**Mina is at the kitchen checking if everything and everyone is doing well when Ryujin approached her.**
Ryujin: I know you’re expecting someone tonight, but I didn’t know he’ll be here sooner.
**It’s only five-thirty in the afternoon, and Ryujin thought, he’ll be here at least by seven or eight in the evening. Mina’s even confused about how early Bam is.**
Ryujin: Five thirty. Didn’t you tell him what time he should be here? You know we’re serving lots of guests during this hour.
**Mina rested the bowl on the table and sighed.**
Mina: Will you finish this?
** Ryujin rolled her eyes. She’s not in the mood for anything since she’s a bit tired today. Another bunch of guests came in early this afternoon and sitting even just for a minute is an impossible thing to do.**
Ryujin: What choice do I have?
Mina: Hey! I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you one of these days I promise. Maybe treat you an ice cream?
**Then she rubbed Ryujin’s left arm to make it more personal. The reference about the ice cream seemed to change Ryujin’s mood. It made her smile.**
Ryujin: Why not with a glass of vodka?
**Mina was already on her way to the door when she heard Ryujin spoke again.**
Mina: You’re still young for it, but I’ll think about it.
**She shouted since it’s kind of loud at where they are.**
Ryujin: Not a kid anymore, you know.
**She mumbled under her breath. Not intended for Mina to hear it. Then she prepared the salad that Mina left with her.**
*****
**Mina saw Bam sitting at the same table they used to sit in earlier. His eyes were scanning the entire floor. Maybe amazed by how beautiful the place is. And couldn’t believe that his childhood friend is now managing this high-end hotel.**
**She took a deep breath and tried her best to wear a smile on her face. There’s no point in sulking anyway.**
Mina: Uhm… sorry. I’m in the kitchen, you know. Need to be handy with everything here.
**Then she scanned the entire room, too, just like what Bam did a minute ago.**
**Bam jumped from his seat to properly greet Mina. And together with his greetings is a bouquet of red roses that he immediately handed to her.**
Bam: Sorry if I’m early. I have nothing to do in my room, so I decided to visit you at this hour, instead. Well, I can see that there are lots of guests so I’m sure you’re busy in the kitchen. You can go ahead and do your thing. I’ll be fine here. Maybe I’ll walk around or whatever.
**Mina suddenly felt guilty. Bam’s words were so kind and thoughtful while all she gives him is the rude side of her. Then she pulled the chair opposite Bam and took a seat.**
Mina: It’s fine. I mean, yeah there’s a lot of work today, but I guess I could spend several minutes with you while you’re having coffee. What do you think?
**Bam smiled broadly. He’s happy to see Mina sitting in front of him even before dinner. He knows that bugging her at this hour isn’t a great idea, but he really wanted to see her regardless of what she’s doing.**
Bam: Thank you.
**He was staring at her, amazed by how refined and gorgeous she turned into. And he hopes that Mina finds him attractive, too. **
Bam: So… how are you? I mean, all these years.
**Mina fixed the right sleeve of her shirt before she answered. She’s trying to focus on him, but she couldn’t. Her attention keeps on slipping into something else. What’s going on with me? She thought.**
Mina: Hmm… fine, I guess.
Bam: Well, I can see that. Look at this place, it’s amazing. And you run everything here?
Mina: Yeah… Uhm… Ryujin’s helping me. She’s been very helpful ever since. Someone I could really rely on.
Bam: You mean… your sister? The little girl who sits on your porch to watch us play outside?
**Mina nodded and let out a short smile. He still remembers her. She thought.**
Mina: Yeah. She’s the one who served you your breakfast earlier.
Bam: Oh… really? Sorry I didn’t recognize her.
Mina: It’s fine. No one introduced her to you, so how will you know, right?
**Bam pressed his lips and nodded. He couldn’t take his eyes off to this lady in front of him. He’s thankful that he decided to fly from Canada to visit her. Well, thanks to Sana who sent her a message a month ago. That message gave him the courage to follow his heart, and that’s coming back to where he met the first girl who made his heart flutter.**
Bam: Right.
**He paused for a while. Thinking of how to ask the questions running in his head.**
Bam: So… I heard the news. I mean… I know it’s already a year, and I’m kind of late to give my condolence.
Mina: It’s okay. Well, you and Jeong never met, so…
**It doesn’t matter. She wants to add, but then stopped herself.**
Mina: So, it’s totally fine. And if you’re wondering if how am I, I’m doing great right now. It’s been a year already, and day by day I’m getting better.
Bam: Good to hear that, Mina. I’m glad that you’re already doing all right.
Mina: So… you, how are you?
Bam: You mean… you’re still wondering why I’m here, right? Well, I have no reason to come back, that’s the truth. But whenever I recall our last conversation. It always makes me want to run back here and see you.
**Mina’s eyebrows met. What was our last conversation, Bam? She has no single clue of what it was. It’s like her memory somewhat deleted the things that aren’t important to her.**
**Bam abruptly realized something… that Mina could no longer remember the last things they talked about. And knowing that she erased him on her memory kind of hurt him.**
Bam: You… you don’t remember, don’t you?
**His voice was soft, almost whispering every word. Mina shifted her gaze to the edge of the table to avoid Bam’s stare. She suddenly felt uncomfortable, and she doesn’t know which one’s the reason for it. Is it the fact that she had forgotten their last conversation or just Bam sitting in front of her?**
Mina: Hmm… kind of. I’m sorry.
