His eyes were slanted, slightly swollen. His cheeks were red from the alcohol. His full lips, like chicken gizzards, were unmistakable. He was a college student from the university I work at. But judging by Salin's reaction, he didn't know who I was.
— How do you know my name? Oh, you know who I am? Cool. Can you take me home, cutie? — he said, poking the tip of his nose.
— Don't touch me!
— But you're holding me by the waist, silly. — He smiled, leaning even further back. — And of course, I can touch you!
That was true, and somehow, it didn't really bother me.
— I don't know where you live, Park. I'm busy. Have a good one. — I let go of him and turned back to my car.
Did he just call me cutie?
— No, you can't leave me here! — Salin yelled. — It's your duty to take me home! It's dangerous to stay here alone! There are gangs around!
I was set on ignoring his words, but the people around started moving again.
— Sir, you hit him! It's your responsibility to take care of him if you know him! — yelled a woman at the bus stop.
I glanced at the phones in their hands, ready to take a picture. Anything like that could cause me trouble.
— Fine, Park-shi — I said finally, and Salin smiled, showing his teeth and squinting his eyes. He's cute, I admit. — Hurry up! It's late, I still have work to do...
I looked in the direction of my club. Then, I checked the time. While I thought about what I should do, Salin had already gotten into my car.
With these people here, maybe I didn't have much of a choice.
— Don't puke! — I said, worried. I didn't know how much he'd drunk or if he was on something.
— Where do you live?
— In Korea.
— Neighborhood, apartment?
— Why do you want to know? Can't bring kittens to my place.
— I want to know where, so I can drop you off at your door! Tell me where, damn it!
— In Korea!
No idea where Park Salin lived, I figured if he wakes up tomorrow, he'll probably be surprised, but once he recognizes me, he might calm down.
— Where are you taking me? What is this place? — he said as I helped him walk down the hallway, heading toward my apartment.
— This is my house. I don't know where you live, and you can't say, so you'll stay the night here — I yelled, as soon as I opened the door, he walked through the house and quickly disappeared toward my room. — Tomorrow, when you feel better, go home yourself! — I yelled again.
I might have sounded irritated by the tone of my voice, because Salin appeared again, showing an incredulous expression that even made him look sober.
— You're younger than me, stop talking informally. — And then he disappeared from my sight again.
I was surprised. Salin was undeniably older than me, and even drunk, he judged this fact correctly. After following him, I found him sitting on the floor of my room, resting his head on the bed.
— Park, get up. — At college, when he wasn't sleeping, he was focused on his studies and surrounded by good friends. I never imagined I'd find him drunk. I couldn't help but smile again; everything about this man seemed to mess with me in an inexplicable way. Which makes no sense at all.
I lifted him, holding him by the arm, intending to take him to the guest room.
— Where are you taking me? This is my room, let me sleep! — He started to squirm in my arms. Despite his insistence, I was very used to dealing with stubborn people; this wasn't difficult. However, the smaller one grabbed my neck. I was caught off guard in a headlock, it startled me, and he kept the pressure on me. — Let me sleep here! — he said, trying to threaten me.
— This is my room! — I retorted, trying to break free from his grip.
— Doesn't matter — he then let go of me and lay down on the bed. — I'll sleep here!
I watched the guy in front of me, lying sideways on my bed. Salin, within seconds, had fallen asleep.
He slept with his mouth slightly open. He moved a lot and took up space; he wasn't the type of person who let their companion sleep in peace.
I refrained from continuing to watch; I still had some work to do.
Salin hadn't been going to college this week. I imagine something more serious must be going on.
I went to the dresser in my room, grabbed a motion-sensing camera, and turned it on. That way I could leave my apartment and still keep an eye on Salin.
As I passed the bathroom, I thought about cleaning up, but in the end, I didn't feel dirty. I washed my hands out of habit and headed to my last task.