When We Return

Chapter 18

Day 9

Wish.. He loves wish.

Okay, well, everybody loves wishes. Who doesn’t? But damn, he loves to wish.

And to what sense that he dares say it right before he kissed me? Umm, not really kiss as in full kiss, more like a side lip kiss but it’s still a kiss!!

Gods, I don’t even know what he meant by that! So, how does he want me to understand it? That he just clearly likes to freaking wish, is that it?!

Argh! I’m so frustrated!

“Noona, need help?” I turned to look at Jungkook who’s standing warily beside me.

“Oh, sure kookie. Come help me.” I said and he immediately complied.

We’re arranging a huge spread sheet for us to sleep later on. We have decided to stick all the used clothes and other clothing we could find inside the train and spread it against the ground.

“Unnieee~” another one called out so both of us turned to the voice and suddenly Jungkook was so busy arranging the clothes. “Help?” Eunha asked and knelt in between me and Jungkook. Strangely, the guy abruptly stood up and went to my side.

I stared at him but he didn’t meet my eyes.

“Unnie..” it is unusual for Eunha to be this persistent so I gave her the clothes I’m holding.

“Here, help Jungkook instead.” I said and stood up.

“Ah, noona!”

“Okay, unnie~!”

They said at the same time that made them looked at each other. Jungkook was the first one to break the eye contact. Still kneeling, he grabs my wrist and forcefully tug me to kneel back to the ground.

“That hurts!” I said before wriggling free from his grasp. What’s the deal between this two?

And then Jungkook held my head and made me lean on him that I yelped because I almost lose my balance.

“Don’t leave me.” he whispered on my ear. I moved my head away from him and looked at him weirdly. What is exactly going on?

I turned to Eunha who’s just watching us innocently and back to Jungkook who’s looking at me like he’s pleading.

“Why?” then he repeated what he did earlier and tug me towards him again.

“She might take revenge on me.” (Korean) this time, my face turned sour at his language. He totally forgot that I’m not knowledgeable of Korean words.

“I didn’t understand a thing, Kookie.” I said. Frustrated, he pulled his hair, stood up and left us behind.

I looked at Eunha and pointed my thumb on Jungkook’s direction, “what’s wrong with him?” I asked and she just shrug her shoulders.

After that, we just continued our work forgetting about Jungkook. Umji and Yuju had approached us with a food on hand and handed us both.

We’re in the middle of eating when Yuju said something that made both Eunha and Umji jaws drop.

“Ehh? Really? When did that happened?” (Korean) Eunha asked obviously intrigued.

“I don’t exactly know when it happened but it was hours ago.” (Korean) Yuju replied.

Oh, okay? So, I’m left out again. Aish.

“But, I thought Yoongi-sshi is not talking to any of us?” (Korean) Umji asked.

“That’s what I thought too. But I really saw how he covered Yerin-unnie with a jacket.” (Korean) Yuju said once again that raised her voice a little and she immediately covered her mouth with her hands and looked around.

“Ah, don’t worry, I’m not gonna tell anyone.” I said and mocked a laughter. “As if I can gossip what you’re talking about when I can’t even understand.” I said in a low voice and the three of them smiled at me shyly. Absolutely sorry for forgetting that I’m with them.

“Unnie, mianhae. Come here I’ll tell you.” Umji said and tug me by the arm, and leaned on my ear.

“Ahh.” I said and nodded my head lightly at what she said.

The three of them looked at each other. “Unnie, you’re not surprised?” Umji asked.

“Nah, I’m actually waiting for that to happen.” I replied and smirked. So, Yoongi really has a thing for her, huh?

Is this how to tame a bad boy now?

“Jinjjaru?” (Is this correct? Hahaha) Yuju gasped.

“What does that mean?” I asked and Umji replied saying it means ‘really’.

“Jinjjaru!” I said with confidence and then there’s dead silence.

The three of them looked at me wide eyed before bursting into pit of laughter. “Ahh, unnie! Your pronunciation is so bad!” Umji exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, yeah, I’m bad at it alright.

“Kyeoptaaa” Eunha said and pinched my cheeks lightly.

“Now, what does that mean?” I asked once again.