Bam: Right. Well, I can’t blame you anyway. We’re both young that time, and I’m sure… anyway. Why don’t we, start making new memories?
**That remarks somewhat caught Mina’s attention. So, she returned her gaze to Bam, who’s struggling if he’ll smile at his question or not. Maybe he’s also thinking if Mina’s still up for their unfinished business back when they were still kids.**
Mina: I’m… I’m not sure what you mean about that.
Bam: Oh… I’m just thinking if we could… know each other again? I know it’s all of a sudden. Me coming back here and asking you so casually about this. But all these years Mina, I have never met someone that I’ll patiently wait for.
**Mina isn’t sure what to tell Bam. That I’m sorry but he has no room in her heart anymore? That she’s already preparing a space for someone? How would she break it to him? He flew miles and miles just to see her, and isn’t it rude to just break his heart that way?**
Bam: Well, if you’re not ready to let someone enter your life yet, Mina, that’s fine with me. I’ve already waited twelve years for this moment. So, waiting for another lifetime wouldn’t be an issue for me.
Mina: I didn’t… I didn’t know you’re still clinging to whatever happened to us before, Bam. It’s been over a decade. You’ve grown up and me, too. I’ve already discovered something new to myself and I’m sure you, too.
**Bam leaned forward, resting his elbows at the table and hugging his arms.**
Bam: Are you…
**He knew what it meant. But he couldn’t accept it yet. Isn’t it too early to surrender? What if she’s just saying it because she hasn’t moved on yet. What if she just needs some time before she could allow someone to enter her life again? I’m willing to wait, Mina. He repeated to himself.**
Bam: I mean, I’m not in a rush. Maybe just allow me to express what I feel for you. And I promise I won’t ask anything in return.
**He still believes that one day Mina would say yes to him. That she’ll open her heart for someone again. And if that happens, he wants to be the first person she’ll see when she’s ready.**
Mina: Uhm… the thing is… I’m already seeing someone. I hate to… break this thing to you. You’ve just arrived this morning, and telling me the reason you’re here kind of breaks my heart, too. I feel like you’ve wasted your time coming here for me. Yet here I am, telling you that I’m already seeing someone.
**Indeed, it breaks Bam’s heart. Mina already said no even before he could do something for her. He felt it’s a bit unfair to just turn him down without giving him a chance to do what he thinks will make her feel special.**
Bam: I… I thought you’re just busy with the hotel. Sana told me you’re not seeing someone yet after what happened to your… fiancé.
**His tone changed into something more… impatient. And Mina noticed the hurt and disappointment immediately. She feels sorry for disappointing him. But she has no choice other than to tell him the truth. It’s better than making him feel good for a moment and then break his heart after.**
Mina: I… I never thought I’ll be meeting someone this sooner, too. It happened unexpectedly, and we’re already having this special thing between us.
**Bam looked down. He could feel a lump blocking his throat and he hates it. He should stay calm and composed. He told himself.**
Bam: So… how long… how long you two have been going out?
Mina: Not a long time ago. We just met…
**Is it okay to say that we just met several days ago and that we already found a special place in each other’s hearts? She wants to answer his question right away. But thinking that it might hurt him, always gives her a second thought.**
Mina: Not that long though.
**Then she saw Bam nodded once, eyes still on the table, and breathing heavily.**
Bam: Hmm… I’m quite late, huh?
**Mina didn’t answer. She doesn’t think that she’ll give Bam a chance even if he arrives a week before she met the writer. She knows that even if Chaeng doesn’t exist, the way she looks at him won’t change. Just someone from the past, and nothing more.**
Bam: I just hope I listened to Sana and fly here a month ago. Maybe… maybe we’ll have a better start by then. Maybe… maybe you won’t meet this someone. And that maybe… I’ll be able to show you my true intention before you could even say no to me.
**Just “Maybe”, Bam. She wants to answer. But she doesn’t want to add another disappointment to him, so she stayed still and kept her silence. What really caught her attention is the thing that Sana told him. Are he and Sana talking constantly? Is she updating him about me? She’s no longer mad or something, it’s just she wants to know what they’re talking about, especially if it involves her.**
Mina: What… what did Sana told you a month ago? And… and are you two talking… regularly?
**Bam finally got the courage to stare back at Mina. But before he answered her, he straightened up first and leaned his back on his seat. He’s still upset, and still mad at himself for delaying his plan to fly here and visit Mina. It’s his fault and no one else. He thought.**
Bam: Not really. We only started talking last month after she sent me a message and then I asked her about you. She told me that… that you’re not seeing someone yet. And that gave me the courage to come back and see you. But it seems like it’s no longer the case now.
**He pushed himself to smile. At least his tone is calmer now. And that made Mina feel a bit better.**
Bam: I just hope you won’t get mad at her. It’s not her fault. She’s just answering all my questions.
Mina: Hmm… I’m not mad or something. I guess, I already understand her. So, if she talked about me on you, I’m not blaming her anymore.
**It’s true. She’s no longer mad at her. Thanks to Ryujin and Chaeng for making her realize that maybe all Sana wants is for her to be happy again, instead of mourning for a long time.**
Mina: But isn’t it better if you… you sent me the message, instead of her?
**Bam stifled a laugh. He just realized that Mina’s right and whatever thing he did is so immature. How could a grown-up man do such things?**
Bam: You’re right. And I honestly regret it, you know.
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