A day somewhere 6 years ago...
"Kim Eun Young! Aren't you forgetting something?" Dal Rae asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Forget what?" Eun Young obliviously replied as she turned to her friend. She didn't bother to even try thinking about it anymore. Their three hour laboratory exercise had just concluded and because she was the only one who prepared well for this activity, her professor restlessly challenged her until the period ended. No wonder she suddenly had a headache afterwards!
"You're unbelievable!" Frowning, Dal Rae crossed her arms. "Alright Ms. Smarty Pants, because you did save me back there, dinner's on me! Don't even dare to forget Taco Tuesdays next time, okay? That's a grave sin!" She scolded. However, not long after, her expression instantly turned from being annoyed to being excited. "Let's go! I'm starving!" Dal Rae chimed.
Eun Young had no other choice but to have her friend tag her along. She was hungry herself too! Also, she was very much looking forward to eating heavily tonight as payback against Dal Rae. That woman eats so much yet she doesn't pay a single cent! How would Dal Rae eat if she weren't around anymore?
They went to the famous Taco shop at the outskirts of the university. Many students usually hang out here but because it was already past dinner time, only a few people were around. Dal Rae and Eun Young were both fortunate to be the shop's last costumers. After placing their orders, they sat at one of the booths near the window.
"Time flies quickly huh?" Dal Rae muttered. Eun Young saw their reflections and realized that both of them were looking outside. The spot they've chosen had a wonderful view the colleges.
"Yeah." Eun Young shortly replied.
"We're not yet finished after we graduate you know. We still have so much to do! More studying and field works at that!" Dal Rae exclaimed. "I'm tired. I could literally hibernate for a month! I mean seriously... I'm practically just forcing my brain to think about getting myself that license and it will all be worth it!"
Eun Young nodded in agreement. "It will definitely be worth it. Cheer up! We only have a few months left. And besides, shouldn't you be more inspired to work harder until you graduate? You're lucky that you're graduating with your boyfriend!"
Dal Rae scoffed upon hearing her words. "Boyfriend my foot! We've been on five dates already and he's still not putting a label on our relationship! I don't think he's that interested in going steady yet." She shrugged. "Anyway, I don't care anymore. I mean who graduates at 28? And to think that's just his first degree!"
The waitress came to serve their food. After everything was in place, they dig in to the feast before them. "What's wrong with graduating late? At least he finished his studies..." Eun Young said nonchalantly. Dal Rae then gave her a grim look. Seeing this, Eun Young shrank back at her couch. "Though I do hope companies are still accepting..."
Rolling her eyes, Dal Rae shrugged it off. "It would've been better if he was somewhat similar to that guy in Business Administration. I think his surname was 'Lee' or was it 'Lu'? Whichever it was, I heard he came from a wealthy family but for some reason, he was delayed for 2 years in middle school. Regardless, he's a real genius because not only did he cope quickly, he also studied abroad. He now has two Bachelor's degree and this is also his last year taking up his Master's degree."
Eun Young gaped at Dal Rae. "How did you know all that? Are you stalking him?!" She exclaimed.
Dal Rae coughed as she almost choked on her milkshake. "NO!" She retorted. "Geez woman, a friend just happened to tell me! Sheesh!"
Seeing that the employees were just waiting for them to finish, Dal Rae and Eun Young quickly gobbled up everything. They were embarrassed to keep them waiting any further and so before they left, Eun Young left a generous tip for their hard work. They were already at the waiting shed to hail for a cab when suddenly, Eun Young realized that her phone was missing. She panicked as she checked her pockets and her bag but even after a thorough check, it really wasn't with her.
"Hey, you go on ahead. I think I left my phone under my desk so I'll head back the lecture room to check." Eun Young said to Dal Rae.
"Are you sure? I could come with you." Dal Rae offered but Eun Young nicely refused. She could tell that Dal Rae was already sleepy so she encouraged her to leave first.
After they parted ways, Eun Young ran as fast as she could. How could she be so careless? She was lucky if it was still there... but what if it isn't? It was a new gift from her elder brother and if she were to lose it now, it would be embarrassing to tell Tae Hyung! Eun Young sighed in relief as she found her phone peacefully sitting underneath the desk. Her heart was beating wildly and after a few deep breaths, she finally calmed down.
She missed a call from her mother and so with trembling fingers, Eun Young messaged her that she was on her way home. True to her word, she did head home. However, it was now more difficult to hail for cabs at the waiting shed so she decided to walk to the nearest bus station instead. It was only down a few blocks anyway.
The evening air was chilly. There was nobody around and the street lamp ahead was blinking. It was like she was in a horror movie! Eun Young swallowed. She could hear the vehicles from where she was so surely, the main road was near. She continuously calmed herself until all of a sudden, she heard frightening voices of drunk men from behind. Honestly, Eun Young didn't think they were near, not until one of them called out to her.
"Pretty girl! Are you lost?"
She nervously quickened her pace.
"You shouldn't be alone! Come! We can show you the way! We won't bite!" Another said and the men erupted in laughter.
From her peripheral vision, she could sense them following her. 1... 2... 3... there were three of them! Sh**! Her knees were already wobbling but she kept going! As their shadows were about to close in on her, Eun Young was startled to hear someone scream from behind.
"AAAGHHHH!! SH**!" The sound of bones cracking followed afterwards. Eun Young bravely turned around to look and a few feet away from her, a neatly dressed man was twisting the wrist of one of the drunk men. The man's grip was hard that a single wrong move would definitely lead to dislocation. The three men look terrified. It was as if they knew already that this person was not one to mess with. "Get lost." The man coldly said before letting him go. The three men wasted no time as they immediately scurried away.
The strange man approached Eun Young. Now in her head, this wasn't just a person. He was her savior! "Are you okay?" He asked but there was no concern in his voice at all. Eun Young slowly nodded. She was still making up her 'thank you' speech in her mind when suddenly, he began to walk past her. She wanted to stop him, to thank him and ask for his name, but she was hesitant that he might not even turn to answer her.
He was not yet far so Eun Young caught a glimpse of the thesis book he was holding. 'College of Business Administration.' That was her only clue. Perhaps they would meet again one day and maybe then, she could thank him. One day.
---
Eun Young's eyes fluttered open. That was such a strange dream. No. Rather, it was a memory. Before she knew it, tears began to well up in her eyes again. It used to be such a wonderful memory. But now, even thoughts of him are enough to make her heart bleed all over again.