When We Return

Chapter 19

Day 10

Darn. I was forgetting for a moment all the things he has done for the past hours and now that he’s acting like some s**t all my pent-up feelings again resurfaced.

I’m still frustrated about that wish thing and also him lying to me—well, I’m actually not anymore but his sudden behavior brought me back—and now he’s back with being cold and mean. Argh. He’s so unpredictable sometimes.

He could’ve just said that he’s jealous though. Psh.

Why is he so in denial? Of course, he’s jealous! After all those hugs and *ehem* kisses—just kiss as a matter of fact—who wouldn’t right?

“Your eyebrows will merge as one if you keep on frowning.” I ‘tsk-ed’ and frowned even deeper. He laughed at me.

“Joon~” I whined and rocked my body from side to side like a kid.

“What?” he asked amidst of chuckles.

“I feel so frustrated right now.” I sulk. Jin haven’t approached me since our conversation and gods, I don’t know what else is his problem and I’m done trying to figure him out.

“Why don’t you just go and make the first move?” he asked making me frown even more and faced him.

“I’m not going too. Besides, he’s at fault and he’s the guy!” I shot back in exasperation and emphasized the last parts.

He chuckled once again. How I like watching his face when he smiles, his dimples are deeper than any ocean—god, that was so pathetic—and his eyes curve. He’s so squishy-squishy!

“what’s so funny now?” I said pouting.

“The two of you are so alike. Come on, nothing will happen if you keep being like that.” He said with finality and left shaking his head.

“Psh.” Letting out a sharp breath and just continued to murder the ground with my glares. When I look up, I saw Jin also sulking from my far right and Jungkook is trying to engage him in a conversation.

I rolled my eyes and look away.

Mother..

My heart swells when I think of her. I was able to call her earlier, but my stupid phone made a great timing and shut off.

Then Jin also butt in and decided to make another episode. Gosh, it’s so annoying. And unbearable.

A lot already happened only in a short time and I don’t think I can able to take this whirlwind of emotions anymore.

I don’t want to cry anymore, not anymore. But damn— it’s so hard not to.

So, I did.

“Omo, unnie! Your eyes are so puffy. What happened?” (Korean) Eunha asked but I just nod absentmindedly even though I didn’t get to understand what she said.

“What happened to her?” (Korean)

“Jay oppa and her had a fight earlier, I think that’s that.” (Korean)

“They haven’t settled it yet?” (Korean)

“By the looks of it, nope.” (Korean)

I let them talk among themselves and just continue to stare ahead. My body is starting to get numb and weak at the same time. I even feel light headed and I can’t think straight anymore. I feel so drained.

“Unnie..” I snapped on my trance and looked at Umji watching me with worried eyes.

“Are you okay?” I lightly nodded to answer her and tap her cheeks then smiled weakly. After that, I went back on spacing out.

I think about my mother and how worried she would be if she learns that I’m here and trapped. My father, I wonder if he’s worried too, or if he even cares. I think about a lot of things, and more of it.

“Psst.”

What about my future? What will happen now?

“Psst.. psst!”

How can I fulfill my dreams—technically not mine but my father’s—if I’m here?

What if – “AHH!” I almost topple on the ground when someone nudge me on the side. That’s when I realize that the girls are long gone and I was greeted by Jin’s side profile sitting beside me.

I just stared at him blankly. When he felt that he won me over, he turned his head to look at me and we stared at each other.

If he’s thinking of trying to continue our argument earlier, I’m not in the mood to do so right now. So, I just retrieve my gaze from him and let out a heavy sigh.

At least he’s here, his presence is enough for me. For now…

“Hey.” he whispered, I hummed in response. But he didn’t let on, he remained silent instead.

“Sowon..” he called again and I just hummed in response again. A little tease won’t hurt though.

He muttered under his breath and in the corner of my eye, I saw him move and dip his head on his knees. Psh, such a baby.

“Jungkook said you cried..” he started after a moment of silence. This time, I turned my head to look at him and he did the same still leaning his head on his knees.

I nod slowly and pouted. There’s no harm in trying to act cute once in a, while right?

“Why?” he asked in a hushed tone. I shrug.

“Make it up to me first.” I replied and smiled weakly. Everything in my body just feels so heavy I don’t even have the strength to suppress a smile.

Then he smiled back too. He moved from hugging his knees to closing the gap between us and placing my legs across his lap so it looks like I’m sitting on his lap sideways. He circled his arms on my waist to hug me.

