Normal POV
The break up was essential nevertheless. For after that tragic night and the relationship being exposed, the two are under fire and under the watchful eye of the public.
If they didn’t hit pause, they would barely have the freedom to date and people would just constantly hate, and would possibly just drain them more.
The Fact news has risen because they’re the only press who’s got the scoop, they got pictures of their meetings and detailed accounts of the relationship. Jang Gu no longer went around the bush and just shoot everything he got.
But despite it being too invading and under the belt. The companies involved stayed chaste and lull about the issue. They respected the couple’s choice to take that break to rest.
Moving on was never an easy road.
After a month of crying and heartbreak, both has found a way to get back into their feet and face tomorrow, they do not want to burden anyone, and most likely they don’t want to ruin a concert or delay a whole drama production. They kept themselves busy with their own activities.
But most of the time they would still find themselves crying when they’re alone in their room and before going to sleep, look at each other’s profiles and SNS to see how they’ve been. There was even a time in a YG concert, Dara burst in tears when she was singing You & I, reminding her of the night when she and Donghae sang it together at bonfire in Bali.
Later on, they learned to move on and just let it go.
The days of separation turned to weeks.
And the weeks eventually turned to months.
Time passed by so quick and the year is almost reaching its end.
A lot has happened all that while.
Things have changed.
And the idea of getting back together was no longer in mind.
But so we’ve thought…
“Ya Hae. We’ve been here for an hour now. Maybe she’s not coming today” Ken exclaims while looking out the window, scanning the vicitnity. “Look how deserted their parking area is”
The guy who was seated in the front passenger seat, just ignored what his friend says. “Let’s just wait a little longer please…”
“You’ve been saying that since we came” the other commented but there’s nothing he can do but follow Donghae’s request. They waited a little longer inside that small black picanto car that’s parked in a corner street of Hapjeong. To lessen the boredom, Ken taps his hands on the wheel in an upbeat while Donghae remained silent and in anticipation to see what they’ve been waiting for to arrive.
A few minutes later, 2NE1’s black van appeared and parked. Donghae slightly rose from his seat, taking a better look if Dara is going to hop off it or not. But nope, no one went out of the van but their manager. He was alone and looks like he was just there to pick up a few stuff.
“Maybe she’s at home?” Ken asks, glancing at the person next to him, he clearly sees the sadness in his eyes, how much he oozes longing for her. He misses Dara greatly.
“Do you want to go to her house or dorm next?” He asked.
Donghae shakes his head, taking a deep breath, clearly disappointed, how today snooping session was not successful. And even if he wants to go to Apgeujong next and try if he can see her he has other places to go today so he can’t.
Ken turned his car keys to on. “So to your company next?”
“Yeah” Donghae says, putting his seatbelt on. “Thanks again, Ken for driving me here”
“Anytime” Ken mouth curved a small smile but feeling slightly disappointed. “You know you should just come up to her door straight, knock and talk to her. That’s easier”
Donghae visits the YG building, 2NE1’s dorm or Dara’s apartment almost everyday– waiting for Dara to pass by, just to see a glimpse of her, just to see she’s okay. But because it would be troublesome if fans or press or bystanders sees his car or Super Junior’s in the vicinity, he uses Ken and Goon’s cars instead.
“Hmmm… So did you guys went to see Dara again?” the Super Junior asked once they’ve arrived in SM building. “How was it?”
Ken just pulled this facial expression that’s already become a clear answer, Donghae went straight to the sofa and sat there quietly. Ken placed down paper bags on the wooden table inside the practice room. The guys were curious of what it is and immediately asked. “Some snacks for you and Dana’s wedding invitations”
“Waaah. So it’s true! Her wedding was moved to an earlier date!” Kangin exclaims, pulling out one for him to see. “Shouldn’t it suppose to be in January?”
“Dana is pregnant, of course she would want to be married while she’s still in shape” Ken breaks the news she’s 2 months pregnant.
“What!? Haha! How can she be pregnant before the wedding!?” Leeteuk exclaims. “Shouldn’t they’ve just save it for their honeymoon?”
