Chereads / Cuddle Room / Chapter 9 - Karma

Chapter 9 - Karma

Ga Eul stood in front of Hwan's room. This is Hwan's room at his father's house. The place where they used to often study together and spend their friendly time. The place where they laughed and exchanged stories was also the place where Hwan felt deep sadness, this room witnessed how Hwan was forced to be tied up and locked up.

Ga Eul took a deep breath. According to Hwan's request, Ga Eul wore their high school uniform and dressed up like she looked in high school. Ga Eul wears long, fake hair in a ponytail and wears glasses that she has kept in her cupboard for a long time. Ga Eul turned the doorknob to Hwan's room. She saw Hwan sitting on the bed, wearing the same uniform as her with the exact same hairdo when they were in high school. The IV tube is still attached to Hwan's hand.

Hwan's room was still as before, not even a single item had moved from its place. Their photos from high school are still displayed on the same table. Our smiles at that time were really cheerful. People say there is no such thing as friendship between men and women, but here we are, we are still good friends after going through various things. a photo from the photobooth that we took a week after we started being friends was displayed in a place that was easy to see and framed beautifully, even among the photos that Hwan displayed there was not a single photo of Ga Eun. only photos of Hwan with his mother when he was little, photos with his father, and photos of him with me.

"please sit down," said Hwan

"I haven't sleep in this room for a long time. I don't allow anyone to enter this room, including Dad. For me, this room is a time capsule," said Hwan

Ga Eul sat in the chair that Hwan had provided.

"Hello angel" said Hwan

Ga Eul smiled bitterly

"Angel, I want to tell you a story. About myself, the wounds I have, and the guilt that burdens me," said Hwan

"Can I hold your hand?" Hwan asked

Ga Eul pulled her chair closer and held Hwan's hand

"When you hold my hand, then we will go back to the past together. Close your eyes and we will remember together," said Hwan

Ga Eul and Hwan closed their eyes and remembered their past.

A few years ago

In the school cafeteria

Hye Na invites Ga Eul to have lunch together in the cafeteria. Soon Hwan also joined.

"Wow, it turns out that Ga Eul has the same taste as me," said Hwan as he put down a tray of food whose contents and arrangement were exactly the same as Ga Eul's.

"Why are you sitting here?" said Hye Na

"Oh, why? I met Ga Eul first," said Hwan, smiling at Ga Eul

"But she's my deskmate," said Hye Na, taking Ga Eul's hand

Hwan and Hye Na stare at each other and fight over Ga Eul

"Oh, it turns out you came in today" a familiar voice said

Ga Eul looked up, there was no mistaking the voice of her sister, Ga Eun.

Ga Eun was standing next to Ga Eul's table with her 2 friends.

"Girls, this is my sister, Ga Eul," said Ga Eun

Ga Eul stood up and greeted her sister's friend

"Go home alone, I have training. Tell mother," said Ga Eun

"Hi Hwan," said Ga Eun

Hwan just nodded briefly

Ga Eun felt a little embarrassed by Hwan's cold reply, she then left with her friend

"That's Ga Eun from class 3, right?" Hye Na said

"Ga Eul, starting today I won't let you go," said Hye Na while holding Ga Eul's hand

After school time

"Ga Eul, let's go home together" Hwan cheered

"Let's go home Ga Eul" Hye Na grabbed Ga Eul's hand

"Why is she coming home with you?" said Hwan who was also holding Ga Eul's hand

"Ga Eul, where is your house?" Hye Na asked

"I..." Ga Eul stammered

"Hye Na, let's go home, your father has picked you up," shouted Hye Na's friend

Hye Na pursed her lips

"Ga Eul, I'm going home first, next time I'll invite you to play at my house" Hye Na said goodbye to Ga Eul

"I'll go home first, Hwan," Hye Na said to Hwan while stomping her foot because she was annoyed

Ga Eul then walked out of the school followed by Hwan. Ga Eul continued walking to the bus stop while Hwan continued to follow her.

