"You will never be able to escape your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say."
-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
"You're cheating, Manoban!" We're currently inside this arcade center and yes, I'm losing in this basketball game. How was that possible?
"Cheating? I'm not. Why don't you just admit that I'm better than you this time, Chaeng?" She said while raising her eyebrow.
"No way. What did you do to win?" I said as I cross my arms
"What? I'm just shooting the balls and there's no way you can cheat with this game."
"Fine but does it mean that I have to pay for your lunch?"
"Yes. You know the deal" Lisa said, winking at me.
Lisa, don't wink at me. I'm vulnerable. I might kiss you.
"Chaeng, I want to play that claw machine." She said while dragging me to the alley of claw machines.
"Wow! I want the gudetama one"
"I'll try to get one for you" she said
"Remember when we came across to this arcade center when we decided to kill time while waiting for our clothes to be finished?"
"I remember that. What's funny is that we're originally looking for something to eat but ended up here. Never knew we would have fun🤗"
"I know it's always fun whenever I'm with you" I murmured to myself
"Are you saying something, Chaeng? I wasn't able to hear it. The music's a little bit loud in here" Lisa said while inserting another coin to the machine.
"No, I didn't say anything at all. Hey, it's okay if you can't get one, Lis."
"This machine is rigged. Let's try the others?" you faced me and you looked annoyed.
"Sure. If that's what you want but limit yourself, ha? I don't want to go home walking because you've spent all your money with this machines. Haha."
"I will, Ma'am"
"Chaeee! Look at this. Jennie would love it for sure." Lisa squeal in excitement while pointing at the 3-eyed alien/monster or whatever that is from toy story.
"Yeah. I'm sure she will."
I just watched how your brows furrowed as you're busy concentrating. I smiled at how cute you are when you are being serious but the thought that you're striving really hard to get that for Jennie makes me feel sad.
I got lost in my thoughts when I heard you screamed.
" I GOT IT! I GOT IT! I'M SO HAPPY I GOT IT. CHAE, LOOK I GOT IT!" you showed me the toy and you hugged me real tight.
"Kyeopta. I'm sure Jennie would love it"
"I know right? I'm so lucky that I got it. Can't wait to give it to her." How can I be sad when all I can see is her face, looking happy like a 5-year-old-kid who got her new toy.
"Come on, Lis. We have to eat. I'm so hungry." I look at my watch and it's already 3pm. Holy guacamole! We lost tracked of time.
We went inside a Japanese restaurant since she told me that she's craving for ramen.
"I'll get the tantamen. Thank you" Lisa said to the waiter
I touched your neck and forehead with the back of my palm
"Hey! You're acting weird, Chae!"
"You're the one who's acting weird. Are you sick? Why are you only getting the ramen? What else do you want?"
"That's enough, Chae and to answer your question I'm fine. I'm just not comfortable when someone pays for my food. The deal was a joke"
"Silly! That's still a deal because you asked for it. And since I lost the game, I want to pay for your meal, please? Plus, I'm your bestfriend so don't hesitate."
Oh I just bestfriend-zoned myself.
"Alright. I'll have the gyoza too. Wait, I want sukiyaki, karaage. This one looks good also, I'll have this buta curry don, seafood tempura and chahan."
"Is that all? Or do you want to add more? It seems like you want to order everything in the menu. You don't look hungry, Lis" I said teasing her.
"I can do that if you want but someone's going broke."
"Are you referring to me? First of, it's not broke, make it a little classier, Lis. It's broqué with an accent."
"Whatever you say. Rosé Broqué"
"Hidoi ne, Lisa-san" (hidoi-expression when someone's being mean in Japanese)
Our orders came and I'm not surprised if Lisa devoured everything that she ordered. That's the Lisa that I know.
We decided to go home since it's getting late but we came across a photobooth and I dragged Lisa inside the booth.
We did various poses but there's one picture that I love the most. When I saw that....
I think I love you even more.
"I had fun today, Lis. Thank you for taking me out today." I said to her genuinely.
"I had fun too, Chae. Thank you for today. You're the best." I saw the sincerity in your eyes and you hugged me.
I checked the clock and it's already 8 in the evening and still no Jennie and Jisoo unnie in our house. I wonder where they are.
I went to your room and saw you sound asleep while hugging the toy that you got for Jennie like it's your most prized possession.
Lucky. I wish I was that toy.
I traced every inch of your face and when I was satisfied, I kissed your forehead.
"Good night, my brightest star"
"Jennie" you murmured on your sleep.
I felt my heart shattered. I quickly got up and went straight to my room.
I felt tears on my face and I felt weak. I cried for hours. I'm so tired.
What's even more exasperating is that I can't stay mad at you.
11 pm
I found myself looking at our pictures. Seeing how far we've become. We've been bestfriends for 10 years and we're each other's anchor.
After deliberating with myself. I decided to upload our recent picture on my instagram account. I mean our fans will think that it's just a fan service, eh?
I just posted it seconds ago and there were tons of comments already.
One comment in particular caught my eye. They knew?? Am I that easy to read? How did they know?
Chaelisa. That's a good name.😍 I smiled to myself. sweet.❤
And I think that's enough for me to keep going. I think I just found my little hope.
I looked at my phone for the last time before drifting off to sleep.
11:11 I closed my eyes, listened to my heart and whispered YOU.