When We Return

Chapter 17

Day 8

“Come on, come on..” I muttered while lifting my phone up, trying to catch some signal.

I cursed when it didn’t.

“No avail. This place is out of coverage.” I said under my breath and slumping my hands to my side. The others shared the same depression I felt when hope suddenly vanished from their faces.

One by one they fled the scene and I’ve never felt so low. After I discovered my phone, they went to their things too to rummage for their phones but most of it were lost or smashed to pieces.

Honestly speaking, this would be the dumbest group ever for a survival team. We tend to realize things when its already too late.

I’m in the verge of tears when they left disappointed, I failed them. They’re really expecting me to contact for help but this shitty phone couldn’t catch any signal at all.

I felt someone tap my head, so I turned to see Namjoon smiling at me.

“Don’t feel bad. It’s okay. We already expect it from the start.” My eyes trailed to the other’s retreating figure.

“I doubt they did.” I replied. Namjoon just chuckled and pat my head once again.

“Let’s go and just help me distribute the food.” He said and turned to walk, I followed him.

We’ve been walking around the edges of the tunnel for I don’t know how many hours to get even just a single bar of signal but no such luck. Maybe we’re in the middle part of the tunnel that’s why. But I’ve got to try again later on.

I let out a sigh of breath before someone wraps itself to my neck and head lock me.

What the—

“Yaaaah!!” I shout and slapping the arm on my neck. There will be only one person doing this, as he really doesn’t treat me as a lady, it’s far from that!

“Jiiiin!” I screech when he didn’t. The person just laughed before he let go. I cradled my jaw with my palm, it freaking hurts!

I turned around and surely, it’s Jin laughing heartily. Gods, why is he playful today? I glared at him and pushed him with all my might.

But bless that body of his, he just tilts to the side but he failed to meet the ground.

“Aish, not now, Jin!” I said exasperatedly and turned to leave. But the persistent soul of his won’t leave me alone.

“Come on, Sowon. Don’t be so grumpy now eh?” he held my hand and intertwined it together with his.

“Why are you even acting so childish?” I shot back. I’m honestly not in the mood to play right now. Like seriously.

And as if he didn’t hear what I said, he starts swinging our arms. Lightly at first but eventually becoming aggressive he can rip my shoulder blades apart.

With that, I harshly released my hands from his grasp.

“Jin!” I started with a warning tone. But he just pout. Keep your cool, Sowon. I told myself.

Before things heat up and I might really smack him in the head, I half ran towards the others.

I met Yerin halfway and she’s passing food around. “Unnie—” (Korean) I didn’t bother letting her finish her words when I heard his voice behind me so I just pass her by and went directly to Namjoon.

“Please save me from him.” I pleaded as soon as I reached him. Namjoon stared at me for a while with confusion clouding his face until he turned to the person calling my name and approach me. When he realized, he just chuckled and tap my shoulder twice.

“Sowon—”

“Hey, man. I need some help over there, give me a hand.” (Korean) Namjoon cut him off and drag him away before he could even go near me.

I sigh in relief. Hyper Jin can never be tamed. It was confirmed by me during our days outside this hole. It is best to get rid.

“Unnieeee!” I almost drop the food I’m eating when Eunha suddenly ran to me full force embracing my body.

“Jungkook kept on stealing my food!” (Korean) she said and pointed behind her where Jungkook is grinning widely while approaching us.

Aish, another nuisance.

By the looks of it, I don’t need her words to be translated to know that Jungkook is bothering Eunha. Gods, why are the boys like this? I starting to feel headache.

“Kook, stop it.” I said and waved him off. Eunha hid in my back when Jungkook attempted to advance forward. He didn’t reply but he snickered like a baby when he ran to my back reaching for Eunha. The girl screamed bloody murder that hurt my eardrums.

Oh, for the love of God!!

And off they go, chasing each other. I almost slump on the floor when they left my side. This is so exhausting, I can’t deal with any of that anymore.

I just stuff my mouth with food when Namjoon returned, good thing he didn’t have Jin with him. I have to talk to him later though or he might treat me with the cold shoulder again.

“If you’re asking where he is, he’s with the other guys fooling around.” He said with a knowing smile on his lips. I turned to him and gave him a look saying ‘I-didn’t-even-ask’ but still grateful he informed me.

