A calm breeze at the start of spring. Everyone chattering and gossiping away, as they moved quickly towards their respective departments and classes. Teachers, students, administrators, everyone is hurrying as the school bell tolls.
"Aww, it's so nice seeing you again, oppa!"
"Oppa, can we hang out later? Just you and me?"
"Hey, stop it. Wooyoung-oppa, you promised that you're going with me today at the library, right?"
Wooyoung just stood there, flustered, scratching his head. In good timing, Yeosang and Jongho pushed him immediately saying that they're late for class, and to stop talking to girls who are his junior.
Jung Wooyoung, 24 years old, will be graduating by the end of February. He wanted to take a medical course but his parents could not afford the tuition fee and he wasn't exactly the type to be granted a scholarship, hence he took Marketing Management.
"Well, you're really good with numbers and logic anyway," Yeosang told him during his first day at the university.
"Nah, you just don't wanna be alone with Jongho, 'cause you like each other so much," Wooyoung replied with a tease.
Now, they are at their last semester, and they can go off in a month's time. The thing is that, they were strictly asked to attend a subject every Thursday and Friday at 1-4pm. It was an English as a Second Language program. It was a minor optional subject, but essential to those who wants to pursue a career abroad. For fun, Wooyoung enlisted himself, thinking that Yeosang and Jongho would also enlist.
"WHY DID YOU NOT?!"
"Eh," Jongho looked up, "Because I don't need it? I mean, I came from an international school, so I already know basic English."
"AND YOU?!"
"I'm not going abroad. You know that."
Wooyoung then cursed the both of them, but he had no choice, as his name was already included in the class list. He even paid for it, and he knew that there's a 'no refund' policy.
"Tomorrow is the start of the ESL program, so I will be late."
"Okay, then," Yeosang said, "We will be at MATZ's café."
"Sure. Oh by the way, I'm meeting up with you-know-who."
"Make sure that he's doing okay. He looks like he hasn't eaten a lot ever since their thesis defense."
Wooyoung laughed.
He knew those remarks by Yeosang and Jongho are nice but meaningless. He never trust what they say, as he never like reassurance nor compliments. It gave him a sense of doubt. He knew they mean well, but that doubt crept in like shudder on your back. Maybe that is why he never complains, even if he thinks that his partner was off.
His partner.
There he was.
"How was your first day?"
"So far, it's doing well," Wooyoung exclaimed, "I have at least eight subjects, counting that ESL program shit."
"Hahaha, I told you, don't enlist there."
"I thought you would be there, too!"
"And why would I be enlisting my name there?"
"Because… I am there?"
"That's too ambitious now, ain't it?"
Wooyoung smiled, but those words resonated how he was correct with every hunch and sense of distrust he has with his partner.
"So, where do you wanna eat?"
"Hmm… It's your pick today, Yeonjun-jagiya…"
-0-
"I hate the steak here, but their roasted chicken is fine."
Wooyoung ended up choosing the restaurant as Yeonjun was irritated by the clinginess that he showed earlier.
"Also, next time," Yeonjun said as he was chewing his food, "Make sure to reserve a VIP room. You know that we cannot be out in the open like this."
Wooyoung looked at Yeonjun. They had been like this for almost a year now. What bothers most Wooyoung was that, he never tells him about his day openly unless you ask him. He also never say anything unless you ask him. He realized that he's dating a person who doesn't bother if you trust him or not, as long as he does what he does, and you do what you do.
"Can you please stop sulking?"
"Huh…what?" Wooyoung looked at Yeonjun. The latter sighed and threw the utensils on the plate lightly. Still the sound of it was enough to make the other people look at them and talk.
"Next time, if you liked those girls who are asking you out earlier, just go with them, instead of looking like I did something wrong to you."
"Hey, Yeonjun-"
"I'm leaving, take care of the bill."
"Yeonjun!
With that, Wooyoung was alone. A hint of bitterness, he drank his wine and slouched. He wanted to cry but could not. He just can't, even if it was a public space. He had already cried too much about Yeonjun that he doesn't really feel the loneliness anymore whenever he has these outbursts.
"You okay?"
Wooyoung looked up and saw a stranger just sat down in front of him.
"Excuse me, I don't know you, so-"
"I think that's the best thing in this situation," the stranger concluded, "I am someone whom you don't know, but I can listen if you want to pour you heart out."
Wooyoung's eyebrows met, and he frowned at the statement given by this person.
"What I mean is that, you can rant whatever you wanna rant, right now, because tomorrow you will never see me again."
"What the fuck," Wooyoung laughed with his hands clapping, "Alright, I'll take this opportunity. But can we go somewhere without too many people?"
"Would a walk towards the river sounds good?"
Wooyoung nodded and smiled, trying to fight back the tears in his eyes.
-0-
"So, let me get this," the stranger stopped at his tracks, "You are in a relationship with a guy, whom you know cannot be trusted, but still stay because the sex is just too damn good making you asking for it over and over?"
"I thought you said no judging?"
They both laughed as they looked towards the river. A calm evening breeze with a hint of cherry blossom fragrance, as it is almost time for them to show.
"And you don't trust your friends, because you know that they are just being respectful with your decisions and try to be civil with you and your partner. Yet you know they are bullshitting it since they hate your partner."
"I mean, you saw him, right?"
The stranger shrugged. "I may see him but I don't like jumping into conclusions with anybody. If I wanna know someone better, I start with trying to see them everyday, hoping for a glimpse of them, and my day will be complete."
"Ew," Wooyoung said disgustingly, "Too ancient."
"No judging!"
They both laughed again, and the stranger looked at his wristwatch.
"Oh, damn, it's already 10pm."
"Oh shit, for real?" Wooyoung looked at his phone, and sure enough it was 10:12pm.
"You should head home," the stranger said, "You look like you have a class tomorrow."
"Yeah," Wooyoung put a hand forward, "Thank you for the company."
"Thank you for trusting me."
-0-
"The ESL program is an optional minor subject that enhances our students' capability in using the English language. Taught in American English, our student can blah blah blah, this brochure is too long."
Wooyoung just arrived. He saw that the teacher was not yet around. He tries to look for a seat which was available. Yet saw that the only people he knows were the three girls bugging him the other day, and the group of guys who beat up someone in their group because they found out he was gay. There was a seat by the left aisle.
The door opened and the class instantly behaved themselves on their seat.
Except Wooyoung.
His eyes widened and accidentally dropped his bag.
"You…" Wooyoung whispered.
"Mr. Jung, please take the seat by the aisle. My name is Choi San, I will be your instructor for your ESL program."