“Well maybe they just love each other too much and they just can’t wait”
“But how fancy they are to have beach wedding in Jeju Island, even having a resort accommodations for guests. How rich is the husband eh!”
Eunhyuk took a seat beside his best friend and even hangs his arm around his shoulder. “Ya it’s not for the male lead to look gloomy at presscon tomorrow”
Donghae didn’t respond, he just looked blankly on the floor, his mouth half open while his finger sweeps on his lips, his other arm tightly hugging his only son, Haeru. Still in deep thought about Dara, and where she could be now.
“Seriously Hae, why don’t you just get back together? I don’t even understand what’s stopping you to do so. People have already moved on from it” Heechul is slightly bothered of his behaviour, it’s unbearable and idiotic (for him). “You no longer need the ‘space’ you know. You’ve already have enough of that”
“If you exert effort to visit her every day, why don’t you just use that energy and courage to come up to her and fix it. Hug her. Kiss her! That’s how you should do it.”
“You all make it sound easy. It’s hard okay?” Donghae says.
“But you never even tried!”
“How can I? I feel like she’s mad at me”
“Why wouldn’t she?” they all said together. “Weren’t we mad at you before too?”
Admittedly, when Dara and Donghae broke up, everyone thought they will get back together eventually, but it didn’t happened. They tried meddling in but it was no use. They were super disappointed at Donghae, he gave up, he let her go, he wasn’t the fishy they know who would keep on fighting, who was dreaming to be with her forever.
He promised her a life together, but then he walks away from it.
Thus he can’t complain if his members or friends start on giving him sermon about it. The break up was his call. It was him who asked for space, so in case there was anyone to blame of where they relationship ended, it was him. Donghae admits he regrets it, but how can he fix it. What face will I show her?
“Ah good you’re here” Siwon exclaims, arriving only now, interrupting the conversation. “Are you ready to go, hyung?”
“Why? Where are you two going?” the others asked.
“We just needed to buy something for the press conference tomorrow” Siwon says, apparently he was the other male lead on Donghae and Yoona’s drama, he was the love rival.
The fishy stood up, still in a sultry mood, wore his cap and wore his hood over it.
****
Dara’s POV
“Number one for this week is???...”
dugudugudugudugun…
The score board showed on screen, 3 artists are aiming for the spot. One is 15&, then Baek Ah Yeon and then Lee Hi. The numbers increased together with colourful bars..
As the numbers stopped and revealed the winner, confetti bursted and rained the stage. “Lee Hi ssi!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!” Kwanghee announces with a wide smile. But he kept the trophy to himself for Lee Hi wasn’t around. “It is unfortunate that she can’t be with us today and accept their award due to her other activities”
“But we will make sure that the award will be handed to them safely. Again, Congratulations Lee Hi!” Girl’s Day Minah says with her pretty eye smile. “And for everyone who has been with us today, thank you for watching”
“Join us again next week. You’re watching…”
“SBS INKIGAYO. ANNYEONG!!!” The two MCs waved together with the other artists on stage, bidding farewell. There was no encore and immediately got cut.
But despite the show being over the clapping and cheers still didn’t stop. “WAAAAH OUR BABY HAYI WON! SHE WON! WOOT WOOT!” Bommie excitedly cheered while inside my car, with Hayi’s victory she continues to rejoice and shakes my arm.
“Ya, Bommie! I’m driving” I exclaimed, pushing her hands away. “Do you want us to die?!?!”
“Hmf! Grumpy!” Bommie pouted, sitting straight and turned back to her phone, where she streamed the show. “We should call her and ask her to join us in Yeolbong” She places a finger on her chin as she thinks. “Or should we go get steak instead?”
“I’ll tell on you to Hwangsabu” I warned.
“What? It’s not like we still have concerts to think about?” she defended, bringing the phone to her ear.
Indeed, for the past few months, we’ve been to Japan, China, Singapore, Philippines, Europe and USA. YG family has nothing to do but concert tours. Except for Big Bang, they released songs and promoted in between.
