That Day I Said I Love You

Woman

Yoo Ae's POV

"Ae."

"Hmm?" I was busy eating my rocky road ice cream so I answered without looking at him.

"You think we can go back to way we used to be?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" eyes still on my ice cream.

"You know, the way we were before.." He paused for a few seconds. "When we were young."

That caught my attention "You mean, you bullying me?!"

He suddenly burst out laughing. "That's all you remember from everything?!"

"Why? Is there any other things to remember? All you did was bully me before!"

He smiled and put his hand on my head to mess my hair.

I stared at him suspiciously. "So you want to bully me again, huh?"

"Ani." Then he took the last spoonful of his strawberry ice cream. His favorite flavor. I still continued staring at him suspiciously. I think he is into something for mentioning the past.

He then sat straight and looked at me. "If you can only remember the bullying part then.. I don't think I can be the same way as what I am to you in the past."

"Huh?" tilting my head in confusion.

"But one thing is for sure.."

"Mwo?"

He leaned closer to answer me. I was shocked that I have to move away. "I still feel the same for you like in the past." then he got up and walked towards the ice cream parlor door before I even ask him further about what he means.

He then stop to look at me before going out of the door. "No.. I feel more than what I feel for you in the past." and he walked out.

"I still feel the same way for you like in the past."

His words still lingered the next morning. I'm getting ready to go to school but I'm still thinking on what does he mean by that. Hmm.. I'm still childish? I'm still a crybaby? NO, I'M NOT ANYMORE!!!

I looked through my closet on what to wear to erase that thought and continue what I'm doing but..

"No.. I feel more than what I feel for you in the past."

HUH?! I don't really get what he told me. I'm even more childish and crybaby now than before?!!

I stompped my feet. How could Jaebum oppa think of me that way?! I'm all grown up! Do I still look like a little child for him? I'M A WOMAN, TOO, OPPA!

And what is it to you if he thinks you are still a baby? said my ever intervening conscience.

Well.. uhmm.. my heart started beating fast and I felt my face turned red. What is this weird feeling?

I held my cheeks that turned red and hot. I breathed deeply. "I just want to prove to him that I'm no longer the little girl that he used to bully." I said loudly to myself.

And what? another question from my conscience.

"Prove to him that I'm a woman now."

And so?

I was dumbstruck by that question from own self. Yes, and so what? Why do I need to prove to him that I'm a woman now? Does he need to look at me as a woman?

Another strange feeling occured inside my body. I shook my head and looked at the mirror at the back of my closet's door. "No. Not that. It's just I don't want him to do crazy stuff to make fun of me anymore. Yes, that's it. For him to treat me well now."

He doesn't treat you bad though.

"Shut up conscience!" and I started to look through my closet again to find something good to wear.

"Wow! You look nice." Mark Oppa greeted me with a compliment and a smile as we saw each other near the counter.

Kyaaaaa~ Mark Oppa told me I look nice!!! kyaaaa~"

But I have to control my feels and say, "Thank you!" as I smiled back because I'm a woman, right?

"Why don't you join us in the table?" He offered.

We are on the cafe first thing in the morning. You know, my morning routine to drink coffee to wake up my system before attending classes. But aside from that, I know that they would be here, too. We have no common subjects today so going here is a good plan. One step to show Jaebum oppa the 'little girl' he is anticipating to see.

I wore a sandy brown knee length longsleeve dress, since its autumn and kinda chilly at times, and I complimented it with a white belt paired with white stilletos. I tied my hair in a high ponytail to emphasize my neckline and my friendship necklace with Seulgi.

"Chinggu-ya!" Jinyoung approached me waving. Then he stopped a few steps in front of me with a shocked face. He surveyed me from head to toe and vice versa. "Are you really my chingu?"

"No. I'm not." I answered sarcastically.

Then he suddenly hugged me so tight that I can't even pushed him away as he yells, "Omona! Chinguya!" I bet everyone around are looking at us already. Stop it, Jinyoung!

"Yah. Jinyoung!" Mark Oppa made a move to pull Jinyoung away from me. "You're embarrassing, Yoo Ae."

Thank you so much, Oppa!

Still, Jinyoung has all smiles looking at me. "Hyung." He elbowed Mark to get his attention. "That's my chingu. Ha ha ha." looking proud.

Mark oppa chuckled as he shook his head. "Yoo Ae-ah. Don't get him wrong. He's just proud to have a pretty friend like you."

Kyaaaaa~ Mark Oppa called me pretty!!!! Kyaaaaa~

As usual, calm down. "Kwenchana." I answered.

"Yah, Jinyoung-ah! Stop looking like a stupid fool!" Mark told Jinyoung who is still looking at me with a very wide smile. "Yoo ae won't be proud to have a friend who looks like a babo like you."

Then Jinyoung's face became serious. He turned to Mark. "Hyung, I'm handsome, too! I'm popular as well. Who won't be proud to have a friend like me?"

"Me." Jaebum oppa suddenly appeared and answered Jinyoung's question.

And there goes my heart beating faster. Am I nervous? Why am I nervous? I shouldn't be nervous, and be confident on how I look today.

"Hyung! Look at Yoo Ae~ she's so pretty today, right?" Jinyoung ask him smiling.

And right then his gaze turned to me. Omona! I think I'm going to explode with my heart beating so fast like this. I think it's moving triple faster than usual. I wanna hold my chest but I have to pretend I'm fine.

"Nothing's different." He answered. "She looks the same for me."

Mwoya?! I don't know what's with me, but I felt like I wanna cry. I faked a chuckled. I wanna answer back but I'm afraid my tears might fall if I open my mouth.

"Hey!" calls Mark oppa. "So.. will it be okay if I ask Yoo Ae for a date?"

WHAT? A DATE?! My eyes widened at the shock of Mark oppa's question.

"Jinjja hyung?!" but I think Jinyoung is more shocked than me.

Mark nodded. "Oh. Wrong person to ask." He then turned to face me. "Will it be okay to ask you for a date, Yoo Ae?"

I looked at Jaebum oppa. I was waiting for a reaction from him, but he walked towards the counter like he doesn't care at all. Huh!

And why do I have to wait for his reaction? Does he have a say whether I'll go on a date or not? And it's Mark Oppa! Of course, I will!

I nodded at Mark Oppa and smiled. "Sure."

"Good. I'll text you when and where." He smiled.

"Hyung!" Jinyoung's still looks shocked and confused about what is happening. "Are you serious, hyung?"

Finally, my ulitmate crush asked me for a date. Finally! But why am I not that happy?

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