Chapter 20: Show's Over

Fahami's POV:



Taesung was avoiding me for the last one month. Every time I tried to talk to him, he walked away. As if I was invisible, I didn't exist in this world. I still didn't know what did I do.

Those hooligans were alive. Thankfully, police didn't try to find out who had beaten them, since their being the hooligans. I heard police was secretly looking for them because they had committed crimes like raping, stealing, snatching. I cleaned that knife and buried it although I knew police wouldn't look for it. I was still trying to save Taesung. Of course, he told me to stay away from him and mind my own business. But I couldn't. How could I? How could I stay away from him and not keep him safe? I would keep trying. He would have to talk to me.

"Did something happen between you and your neighbor?" Eunjin asked in a doubtful tone.

It was obvious that Eunjin noticed. Because Taesung didn't talk to me, didn't look at me and mostly tried to avoid taking our orders. Even though I knew he wouldn't talk to me or response, I still went to that same restaurant. Eunjin didn't ask me anything in the whole month but surely she noticed everything. Eunjin was a mother hen. She cared about a lot. Seeing me this much sad made her worried and finally she asked me what happened. Today Taesung's behavior didn't change. He didn't glance at me, not even came to take our orders. Each time he saw Eunjin and I, he sent someone else to take the order. Today, he did the same thing. We were still sitting on our seats and another waiter served the dishes.

"What do you think?" I kept looking at my hands to avoid eye contact with Eunjin.

"Alright, enough of this. Fahami tell me what's going on." Eunjin commanded.

"Nothing." Damn it! Even I could hear the sadness in my voice.

"If you are not going to tell me then I will ask that boy. Which one do you prefer?" I flinched and looked up at Eunjin. I shook my head as if I said 'You wouldn't,' but she raised one brow and dared me to make her not.

"Alright, I will tell you. Just behave, okay? Don't create scene."

I didn't tell Eunjin about the stabbing part and his ruthlessness. She might be afraid if I told her everything. I just told her that Taesung knew how to fight, and he fought the last time someone tried to harass me.

"After that night, he didn't want to talk to me. I still don't know why he is avoiding me, I am trying to get the answers." When I finished my speech and looked up at Eunjin, she looked like she would kill someone.

"Eunjin!"

"That bastard! He is avoiding you after trying to save you from the hooligans. Why? Is he regretting saving you? Is he crazy or what? Who gave him the permission to behave like this around you?"

"Eunjin, calm down. Will you?" I pleaded.

"No, Fahami. What he is doing, it's wrong. He should not treat you like this." She was practically screaming.

I tried to calm her, "It doesn't matter anymore. Forget about it. I think I should stay away from him."

Eunjin tried to protest, "Fahami, you..."

"No, Eunjin. If he wants to be alone, I will let him be alone. I get it. If someone doesn't want to be friends with you, you should keep distance." I was sure Eunjin noticed my defeating look. She opened her mouth to say something but didn't.

"Fine." She groaned.

I was thankful that she didn't create any scene.

I glanced at Taesung again. He didn't even recognize me. I closed my eyes and sighed. I looked at him, probably for the last time. Because, I took the decision. He didn't want me. For this reason, I would keep my distance.

"Eunjin. I don't want to come here anymore." I tried not cry. It would drive Eunjin crazy.

"Fahami, look..." Eunjin tried to convince me.

"No, I don't want to come here. Please." I tried to blink away the tears.

She gave a sympathetic smile, "Okay. I know few good restaurants. We won't come here anymore."

One month later....

"Yes, Sharika. I know. He is really a good guy. I am happy for you."

Sharika giggled on the other side. "I knew, you would approve."

I chuckled, "Okay, I give you my blessing."

"So, you and your neighbor still don't talk to each other?" Sharika carefully asked me.

I sighed, "No."

It had been another month that Taesung and I didn't talk. We acted like strangers for two months. Okay, not me. He usually acted like a stranger for two months. I tried to normalize the situation in the first month but later decided to not force him and gave up. I still cared for him. But if he wanted to remain undisturbed, I wouldn't try anymore.

Sharika noticed the heavy silence and changed the topic, "Hey, are you sure you can't attend my wedding?" She whined.

"No, I am sorry. My exam is knocking at the door. Besides, it's not easy to travel...." Before I could explain anything else, I heard yelling and loud noises. The sound came from this floor.

"Ahh, Sharika, I will talk to you later okay?"

"What's wrong?" Sharika asked.

"I just heard some weird sounds. I have to check." I was already walking to my door.

"Okay." As soon as she said it, I hanged up and opened my door.

"I told before, if you can't pay the rent then get out of my building. Didn't I? Then why are you here?" The owner of the building was throwing out Taesung's accessories out of his flat. Taesung was looking at his feet, stood there helplessly. All I wanted was just run to him and hug him tightly, assuring him that I would take care of everything. But I couldn't move an inch because Taesung showed me my position.

"I told you to pay yesterday but you didn't. Do you have the money to pay me now?" The owner looked at me in hope that I would pay instead of Taesung. I wanted to, but didn't dare when Taesung looked up and gave me a warning look.

Taesung slowly turned to the owner, "No." He said in a commanding tone.

The owner was fuming and threw all of Taesung's belongings. I flinched when he was throwing those.

Taesung looked murderously angry and roared, "You don't need to throw my things out. I will leave."

The owner looked afraid of Taesung and rushed downstairs. I looked at Taesung.

"The show is over. You can get inside." Taesung ordered.

"Taesung, I..." I pleaded but he didn't let me finish.

"I said, get inside." Taesung angrily told me.

I didn't know what to do. When Taesung noticed I wasn't planning on getting inside, he went inside of his flat. I stood there dumbly. Few minutes later, Taesung came out with a bag pack and went down the stairs.

'He is leaving. He is leaving.'

This was echoing in my head. Even though he didn't want to talk to me in two months, still I could see him. Still, I knew he was nearby. Somewhere I could protect him. But now, he was leaving.

"Taesung, wait......"