Twenty Two : Hangang Park

Kim So Ra POV

September 3, 2019.

"Aeri~ah ... I will go now," I said goodbye to Song Aeri when I saw that it was 3:30 in the afternoon

She smiled as she waved her hand from behind the reception desk. I took my sling bag and car key from my office and headed for the car park.

It takes about 20 minutes to travel from Yongsandong to Yeouido Hangang Park, because the park is located across the Han River. Thankfully Seoul's streets are not crowded and the weather is cloudy today.

I parked my car in the parking lot around Yeouido Park. I stepped out of the car and stared at myself in the car window. Today I wear a yellow sleeveless midi jumpsuit and white sneakers. I tie my hair to form a simple bun. I walked towards the riverbank and found an empty park bench. I sat down and began to turn on my cellphone screen.

"I've arrived", wrote my message to Namjoon

* tring

"I'll be there in five minutes. I'm at Mapo Bridge," message from Namjoon

"Ne ... be careful", I answered again

I sat enjoying the cool breeze. I looked around the park, there are some visitors who come to this park just to take pictures in front of the big sign "I SEOUL YOU", or spend time for biking. The view in this park is truly extraordinary. There was a lot of grass and trees around the park, then there was the Han river that stretched before me. And across the river there are views of buildings located in Seoul.

"Annyeong Sora ssi", Namjoon's voice came from behind me

I looked and smiled at him. "Annyeong", I replied

"Mianhae (sorry) you've been waiting a long time," he said while sitting beside me

"Ani (no)," I replied

"You're so beautiful today," he said, staring at me

"Uh? Gomawo", I said looking at him

Suddenly we feel awkward and we immediately look away.

"let's go cycling", he said, standing up

"Ne ... I saw a bicycle rental over there," I said, pointing to the right

"Kajja (come on)", he asked

We walked side by side to the bicycle rental place. Not far in front of us there was a line of bikes parked. We immediately approached the row of colorful bicycles.

"I have downloaded the bike rent application. I think we just need to show it to the officers", said Namjoon while taking out his cellphone

We approached the bicycle rental place and showed the application that Namjoon had downloaded earlier. We decided to rent 2 adult bikes for 2 hours. Initially we wanted to try a tandem bike for two people, but the bike looked less practical and not efficient.

We started pedaling our bicycle along the Han River, Namjoon was in front of me. But sometimes he bikes side by side with me.

"This is so exciting," he said, looking at me

"Ye! Incredible", I replied smiling

Cool breeze, cloudy sky, beautiful scenery and pleasant cycling companions, make biking time fun.

"Let's go around the forest," I asked, pointing to an area filled with trees

"Kajja! You go first," said Namjoon

We continued cycling for 30 minutes towards the Seogang Bridge.

"Oppa, I'm tired, let's take a rest," I said, pointing to a convenience store in front of us

"Ne ...," said Namjoon

We went to the store and bought drinks and some snacks. Then we biked back to the river's edge to rest.

"Wah daebak ya! It's beautiful here", said Namjoon while looking at the view of the river and the buildings in front of him

"Ne ... so beautiful", I said as I parked my bicycle

We sat by the river and began to sip the water that we had bought before.

"Oppa! You look like a painting from here," I said looking at him

"Eh? Jinjja?", He said in disbelief

"Ne! Let me take a picture of you," I said, taking my cellphone out of my bag

"Look!", I said excitedly while showing the results of my photo

"Wow, that's great. It doesn't look like me," he said

"Ne ... no one would have thought that a world class artist was spending his time by the river", I said chuckling

"Please send the photo to me. I will post it on social media," Namjoon said

"Eh? Jinjja?" I asked, raising my eyebrows

"Ne", he replied

"Did you know that ARMY calls this activity of enjoying nature as 'Namjooning'?", I asked him

"Yeah..I've heard about it", said Namjoon chuckled.

"I am very touched and grateful. I'm happy if I can give a positive influence on the people around me and ARMY", he said smiling

We ate snacks while talking about the beauty of Seoul. We were very amazed, that we could see this beautiful view in the middle of the city. The evening sun makes the sky reddish.