“Everyone is being childish today. Why is that?” I asked with a bitter tone. Here I am feeling the burden of no help to them but they just.. aish.

Namjoon shrugs. “Maybe that’s how they cope up with the situation right now. Especially earlier.” I frowned at what he said.

“Oh wow, so much for telling me that you’re all expecting it.”

Once again, he just chuckled. I should’ve enjoyed watching him since his dimples shows whenever he smiles or laughs, but I’m more annoyed now.

“Funny how Jay told me you’re quite an introvert. I don’t see it right now.”

“His name is Jin.” I announced.

“I though—”

“Yeah, because he’s so intent on hiding his name from me.” Namjoon just nodded at that and didn’t press anymore questions.

“About the introvert thing, well maybe I was once; being the only child and all. I don’t know now though.” I chuckled at the end, funny it is. I’ve been so afraid to be here at first knowing I’m with people I don’t even know.

“Something must’ve changed you then.”

Or rather someone.

I’m certain it’s not just something, it’s because of him. I smiled remembering the times where he pushed me to do something so embarrassing multiple times. That’s the turning point.

“Why are you here by the way? I heard you’re from Canada?”

“I was kicked out from home and sent here.”

“That must suck.”

“It does.” We both laughed and fell silent again after a moment. He bit another piece of food to his mouth, and I did too.

“But I’m Korean though.” I said after swallowing.

“Yeah, it’s obvious from your features.” I smiled. “But your face is a little familiar to me.” I looked at him surprised. It’s the second time someone told me that. First Jungkook and now him?

Oh, come on, don’t tell me I’ll be suspecting him as that guy again?

“How so?” I asked curiously.

“Maybe I’ve seen your face in a picture or something.” He looked up to the dark ceiling as if remembering where he saw me.

“My name’s Lee Sojung if that helps.” Almost immediately, the moment I said my real name, he whips his head back to look at me. His eyes round and mouth slightly gaping.

His look tells me I should fear for my life right now.

“Oh s**t!” He cursed so loudly I began to panic. Wait, wait! Damn, I don’t want to be put to shame again but why am I so nervous right now?

“W-what? Why?”

“Your mother is Lee Minju?” oh, it’s the first someone asked my mother. Normally they ask for my father.

I slowly nodded. Anticipating his next words.

“You’re the girl I’ve been looking for!” I was taken aback at what he said. What does he mean? Is he a stalker or what? His face lit up when he realized he said the wrong thing.

“No, no. I don’t mean it like that. Umm, but… You know, your mother had sent me for you.” He got something from his pocket to see it’s a wallet. He opened it and showed me an ID.

I squint at it because it’s not so bright in here. There’s a picture of him, a little bit younger than what he looks like now. I eyed him first to compare the picture, he looks like a drug dealer in the picture.

I mentally laughed.

It’s all in Korean character so I didn’t know what to read but when I eyed below the name, there’s actually an English translation and it said,

Kim Nam-joon.

Kim.

I stared at it dumfounded. Don’t tell me..

“No, I think you’re mistaken. Jin is my guide. He told me so.” I defended. Who is this guy and why does he know my mother? I back away from him a little. I suddenly felt afraid of him.

“But your mother told me, I’m on a vacation right now here in Korea. My family lives abroad. My mother and yours are friends since college and I often see you on newspapers.” He explained in a slow manner. Not wanting to surprise me any further.

What he said is what exactly my mother told me. Gods, what is happening?

What about Jin? Did he.. Did he lie to me?

My hand is shaking, and I don’t know if it’s from the revelation Namjoon had said or from anger of being betrayed.

I felt, extremely betrayed right now. For 2 months, he didn’t say a word. What does he want from me then? Why did he pretend to be my guide?

“Look, I don’t know why you think Jin is your guide but believe me your mother had sent me to look after you. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to because of some misunderstanding with my own mother. But I think it’s better to talk to him about it.” Namjoon tried to comfort me but his voice is already a distant sound.

My mind is buzzing with a lot of things. And on top of those is just one thing.. He betrayed me and my trust.

Before I knew it, I left Namjoon’s side and made my way towards where the boys are. I passed by the girls and they called after me but I paid them no attention and continued to stride.

