It’s not true, stop telli (1/2)
<u>It’s not true, stop telling lies.</u> The first thing I heard was the annoying beep of my alarm clock, blindly I hit the thing so it would stop producing that hellish noise. It was only then that I notices the warmth of two strong arms locked around my waist. I slowly turned around to look into his hazel brown eyes, but to my disappointment he was still sound asleep. How could someone not wake up after hearing that infernal beep? I drew myself closer to his chest so that I could feel his warmth around me.After showering, and preparing for the day, I noticed that I only had a few minutes left to get to work, I quickly popped two loafs of bread into the toaster. A western breakfast on a Monday, how disappointing; I hope he doesn’t mind. I ran back to our room to see him still sleeping, kissed him on his forehead, took my toast and rushed out. I walked the oh so familiar route to work, as I passed the bakery I decided to buy a strawberry-short cake, I’m sure Taemin is going to like it! It’s been a while I did something for him, he is my best friend after all, maybe I should invite him and his new boyfriend to dinner? Onew as well of course, I’m sure Jonghyun won’t mind. Everybody used to call me a diva, it’s time to revive the diva in me! It’s been too long! I don’t even know why I stopped being the old me? Was I getting too used to the routine of my present lifestyle? I should make an effort! Don’t want JongHyun leaving me now! I started giggling at my own thought, making a few passers-by turn their heads.
As I walked down the street, I quickly reached Onew’s Café. I have been working here as vice-manager since Onew bought the café three years ago. I remember how happy we all were when Onew said he bought this café, this café held so many precious memories for me and all my friends. Further down the street was the university Onew, Taemin and I attended, so we often came here after classes to relax. But more importantly here is where I met him. Five years have passed since then. I can still remember that day as if it were yesterday.---After a boring day full of lectures, Onew (who was in his last year at the time) told us that one of his friends in high-school had a band, and that that band in particular had been hired to play at our café.
‘Really? I never knew you had that kind of friends.” I commented as Taemin, Onew and I walked to the café down the street.
‘What is that supposed to mean?’ Onew asked as he gave me a little push, I just answered by flashing a quick grin at him.
As we enter the café we went directly to our usual place, the table on the right on the second floor. From our table we could see the little stage on the floor below. It was a little cosy café and we loved it. We took our usual places and ordered the usual: a beer for Onew, banana milk and a bag of crisps for Taemin, and a Americano for myself.
‘So who is this friend of yours Hyung?’ Taemin asked as he nibbled on a few crisps at the time.
‘He should be up soon.’ Onew informed us. Taemin smiled mischievously at me.
‘What!?’ I asked checking that there was nothing on my face, but Taemin kept smiling and turned to Onew.
‘I’m sure Umma will like him! He is into the musician type. He said, and stuck his tongue out playfully.
‘I..I do not! Babies shouldn’t say such things about their ummas!’ But by saying that I only made it worst now Taemin and Onew where both laughing.‘Wait a minute’ Onew said suddenly pointing at me ‘Key, you never hit on me before, I sing as well you know!’
‘I already told you I don’t like that type, and who would ever in their right mind date you hyung. Oh please don’t make me laugh! And stop pointing at me’ I said sharply slapping Onew’s finger out of my face. Onew mimicked as if someone shot him in the chest.
‘Well that is Umma for you!’ Taeming giggled while patting Onew on his head.
‘By the way, I have decided that I will stay single for the rest of my life!’ Onew and Taemin looked at me, both their mouths hanging open.
‘ Umma are you feeling unwell? I mean you are Key the Diva how can you be single?’
‘Of course I can! Like I need someone, there is no person as fabulous as myself! I’m better off alone that with some idiot who can’t handle me’ I smiled and winked playfully. Taemin leaned forward so he could press his hand against my forehead, to see if I had a fever. I pushed his hand aside and continued.
‘I mean I’m 21 and I don’t feel that urge to love or be loved. I’m perfectly content as I am right now. Having a boyfriend is such a bore anyway, I’m far better off with you two.’
‘That’s because you haven’t found the one yet, Umma!’ The younger one exclaimed while hitting his chest in a proud manner. I couldn’t help but giggle as I saw my little baby say such things and getting all excited about it.
‘Ya! Don’t laugh at me Umma!’ he said as he quickly sat down again and crossed his arms. But his actions were not working in his favour, I held my hand up in an apologising manner while I tried to hide my giggling with the other one.