"why are you following me? Is your house in the same direction as mine?" Ga Eul asked

"Hmm, I don't know," said Hwan lightly

"I'm sorry if I made a mistake," said Ga Eul, bowing her head

"Eh, why do you say that?" Hwan said

"I don't want to be bullied by people at this school," said Ga Eul

Hwan took a deep breath and rubbed Ga Eul's head

"Keep your head up, I don't have that intention," said Hwan

Ga Eul slowly raised her head

"Come with me, I'll treat you to a meal," said Hwan

They sat in the shop, Hwan ordered teok and eomuk

"Looks like you were bullied at your old school, huh?" Hwan asked

Ga Eul didn't answer

"Hmm, do you want to hear my story?" Hwan asked

Ga Eul looked at Hwan

"My father is a psychiatrist, every day he will give me missions. "Like a psychological game," said Hwan

"and my mission today is to help the first person I met in school today," said Hwan

"So that's the reason I approach you all day" said Hwan

Ga Eul let out a long breath of relief

"Are you that relieved to hear my reasons?" Hwan asked

Ga Eul nodded and took a teok and ate it

Hwan looked at Ga Eul

"But I won't stop today, I will come to you every day," said Hwan

Ga Eul choked at Hwan's words

Since that day, Hwan and Ga Eul have become close friends with Hye Na at school and playmates after school. Hwan's father is very fun and often cooks food when Ga Eul goes to Hwan's house to play after school. As days go by, Eul and Hwan become closer, they have similar interests and preferences. On holidays they sometimes go to amusement parks or arcade games. Ga Eun, Ga Eul's older sister, began to notice a change in her sister's attitude, which was more cheerful than usual. One day Ga Eun followed Ga Eul after school.

Ga Eun looked from a distance, she saw Ga Eul entering a cafe, not long after she saw Hwan also walking into the cafe. Ga Eun suddenly felt jealous of Ga Eul and Hwan's relationship. How could his little brother be close to Hwan who didn't even pay attention to him?

Ga Eul entered her room and found Ga Eun sitting in her study chair.

"you are surprised me," said Ga Eul, putting down her bag

"Are you close to Hwan?" Ga Eun asked

"no?" Ga Eul said

Ga Eul feels that her relationship with Hwan is something she should hide from Ga Eun.

"Is that so?" Ga Eun asked

"Yes" Ga Eul hung up her blazer

"Okay then," said Ga Eun, she walked out of Ga Eul's room

The next day when Ga Eul and Hwan were doing homework at the cafe, Ga Eun came to the cafe too and approached Ga Eul.

"Ga Eul" Ga Eun pretended to be surprised

"Sister" said Ga Eul

"What are you doing?" Ga Eun asked

"We're doing homework, so hurry up and go," said Hwan

Ga Eun was surprised by Hwan's reaction. Ga Eun has been chasing Hwan since he was a new student. Now after a year has passed, Hwan is even interested in his sister who is clearly at a much different level than Ga Eun.

"Sorry, I'll go," said Ga Eun in a pretending sad tone

"Sister, sit down for a moment. Let's go home together," said Ga Eul

"Hwan, are you okay?" Ga Eul asked

"It's up to you," Hwan answered briefly

Ga Eun quickly sat next to Hwan and tried to approach him. But Hwan was cold. Then something happened that changed everything between them.

At that time, Ga Eun invited Ga Eul to watch her ice skating competition and asked Ga Eul to invite Hwan. At that time, Hwan only came because of Ga Eul's invitation. After the match Ga Eun changed clothes and met Hwan and Ga Eul.

"Ga Eul, please take this to mother," said Ga Eun, wanting to find time alone with Hwan

Ga Eul hesitantly walked away from the two of them

"Thank you for coming," Ga Eun said to Hwan

"Ga Eul invited me here," said Hwan

Ga Eun took out her cell phone and immediately took a selfie of herself and Hwan. Hwan was surprised.

He looked at Ga Eun.

"Please delete the photo," said Hwan

"Ah, the photo is nice," said Ga Eun

Hwan tried to snatch Ga Eun's cellphone and forced Hwan to stand too close and touch Ga Eun. Ga Eun took advantage of the opportunity and kissed Hwan on the lips. Hwan's eyes widened but Ga Eun aggressively continued to corner him.

Ga Eul stood in the distance watching everything.

