**Chaeng couldn’t believe that the girl Ryujin was talking about was the pretty girl in the bookstore. Well, recalling how she looks kind of makes her agree that this girl is indeed pretty. And whoever will see her walk on the street will surely turn their heads towards her. But she finds Ryujin pretty too, so why worry about getting ignored or something?**
Chaeng: Hmm… why don’t we visit the bookstore tomorrow? And introduce yourself to her?
Ryujin: What? No!
**The situation suddenly shifted. It’s now Ryujin who’s having this surprised reaction, and couldn’t believe that the author is daring her to visit the girl from the bookstore.**
Chaeng: Why not?
Ryujin: There’s no way I’ll go there with someone, hence, introduce myself. It’s worse than me introducing myself alone.
Chaeng: Hmm… but I want to visit the bookstore tomorrow. I saw an interesting book there, and it happens that I forgot to buy it earlier ‘cause Mina and I were a bit busy talking about some stuff, you know. Would you like to go with me?
**Ryujin whirled to her, which makes half of her body face Chaeng’s direction.**
Ryujin: You’re just luring me. You know I love books and I’m always intrigued by your choices.
**Chaeng shrugged while she plays the empty can in her hand. It’s true. She’s luring her by telling her that she forgot to buy something at the bookstore. But she meant no harm. She just wants to help Ryujin to introduce herself to that girl at the bookstore. What’s wrong with that? She thought.**
Chaeng: Well, it’s not my fault if the girl you like is in that bookstore, right? Whether she’s working there or not, I still need to drive to the bookstore to buy the book I’m telling you.
**She paused and stared at Ryujin with a poker face.**
**Ryujin circled again to stretch her body once more. She’s right. It just so happened that the girl behind the counter is working at that bookstore and it’s not Chaeng’s fault if the book she wants to read was also at that place.**
Ryujin: Fine! How could I say no to you? You’re my favorite… and now soon-to-be sister-in-law.
**The last phrase she said kind of tickled Chaeng’s heart. It instantly made her smile and washed off the uncertainty that she felt earlier. “Sister-in-law” she repeated in her head. She didn’t only repeat it once, but several times until she gets used to it.**
Chaeng: Are you sure?
**She giggled. She giggled not to tease Ryujin at the thought that they’ll see the girl in the cash register again. She giggled ‘cause she still feels giddy about the “sister-in-law” remarks that she got from Ryujin earlier.**
Ryujin: Yeah, and please don’t make fun of me.
Chaeng: Hey! I’m not. I’m just happy that you joined me here, and that we at least have a can of beer.
Ryujin: Well, me, too. I’m glad that we’re not talking because I’m taking your orders.
**Then both of them laughed. It might be the little alcohol they took that made them a bit… weird.**
Bam: Thanks for today.
**Chaeng and Ryujin turned their heads to their right in unison. It wasn’t clear who it is. They could only see his silhouette since he’s a foot away from the light. But what made them think that it was Bam is because Mina was directly standing at the lamp post above her, who was facing the guy who muttered those words.**
**Mina didn’t say a thing, instead, she just stood there, and the two couldn’t confirm if she nodded or what. The only clear thing that they’ve seen was the guy behind the shadow of the lamp post. He stepped forward and kissed her on her cheeks. Or is it somewhere else? Which made Chaeng’s eyes widened.**
**Why do guys such an asshole? She thought. Why on earth they just lean forward and kiss girls without even thinking if they want it or what? She didn’t notice that she’s shaking her head and squinting at the two from afar.**
Ryujin: Now I hate that guy! Why can’t he just gets that my sister doesn’t like him?
**Chaeng didn’t answer though she’s thinking the same.**
*****
**Ryujin called Mina after Bam pulled his car at the driveway. She purposely does so ‘cause she knows that the author and her sister need to talk after the good night kiss that they both witnessed several minutes ago.**
**Chaeng didn’t move on her seat while Ryujin stood up and carried the can of beer she finished awhile ago.**
Ryujin: I’ll let you two talk, okay?
**She mumbled to Chaeng.**
**Mina continued to pace towards the two, thinking if Chaeng is furious or what with what she saw. It’s not what I want. She’s already rehearsing those words in her head. But should she even need to explain it to her? It’s not like she’s the one who moved forward and did it. She was even surprised by what Bam did. Good thing she twitched a little that’s why his lips landed on her left cheek instead of on her lips. Shit! I wouldn’t let it happen again. She cringed at the thought of it.**
**Chaeng pulled another can of beer on her bag. She has no intention of drinking another one on the street, but she’s guessing that she might spend several minutes with Mina on the bench.**
**Mina filled in the space where Ryujin used to sit in.**
Chaeng: Want one?
**Chaeng offered the can she pulled from the bag, which Mina took without question. She already knew that Chaeng is upset. It shows clearly on her face.**
Mina: It’s not what you think it is.
Chaeng: Think what?
