"I swear to God if Tanya-ssi said no... Imma picks the knife..." Wei picks up the steak knife and pokes the air.
"What, you wanna stab her to death?"
"No. I'll stab the cake. Jeez, that choco drizzle is so fucking attempting-"
"You're this close to becoming a murderer, Wei..."
Everyone bursts into laughter.
"I'm glad she said yes. They have been together for so long, yet they are still madly in love," says Yunta. He glances at their manager who enjoys her romantic dinner with her now fiancee.
"Who could have thought that she could keep her relationship private for almost 8 years? She must be a pro in secret dating!" Wei snickers.
"What? You wanna learn the skill from her?" asks Fun.
"We have her successor here with us..."
Wei taps Jun's shoulder and gives him a meaningful smirk. Jun chuckles as he shakes his head in tiny.
"Jun is not even that pro. Almost everyone knows he is dating someone. The only thing that can match Jun and Tanya-ssi is they go for a secret outing. Hush hush," Yunta voices out his disagreement with Wei's statement.
"I wanna go publicly but I guess Karin isn't ready for that yet," says Jun. He watches her from afar. The lady is serving the couple while entertaining the guests at the same time.
Many things happened to her. Her road is not that bubbly and flowery.
"Is Noona alright now?" asks Yunta.
Jun can't answer the question. He keeps checking her from time to time. Ever since the incident, their lives have changed a bit. Karin is still in a state of recovery. She had a temporary memory loss. Right now, she can't remember many things. Including what happened for the past few months.
"She never asks anything ever since the accident. And I just go with the flow. The doctor said she could gain the fragment of her memories that she lost, but she never tried to," Jun glances at his friend. "And I dare not to touch that part," he continues. Tries to brush off those thoughts. What matters the most is Karin's happiness.
"At least she lives normally like she used to," says Fun.
"Thank God she still remembers this cafe. Or else we have to throw this party somewhere," Wei.
"The only thing that you care about is a free party!" Fun teases Wei.
"Who doesn't like free food??"
The table fills with laughter. Karin turns her head towards them. Jun held his glass high while smiling. She returns the toast with her coffee mug.
"So... When will you propose Noona?"
"Hah?" Jun backs off a bit.
"Come on, bro! Do you wanna let her hang like that? She is almost 40!" Wei nudges Jun.
Jun takes a deep breath, watching Karin from afar. His heart feels heavy every time he thinks about her. They are so in love now, something that he always wanted.
Yet, something doesn't feel right.
***
Jun can hear Karin's humming from the kitchen. She is washing dishes. Jun leans against the wall at the entrance of the kitchen.
The doctor's voice echoed in his ears.
The patient had severe head trauma but miraculously managed to survive...
Is it a blessing from Heaven, or a test for him?
"You know, instead of watching me and grinning like a silly goof, why don't you help me here?" Karin's voice makes Jun jump a bit in startled.
"How did you know I'm here?" he grins like a fool.
"Your perfume," Karin replies in short. She snatches a clean hand towel from the rack and wipes her hand.
Jun giggles and walks closer to Karin. He tucks some strands of her hair behind her ears.
"Jagi, are you tired?" he asks Karin softly.
"Hmm... Plus, I couldn't sleep last night..."
Jun frowns. His heart skips a beat.
"Why? Do you feel unwell?"
"No..." Karin puts both of her hands on Jun's shoulder.
"Then?" Jun slowly snakes his hand around her waist. Karin has a deep curved body. Her waist is her attraction. She's not too skinny like those dancer girls that Jun always sees during practice. But, Jun fell for her for what she is.
"You came home late last night..."
"Jagi, you didn't answer me yet..."
"I am answering, yeobo..."
"How am I connecting dots? What can I tangle between your sleepless night with me coming home late..." Jun frowns.
Karin stares Jun deep into his eyes. A very meaningful stare.
"Ah...." finally Jun got the point. He sheepishly smiles and pulls Karin closer.
"You miss me that much, huh? My adorable jag-"
Karin playfully smacks his head.
"You and your pervert brain!"
"Ow! What was that for??"
"You came home late last night and made noises! You know I'm a light sleeper!" Karin whacks Jun with her sharp gaze. She lets her hand drop from his shoulder.
"Ah... Here goes my romantic moment! I thought at least I get a kiss on the cheek, but instead, I got a slap on my head. My intelligence point is dropping by now..."
"You're lucky that I didn't kick your ass!"
"Spare me, madam!"
Karin chuckles. Watching Jun pout like a little duck is a good comedy for her. Slowly, she drew a smile on her face.
"Jun Seo-ah..."
Suddenly, she grabs his wrist and leans her face closer to the man. She looks at him as if she won't see him again forever. Jun takes aback. His cornea wavers while locking his gaze with Karin. He feels like walking on a sandy beach in a breezy wind but with a warm temperature.
"Thank you for everything..."
As Karin plants her kiss on his lips, he can feel the heat crawl under his skin. His cheek flushes pink with eyes rounded like a golf ball. This is not the first kiss between them. But, tonight, the kiss was somewhat different than before. It's spontaneous, yet not in a rush. At the same time, it's quite meaningful.
Karin lets Jun take the lead. She shuts her eyes tight, enjoying the dibs from him. However, every time she shuts her eyes, a fiery image distracts her. She tries to focus on the magical moment. So, she leaned her body even closer, feeling Jun's heart beating fast. And the warmth of his body. His scents boost her serotonin.
A safe place that belongs to her.
In eternity.