An honest lie | Kim Taehyung (editing*)

- Rough day -

XXVIII

Eda shut the door of her car after parking it in her garage. She stretched her neck from side to side feeling the uncomfortable numb soreness clenching her nape while releasing a worn-out sigh hoping it would ease her exhaustion.

She swiftly fixed her long black coat, adjusting the hoodie of her sweatshirt as she made her way out of the closed space, to the open area of her neighborhood. The cold breeze caressed her swollen face, which had written 'tiredness' all over it making her squint her eyes to adjust to the change of weather.

She loved winter. Somehow the stars would appear more visible in this period, shining bright on the night sky.

After closing the metal door of the garage, she slowly dragged her feet towards her building, but halted after hearing her stomach growling. Only then did she realize she hadn't eaten all day long. She had been so busy that her mind was automatically deprived of any human need she would feel in this kind of state. Except for tiredness apparently.

That mear thought had her scoff to herself in annoyance wondering why would her body play tricks on her with a paradoxical hidden meaning on her focused capacity to keep her alive during an entire day without even a drop of water. No wonder she would feel dead by the end of it.

Just then her phone buzzed in her pocket notifying her of a message reserved. She took it and swiped it open only to see Aanya's name flashing on the screen.

Chat

Aanya:
Are you home?

Eda:
Just about to head inside.

Aanya:
Did you eat?

Eda's mouth shrugged at the mother-like message she just read feeling annoyed but secretly warm by it.

Eda:
Yeah.

Aanya:
😑

Eda:
What's with the face?

Aanya:
You didn't...

Eda:
Stop mothering me

Aanya:
If I don't mother you, who will?

Eda rolled her eyes ignoring her friend and putting her phone back in her pocket.

Now then she thought she had many options. Since the fridge was practically empty the last time she tried to find anything substantial to eat, she only had to go to the grocery store and buy some unhealthy frozen delicacy. Like pizza. Or maybe even cheese puffs.

If only the grocery store was open.

The closed sign on the small store's glass window just across the street from her building made Eda shut her eyes and release a resigned breath. She looked at the time in her phone and acknowledged the fact it was reasonably too late for it to be still open.

What now?..

Her eyes scanned the deserted area. Another reason why she liked winter, and especially the night: fewer people. But her hunger didn't let her enjoy the silence as it started to irk her a lot. But as she was about to give up, her attention fell on Namjoon's pub at the other side of the road. Just like that, her memory infiltrated the words spoken by detective Kim when he offered to pay for a meal the next time they would see each other.

For a split second, she found herself remembering his deep voice and how it would sound kind of pleasant to her ears, or anyone's at this point. Once she realized her own thoughts she shook her head and focused back on her need for food. She remembered she once went to Namjoon's pub and bought herself a veggie burger. It didn't take long before she slowly strode towards it, famished just at the thought of its delicious taste.