**She answered immediately. Of course, she already knew where it’s going, but she’d love to pretend that she doesn’t understand what she was saying.**
Mina: You know what I mean. I didn’t ask Bam to kiss me. I was even shocked that it happened. It’s like he caught me off guard.
Chaeng: Well, I’m not saying that you are. I mean, I’ve seen what happened. It’s not like you initiated it, so you don’t need to explain anything. Maybe I’m just hoping that at least he already knew where he should stand. You know.
**She chugged down her beer again while Mina stared at her.**
Mina: Uhm… yeah. We talked about it and I made everything clear to him that I already have someone. That I’m already seeing someone.
**Chaeng turned to her, smiling. She could now feel the heaviness of her head, and everything around her seemed to start dancing.**
Chaeng: Hmm… really? You told him that? What did he say?
**Mina stared down. Still feeling guilty for what she had caused Bam.**
Mina: He’s not okay with it. But I guess he’ll be okay sooner or later.
Chaeng: Right.
Mina: Anyway, have you had your dinner already?
Chaeng: I did. I ate the bento in the convenience store. Then I walked back here with this bag.
**She raised the brown bag that she laid on her side.**
Chaeng: I bought a half dozen of beer and a couple of bags of snacks.
**Mina nodded. She felt sorry that she wasn’t able to join Chaeng at her dinner. But she’s glad that she’s not upset or something.**
Chaeng: So… how are you? Ryujin said you’ve sat there for several hours.
**Mina suddenly feels tired. As if she’d moved in the kitchen the entire afternoon.**
Mina: I'm tired and I kind of have this feeling that I had a long night, you know. It’s not that I don’t want to entertain him. It’s just, three and almost four hours is a bit long to sit in front of someone that you don’t really want to spend your time with.
**Chaeng circled to her left and stared at the town lights. She’s more relaxed now than when Mina’s not on her side yet. It feels more serene when she’s there.**
Chaeng: I know. At least now he knows everything that he should know about you. That he won’t stand a chance.
*****
**Mina and Chaeng decided to rest after half an hour of sitting at the bench. She doesn’t mind spending more time with the writer, but Chaeng was already tipsy with the two cans of beer she took while stargazing. And she felt like she also needs to lie on her bed to release the exhaustion she felt the entire afternoon.**
**But before she shuts her eyes, she remembers that she promised herself to dial her best friend’s number. What if she’ll not do it at this moment, she won’t be able to do it tomorrow. There’s no perfect time for it, but at this hour.**
Mina: Uhm… Hello?
**She said softly as the person on the other line finally picked up the phone. She didn’t hear an answer, instead, a rustling sound of sheets greeted her.**
Mina: Hmm… I’m sorry.
**She knows that Sana’s still mad ‘cause if she doesn’t she would have greeted her with enthusiasm even though it’s already ten in the evening.**
Mina: I know that what you only want is to fill in the hole inside me. But you know, I guess I can mend myself on my own. I just need some time to heal. And… and I’m starting to be all right now. It’s true… I’m… I’m not just saying this just to convince you to not do anything for me.
**Shit! Are these the right thing to say? It’s so mindless, and I guess it will only heighten her anger for my not-so-good attitude earlier.**
**She paused. She paused ‘cause she’s giving Sana a chance to speak. She knows that her best friend also has a lot of things to say. But if she won’t talk tonight, she promised to call her again tomorrow. There’s no chance she’ll stop saying sorry until they understand each other on this issue.**
Sana: Uhm… sorry, too. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. You’re right, I should not meddle in your personal life.
Mina: No… you should not say sorry about that. You’re my best friend in the first place, so… so I guess you just did what you think is right for me. It’s just I’m too sensitive right now and it feels like everyone around doesn’t understand me.
**She interrupted, and she said it as fast as she could ‘cause she doesn’t want her to stop her from talking just like what she did to her.**
Sana: But what I did is still something not right, you know. I should have listened to what you need or what you want. Instead of just deciding that you need this so you’ll heal faster. I guess from now on, I’ll listen to you more. To what you need and to what you want for yourself. Besides, my duties are just to listen and guide you, right? That’s what best friends do? Support each other?
**Mina smiled though she knows that Sana won’t be able to see it. She’s glad that finally, they got this chance to talk even just behind their phones.**
Mina: Thank you! I mean… it means a lot to me that we’re finally okay with each other.
Sana: I’m happy with this too, you know. So… why don’t we sleep now? I’m so tired at the office. I attended so many meetings and I’ll still have a few ones tomorrow. I think I need a week of vacation.
**Mina giggled. Sana is as dedicated as she is. But her business is more exhausting than hers. So she understands if she thinks that she needs to take a break for a while.**
Mina: I told you to not overwork yourself, remember? We’re still young and we have lots of time to work in our businesses. Why don’t you fly somewhere to reset your mind?
**Mina heard another rustling sound and a heavy sigh. Indeed, Sana’s tired and needs to relax for a few days.**
Sana: It’s actually my next project… to take a vacation. And I’m hoping that my team won’t mind.
Mina: I guess they will understand if their boss is taking a break for a while.
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