“She says your cute.” Umji replied. Immediately, I puffed my cheeks in the cutest way possible and posed in front of them.

Upon realizing what I did was the worst thing I ever done, I covered my face and screamed while the girls were laughing at me.

“Aegyo! Aegyo! Aegyo!” they cheered. My face scrunched up and Umji translated it for me as doing cute gestures. But enough is enough, I don’t want to deliver anymore cringes to my body so I boldly refused.

“Hey girls..” I called to get their attention. My mind won’t just let me be in peace so I opt to ask them about, you know, that freaking wish.

They turned their heads to me and I swallowed slowly.

“Well, umm, what do you think about wishes?” They looked at each other and Umji translated it for them.

“Good~” Yuju attempted to say and even made a thumbs-up and we instantly laughed at her. She’s a cutie.

“Well, unnie, it’s a good thing. Wishing is like dreaming at the same time. Why do you ask?” Umji said.

I didn’t answer her question and asked another one. “How about when a person says they love wishes?”

Now, Umji’s brows furrowed together. “What about them, unnie?” I sigh in frustration. See? Even them can’t understand, and he dares me to? Aish.

“Nothing, just a dummy trying to play with my mind.” I replied with a grunt. How will I ever know what he meant by that?

“So won.” I looked at Eunha when she called my name. They said it’s disrespectful when you call someone older than you without honorifics so I’m a bit taken aback but when you grew up from another place like Canada, calling the person by their first names aren’t such of a big deal.

“Yes?”

“Your name means wish in Korean.” (Korean) Eunha said and before Umji could say a word, Taehyung and Jimin shuffled to my side.

I looked at them confusingly.

“Sowon-sshi!” Taehyung said in such a high note.

“What?”

“Sowon-sshi!!” This time, Jimin said that.

“What?!” I asked in irritation. Are they on a loose right now? What do they want?

“Tag you’re it!” (Korean) they said in chorus before they pushed me to the ground and they ran away together.

“Hey!” I shouted and got up. What are they even up to?

I didn’t bother running after them because I feel sore all over. My back hurts, even my legs and arms.

So, I just look for someone to get back at them and there I saw Jungkook talking to Namjoon and Jin near the train entrance.

“Jungkookie!” I called and when he turned to me I beckoned him over. Namjoon and Jin also looked at me but I didn’t dare look at Jin. Aside from being embarrassed, I’m still frustrated because he didn’t try to explain some things to me.

He excused himself from the older ones and ran to me.

“You see those two idiots?” I said and pointed Jimin and Taehyung playing tag with Hoseok. Gosh, they really are so loud.

Jungkook nodded and I doubt he didn’t even understand what i***t means. 

“Pinch them for me, please?” I asked prettily and he looked at me confusingly. So, I pinch his side to demonstrate making him bend on his knees.

The girls snickered behind me.

“Do that,” I said slowly and pointed at the two again, “to them.” I finished.

“Why?” he asked still clutching his injured side.

“Come on, just do it.” I pleaded with both hands clasped together and even pouted.

“Unnie wants you to take revenge to Jimin oppa and Taehyung oppa. They pushed her earlier.” (Korean) Umji said and Jungkook instantly nods in understanding before he turned to his heels and took off.

I sat on the ground again and moments later, I heard screams, specifically in pain. “Hey what’s your problem? Why did you pinch mee?!” (Korean) I laughed when Jimin yelled in whimper.

“Ahh! Why me too?!” (Korean) the girls are laughing alongside me and Umji was busy translating words for me.

Why do we even act as if we were never trapped and still play like we’re on a playground?

When Hoseok saw what Jungkook did to the two, he immediately pulled on a stunt looking like a ninja. He even pulled faces and sounds like “yaaaah!” to look intimidating. But he rather looks funny to us.

“Ahh, hyung you don’t have to do that. Sowon noona just wants these two.” (Korean) Jungkook pointed out, even snickering at Hoseok’s attempts.

When Hoseok turned to look at me as if asking for confirmation, Jungkook moved in a swift motion and pinched Hoseok’s abdomen. I bet he tricked Hoseok, but I didn’t ask him for it!

“Hey, Jungkook! I didn’t include Hoseok!!” I yelled towards the guy who was busy running away from Hoseok but he wasn’t listening at all anymore.

