The Stranger I Met at the Bar

Lights flashed the hue of summer sky all over the dining pub. The essence of garlic and pepper plunge through the soft melody. Drops of water drizzled on the window as the rain poured.

Min Jee froze while staring at Do Daewon. Her stupidity had brought her to her worst nightmare. Her face turned red when she remembered what she had done. She kissed his ex-boyfriend.

"You are my everything, the very air I breathe. Your love is all I ever need to know."

The singer sang the chorus, filled with emotion.

"Daewon? I thought you won't be able to make it here," someone said.

"I arrived a few hours ago from New York. I can't miss this event again," Daewon said without breaking his eye contact with Min Jee.

Her knees trembled as she walked out of the pub in a hurry. She escaped from the scene without knowing where to go and unaware of the chilly rain soaking her clothes. Her heart refused to stay in the same place where he was.

She's dumbfounded, letting her frizzy hair get messed up. Min Jee slipped and fell to the ground when the heels of her stilettos broke. She wept as she picked up her shoes.

The rain stopped pouring in her spot. She gazed up and a blue umbrella shaded her from the icy water. Min Jee stood up and turned around. A tall young man held the umbrella.

"We meet again," he said.

"Who are you?"

"You don't remember me? That hurt my feelings."

She crossed her arms.

"I don't have time for a small talk, Mr."

"Bartender. This face usually leaves a mark on everyone's memory. Oh, you were too drunk last time, that's why you can't remember."

She tilted her head until segments of recollection surged in her head. Min Jee blinked a few times and cleared her throat.

"Oh, that was you. So what?"

He lent the umbrella to her and stooped down to remove his sneakers. The bartender touched her bare foot and placed it inside his shoe.

"What are you doing?" she said.

"My feet are way bigger than yours, but it will protect your delicate toes."

"Why do you care?"

He stood up and gazed at her.

"Why wouldn't I? I'm in my right mind to help, even if it wasn't you. Kindness is normal."

"If you pity me, then don't."

She walked to the bus stop while he reached the umbrella above her head. Her phone beeped, showing Sun Hee's message.

"Where are you? You must be startled to see him. Are you alright?"

Min Jee sighed and replied, "I'm fine. I'm on my way home. Don't worry."

The bartender closed the umbrella and sat ten meters next to her.

"Are you a stalker?" she said.

"What? No way. Everything was a coincidence."

She didn't utter another word as an awkward silence filled the air.

"I know that face you're wearing right now," he said.

Min Jee was not in the mood to be friendly and remained quiet.

"That's the face of a lamenting soul. I made that face when the person I love died," he said in a low tone.

"I know that feeling, when the odds don't favor you. You feel like you're alone and no one else matters."

"When you're alive but dead inside?" she said.

He nodded.

"Sooner, you'll get out of that phase."

He pulled a handkerchief out under his jacket and gave it to her.

"I'm not crying. It's the rain," she said.

He smiled.

"Rain doesn't express emotion."

"I'm not sad."

"I know. It's tears of joy. The joy of seeing me again," he said.

Min Jee glanced at him, and an embarrassed smile formed on her lips. She grabbed the handkerchief from him and wiped her tears.

"Let me guess. It's all about that bastard. He caused you pain. You kept talking about him when you were drunk."

"He's my ex. He cheated on me and I didn't expect to see him earlier. He caught me off guard."

"I don't understand why people cheat," he said, with an innocent face.

Min Jee chuckled.

"Are you kidding me? It's nothing new. Love is imperfect."

"But love is faithful."

Min Jee gazed at him. She had never heard of a man saying those words with pure intent.

"If it isn't, then it's not love... or it's just me. I only love one person, but she died. Before she left me, we exchanged words we never dared to say."

She bit her lower lip as she sympathized with him.

"They say, someone is scripting our fate. If that's the case, I hate my creator."

"I'm the drama queen here. Are you the king?"

Both of them smiled.

"By the way, you look really familiar. I think I've seen you before, not just in the bar ," she said, changing the topic.

"You mean in your dreams?"

"Gosh, that's cringe."

The sound of the bus cut-off their conversation as it stopped in front of them.

"Ugh, I have to go," she said.

"I'll accompany you home."

"There's no need."

"I'm not asking for your permission," he said and went inside the bus.

"Hey."

Before she sat down, he removed his jacket and wrapped it around her.

"You're wet. I'm concerned about the seat. I don't want other passengers to get wet because of you," he said.

She hissed and rolled her eyes. He sat next to her as he hid a playful smile.

A few minutes later, they arrived at her apartment.

"You don't have to take me home. I can handle myself," she said.

"What are you talking about? I'm here because of my shoes."

She blinked, suppressing her shock.

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. Thanks."

She removed the shoes from her feet and gently kicked it to him.

"Min Jee, right?" he said.

"How..."

"Your friend called you when you were drunk and I answered the phone."

"And you are?"

"I can't give you my name. Trust me, the next thing you'll ask is my number," he said.

"Amazing," she murmured.

The man left while Min Jee went up to her apartment. She undressed herself and took a shower. She texted Sun Hee that she's home. Min Jee opened the television while blow drying her hair.

A news report welcomed her. To her surprise, Do Daewon was on the show.

"So why are you coming back to Seoul?" the host said.

"For my fan's request. They want my novel to be adapted into a Webtoon story. I think it's a great idea. I'm partnering with Parallel Webtoon in this project for their upcoming anniversary," he said.

"Wow. That's cool. Have you thought of an artist to illustrate your novel?"

"Yes. I've chosen a famous featured illustrator. Her creations were always at the top of the ranking so I'm impressed. I'm entrusting my novel to her."

The host nodded.

"Do you have to go back to Korea for that?"

"She's the main reason I'm coming back to Seoul. I have to convince her to take part in this very special project."

"Why would she decline your offer? I mean everyone must be head over heels to you."

They chuckled.

"She's different... because she's Black Sunshine," he said and stared at the camera.

Min Jee dropped the hair blower and turned off the Television.