When I saw the rest of the boys, they were picking on Jimin. I don’t exactly know what they’re talking about but they’re mostly laughing and teasing at him.

I called out to him, he was smiling when he turned to me, he also beckoned me but I stayed on where I stand. He must’ve sense I’m serious so his face change.

The boys also turned to me, they had gone quiet and just watching me with curious looks. Jin stood up from the ground and walks right to me.

The moment he went near, I slapped his face… hard, making his head tilt to the side. He was taken aback, obvious from his shock face when he turned to look at me. The boys had stood from the ground too.

My palms sting from the impact. But the heaviness in my heart weighs more. Is everything just an act then? Are any of those memories even real?

“You betrayed me. How could you do that to me, Jin?” I laughed bitterly. “Oh wait, is that even your real name? Are you faking it all along?!” The tears fell against my will.

Jin just stood there, clutching the cheek I slapped. He looks at me warily.

“Unnie, what’s going on?” I heard Umji’s voice behind me along with round of footsteps and followed by hush voices.

“Come on guys, let’s leave them alone.” (Korean) It’s Namjoon’s voice. I didn’t dare break my tearful eyes from him. We didn’t move from our ground.

Everyone cleared out until the boys aren’t in my sight anymore, and that’s where I started to sob.

“Why did you pretend to be my guide, Jin?” I was already struggling to ask those because of my uncontrollable sobs.

“I never said I was, you just assumed I am.” He carefully said, his gaze turning into ice. That’s the kind of look he had when I first met him. Cold and distant.

“You could’ve told me so!!” I huff. “Is it my fault now?!”

He took a step forward. “Sowo—”

“Don’t you dare.” I warned and backed away. His cold eyes changed, he looked like he was stab on the gut, pain swelled his eyes.

“I don’t know how you learned the truth but everything was never an act. All of that was true.” He said through gritted teeth. “I enjoyed every single moment with you!” He pointed at me. Now it’s my turn to feel the stab on my chest.

His hand fell on his side, suddenly so lifeless and can’t be lifted up again. His eyes changed yet again, now it’s blank and unreadable.

I should be the one who’s angry right now. I should be the one who doesn’t feel the guilt but him. But why?

“You.. Did you ever regret having me?” he asked in the most heartbreaking way possible.

How could you ask that?

My knees give in, I knelt on the ground. My audible cries only filled my ears. I never regret having him with me. I never did. Maybe that’s the reason why it hurts so bad, because I never think twice of trusting him but he did in the end.

I buried my eyes on my palms, wanting to stop my tears but the will is not my control anymore. My cries grew harder when I heard him turn to his heels, and footsteps echoed.

He’s going to leave. Is this what I want?

What do I intend to get after this confrontation? Why am I being impulsive right now?

Why, why?

“J-jin..”

I was almost slammed to the ground when he ran to me full force, kneeling to the ground, and locked me in his arms.

“You are f*****g hard to resist, you dimwit.” He whispered to my ear that only brought harder sobs it already hurts my throat.

I moved to hug him tighter on his neck and buried my face on it and cried until my throat dries from doing so.

I felt him moving to sit on the ground and he made me straddle his lap. He rubs my back up and down to calm me.

“I’m sorry I lied.” I shake my head. “You don’t know how much I’m meaning to tell you but I just found myself wanting to be with you every day.” I shake my head again.

“N-no. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m so..rry. I-I’m so s-sorry.” My voice muffled on the crook of his neck. He continues to rub my back until my sobs quiet down.

We break the hug but I still remained straddling his lap, his hands fell on my waist. He retrieved his other hand and wipe my stained cheeks.

“I’m sorry I made you cry.” He said and a little chuckle escaped my lips.

“I’m sorry I slap you.” I said and cradled the cheek I slapped earlier. We both smiled at each other. He drew our foreheads together and I closed my eyes when he did.

My heart raced incredibly fast and it’s not from crying so hard. But from the proximity we’re currently sharing.

“Sowon..” he whispered, my eyes remained close.

“Hmm?”

“Can I tell you something?” I didn’t dare open my eyes.

“Sure. What is it?”

“I love... wish.”

And I felt him kiss the side of my lips.