Hoseok grew tired from all the chase so now he was making his stride towards my way.

Uh-oh.

But I’m not the one to blame!!

“Hoseok, hey, I’m out—” I wasn’t able to finish when he breaks in a run making me stand up and run away from him.

I screamed when he almost reached me but Jungkook grabs my wrist and pulled me with him.

“Mianhae, noona.” It’s the first time I had understand a word so I was a bit glad.

“Jungkook!!” Hoseok growled. Yikes! I’m out of breath already but Jungkook didn’t let go of my hand. I think I’ll die of lack of breath!!

I forcefully retrieve my hand from Jungkook’s grasp and slump on the cold ground, breathing heavily. Hoseok immediately went after me but I held up my hands.

“I.. *pants* It’s not my fault! *pants* I didn’t ask for you!” I struggled to say those as I was panting so hard.

“Kiss your pleas goodbye!” (Korean) I didn’t understand him, but I don’t feel assured either. He charged at me and I let out a scream but a figure was suddenly in front of me.

“Hey, stop it already. Oppa, go find Yoongi oppa. He hasn’t eaten yet.” (Korean) Thank gods, Yerin!

Hoseok made a baby whimper and he looks so cute and defeated. He shot me a glare in a joking manner before he went away.

“And you unnie, stop playing with them if you don’t want their heads cut off. Look at that oppa he’s so pissed already.” (Korean) Yerin said but as per usual, I felt like an alien talking to another one.

I pat her head. “Thank you very much.” I smiled sheepishly and she just rolled her eyes making me giggle.

“Noona!” I saw Jungkook emerge from Namjoon’s back and I instantly ran to him and punched his arms lightly.

“You are so dead!!” I said and continued to punch him but I was laughing, so as he. To make him suffer more, I twist his ear earning a very satisfying scream from him.

“Noona, stop!” I released his ear and smiled sweetly at him.

“Annyeonghi kaseyo!” I teased and walked away. But it erupted laughter from all of them. Apparently, they heard it and now they’re making fun of my bad accent.

Yeah, right.

My eyes instinctively looked at Jin and I wish I didn’t because apart from the group who’s happily making fun of me, he was rather serious and just staring at me with his usual cold and distant stare.

What did I do now?

Still not ready to talk to him, I retrieve my gaze and turned to Yerin right away.

“Your bangs look nice today.” I said in an exaggerated tone to divert my attention. She instantly frowns at what I said.

“Unnie, no shower!” she replied and made an X gesture at me. I laughed nervously knowing that I might offend her feelings. To avoid further damage, I walked away after I smiled at her.

I went to my bags and opened it to get my phone. Might as well try find a signal rather than embarrass myself in front of others.

Upon unlocking it, I was greeted by the picture of me and Jin as my wallpaper so I glared at it. “You… Aish!” frustrated once again, I left the others and went on my own, searching through the corners by holding the phone up in the air.

“God, please even just one bar, please!” I muttered under my breath.

I kept on walking by the edges looking on where I’m stepping at from time to time to avoid on tripping myself.

My phone ding once and received a message and when I looked at the signal bars there’s two. My heart beats so fast I immediately dialed my mother’s number unknowingly.

Hot tears swelled my eyes when it rang. “Mother, answer please answer—”

And it’s as if my breath got cut off when the receiver answered. “Sojung?! Hello! Sojung!”

I sob. “Mother!! Oh my god, mother!” I cried and fell on my knees.

“Sojung, where… the… are you?” I could hear a buzz of noises at the other end and her voice keeps on wavering.

“Busan, mother. Help me please. Help us.” I said helplessly and my voice is muffled with my cries.

“I—go.. Sojung—” and the line cut off and my phone ding at the same time.

My battery is drained.

“No! Damn! No, no, no!!” I tried tapping on my phone and keep on pressing the switch button but to no avail.

Why? That’s my only hope to survive. Why…

I screamed and completely slumped on the floor clutching my phone on my chest. Why does life have to be so cruel?

Someone tap my shoulder and I lift my head to see Jungkook. When I saw his concerned face, I instantly drop my head to prevent him from seeing my tear stained face.