‘So am I to assume that you have found “the one” then Taebaby?’ Taemin looked at me in a shocking way, I couldn’t help but notice that his ears turned a bit red.
‘Ani!’ he said quickly as he turned his attention to the little stage that was still empty. My Taemin was just too cute for words, both Onew and I started laughing only resulting in Taemin pouting cutely and making us laugh even more.
‘It’s starting!’ Taemin said as he jumped on his knees. I took my handkerchief to dry the tears that started to form in my eyes, from my laughing session with Onew. I looked down at the little stage, there were four boys on stage preparing their instruments and testing all of the equipment.
‘It’s a band! What is their name Hyung?’ Taemin asked Onew
‘Zion’ Onew answered trying to calm Taemin a little, as he was now jumping up and down on his seat, but he failed. Zion? Strange name I thought, must be a rock band with a name like that right? I must admit that apart from pop music I knew nothing about music.
‘Which one is your friend?’ Taemin asked still jumping up and down, but now he was tugging on Onew’s arm as well.
‘The one with the guitar, the one in the middle.’ He said as he tried to shake the younger one off his arm.
‘Is he any good?’ I asked rather coldly, if I was completely honest I was not expecting a great deal out of it.
‘You’ll see.’ Onew smiled. As soon as the band announced they were ready to start a bunch of girls rushed to the front of the stage to get a better look at the four boys. Soon I spotted Onew’s friend. He was the shortest of the boys, well to bad seems he won’t even have a change with me. He had wild brown hair and his fashion style was not all that bad, maybe he was better than I thought. ‘Even so, not my type.’ I said aloud without even noticing it.
‘Not yet!’ Onew said with a grin from ear to ear. I stared at Onew a few seconds before it occurred to me that is just said that out loud. I returned my attention to the band that was about to start. A ballade?! Why are they playing a ballade? I thought they were a rock band? My question was quickly answered, as I saw all the girls screaming and jumping up and down, some even faked fainting. I see he is a ladies man, no surprise. Every now and then he would wink at the girls, causing them to scream even louder.Zion played about five songs, as they ended I could feel something wet on my chin, was I crying? I couldn’t be! Even though I didn’t want to admit it, those ballades were beautiful. His voice was just so… celestial. Did my heart just skip a beat? Ani! That’s not possible I’m probably just imagining things. I’m not one of those silly girls who fall head over heels with the first musician that comes along.‘There he is!’ Onew said while standing up and greeting his friend with a hug.
‘Let me introduce you to my friends, these are my dongsaengs, the cute one on the right is Taemin and the one with the fancy clothes is Key. Guys this is Jonghyun the “Skinship King”. Onew announced as he smiled and smacked the musician playfully. Jonghyun bowed a little and sat down beside me.
‘Hi, I’m Jonghyun nice to meet you. Key right?’ he extended his hand. I took a closer look at him and only replied with a small, quick smile no teeth showing. He smiled uncomfortably and put his hand behind his head.
‘You liked the performance?’
‘It was alright, I guess.’ I lied.---
And that is how we met. I couldn’t help but smile as I opened the door to the café. The café was still covered in darkness which was quite rare, normally Onew would be here before me. I turned on the lights and like a routine I sat down at the table we met. I did this every day, I couldn’t help but feel attached to this piece of wood. I rested my head on the table and recalled many of the wonderful memories we shared here. I felt a tear going down my cheek. Quickly I dried it and began my daily duties.An hour or so later, after cleaning and preparing the café, Taemin walked in (Taemin worked here part-time as a waiter) he looked at me, I smiled in return, he did not.
‘You’re here?’ he finally smiled (weakly), I nodded and asked where Onew was?
‘Hyung said he had some kind of meeting. He wanted to add 24 chicken recipes to the menu, but the cook refused, so Onew fired him.’
‘I see.’It was about two o’clock only a handful of customers had entered the café so far. This was to be such a boring day, I played with my phone; I texted Jonghyun, but he did not answer, he must be busy. As Taemin and I were the only ones in the café, I remembered the cake I bought earlier. Taemin started jumping happily when he saw the cake.
‘Whaaa! Thank you, Key-hyung!’ Key? Hyung? When did he started calling me like that? He normally calls me Umma, does he not?