“I thought we’re going shopping today? You can’t eat a ton of meat and be full before trying on dresses!”
“Eh~” the stubborn girl still tried contacting Hayi. But the other line seems to not answer. “Ahbwae? Why isn’t she answering?”
“Maybe she’s going to eat with her old KPOPStar friends”
The expression of disappointment was clear in her face as she brings her hand down. It’s been her and me lately for CL is still in LA while Minzy is in her diligent student mode, attending her classes, so there is no one else she can invite. “Just call Gummy unnie and ask her to come with us”
“She’s in Japan”
We were pretty bummed, although there was nothing wrong with hanging out together, but it just feels slightly incomplete or empty with just the two of us.
“Hmmm…. I wonder if Siwon is free today…” Bom wondered while looking out the window.
My eyes were quick to glance at Bom, expressing my disapproval in case she plans on inviting them instead. Bom batted her eyes at me in defence. “What? Just Siwon! I’m not going to invite your ex-boyfriend”
I turned my eyes back on the road. I’m aware that Bom stayed friends with Super Junior despite the drama that happened between me and Donghae. Well even CL and Minzy. Although they are no longer hang out, I know that they’re still keeping in touch.
“Seriously, how can you such a grumpy ahjumma lately” Bommie says, pressing on the stereo screen on my dash and chooses a song to play. “You should congratulate him you know, their drama is the trend. She even pointed at the poster ad that was visible from the bus stand.
According to the poster, we should look forward to Wednesday for its finale. After 26 episodes it has come to an end. At first runs, the show was in bind due to the controversy but later on it was a hit, it was a good story and their acting were really impressive. The two undeniably suit each other too. I haven’t seen any episodes of it though, I really chose not to. And besides it’s got the same timeslot as Cold Heart.
I’m happy for him, I’m really happy to see that it was a success. But congratulating him is not something I can do.
Why?
Admittedly, I grew mad at him.
I’m not mad at him because he ignored my begging before.
I understand he needed space that’s why he left me.
But rather because, I waited for him.
For days.
For weeks.
For months…
Yet he never came back.
Our friends tried helping getting us back together, but I don’t know. I feel like just not seeing him anymore. I don’t think he minds anyway.
As Bommie and I continued our mini journey, we happened to pass by a street of shops and she fell in love at the clothes on display. She can hardly wait to come back later, and just decided to do shopping first before going to Yeolbong. Atleast by then, we’ll be starving and be eating a ton.
“Whoa! I want to try this one!! And this one! And this!” Bom was like in amusement park as soon as we entered this beautiful boutique, they have undeniably pretty dresses. Those ones that hits Bom’s taste.
She grabbed like 8 items in one go and immediately went to the dressing room to try them on. The sales ladies were all smiling at me and were in murmur, but I just smiled at them and headed to take a sit.
On the couch there was guy, who was all covered up, his hoodie was down covering his face as he sleeps. He has earphones plugged on his ears. Poor guy… I thought. He must be stuck with a girlfriend like Bommie, who most likely be taking a long time inside the cubicle or a shop before she finishes her business.
I took a sit on the slightly narrow two-seater chair.
“Are you alright there?” Miraculously I hear Bommie was concerned about me. I thought she was already warped in an another dimension, forgetting that she has a friend with her that would be waiting for her.
“Yeah. Just take your time and surprise me” I said.
“Oh I will!” Bom exclaims excitedly. I leaned my body back on the couch and pulled out a magazine from the side table to read.
Minutes and minutes passed, the curtains of the cubicles still don’t open. Suddenly, I felt a weight dropping on my shoulders, I turned my head to the guy next to me, who was sleeping soundly.
Ah ottoeke… Should I wake him up? How? Should I shake my shoulders? Should I push his head away? What? My whole body stiffen, clueless of what to do.
I looked at the sales lady who have been watching me all this time, and they just won’t stop whispering to each other.
What is with them? I wondered.
