Elsewhere. | A Lizkook AU

24.

A roaring headache greeted her solemn morning. Her mind had gone a little numb from the silent cries in her journey when she reached home too early in the morning. She would've thought that it's done trying but no, the effects of grief had now taken over.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Her father puts down the newspaper when she took her seat at the dining table. The visible frown on the old man's forehead reflects concerns, perhaps towards her pale face and unflattering eye-bags.

"Nothing an aspirin can't fix, daddy," She forced an assuring smile. "I should be asking how you're feeling. Mommy told me you've been sick?"

"I have?"

"Ahh you're up!" Her mother came in from the kitchen, bringing a bowl of rice porridge and places it on the table.

"What's this? You make breakfasts now?" She giggled. Her mother is always going to be the best homemaker in her mind but when it comes to cooking...let's just say that her father is the Master Chef of the house!

"He complained that there aren't much ingredients to do anything. It's partly your fault for not telling us that you're coming back yesterday - I could've gone to the market!"

Ahh yes...well, I didn't plan on walking into my boyfriend's office to find him with another girl either and I guess...yes, everything is on me. She laughed off the sinking bitterness off instead.

"What are your plans today?"

Sleep. Lots of sleep. Lisa felt like her body had been slammed through a concrete wall and flown all the way home to be honest. Everything aches.

"I just wanna stay home...rest. I think I forgot how my bed feels like,"

"Oh but I already told your aunts that you're back! They're so happy - they're visiting later,"

The annoyed groan almost left her throat. I haven't even walked the entire house yet and now I have to entertain??

"Mommy...I'm really tired. Can you tell them to come tomorrow?"

"Sure, dear. We understand, don't we?" Her father stopped the incoming protest from her mother and she can't thank her lucky stars enough that he did.

"I told Sorn you're coming back but I haven't updated her that you're here -"

"Mommy," She sighed again. "Can you not tell any of my friends that I'm here? I just want some time to rest...please. I'll call them myself when I feel better,"

When she got back to her room, her phone is fully-charged and switched back on. There are a couple of messages coming in - from the welcoming local networks to her 3 precious friends - and her heart beats faster when Jungkook's name appears more than once. The gadget rings and she picks it up to hear the sound of a prompter.

You have one voice message: "Hi baby, it's me. I'm rushing back to Busan now and will probably come back tomorrow. I wanna see you...I really need to see you. I'm sorry for not replying before, I really miss you. I uh...I'm almost at the airport now. I'll call you later yeah? I love you."

Tears started falling again when she heard his voice. The last that she heard it was that night, when she created the mess and her apologies were cut short. He didn't sound as cold as that night. He even called me 'baby'. Perhaps the hate he had for my actions dissipated by the touch of that woman - whoever she is. She must've 'treated' him so well in a single night, for him to sound so stressed-free like this!

'I love you'. How easy it was for them to say it...while I had to be forced - bounded by my own guilt to even realize it! Some people are just so lucky, aren't they? She gasps for a little more air. The stills in her room is suffocating and she felt like a stranger in an unknown land. I should feel the safest in my own home, why do I feel so shitty now?