‘Why did you call me Key-hyung?’ he stared at me, not showing any kind of emotion. After he while he finally put his spoon down and spoke: ‘I have been calling you Key for two years now.’
‘Really?’ I couldn’t believe I didn’t notice it before. ‘Then you don’t call Jonghyun “Appa” anymore as well?’
‘Jonghyun-appa?” he whispered looking down, a sad expression plastered on his face.
‘What’s wrong? Did I say something funny?’
‘Have you been going to see Minho, Key?’
‘I saw him a few months ago, why? He may be your boyfriend, but that does not make him my friend.
‘I think you should go and see him.’ Taemin said his gaze never leaving my eyes, his sad expression now changed, now only worry could be seen on his face.
‘Why?’ I asked turning my back to him so that I could make some coffee.
‘You talked about Jonghyun that is why.’
‘Of course I talk about him, he is my fiancé after all.’ I felt a big grin appear on my face. Taemin was just being silly, who wouldn’t talk about his future husband. I felt my cheeks getting hotter and hotter. Oh my I can’t believe that I still start blushing when I think about him. Maybe Taemin is jealous, Minho is such a slow guy, poor Taemin.
‘Key….’ But Taemin was interrupted by a customer that just walked in. I took this chance to send another text to Jonghyun. To: <3 Prince Charming <3 I’ll be home early, fancy some tteokbokki?
We can eat it at home. From the place you like ‘kay?
Love you, Key <3Once again he did not answer, he must be composing that guy never hears a thing you say when he is composing.
Around 7 I went home, I stopped at Jonghyun’s favourite ttokbokki place. I arrived home shortly afterward, entered the code to our flat. As I began taking off my shoes I felt two arms enclosing around my waist, I smiled as I turned around and placed a soft peck on his lips; he smiled at me (in the most celestial way imaginable) as he leaned in to prolong the kiss.We spend our evening in silence, he was working on his laptop; composing I guessed. He didn’t even touch his ttokbokki, so I covered it and placed it in the microwave oven that way he only has to heat it later, if he wanted to eat it later.
I laid down on the sofa and began watching my favourite film ‘Notting Hill’. As soon as the famous bookstore scene come on I sat up, repeating all the lines. Of course I knew all the lines by heart! Jonghyun then lied down on the sofa as well, placing his head on my lap. I played with his hair and kept talking along with the actors on the screen.
‘Do you remember our first encounter? After the one at the café.’ I asked. He opened his eyes, only staring at me as I continued playing with his hair.
‘It was a summer day, was it not? I was in my second year of uni, I met you at the café a week or two earlier. I must say you weren’t really of my liking at first, I mean I loved your voice. But…. Maybe it was just my pride getting in the way.’ He looked at me with an expression which made it quite clear he wasn’t following me.
‘You are a musician Jjongie!’ I explained. ‘ I didn’t want to be like a silly girl, who’d fall in love with your voice without even knowing you.’ He smiled, turning his lovely eyes into two crescent moons. I blushed a little seeing this divine being before me, I shook my head so that I could continue.
‘That hot summer day you arrived at our uni on your motorcycle. Why were you even there? Onew? You know Onew never mentioned you before I met you, or maybe I just never noticed him doing so.’
He didn’t comment, I continued.---I saw Onew’s friend arrive on a motorcycle at the front gate, I was sitting on a bench in the courtyard waiting for Taemin. What is he doing here? Maybe I should talk to him? No I better go elsewhere that way he won’t see me nor talk to me! But I fear I was too late for he had already spotted me and was walking towards me. I faked not seeing him, and just took the first book I could find. I heard a soft voice talking to me, it sounded tired.
‘You often … read … euhm… questionable book is broad daylight?’ Questionable books? What does he mean? I looked at him with a confused expression, he only pointed at the book.’ “Kamasutra For Beginners” I felt my cheeks changing colour, I rapidly tucked the book back into my bag.
‘It’s not mine! It’s Onew’s!’ I yelled, it was true but I doubt he believed me. He only laughed and petted my head.
‘Sit down.’ I said not daring to look at him. He did as I asked, I tried to change the subject as soon as possible!
‘So Jonghyun-ssi right?’
‘Just Jonghyun is fine, or Hyung if you prefer.’ Hyung! I looked shock at him.