"Anyway, the day after tomorrow I will go to Europe with my friends," said Namjoon after finishing his drink

"To Europe? Which countries?", I asked curiously while chewing on the biscuits we had bought

"We plan to go to Italy and Austria," Namjoon replied, staring at me

"Looks like it will be fun, I hope you enjoy your vacation", I said sincerely

"Ne..gomawo", Namjoon answered

"You're going back to Korea on September 13th, right?", He asked after gulping down his drink

"Ne ... I arrived in Korea on September 14th in the morning", I replied trying to remember my flight schedule

"Arasso (I get it)," he answered, nodding his head

"Let's ride again. Looks like we still have about 40 minutes left," I asked, standing up

We biked towards the direction we first came. After returning the bikes to the previous rental place, we decided to sit on the grass on the river bank. I saw many visitors came to enjoy the sunset while carrying a picnic mat and food.

"Maybe next time we have to bring picnic equipment if we will visit this park again," said Namjoon when he saw me looking at the visitor

"Ne... it looks like fun", I said chuckling

"Are you tired?", Asked Namjoon while lying down beside me

"Just a little," I said, looking at the river in front of us

"Lie down ... it's really comfortable here," he said while patting the grass behind me

"Jinjja ??", I untied my hair and lie down

The sky looks very wide. The reddish color makes me feel like I'm in another world. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the breeze on my face.

"looking at the wide sky makes me feel at peace," he said, facing me

"Ne ... I feel like I can forget all my problems for a moment and enjoy this beauty," I said, raising my hand trying to touch the sky

"Can we rest for a while here? I am sleepy," said Namjoon

"Ye", I replied

I turned my face toward him, I saw him sleeping on his stomach, one hand supporting his head and another hand stroking my hair that was loose in the grass. His eyes were closed, his shoulders moving up and down while breathing. I smiled looking at him. He looks very fragile. I felt the urge to stroke his hair. I gripped my bag tightly to resist the temptation. Why does my heart hurt? I bit my lower lip. All my feelings for Namjoon flared up. Why is it so hard to let my feelings go...

The sun slowly begins to disappear behind Seoul's skyscrapers and is replaced by twinkling lights from the streets and buildings. I sighed and returned to sitting position. Namjoon opened his eyes because he felt my hair in his palm move. He then sat beside me.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?", I asked, feeling worried

"No, I'm sorry ... I must have overslept earlier, "he said, rubbing his eyes

"Are you tired? You want me to take you home?", I asked, still staring at him

"No. I don't want to go home. Where do you want to go, Sora? Is there something you want to do? It seems like every time we meet, we always do what I want to do. Do you want to do something? I will be happy to follow your wishes," explained Namjoon smile looking at me

"Eh? Jinjja?" I asked in disbelief, staring at him

"Ne," he said, nodding

I thought for a moment. "I want to see the Banpodaegyo bridge fountain", I said excitedly

"Ye..I have never seen it directly too. I will look for the show schedule," said Namjoon while turning on his cellphone

I leaned closer to him to see the screen of his cellphone.

"Today there will be a show at 8 pm," I said, pointing to the cellphone screen

"It's 6.20 now. There's plenty of time. Do you want to eat dinner first?", He asked

"Uh?....yes," I said awkwardly when I found out our body was so close

"Kajja," he said, standing up, reaching out to help me

"I can do it myself. Thank you," I replied nervously

"Haha alright," Namjoon said while rubbing the back of his neck

We decided to have dinner around the Banpo Bridge. At 7.45 we walk to the Banpo bridge. We arrived right when the fountain show began. The fountain is very beautifully lit by colorful lights. We and many other visitors were amazed to see it.

This fountain show lasts for 20 minutes. During the show, we took pictures with colorful fountains in the background. After the show ended I took Namjoon back to his apartment. Because the distance from Banpo Bridge to Hannam Hill only takes about 10 minutes.

"We're arrived. The one up there is our house," Namjoon said, pointing to a large house on a hill

"Woah daebak!", I said when I saw the residence of BTS

"Do you want to stop by?", Asked Namjoon smiling

"Eh? No, oppa. Maybe next time", I replied surprised

"Arasso. Thank you Sora~ah," Namjoon said as he got out of my car

"Ne... you're welcome. Enjoy your vacation in Europe, oppa," I said with a smile

"Ye ... you too. Be careful on the way", said Namjoon while walking away and waving his hand

I can see Namjoon in the rearview mirror, he is still standing at the stairs while waving his hand. I smiled and continued on my way to my apartment.