I look horrible I bet.

“Why do you seem to follow me always, Jungkook?” I asked through broken voice. But of course, he didn’t even understand that so he just sat beside me.

“Noona is crying.” (Korean) he said. I rolled my eyes before wiping my tears. I calmed myself first through deep breaths.

“You do know that we can’t understand each other, right?” we sat there staring at each other and didn’t say a thing. This language barrier definitely sucks to the highest level.

“Hyung is looking for you.” (Korean) he said after a moment and I snickered. He’s really not going to stop speaking in Korean.

“Okay, and the cow flies over the moon.” I replied and snickered even more. His brows creased but after a minute he laughed with me.

“But seriously, hyung is looking for you. Let’s go.” (Korean) the only word I understood was ‘gaja’ and he meant we have to go.

So, we stood together and walked to the others.

When I saw Jin among the others, the ache and longing once again knocks in my chest. The short conversation I have with my mother recalled in my mind.

I need him right now. And I don’t care if it’s still in an awkward note, after all I can’t stand being away from him.

And since when did that happen?

I sigh.

The first one to see us emerge was Hoseok and his mouth turned ‘O’.

“Hey you two! Where have you been huh?!” (Korean) he said and others began to speak in chorus it makes my head ache because of the foreign language. Well, I just stood there completely alienated.

“Yah, yah! Stop it!” (Korean) Namjoon said before turning his head to Jin. Others did the same thing and as if they had practiced it, they gulped altogether when they met Jin’s dangerous glare.

What’s wrong with him? Since the last time we were together and that was when he.. *cough* kissed me, and because I avoided him, we didn’t talk to each other anymore. He didn’t even try to approach me.

I guess it’s time for me to lower my pride and get to him first.

I made careful steps towards him and when I was about to sit beside him, he moved away from me.

My brows shot up with his sudden behavior.

“What’s your problem?” I asked in a low voice. The others seem to understand and they coughed one by one before getting up and leave.

How many times have they done that already? And we’ve been fighting since forever.

Jin remained unbothered and didn’t even glanced at me. This time, I sat beside him and he didn’t move anymore.

“Jin..” I said before nudging him. He didn’t answer. “Hey.” Still no response.

Ah, so he wants to play this kind of game again? My brows furrowed because I’m starting to get irritated with him.

“Jin!” my voice started to rise but no, he didn’t budge. I grab a hold of his arm and pulled him so he tilts sideways, facing me.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” his face hardened and slowly retrieved his arm from me and moved away once again.

I huffed. He’s so childish!! What did I even do wrong?

Frustrated, I stood up because I can’t fathom his rude attitude anymore and attempted to walk away when he finally spoke.

“Okay, go along and continue with your chasing.”

Oh, now I know where this conversation is going.

I looked back and crossed my arms, looking down at him while he’s looking straight at me too.

“Are you jealous?” he smirked, not the kind of smirk he uses when he’s fooling around. This one is more like the mocking one.

“Why would I?” now that hurts. This freaking dummy.

“Then why are you acting like this?!”

He just shrugs and stood up too. He was about to pass through me when I stood in front of him.

“You’re not making any sense right now!” I frustratingly tug on my hair as I defend myself. But this cold-hearted man just continued to look at me with his penetrating gaze.

Argh!

“You’re impossible! Oh, come on, this is so mean! I definitely hate you!” I tried to think of Korean diss words I learned and slap it in his face but my mind is so blank I can’t think of any.

And the stupidest thing, even stupid from what I’ve done in Canada, came out from my mouth in the middle of an argument.

“What’s I hate you in Korean again?” I bit my lip inwardly the moment it escaped my lips. Stupid.

The most stupid, Lee Sojung.

We stared at each other for a second while my cheeks flared in embarrassment.

 I frowned and about to walk out when he spoke..

“Saranghaeyo..”

he said with the most serious face he ever put up that made me believe that the word was the one I was looking for. My mouth is sealed because of the way he looked at me.

He just answered my question but why is it that my heart beats so fast?

I struggled for words but nothing came, until I came up with..

“Yes, yes! Saranghaeyo! Saranghaeyo so much!” From that, I walked out on him with cheeks burning from heat.

Gods, that was so awful!