IV

"I... Rae Jin!" As he sat on the floor and yelled once more, he repeated.

I rolled my eyes and said, "Shut up fool" as I took a deep breath. Damn. This opponent proved to be quite difficult.

"You! The art of Karate is known to you." The guy yells.

And I say, "No, Taekwondo," Extending a hand.

"Oh my God! There's the Slender man behind you!" As he retreated, he yelled frightened.

Amazing. I think he might be drunk.

"Honestly, you know what? Bye." Then I utter while swinging around.

"No! Don't leave me alone!" Exclaiming, he grabbed my leg. Gosh.

"Ahh. I despise you. For what purpose do we continue to get together?" I have to wonder.

"Please, Rae Jin! I can't believe how lonely I am." As he shouts out in desperation, I can see tears welling up in his eyes. Oh no, he cries when he's intoxicated, too!

I was about to call a cab after having dinner with some friends at a nearby restaurant when I decided to check out this club instead. Both of these two were audible to me, strangling each other.

"Is your vehicle in the car park?" In his face, I ask.

"Um...no? But look, I have the time machine in my hands! If you wish, I can take you back in time." This he says with a naive grin on his face as he stands up. Wow.

''We are taking the time machine then,'' I say to him as I head to his car. And so he follows. The next thing I know, blood is spraying out of his nose and across his face.

''You got hit?'' I asked.

"Yes. He really smashed on me." He shook his head knowingly to confirm.

Cute.

What?!! No!

''Let's get you in first, keys?" I ask.

"Right." After saying something, he gives me the keys. We climb inside, and I finally start the engine.

''How about a bandage?'' As I make this statement, I look around.

"Nope, don't have any," he says in response.

I uncovered a box of tissues. I gave it to him.

''Put that in your nose,'' I say while moving the car from the spot.

"No way! So, you already know how to drink this, right?" Words just tumble out of him.

"What? Do you intend to say "drive"?" I ask.

"Yup." The man shook his head again.

And I say, "Yeah... because my elder brother has one, so I know how to.'' I answered while driving ahead.

"No way! I hear your sibling has one, too. Wow, you must be incredibly wealthy." In a dramatic fashion, he leaned back in his chair and yelled out.

While driving, I respond, "Not that rich."

"Wait. Where is your place?" My question is asked in a state of panic as I apply the brakes.

"Should I, uh, I tell you? To you, a stranger." It was a rather childish exclamation on his part.

"Why do you act like such a child? Where is it?" It is crucial on my part.

"Uh....wait...no....NO!" It was a startled shout from him.

I utter a confused "what?"

"I don't know. Actually." The response he gives is collected.

"Oh, should I bring you to my place?" What do you think? I inquire of him.

Absolutely ridiculous. Cancel that last sentence!

"Sure! If I could, I definitely would." Smiling, he gives an answer.

"But just a minute ago I was a complete stranger," I object.

"You're not right now." So, he's the one who responds.

"So, that's settled then. Don't wake up from this and accuse me of kidnapping you; it would be unfair." I let out a sigh and turned the key once more.

''So, you're wealthy?'' Just out of the blue, he says.

"What?" I turn my attention to him and inquire. His gaze seems to be traveling up my shirt. It's a name-brand one.

I respond with a hesitant "maybe" and keep on driving.

To paraphrase, "Gucci looks great on you." Gratitude is expressed by him.

"Thanks." I shrug with a light pink blush crawling across my cheeks.

"I wonder I will be. There's no way I'm going to support myself off of my brother's salary. What a... useless... the person I must appear to be. Nothing is mine to do or hold; I have nothing. Nobody, not even my mom. She is not...mine. My true mom has passed away, and with her, my family. No, I don't even have enough money to eat " He doesn't even blink as he looks straight ahead and speaks. It's dead quiet now, and nobody's talking. They've both focused on the road. He is the persistent focus of my glances, followed by my return to the road.

So, then I make a decision to speak up.

"It's true that when I was a kid, my family was struggling financially. Basically anything. They were on the verge of poverty. Both of my parents worked very hard to bring me up. And, really, all I wanted was to be...older. I got a job so I could support them financially, and I did. When I was 19, I went out on my own and got a job. I'm putting out my best effort. And from then onward...my life is work.... for them. Not me. And look? They've made great progress recently." I concluded while giving him my word of happiness. I told him my story to put him at ease.

To put it another way: why did I do that to myself? To a total stranger, with whom I was honest about my life. It's not like he'll keep track of that.

"Okay, you're correct. The best you could have done was accomplished." The man spoke out.

"..."

Back to silence, and back to contemplation.

"If .... your family truly loved you, why would they abandon you? Not particularly you but why? Why do your people always leave you? " His voice shook with an exclamation. When I turned to look at his, I saw a young boy wiping away tears.

He wiped the tears off his lips quietly. He was making no attempt to break his silence.

I felt a fire in my chest as I took in the scene. I sucked in my upper lip and waited for him to start crying. But no noise was heard. Just silently he wept.

"As a matter of fact, that does occur. Most people are leaving. I know. It's a fact of life." Again, I say this with anticipation for the future. Right now, I'm focusing solely on him.

Crying like that isn't normal, and neither is caring for someone who is difficult to trust but who happens to be the most reliable person nearby.

''I'd recommend you get some sleep.''

"Yup. Obviously, I need to get some rest." In an exclamatory tone, he said.

"Forever."

"..."

...

To be continued