Chapter 06 : The awkward evening

(12 years ago)

Because of my dad's work we had to move quite often. Because of that I had to adjust with new places and schools. So I didn't had any close or childhood friend, until I met Daeshim oppa. He was my very first friend in Busan.

Dad decided to retire and start a business in his hometown Busan. We move to Busan when I was almost 8 years old.

I was naturally an introverted kid, so mom introduced me to our neighbor's son –

He came with his mom to gave us a visit.

I was hiding at the corner of our drawing room and peeking on them.

- "Jin-ae come out~ Look who has come to meet you~"

I came out and sat beside mom. Daeshim was a year older than me but he was small, we were the same height. He used to wear specs and had this bowl cut hairstyle. I saw him sitting politely beside his mom.

His mom said, "Come on dear, introduce yourself~"

He looked at me and I was already staring at him--

- "Hello~ My name is Kim Daeshim."

That's how I met him for the first time.

**

(Present time)

I swear I can just drown right now..The

awkwardness I'm feeling right now is beyond describable.

Imagine meeting your childhood neighbor friend - who you didn't see for almost three years, has not been in contact - in a situation like this.

Bo-ra said, "We'll introduce ourselves now"

- "My name is Jung Bo-ra, I'm In-su's friend."

It was me next. They all looked at me and Daeshim oppa was still shocked-

-"Hello..I'm Dae---I mean I'm Park Jin-ae."

[Ahhhhhhhhhh….. Why did I say I'm Dae- You stupid b*tch]

"Hello~ I'm Min Ae-ri… I hope we get along well." -the smile Min Ae-ri gave in the end was so bright that we all were impressed. This girl really shines in the crowd.

The introduction part was over, we ordered our food and then was waiting while having small talks.

In-su guy was really funny. He was telling us jokes and we were all laughing and having fun. In-su was lively and

funny, on the contrast Chan-Young was serious and calm.

Everyone was talking and laughing, while me and Daeshim oppa were awkward and wasn't talking that much.

Time to time our eyes would met and we would immediately look away.

.

.

.

The waiter brought the food--

- "Look our food is here.." (Bo-ra)

In-su and Min Ae-ri said in sync, "It looks delicious~"– they looked at each other and laughed.

The unbothered Chan-Young became interested seeing

the food, he took his food and started eating first.

Bo-ra smirked and said, "You must like eating very much.."

Chan-Young was embarrassed a little. That dude used 'me' to change the subject,

- "Park Jin-ae doesn't talk a lot, does she?"

I looked at him---- [Why you!!! Why me..?]

Everyone was looking at me. I was not sure what to say, I just nodded and smiled.

"She is not that talkative but she is not this quite usually.. I guess she is feeling shy in front of everyone" – Min Ae-ri said.

- "Yeah, there are people who don't talk much in front of new people. May be Jin-ae is one of them" (In-su)

- "Hum~ Your friend Kim Daeshim seems to be one of them also." (Bo-ra)

Min Ae-ri looked at Daeshim oppa and said hesitantly,

"Yes he is also not talking that much."

Daeshim oppa smiled a little looking at us.

In-su replied to her saying, "Yup. My friend is the quite type"

Bo-ra said mockingly, "The exact opposite of you~"

In-su pouted and we all burst out laughing.

Through out the whole time I was awkward there and I could tell Daeshim oppa was too.

.

.

.

It was finally over. We greeted each other and we were leaving. To be honest, though because of Daeshim oppa it was awkward, but even after that we had fun.

In-su and Chan-Young are good guys.

I was leaving with Bo-ra and Min Ae-ri, but I was feeling off. I saw oppa after so long but didn't talk to him specially. We were friends after all. I decided to go back and talk to him--

- "Actually I've to go back…"

They stopped and looked at me. Min Ae-ri asked,

"What is it Jin-ae?"

I was hesitating, "Ummm.. Kim Daeshim… He is actually my neighbor in Busan."

I guess it was shocking for them too. They said at the same time, "What? Really!??"

- "Why didn't you said it there?"

- "I thought it would be awkward… I didn't see him for years..I think I should go and talk to him at least.."

Min Ae-ri said, "Yeah, of course you should!"

I told them to leave without me and dashed back..

.

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.

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I was not actually sure if he was still near or already left. I ran anyway, hoping for he was still near by--

.

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I stopped.

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.

Daeshim oppa...He was in front of me.

He was breathing heavily.Probably he was also coming to me.

We were standing facing each other...

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.

Finally Daeshim-oppa broke the silence,

"Hi there Jin-ae...Where were you?"

*****