That night Hwan called Ga Eul

"Ga Eul, your sister and I..." Hwan said trailing off

"Yes, I know, congratulations. Ga Eun has announced it to everyone. I hope you can treat my sister well. It's late, go to sleep." Ga Eul spoke quickly

"Ga Eul, I…" but Ga Eul had hung up the phone without Hwan having time to explain anything

A message arrives on Hwan's cell phone

"hwan, is this true?" Hwan's friend sent a post on Instagram

Selfie photo taken by Ga Eun with the caption "starting today, the first day"

Hinting that Hwan is dating Ga Eun. Hwan feels like he was really trapped by Ga Eun. Hwan, who is confused, suddenly has been in a relationship with Ga Eun for 2 weeks. Hwan lost Ga Eul. Ga Eul seemed to avoid and stay away from him. Meanwhile, his days are busy surrounded by Ga Eun. Initially Hwan wanted to break up with Ga Eun after one month so that she wouldn't be too embarrassed at school. The relationship, which wasn't natural from the start, was always filled with arguments and threats from Ga Eun that he would do stupid things if they broke up, and threats of how she would pressure Ga Eul if they broke up. Ga Eun is a very possessive person. Hwan felt tired, Hye Na even offered to help Hwan. However, Hye Na became the target of seniors at school. Ga Eun has a big influence that they didn't expect.

"If you break up with me I will give Ga Eul trouble," said Ga Eun

"You're crazy, aren't you?" Hwan asked

"Yes, I can't lose to her. You are only mine," said Ga Eun

In the end, Hwan gave up and chose to have a relationship with Ga Eun. The relationship lasted for 1 year. Hwan hopes Ga Eun will get bored of him if he continues to act coldly. However, Ga Eun, who was obsessed with Hwan from the start because she wanted to get recognition that she had succeeded in conquering Hwan and defeating her younger sister, continued to persist even though Hwan almost acted like a stranger rather than a boyfriend. For Ga Eun, Hwan is a trophy that no one else should have.

Ga Eun becomes a possessive person when she graduates from school and finds it difficult to meet Hwan. Then the accident happened and Ga Eun actually committed suicide for a different reason, at that time Hwan felt responsible and even worse.

Hwan and Ga Eul slowly opened their eyes

They stared at each other

"Why did we end up like this? I always feel angry and regretful. I was really stupid at that time. I lost someone who meant a lot to me. Not Ga Eun, but what actually makes me really hurt and anxious is the breakdown of our friendship. If I could go back in time. I will choose you, I will explain it a thousand times, because I have lost something very valuable to me," said Hwan

"I lost my best friend and left her alone, lonely. I saw your small back, walking home alone. I saw you sitting in that cafe alone, but I was too scared to meet you. Too many cowardly things make me angry and pile up without knowing what to do. When it's time for us to be together again, I still regret it continuously and it burdens me," said Hwan

"Ga Eul, I'm sorry for leaving you. I've earned my karma. I was dating Ga Eun without any feelings, I had fooled myself, and confirmed that feelings could grow by themselves. I kept my distance from you, until when we got back together I still couldn't be like before. I feel like Ga Eun's death was my fault," said Hwan

"The day before Ga Eun was injured, we had a big fight. Ga Eun felt like I didn't love her, and after holding it in for a long time I finally told her the truth. I said that I didn't love her, that I stayed with her only to fulfill my promise to you and that I didn't want Ga Eun to hurt you because of me. I shouted at her, I said that I hated her because she kept pressing me."

Ga Eul hugged Hwan, from the start for Ga Eul Hwan was a friend. For Ga Eul, Hwan has a special place in her heart. Different from her feelings for Jin An. Hwan is a friend while Jin An is a feeling of love.

"Hwan, I forgave you a long time ago and Ga Eun's death was not your fault. Therefore, let go of your burden, fly again like before," said Ga Eul

"At that time we were just high school students, we were still immature in our thinking. The past is the past, we can't change anything. But the future still exists and we can still fight for beautiful things. I don't want you to suffer anymore because of me and Ga Eun. Therefore, Hwan, I forgive you, come back to me like before."

Hwan let go of Ga Eul's hug

"Ga Eul, I will go to Germany with my father. I will enjoy my time there well. And…" Hwan pulled Ga Eul's hand to his chest

"I am your last client" Hwan's tears flowed, as did Ga Eul's. They both cried healing each other's wounds.

After they calmed down enough, they took a photo together wearing their uniforms, Hwan's father was happy to take their photo.

A week later Ga Eul took Hwan and his father to the airport. Ga Eul hugged Hwan

"Promise me that when you come back you will be better"

"I promise," said Hwan

"oh yeah, you don't need to hide your relationship with Jin An from me. Song Hwan has always been on Cho Ga Eul's side from the beginning." Hwan rubbed Ga Eul's head like the first time he rubbed Ga Eul's head many years ago.