‘You’re older!?’ I exclaimed ‘But you’re shorter!’ He looked at me for a few seconds, and started laughing quite loudly. Tears beginning to form in his eyes, he grabbed me by the shoulder. I shook him off.
‘What has that to do with anything!’ he said wiping the corners of his eyes. ‘ Well if you don’t want to call me that… hmmm you can call me Puppy, people say I resemble a puppy.’
‘Well those people must be blind, I can’t see a puppy in you, you are more like a dinosaur.’ This time it was mine turn to laugh. But I stopped as soon as I saw him staring at me. I turned away.
‘So what brings you here? Are you searching for Onew, he is still in class I think.’ He kept staring at me, his face a bit too close for me to be comfortable. But he turned away as three girls approached. I recognised the girls from one of my classes, If I wasn’t mistaken their names were: Yuri, Yoona and euhm Sunny? Must be a nickname, well I’m not someone to judge I call myself Key.
‘We saw you at the café last week, you were astonishing.’ Said Yuri leaning over, so she would be blocking Jonghyun’s view completely.
‘Uuuehm, Thanks’ Jonghyun said blushing a little and scratching the back of his head.
‘So you fancy getting a drink?’ Yuri continued, the other girls now joining in trying to convince Jonghyun.
‘I’m sorry I don’t think my girlfriend would like that.’ He returned bluntly. Girlfriend? I see, of course he has a girlfriend.
‘Ooh don’t try to fool us, Jjongie.’ She said as she caressed his cheek? I only looked at them astonished. And I thought I was daring, I was nowhere being as daring as she was. And wait what? Jjongie?
‘I’m not fooling you, look.’ He took out his mobile and showed it to the girls. ‘Her name is Tiffany.’ He added. Yuri hissed at the picture and began walking ahead, the other two just followed looking quite disappointed. Tiffany? So he is the type of guy that likes foreign girls. My eyes trailed behind the girls, Yuri seemed to be in a bad mood. I looked at my mobile, I still had thirty minutes left until my next lesson, but I had no idea what to do here, so I just stood up. He did the same.
‘I need to get going my next lesson is about to start.’ He nodded. I nodded as well and started walking.
‘Key-ssi!’ I heard him yell behind me. ‘It was nice talking to you!’ He smiled and wove.
‘Just Key is fine!’ I yelled back, as I turned the corner.---‘That is right Tiffany was your “girlfriend” at the time.’ He lifted his head so he could give me a little peck, I didn’t return it. I bent over and took some papers out of the drawers attached to the coffee table. He got up so that he could see what was on the papers.
‘Your messages. I wrote them down, you began texting me that same night.’---I placed a towel on my pillow, and laid down resting my wet hair on the towel. I turned over and looked at my mobile: {One message from: unknown sender} Huh? An unknown sender? I opened the message. From: Unknown Sender So your real name is Kim Ki Bum?
I like Key better, or what about Bummie? Bummie? Who the hell is this from? To: Unknown Sender Who are you?
It’s very rude to call me Bummie without revealing your own identity!Just a few seconds later my mobile vibrated. From: Unknown Sender Oops sorry, didn’t want to be mean Bummie.
It’s me Prince Charming ;)Prince Charming!? What kind of pervert is this? How did he get my number? But before I could reply I received another message. From: Unknown Sender It’s me the Dinosaur, Jonghyun. ^_^
Jonghyun and Prince Charming are synonyms you didn’t know? Jonghyun? Onew’s friend? Why is he texting me? And how did he get my number. Onew? If that’s the case I’m going to kill him. To: The DinosaurHow should I know that!? You scared me I thought some pervert was texting me! You stupid Dino!
Anyway how did you get my number!? From: The Dinosaur Onew.
Please don’t be mad at him, I pestered him until I got it. To: The Dinosaur Why? From: The Dinosaur I wanted to know you better. =) To: The Dinosaur Why? From: The Dinosaur Hahahah, Is why the only thing you can say?
You’re a weird one I like it ^_^I didn’t answer, I didn’t know what to answer. I couldn’t figure him out why show interest in me? Is he that good a friend of Onew that he thinks it his duty to befriend all of Onew’s friends? But Onew never told me about him? I think I know Onew long enough, but didn’t he say he was a friend from high school? I kept on thinking but as I wasn’t replying, I guess he got impatient and I received a text once again. From: The DinosaurSorry, didn’t mean to be rude, it was a compliment! Really!