I really wanted to push the guy away but how do I do that when he’s even starting to snore quietly, and worse he moves his head more closer to me, and his warm hand dropping close to my side. Ack! What if he mistaken me for his girlfriend!? Ugh what if the one inside the cubicle is his girlfriend!? Aigoo ottoeke! Bommie help…
I held on to the guy’s shoulder, awkwardly trying to wake him up. Yet he didn’t but right on time, a curtain flips open to save me. I was hoping it was Bom’s cubicle and it was Bommie who would walk out, but it wasn’t.
It wasn’t a girlfriend either.
Rather it was Siwon, who was equally surprised to see me. “Dara noona…” he says stunned, his hand stopped from folding the sleeves of the shirt he’s fitting.
“Siwon….” A taint of realization and assumption collected inside me. If Siwon is here, then who is this??? I looked at the guy resting on my shoulder ones again. Could it be?
“Taa-daa!” Bommie swung the curtain open, all enthusiastic and worry-free and walked out in a very pretty corset dress. That’s why it took her long, but… “Oh, Siwon!”
I’m pretty sure how much Siwon wants to compliment how good she is on that dress, but he couldn’t due to this situation I’m in. I held on to the end of the hoodie and tried to pull it down to expose his face, but before I can do that, Donghae has already moved, half-opening his eyes as he waken to his sense. He knows he shouldn’t supposed to be leaning on someone.
“Are you done? Come on, let’s eat” he sounded as if he was in a sultry mood too. His eyes then darts at Bom, who equally greeted him uneasily. “Oh noona, you’re here…. Are you with Dara?”
Siwon and Bom stayed quiet, looking at me, to indicate him of my presence.
My heart skipped when his eyes met mine, I wanted to leave, but I found myself feeling like I’m glued on the couch.
Before, I only see him on the television, on the internet, on posters of his drama, for months it’s been like that. And now I’m sitting beside him.
So this explains all the sales ladies’ whispers.
Donghae was quiet. And so was I.
Everyone was.
I know I said I’m mad at him, but is it crazy if I say I want to hug him now? I feel like if he just tells me what’s up, I would immediately say I love you. This is not good… I quickly stood up from my seat. “I’ll just wait for you in the car…” I told Bom.
“Ahbwoya…” Bom complained. “I still haven’t bought anything”
“We’ll buy later, let’s just leave and eat first. I’m starving” I said under my breath.
“But we’re already here”
I looked at Bommie intently, pleading and begging through my eyes, but she looks back at me so carefree. As if she’s thinking of something else.
“Fine” Bommie she says. “I have a plan”
I feel uncertain of that plan just by the hear of it.
“While I and Siwon shop why don’t you go out and eat?” she grins, knowingly.
I knew it.
“True! Didn’t you say you’re hungry, hyung?” Siwon rides on, equally smiling widely.
Donghae didn’t say a word, like I expected he would do or say something?
“It’s not funny” I said monotonously, quite irked. I left him, Bom and Siwon in that store, walking pass the sales ladies ignoring their farewell bows. The place where I parked my car was a few walks away from the store, and while I marched my way with a heavy heart. Suddenly I was tackled to a near dark alleyway, catching me off guard. Surprising and scaring the hell out of me.
“What the---! You scared me!” I screamed, pushing the culprit away from me. “What are you doing here?”
Jaejoong smiled. “It’s you who I should ask, what are you doing in Itaewon alone?”
****
Normal POV
After seeing Dara walk out and how she’s admittedly somewhat mad at Donghae, he doesn’t know what has gotten inside him that he just found himself running towards the door, and without thinking just followed to where Dara might have been. It’s just like that time when Dara and GD fought before, how quick and desperate he was to be by her side, how he rushed to drive to Han River to comfort her. Those exact same feelings, he felt them again.
And while he power walks along the sidewalk he passed by an alleyway to where someone called him from “Oh Donghae!” Jaejoong greeted, pulling him in. He noticed that Dara was with him too. But why? Why are they in this alleyway alone?
