you acting so carelessly now, Sowon?

When I arrived at my apartment floor, I walked with my head down. Grunting and making weird noises to express how I’m so upset right now.

Not paying attention to my surroundings, I was pushed back when I bumped into someone. I instantly looked up and was about to say sorry when my mouth seemed to be stamped shut by its own.

Damn, it’s him! Omo! Omo!

Just like that, I don’t know what to say, or not sure now if I know how to speak. Now that we’re face to face, I can see the cute double eyelids, and thick pink lips. And how can a guy have perfect shaped eyebrows?

“josimhae, geuliwo” (careful, miss) he smiled coldly and went ahead. And that’s when I woke up from the daydream.

“what the heck, Sowon! You just daydreamed in front of him!” I said slapping myself lightly and looked back to watch him go.

He walked without turning back, a guitar bag slung on his right shoulder and entered the elevator. Before he could turn back and caught me staring at him again, I ran to my room and was about to open the door, barely missing the box taped on it.

It’s a small flat box that only thin small objects can fit. I looked around and saw no one.

“Maybe it’s the wrong room?” hesitating, I pulled it off the door and turned it around, seeing that there’s a handwritten letter in English and the handwriting looked like it was written by a grade schooler.

Looking for this? Please be mindful next time. -_-

Is this what I think it is?

I instantly opened the box and jumped giddily.

“Ahh! It’s my phone!!” I screamed, “Thank you!!” saying to nobody in particular.

With a happy heart, I entered my room.