Since I know Samuel late January, it means we've been text each other almost 3 months now. He is truly a good companion. A very good friend. I believe as a guy, Samuel must know already that I don't have any interest to take our relationship to the next level. He can read that, I know that he's smart. But he never makes me annoyed, never. He's approaching me slowly, and always be there. Perhaps it's all because we are in 'that' phase. Where he always want to leave a good impression to me. One thing that I really like about him, is his honesty. He never hides his feeling. I like it because maybe, I always hide my feeling and eat it away. I admire him cause he could do the opposite.
I remember a week ago, I went to the coffee shop with him. The one near Somi's. This time without Somi, this time we both alone. We talk about everything. From his hobbies and mine. We both love sports a lot. He likes to work out, I really like sports games. I really like basket ball and NBA, she does he. He likes to bowl and archery. So do I. He loves American TV shows as he mentions to me before. Well, I also love American TV shows. If I could choose, I want to live and die in LA. He's from LA tho. I felt like I could be my whole self when I'm with him. I suddenly forget about our age gap. He's like a male friend to me. A good one. Tzuyu always asks that whether I develop any feeling for him or not. I always said no. And she will be added, not yet. I do feel comfortable with him, but I don't want this to be a rebound.
My birthday is just a day away. The way my members won't respond at any of my chats, I know that they're planning on something for my birthday. I am thankful that I have my 2nd family like my members. But, if I could choose. I don't really like celebrating my birthday. No, I'm not one of those girls who against birthday party. But, I just like to spend it alone, quietly. It's a birthday, the day where you got older. I like to think in a time like this. But I can't also tell my member to keep it low, they will feel hurt.
As expected, Yoo Jeongyeon Unnie throws a birthday party for me. You know, when you got a birthday surprise like this, like what Jeonyeon Unnie did to all of us, we got so frustrated when her birthday comes up. Tzuyu told Jeongyeon Unnie that I love quite place. Hence, Jeongyeon Unnie celebrate my birthday in my favorite bar, and she didn't invite so many people. She just invited our JYPE family. It's my birthday, it's good, it's blasting, when I arrived they throw confetti and things. All my family congratulates me. Until I realize something.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON CHAEYOUNG!" Sana Unnie comes to me with a big present. I receive it.
"Thanks, Unnie-ya"
"Minari told me to say sorry that she caught up with her photo session in Gwangju, she couldn't come"
That statement for Sana Unnie feels like a truck hit me now.
"Ah that's fine Unnie, no worries" Me, again and again, telling lies.
Out of any person in the room, all I want to see is her face. The only figure that I waiting for. But she couldn't come. She couldn't. It's work, I tell my self to calm down. I can't also turn down work for someone's party. I ask myself again and again. Oh no, I can. If it's her party, I'll leave my work. But again people are different. The way I and she see the world is different. I get sad because of that. I don't want her gift, I just want her to be here now. I probably couldn't have interaction with her, we don't have to, as long as I could see her face in my day. This is also why I hate birthday party. When someone that I really want to be here can't be here, it just kills me. Now, I should put my happy face on my face till the party over. It's my birthday, I should at least be happy or Jeongyeon Unnie who prepared all this would feel down.
"Thanks for making my day, all of you. I am so happy in this 21 years old. Thank God that I have a perfect life. I do what I love. Jeongyeon Unnie, thank you for this party. You never failed to amaze me when it comes to throwing a party. Now I am really confused on what should I do when your birthday comes" I say it as Jeongyeon Unnie wants me to lead the toast. All the audience laugh at me.
"All I can say, thank you to all of you. Especially, my members, we've been through thick and thin. I love you all. I hope in this age, I could be a better person, more mature, could make my parents happy, have an eternal career, less skip school"
"Got a boyfriend!" Jeongyeon Unnie shouts from the audience.
"Well, maybe that too, Unnie. How about you first?" I make the audience laugh once again.
"I really hope that Twice would last long, probably forever" I raise my glass to my member. "I love all guys, thank you" I drink my champagne, they all clap for me.
I sit at the center and just enjoy the party until I found myself alone and tired of talking to so many people. Tzuyu then sits beside me. I look at her.
"Tzuyu-ah" I just call her name. I really want this get out of my chest right now.
"Don't" Tzuyu doesn't even want to see me. She keeps her head straight. "You have to be strong, Chaeyoung-ah. Not right now, please" Tzuyu then go to the crowd again.