Well anyway, fancy a drink next Saturday? At the Café? 08:00PM?He wants to meet up? I didn’t expect this, I don’t want to meet him alone. I texted Taemin asking him to come to the café at Saturday 8PM right? To my relieve I received a positive answer from Taemin. Wait what about his girlfriend? She would not approve I’m sure. To: The DinosaurI don’t know, what about your girlfriend? Won’t she mind?
You better go with her no? From: The Dinosaur She won’t mind ^-^
You’re a guy after all.I see so he doesn’t know, well I guess our friendship ends here then. To: The Dinosaur Sorry, but I’m gay. She won’t be okay with that.
I hope you don’t feel too disgusted. Goodbye.I laid my mobile on the end table, and turned my face so I could see the ceiling. I closed my eyes, exhaled, he must feel so awkward now, he surly regrets even talking to me. Why hadn’t Onew warned him? I know Onew doesn’t mind but other people do, he should know that. I felt my eyes becoming heavy and soon I doze off.
I woke up in the morning feeling sadder that I usually did, but as soon as I picked up my phone I saw that I had a message. It was from last night. He answered? I opened it. From: The Dinosaur I’ll see you Saterday! 8PM don’t be late.
oh, and don’t bring any money my treat ;) XOXO Prince Charming---‘You know how confusing your last message was!? I thought you were a bit potty, who writes xoxo to a gay, especially someone with a “girlfriend”?’ But when I looked down Jonghyun wasn’t there anymore. I looked around he was nowhere to be seen, the film seemed to have ended as well. When I looked over to the clock I noticed it was 1AM how long have I been talking!? And how long have I been talking to myself? How embarrassing. I switched the telly and all other electronics off, and made my way to the bedroom, Jonghyun was already sleeping shirtless, like always. I just can’t sleep comfortably if I’m not wearing clothes. I pulled myself in Jonghyun’s embrace, half-asleep he kissed my head and I fell asleep. I dreamed. My dream?
Saturday 08:00PM---Instead of sitting in my usual spot I sat down beside Taemin, this way Jonghyun could not sit beside me. Onew wasn’t coming anyway so no harm done right?
‘Is Onew-hyung coming as well Umma?
‘No, but someone else is. I’m sorry Taemin, I was scared meeting him alone I hope you don’t mind?’
‘I don’t but, did you just take me along on a date?’
‘Ani!! It’s no date, nothing of the sort! You know I don’t date anymore.’
‘Then why are you red as a tomato Umma?!’ Taemin said with a smile from ear to ear. ‘So who is the lucky one? Is it someone I know? From uni? He kept on talking.
‘You’ll see just wait, and don’t get excited because it’s not a date!’
‘Then what is it?’
‘Uuehhm, more like a meeting… of people…. Aspiring to become friends, does that make sense?’
‘Not really Umma, but whatever you say.’
It was then that we heard the door of the café open, and there he was.
‘The musician! I knew you liked him! You can’t resist a musician Umma!’ he stuck his tongue out.
‘Of course I can, and for your information it was him who asked me. And it’s not a date!’ Jonghyun came up the stairs and smiled at me, I waved (weakly) accompanied with a faint smile. His smile bright until he arrived at our table and noticed Taemin sitting next to me. He stopped for a moment and sat across me.
‘Hi Bummie, and? Sorry I forgot your name.’ he said scratching the back of his head. Why does he always do that? Taemin gave me a look I could not decipher.
‘Taemin.’ Taemin turned to me and mouthed ‘Bummie?’ I shook my head, don’t ask Taemin. ‘I’m so sorry to ruin your date with Umma, Jonghyun-appa.’ Taemin said barely keeping it together.
‘Appa?’ Jonghyun asked.
‘How many times do I have to tell you it’s not a date! Please don’t pay attention to Taemin, Jonghyun-ssi.’
‘I thought you called me Dino, Bummie?’ He kept smiling at me and so did Taemin but clearly thinking and trying to convey different things. I had to change the situation as quickly as possible this was becoming way too awkward.
‘So Jonghyun-ssi, how is your girlfriend? Tiffany was it? Is she alright with you being here?’