“Is this okay now?” he asked, placing my head on the crook of his neck and he leaned his chin on top of my head.

“For the time being.” I replied and we chuckled. I closed my eyes, enjoying the coziness. Right, he can’t stay mad at me for long now.

It took me a while before opening up to him about the short phone call with my mother. Sharing this heartbreaking event should have brought tears to my eyes but nothing came out like I thought it would. But even though I didn’t cry, my heart never failed to be responsive. It clenched the whole time I told Jin what happened.

In exchange, he drew circles at the back of my hand he’s holding to comfort me, and it’s more than enough for me now.

“I’m sorry.” He said right after I stopped talking. I just nod carefully.

“It’s okay. But you could’ve just admit that you’re jealous though.” He dug his fingers deeper on the side of my waist and I flinched. I slapped his chest and giggled that slightly inflicted pain on my chest.

“But really, I’m sorry. Not just about that, but also for lying and getting angry when you’re hurt and literally everything else.” I nodded again. I understand and I forgive him.

“What’s with wish?” the words involuntarily escaped my lips and I immediately regret that I asked. My god, Sowon! What about try and shut up?!

This time, it was Jin who laughed, I slap his chest. “So, you acknowledge now that it happened huh?” he wiggled his eyebrows and smirked that I just want to wipe it off.

“Forget that I asked.” I said annoyingly but knowing him, he won’t dismiss me sooner.

“Ohh, someone’s embarrassed.” He cooed and pinch my cheek and I slap his hand away with a frown.

“Shut up!” I hissed. I was about to get up but he restrained me by tightening his hug.

“Just try and search it up when we get out of here. How’s that?” I froze, he continued to grin at me.

If we get out of here.

He’s so sure we will. But I started to doubt it now.

“Can you bring me on our prepared make shift bed? I want to sleep.” I ask in a low voice. My throat starting to ache.

He nodded and before he moves to lift me up, he left a kiss on my forehead.

“Sleep tight.”

I feel… I feel like floating on the clouds…

“Sowon-ah, wake up.” I felt someone nudge my side but I refused to open my eyes. My body is so heavy even I can’t lift myself up. Plus, my head hurts so bad.

“Sowon-ah..” I groaned when that someone starts to pat my cheek. “Wake up, Sowon-ah. Please, open your eyes already..” (Korean) The voice started to annoy me so I pushed myself really hard to open my eyes this time.

It was blurry at first, I became dizzy the moment I opened my eyes. I gave it a moment before focusing on the person waking me up and I was greeted by a worried face of Hoseok. He became alert when he saw me conscious that he immediately calls upon the others.

“Wh-what hap—” I coughed. My throat is so dry I need to force down some saliva to ease the pain when I spoke.

One by one, the others sped to where we are and they ask me a lot of questions at the same time that made my head ache so bad I just closed my eyes again.

“Guys, guys! Let’s give her some space don’t crowd her.” (Korean) The voice I recognize as Yerin said and I instantly feel the suffocating air left me.

“Where’s Jay hyung by the way?” (Korean)

“He was running around earlier. I don’t know where he has gone now.” (Korean)

“We were running out of food, he was trying to find for more at the train.” (Korean)

“But still, Sowon noona might look for him any time now.” (Korean)

I heard the voices of the boys talking not far from me but as usual, their conversation is something I don’t know of. I opened my eyes once again and scanned at the faces looking at me with worry. I ask for a hand to pull me up but they refused me and said to lie down for a little longer.

In the end, they let me sit and lean on the wall for support.

My body weighs a thousand bricks. I don’t know what happened I feel so weak all over. Even my breathing is a little labored.

“Wh-what happened? Where’s Jin?” I asked with a hoarse voice. It’s Umji who rushed to my side to answer the questions.

“Unnie, you were sleeping longer than usual. You’re fever had tone down from the last time but we don’t think it’s about that.” She said and stops before pointing at a person at our left. There lay Yuju and Eunha being catered by Jungkook and Jimin.

“Those two were also starting to get weak just like you, unnie. But not only the three of you. All of us are slowly being drained from hunger. U-unnie..” I glanced back at Umji who’s trying hard not to cry now.

“Unnie, I don’t think.. I don’t think we can s-survive here.” Her sobs were slowly filling my ears. I wasn’t able to answer back. My attention drifts towards the others. I never noticed it before, but Yerin looks so thin that her cheekbones are so prominent.

