United we Stand

"Have you had your lunch?", he asked getting up from his seat. "Not yet ", I nodded my head in negativity. "Care to join me?" The words that just came out of his mouth brought butterflies in my stomach. Having lunch with him in a secluded place would be great. "Where are we going?", I asked as I followed him joyfully. "To the cafeteria, of course." My excitement vanished in a minute. Where I was imagining myself having lunch with him in an isolated restaurant and where I am in this crowded place.

The menu for today's lunch was curry and sausages. I dig into my food ignoring all the eyes staring at me. "Do you not like the food?" Mr. Min must've noticed me picking on the food. "I don't like sausages. They are so bland." I made a poker face to express my dislike. "Then what do you like ma'am?", he laughed.

Why do I feel like I am at peace every time I hear him laugh. "Spicy food like salmon bowl, Carbone Rigatoni, Nashville hot chicken", I licked my lips , my mouth watering at the idea of those yummy dishes. "What about you?" I wanted to know about the likes and dislikes of the person I adore. He gave it a little thought while chewing on his food. "I like spring rolls." His simplicity is what I like the most. Even his favourite dish is something as simple as spring rolls. I hummed noting down this important thing in my head.

The lunch today was more appetizing than ever. Parting ways with himas we walked to the classroom and office simultaneously, I smiled thinking about the precious memory we just created. It's been only a few weeks since I met him and he has already become my favourite person. I am not sure whether I like him as a person or there is something else. Whatever it is, I only know that I enjoy talking to him or just being with him.

The classes were all over and it was time to go home. I was packing my things in my bag when I saw Jiwon and Minho leaving the classroom already. I quickened my task to catch up with them but when I came out, they were nowhere to go be seen. If I rush to the bus stop, maybe I can get them, I thought.

Coming out of the school premises, I saw my father standing on the other side of the road with his car. He waved at me with a broad smile on his face. I don't remember the last time when he came to pick me up from school. I ran towards him as my whole body reflected the happiness I was feeling to see him there.

I got into the car and fstened my sealt belt. While doing so, I saw Jiwon coming out of the front gate followed by Minho. Where were they? I couldn't find them though I left just after them. Now they are coming from inside. I do not let my curiosity take over and pay attention to the quality time that I was getting to spend with my father. "Didn't you go to the office today?"

"No. My last trip was a hectic one so I took a day off to rest. And also, I get to spend some time with my darling daughter. You know what I found today?" He gave me the card that I made for him when I was in play school. The teachers were helping the kids to prepare a card for their mother's on the occasion of Mother's Day. Where everyone saw me with pity eyes, I was happy to have a father who played the role just as perfect as my mother would. I had made a card for him and he kept it safely in a box in his closet.

"I was cleaning the house when I found it. It reminded me of those days when I barely got any time for myself. I used to get up in the morning, prepare breakfast, get you ready for school and then drop you there on my way to work. I would come to pick you up in the afternoon, feed you then leave you with our neighbour and go back to work. In the evening, I played with you, helped you with your homework. We would cook dinner while humming your nursery rhymes. Those days were so precious when all you had and all you needed was only me."

Dad got emotional thinking about old days. Though I felt like my father was a super man back then, now I realised how difficult his life was. Playing two roles at a time, and that too so perfectly is not everyone's cup of tea. I like how things are now. Because, since I am a grown up he doesn't have to worry much about me and is able to concentrate on his work. That is the reason why he is doing well at his job and even got promoted.

"Go and get changed first, then come to the kitchen. I have a surprise for you." Seeing my dad being happy is the best thing that can happen to me right now. I couldn't content my excitement and went to the room taking big steps.

After getting changed into my comfortable pyjamas, I came out of my room . I heard some sounds coming from the kitchen. As I neared to the place, dad came and held me by my shoulders and made me sit on the chair near the kitchen counter. "An iced latte for my beautiful lady", he placed the beverage in front of me. I enjoy my drink looking at him prepare ingredients for baking cookies. This used to be our hobby back then.

Reminiscing our good days, we baked the cookies together. The noise of the oven indicated that the cookies were ready. I got down from the chair to turn it off. But dad came in between and turned it off himself and took out the tray.

"Dear, you know why I never let you take out the tray from the oven? Because it's hot inside and I don't want you to get burns. When I take care of these little things to save you from getting hurt, you should know that there's nothing in this world that I won't do for you. Your dad will always stand between you and your problems in order to protect you. So you don't have to face the hardships of life alone."

Listening to him, I realised how naive I was to think that nobody cares about how I feel. I should've known that as a parent, my father will always be there by my side. Even if the world turns it's back on me, my dad won't.

A message popped up on my phone screen diverting my attention. It was a message from Minho. "I'll be outside your house in half an hour. Be ready. We have to go somewhere", it read.

I went to my room and got changed to dress up nicely to make an impression since we had something serious to discuss. I also packed some cookies with me to share with them as I knew Jiwon would also be there. "Dad, I'm going out with Minho. See you at dinner", I yelled while putting on my shoes.

We rode Minho's motor cycle to the Han river. During our ride, none of us spoke a single word. Upon reaching there, we found Jiwon who had already reserved a spot for us along with some snacks. We opened the cans of soda before starting our discussion. "Areum, we are very sorry for the way we made you feel. We really didn't mean to hurt you", Jiwon started. "Yeah, we thought you needed some space and we wanted to respect your privacy", Minho concluded.

A few days ago, Minho and Jiwon were having lunch and Areum had refused to join them saying that she had a stomach ache. "Jiwon, I have something to say to you", Minho said fiddling with his food. Jiwon lifted her head with her mouth full and looked at him. "Then say..." She acted rude like she always did to tease him. "Not now. Let's go to the cafe after school. The one that recently opened", he suggested. Both of them confirmed their agreement to meet and finished their meal before going back to the classes.

The day ended like usual and they went to the cafe as promised. They made theor respective orders for the food and drinks. "What is it Minho? Since when have you struggled to speak to me or Areum?,she asked looking at the antiques he was doing not knowing how and where to start.

"I have had this feeling for quite some time now. Whenever something good happens, I want to share with you first. And when something bad happens, I want you to be the first person who consoles me. You are always on my mind 24*7. I think I...I like you...Jiwon", his closed his eyes nervously. She stood up and walked to his side. "Get up", she said sternly. He did what he was told and stood up towering above her. She wrapped her arms around his waist resting her head on his chest.

"What about Areum? Are we going to tell her about us?" Jiwon's expressions changed from happy to worried. The change in Areum's behaviour has been bothering her since the day she started becoming distant from them. "Areum is fighting a battle within herself. I don't think it's appropriate to tell her now. We will tell her when the time is right. I'm sure she will understand."

Upon hearing their story, my heart felt heavy realising the mistake I had made. "I'm sorry. I was so caught up within myself that I didn't know about how you guys felt. How could I think that you didn't care when I know that after my dad you are the ones who care about me the most. I'm sorry I doubted you. I'm sorry I doubted our friendship", I cried hugging them.

Whenever I was sad, they were there to cheer me up. In my achievements, they celebrated as if it was their own success. What would I have done without these dorks in my life. How could I forget that they were my safe place.

"Let's promise each other. We are going to get old together. We will stick by each other's side till death bed."

All my worries seemed to fade away as we sat there joking around. Minho made me laugh so much that I forgot how sad I was. That was the beauty of our friendship. If I had an older brother he would've definitely been like him. I must be unlucky with everything else in my life but I am more than just lucky when it came to friends.