But before he can ask, Jaejoong continued to talk. “Ahhh no wonder why there seem to be press going around the area, I thought they found out I just snuck out of drama filming that’s why they were following me. Turns out it’s you two. So you’re back in dating huh? Good!!!”
Dara and he remained silent and awkward around each other. Yet Jae didn’t notice it.
“By the way, congratulations Hae. Your drama is completely beating Cold Heart. I really hate you. If only Dara didn’t back out for you, she would have been our female lead and we should have done better” Jaejoong says nonchalantly.
For me? What did he mean if only she didn’t back out for me? Did she really? Donghae glanced at Dara, who looks down, dodging his gaze. She decided to leave again but this time he did what he should have done earlier. His hand quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
“Could you give us a minute, Jae?” Donghae sounded kind but dead serious.
“Okay. Just don’t get caught nae?” Jaejoong says, happily going back to the side walk, acting normally. Even giving them a favor by exposing himself to the press people, distracting them, to avoid spotting the couple.
The two were left, quiet in that narrow place. Dara was looking down her feet while Donghae can only see the top of her head.
“What did he mean by what he said, Dara?” He asked, truly bothered by it. She remained silent. “Dara…”
“Nothing…” she says lowly.
“Don’t lie…” He says. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why? What will it change? If I told you before, would you not have left me? You still would, right?
Hae stayed silent. Indeed, he asked for a break because he was tired not because he was jealous of Jaejoong or GD. He can see how mad she is, and the guys were right, why wouldn’t she? He made such a huge space between us. he let time pass by without doing anything.
And now it is hard to jump over or try to patch it up.
Donghae didn’t know what to say, nor Dara.
They were trapped with these confused feelings. One moment they feel distant at each other. Then the next moment after, Dara turns her body facing him, swinging her other arm clinging it to the back of his neck. Embracing him, nuzzling her nose on his shoulder. Donghae hugs her back tightly, truly missing her. But then, one moment she decides to push him away, reminded by the distance time have created between them.
She walks out of the alleyway while he just watches her leave. Without any words he didnt even try to stop her. again.
Back in the store, Bom and Siwon has only tried a few outfits, but decided to start their purchase and leave. They’re worried about how the two are going, they can guess it’s not good. “Aigooo… Seriously how can they be so complicated?”
“How did they ended up like that in the first place.” Siwon corrected giving the sales lady his autographs in exchange of their silence about today’s happening.
“It’s Donghae that’s for sure”
“Ani… It’s GD…”
Bom rubs her temples and writes on the autograph plate next. “But it doesn’t matter whose fault is it really, what’s left to worry about is how they can get back. We already tried everything before”
“Not everything really. We still have plan D”
“Plan D?” Bom tries to recall what the plan was, took her a while and then she claps her hands after, laughing melodically. “Plan D!!!!!! But when?”
Siwon raises his shoulders, unzipping his bag as he takes his wallet from inside. And withing that pile of stuff in his bag, Bom was quick to spot something very relevant to their plan. Without any persmissions, she dug her hand inside Siwon’s bag and pulls out Dana’s wedding invitation.
“Are you planning to get them married already?” Siwon asked innocently. “Surprise wedding!?!?!”
“What!? No!” Bom groaned. “This! Dara got one of this invitation too! She received one this morning”
“Really!?” Siwon was astonished to know that fact, and started to get excited. And before they walked out of that store’s door, they already finalized the plan.
“See you guys in 3 weeks!!” Bom says.
As soon as Siwon and Donghae came to the SuJu dorm, Donghae immediately went to his room to sulk. While Siwon gathered the guys in the living room, pretending to be playing games with them but truthfully giving them the brief plan.
“So here’s what we need for Plan D, okay” he brings out the list Bom wrote. It only contains a few things, just 4.
Heechul took charge and read it loudly but quiet enough to not be heard by Donghae.
“Donghae. Check.”
“Dara. Check”
“One Deluxe bedroom in Jeju. Oh we can talk with Dana for that”
The other agreed.
And the last item on the lists was…
“what is this???”
“Handcuffs????”
"What for??"