As far as I could remember, Umji’s body is not that sharp and slim. But now, she looks so deflated that her once fat cheeks became hollow. Yuju’s already thin, but right now, she’s almost identical to a stick. The bones of her elbows and shoulder blades are showing up.

Hoseok is crouching so badly and there’s dark circles surrounding his eyes. If this were some kind of horror thriller movie, we could pass as zombies in an apocalypse.

Tears started to brim my eyes, we tried to convince ourselves that we are going to survive. That help is already on the way. But every passing hour, that hope is silently fading away.

Heavy running footsteps echoed the whole area and out of nowhere, Jin appeared, gasping. I looked at his thinning features, like everyone else, his face started to change as well. His sharp jaw line became sharper, and his thin waist became thinner.

His gestures are frantic and seems to be in a lot of panic.

“Hyung! Where have you been?” (Korean) Jungkook approached Jin and tapped him on the shoulder. The older guy faced him.

“I was at the train and…” (Korean) his eyes trailed on me when he was talking to Jungkook. And suddenly his tight face turned soft.

Without another word, he left Jungkook and walked towards me. He knelt in front of me and slowly gathered me in his arms. I moved to settle properly in his arms, careful with my actions not to make myself dizzy.

“Sowon-ah, are you tired?” he whispered in my ears. He moved his hand from my hair to my waist.

I don’t seem to get his point so I just remained silent. “If you’re tired, take a rest.” He continued.

“But please, don’t rest for too long. I.. Don’t scare me like that, please.” His breathing became labored and his hug tightens.

Just how long was I sleeping?

From here, I could definitely hear the way his heart beats. So, I leaned closer to his chest and closed my eyes.

“Jin-sshi..” we both turned to Yerin, who I forgot was there all along with Umji. “Sorry to disturb you, but we’re currently short with supplies. Have you found something?” (Korean)

“Ah, yes. But it’s not too much. Just another bottle of water and a pack of biscuits. I found them at the bottom of the seats.” (Korean) he replied.

He asked me to move away first so he could show Yerin what he found. So, I was back at leaning on the wall for support when he left.

My stomach growled but along with it came in a sharp pain. I let out a yelp and crouched, clutching my stomach.

“U-unnie..” Umji reluctantly said, not knowing what to do.

“I’m.. I’m okay.” I replied and struggled to stand up.

“Unnie, you can’t. Stop pushing yourself too much.” Umji scolded but I didn’t listen to her. Instead, I leaned in for support.

“Just help me up, please.” I whispered and coughed, my throat giving in to the dryness. Because of my persistency, Umji didn’t have any choice but to hold me up.

“Oppa is going to kill me for this.” (Korean) she mumbled but I didn’t mind her.

We staggered towards where Jin and Yerin went to when Yoongi shuffled pass us that almost push us to the ground.

“Hey!” I intend to shout at him but it turned out weak due to my weak voice. He didn’t look back though, he just hurriedly walk off, approaching Yerin and Jin.

“Give me that.” (Korean) he said and harshly took the food Jin is holding.

“What the f**k, dude?” (Korean) My heart beat went fast with every breath I took knowing where this would lead to.

“Yoongi!” (Korean) Yerin said in a warning tone.

“I’m dying of hunger and I need to fill it.” (Korean) Yoongi shot back making an effort of lowering his voice down.

Jin’s gaze turned to steel as anger rise from it, please no.

I ordered Umji to walk faster and she followed, sensing the trouble.

“Give me the food, Yoongi.” (Korean) Jin demanded, emphasizing each word.

“I said I’m hungry.” (Korean)

“You’re not the only one! We all are and please be considerate to the one’s in need!” (Korean) Jin stepped forward towards Yoongi and try to grab the food but Yoongi moved his hand away from his grasp.

Now that he had done that, he pushed Yoongi so hard he almost trip and fall. “Quit playing around!!” his voice rose and it alerted the others as well, they approach us all at the same time. Yerin tried to stand between the two but Taehyung was able to grab a hold of her arms and yank her away.

“Don’t put yourself in between, you might get hurt.” (Korean)

When we reached them, the boys just hold us and didn’t let us near them.

“Jin!” I called out but my voice was muffled with their heated argument. I don’t want Jin to involve himself with Yoongi!

“I’m not playing around! And who do you say we should prioritize? That girlfriend of yours?” (Korean) he pointed a finger at my direction but without the knowledge of what he’s saying will never make me understand what he’s talking about.