‘Girlfriend?’ Taemin asked me. Clearly disappointed
‘Ooh about that, she isn’t really my girlfriend.’ He said averting his eyes from me and scratching his head once again.
‘She is not? But you told those girls, and you even showed them a picture did you not?’
‘She is my sister’s girlfriend actually, I just tell girls she is mine girlfriend so that they leave me alone. They can be so annoying, me being in a band and all.’ He kept scratching his head. I didn’t know what to answer to that. We just kept silent for a while, at first it wasn’t awkward but it become so with every passing minute. Everyone was feeling it, until Jonghyun broke the silence.
‘I’ll get us some drinks, the waiters seem to be busy, what do you guys want?’
‘Banana milk for me and a Americano for Umma.’ Jonghyun just nodded and went downstairs to the bar. Taemin turned to me.
‘Well aren’t you lucky Umma!’ he smiled.
‘How so?’
‘Well apparently he isn’t dating and his sister is a lesbian!’
‘What has that to do with everything?’
‘If you’re lucky and it’s hereditary.’
‘I don’t think it works like that Tae-baby, and I’m not interested.’ I patted his head, smiling weakly. Jonghyun returned with our drinks. The silence returned but this time it was broken by Taemin’s phone. He made an apologetic move with his hand while he read his text. In middle of his reading you could see him smile and he started to blush slightly. Both Jonghyung and I had our eyes fixed on the younger boy, who glued to his phone didn’t even notice us. He stood up.
‘I’m sorry Umma but I got to go, something came up.’ He blushed as he said it. ‘Enjoy your date Umma! Nice meeting you… Future Appa’ He winked at me and made his way out of the café.
‘I’m sorry he…’ but Jonghyun stopped me.
‘I like him, he seems like a nice guy. So tell me, “Umma”?’‘Ooh that. He’s the child of the chief of a multinational, so he was often alone at home often he would stay with his aunt. When my mother died my father remarried, the woman he married was Taemin’s aunt. So we were often together. I took care of him when he was younger so he calls me Umma. He is my dearest friend. We have been very close for the last 12 years.’ He looked at me, smiling, head resting on his hand.
‘What?’
‘You seem like a nice person. A caring person, I seem to like you more by the minute.’ He kept smiling.
‘Don’t say things like that! People might think you’re flirting.’
‘Maybe I am. I didn’t think you would be the kind of person who is bothered by what others think.’
‘I’m not but…’ Wait what? He IS flirting?!--- I woke up the sun shining in my face, I turned the alarm clock off so it wouldn’t disturb Jonghyun, but when I turned to kiss him he wasn’t there. I looked all over the apartment but he was nowhere to be seen. He didn’t eat. He is doing this more often these days, he disappears for a few day without warning, and without warning he comes back. What is he up to?Today was pretty busy, people just kept coming to the café all day long. At last around 5 ‘o clock things calmed down. I sat defeated at the first table I could found, Taemin and Onew soon followed suit.
‘Jonghyun and I thought about inviting you guys to diner one of these days, it has been too long since we did something together. Of course Minho is invited as well.’ I said my head still resting on the table eyes closed.
‘Jonghyun?’ Onew said, but before he could continue Taemin placed his hand in front of Onew’s mouth and started talking.
‘That would be great Key-hyung, I’m sure Minho will be delighted. Talking about Minho I made you an appointment with him, tomorrow at two.’ He smiled weakly.
‘At two Tae-baby I have to work I can’t tomorrow.’
‘Don’t worry about it, we’ll cover for you.’ Onew said looking at Taemin, who nodded like his life dependent on it.
‘Fine.’ I returned. The rest of the day was spend in silence, the only noise that could be heard was that of Onew breaking a plate or two.
The next day at two ‘o clock I stood before Minho’s door. What was I doing here, it’s useless. He is only going to tell me lies, trying to make me live in some kind of fantasy world. It’s not real, not true! I knocked. I awaited the permission to enter. I was granted entrance. The room was too bright.
‘Key, how are you’ Minho said as he saw me.
‘Too bright.’ He knew what I meant, he closed the curtains, he signalled me to sit down. ‘I won’t be staying long.’ I added.
‘So, Key.’ He looked around uncomfortably ‘How is Jonghyun?’ Jonghyun? He never asked me about him.
‘He has been doing great. He has been composing again.’
‘I see, how is your relation going?’