Bits and Pieces (One-shots)

Episode 22: The Unbosoming That Led To Dating

24th of September, 2018

"Hyo Jin, I'm scared," I uttered in a whisper over the phone. I'm currently on a call with one of my closest friends, Hyo Jin. I heard her sigh, right before she spoke.

[Yejin-ah, what are you afraid of? He's a man of principles. He may be a well-known man, but he has a good image when it comes to women even in his past relationships.]

Indeed, I also believe so. I wouldn't deny how I've come across and heard about this man's dating news. "But that's not what I'm scared off, eonnie."

[Then what is?]

"I'm scared if I could show back a person's love or even admiration just as much. I'm afraid of the fact that I would risk the chance of being with a great man like him; for dating someone could only take you to two paths: either you end up breaking up and never talk to each other again, or have him as your partner for the rest of your life."

Many times I thought if I'd be willing to take that risk. I value friendship way differently than how I value other things. In this industry, it's hard to find a person who you can truly call a friend. And this man; Bin-ssi, has been a great friend to me all these months. Despite all the subtle hints he showed me, I believe he valued me as a friend first before he liked me.

[Then how would you know the endgame if you won't risk yourself, and do it? Besides Yejin-ssi, we're not getting any younger now.]

Well, she has a point. Hyo Jin-ssi's certainly right.

"Eonnie, I hate how I can't stop thinking about him. I hate how despite my age, being asked how my day went, or being reminded for my meals would make me feel so moved, and make me giddy as if I was a teenager. I hate how I tend to think sometimes if what I'm feeling towards him was something more, or was it just because of how he treated me that made me like him?" I bowed my head and shook it as if she could see me. "Despite all these, I hate that even with all this hatred, I loved the feeling as well." I muttered to her my frustrations, each one of them.

For a few seconds, I heard nothing but silence. "Hyo Jin-ssi?"

[Are you in love?] She asked right when I called her name.

Too quick to process, all left for me was to utter "Am I?" Could it be love? Already? That fast?

[Only you will realize that, Yejin. Just like I said earlier, you just have to remember that the more you avoid yourself from falling, the more you'll be in danger.]

"Hyun Bin-ssi is a man I don't want to lose in my life."

[If that's what you want, then stop being afraid and take a step. Risk your chances for you to find out how it will work. Yejin-ssi, I know you. And hearing your sentiments right now; through all the years of our friendship, this was the first time I've heard you like this. This is the first time you asked me about love. This was the first time I heard you question yourself.] She giggled then, [asking yourself if you're in love? So unusual of you, Yejin.]

"Eonnie, ottoke?"

[Walk through your own phrase, Yejin. I believe no one's pressuring you, not even him, for those feelings to level up.] She paused, [Ah, I was just suddenly reminded of this song I love to listen to from my past drama.}

I laughed at that remark, "How and why are you remembering that song at the moment?"

[That's probably the reason why your words seem familiar to me. Yoon Mi Rae. I Love You. The one from It's Okay That's Love.]