Yoongi smirked coldly and walked dangerously near Jin. My heart skipped a beat. “Aren’t we a bit unfair here? She just cried and you’re giving her all the food now?” (Korean)

I yelped when Jin suddenly grab Yoongi’s collar. “You f*****g don’t know anything!” (Korean) Yoongi struggled out of his grasp and even Namjoon talked calmly on Jin to let go.

“Calm down man, you’re freaking out the girls.” (Korean) Hoseok said and trying to ease Yoongi.

“Give me something to eat.” (Korean) Yoongi demanded in a shouting manner. Jin’s glare turned darker at what he said.

“Wait for your turn, asshole.” (Korean) he replied that totally made Yoongi tick off. He made his way to the supplies we gathered and we screamed when he suddenly kicks the food and stomp it with his feet. The opened water bottles were toppled to the ground spilling the contents.

We all gasped and I watch in horror. Oh, god no!!!

“What’s your problem!!!” (Korean) Yerin shouted and pushed Yoongi away trying to salvage the food and water.

Oh my god..

Jin couldn’t hold his anger any longer threw the first punch. Oh s**t!!

My once weak body suddenly move out of adrenaline rush and made my way to Jin but someone grab my arm to hold me back.

Without giving a chance to let Yoongi recover, he threw another punch on Yoongi. I yelled for him to stop but he didn’t listen to me. I’m frantically in panic and my heart hammered painfully in my chest. I don’t know what to effin’ do!!

“Stop them!!” I screamed seeing that the others are struggling to stop Jin from beating out of Yoongi. When the guys were able to get a hold of him, they tried very hard to keep him away from the blonde guy but Yoongi stood on his feet and ran for Jin.

Just when Yoongi’s fist was about to connect with Jin’s face, I was screaming very hard when Yerin stood right in front of Jin and instead of Jin, Yerin received the punch.

“Yerin!!”

“Unnie!”

Jimin punched Yoongi and pushed him away completely and Taehyung helped Yerin stand up and walked her away. I was shaking so badly I couldn’t contain it.

“Goddamnit, Yoongi!!” (Korean) it was the first time I ever saw Hoseok so mad and he was dangerously glaring at him.

“You f*****g asshole!! Go to hell!!” (Korean) Jin yelled and is still being held by Jungkook and Namjoon.

My mind went blank and all I can see is how his nerves bulge on his arms and neck, his face so red and close to purple. He’s so dangerous to approach right now.

I’m starting to be scared again. And I don’t want to look at that kind of face he is making, he’s effin’ mad. But I don’t want him to stay like that so I ran towards his direction and tried to talk to him.

“Jin, jin.. Please calm down..” I tap his cheek to get him to look at me. “Look at me, please, Jin.” I pleaded.

When he did, his glare penetrated on my skin sending shivers on my spine but I didn’t stop.

“Calm down, okay? Please..” I cried and rub his arm to calm his nerves. I eyed Namjoon and Jungkook to let him go and I mouthed that I’ll take care of him. They willingly let go, stretching their arms.

Jin’s face softened a little bit.

“That food was for you, Sowon. That f*****g s**t, how dare he—” I hugged him by the waist to stop him.

“Jin, I’m okay. I don’t need the food. I swear.” I assured him.

“But you’re not okay!!” he advanced forward and I hold unto him tighter.

“I am! I am so please stop..”

His breathing is labored and I can tell he’s restraining himself. I sob unto his chest drenching his shirt. I’ve been so scared the entire time I’m here inside of the tunnel but I’ve never been so scared like I was with Jin right now.

I feel so useless watching the situation. And Yerin… Oh my god Yerin!!

 I cried harder, I can’t help but blame myself for causing this. If only I didn’t get sick…

Jin’s arm covered me, rubbing my back gently. “I’m sorry, don’t cry now.” He said weakly in my ears.

Our food was all in waste.

Yerin was hurt.

Yoongi is all beaten up.

Though he deserves all the punch he receive for being an asshole, but still..

“Shhhh.”

“Oppa, what are we going to do now? The food..” (Korean) I heard Yuju’s voice in a faint distance.

“What is going to happen with Yerin unnie?!” (Korean)

“We should’ve let oppa beat him to death!!” (Korean)

The girls are already crying..

What is happening? I thought we should stay and be safe until salvation arrives. But what is this? Are we being punished? Do we even deserve this?

This is…

This is so unfair..