Tzuyu is right tho. I can't let this tears down right now. It's my day.
The party's done. We all go home. Not everyone tho. Some members go for another ride. We arrive at our dorm. Before I enter my dorm a text from Samuel come to my phone.
"Noona, can I call you right now?"
"Yes~~"
I go to the rooftop and pick my phone.
"Noona where are you?" He asks.
"At my dorm"
"Your room?"
"No, the rooftop. Why?"
"Ah that's perfect" Okay I confuse now "Can you please look down from there"
I immediately obey his order. I go the edge. I look down from my rooftop while holding my phone.
"YA Samuel, what are you doing down there!" I talk to him on the phone while seeing him just down there at the street. He's checking the neighborhood, looking left and right. No one there. It's almost 2 am in the morning. He wears all black, I guess to disguise himself. He brings something on his left hand. While his right still talking to me on the phone.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday our Chaeng Noona, happy birthday to you" He sings to me while looking at me. Our apartment building isn't tall, it's only 3 floors. I can see him perfectly.
And start to show me what he brings on his left hand. It's a big card, there a writing inside. Do you know the famous scene from love actually? Yes, he start showing me a written card. It's big I can even see from 4th floor. He's struggling since he's also still talking to me.
"Can you see it?"
"Yes"
"Okay, I'll hang up"
He then one by one showing me the card. It says.
It's your birthday!
Dance as though no one is watching you,
Love as though you have never loved before,
Sing as though no one can hear you,
Live as though heaven is on earth!
Please be happy, please don't sick, please don't cry,
I wish you a very warm and
Happy Birthday!
It's all said in words, in different cards, until the last card he shows me a big card full of heart.
At that time, I feel like I would cry. No one ever gives me a surprise like that. At our 2nd meeting, I told him that I really love Love Actually. He did what Mark did in the movie. I gulp and swallow my feelings as I hold my tears. Even though he's wearing a mask, I know form his eyes that he smiled at me.
He then cleaned up the card from the street, he throws cards one by one. I am laughing at his action. I always say that he's so mature she couldn't be 2002 liner. But sometimes he shows me his childishness too. Then he calls me again.
"Thank you" That's all I can say to him.
"Happy birthday Noona, I know It's past midnight, it's no longer your birthday, I know. But I want to tell you this in person. Tzuyu said that you will be home around this time. Sorry for the late......"
"It's okay, better late than never, Sam"
"You didn't expect this, aren't you?"
We call each other while looking at each other from the distance.
"Not at all"
"Noona, I have a present for you, but you gotta take it yourself"
"I could go downstair"
"No, not now"
"Heh?"
"I mean" He stops "Have a date with me, in a month, I'll deliver your present. I'll go for my American tour this morning"
It's the first time, he ask me on a date. Yesterday, he used sentences like "do you want to grab a coffee or have you watch this and that" it's the first time he asks me directly on a date. He's so nice, how could I say no.
"Till next month then"
"I'll call you first thing when I arrive at Incheon Airport"
"Okay"
He then silent while looking at me.
"Really, thanks, Samuel. You made my day"
"You're welcome. Noona"
He still looking at me.
"It's late, You'll have to go to the airport this morning. Safe flight" I order him. Before my member see him as well.
"Ah yeah right, see you, Noona"
He then hangs up and waves a goodbye to me. I see him off, he then turns his body facing me while walking. He keeps wave at me. I smile and laugh at his action. He's totally saved my birthday. He even makes a time when he has to catch the flight this morning. He makes sure that he says it. I stay and watch the moon for a while. I can stop laughing as turn downstair and I enter my dorm.
I pass the living room and feeling surprised when I see Mina Unnie there.
"Oh my God, you startled me!"
She then walks toward me and shakes my hand.
"Happy birthday, Chaengie, I'm sorry to miss your party. My photoshoot ran very late"
"It's okay. It's just a party" It's nothing without you there.
"As we both agree, I don't bring you a present then"
"Yeah, thanks" I smile at her. I don't want to continue this conversation. Really, I avoid getting hurt all the time. It's killing me.
"Go wash yourself Unnie, you must be tired"
"Yeah, I am" She looks tired, really tired.
Her and her coldness. Her and her push and pull act once again. A month ago she hugs me, now he completely turns against me all over again.
By the way, Samuel was way too sweet today.