20

"Mat- stop-"
She is fighting against me, her arms attempt to free themselves from my iron grip.  I try to turn her around, which is difficult because she is banging against my chest so hard.
"Mat- stop- It's me-!"
Her eyes are squint-closed, not wanting to look.
"Open your eyes, you stupid-"
Her hand slaps my face, my left cheek burns from that brief and flaming contact.
"Open your eyes, you doof-" Without any choice, I shove Mat against the door to weaken her, "it's Joong!"
The struggle stops.  The arms are left hanging in the air, her lips aren't twitched anymore.  Her eyes slowly blink open, a quick flow of tears roll down her cheeks and shock is printed all over her face.
"Oppa?"  
"Yes!  You silly monkey!"  I pull her towards me, glad there is no hitting this time round.  "Who did you think I was?"
"Some intruder who came to burgle my home or a rapist who had been stalking me."  The warm air from her nose blows gently against my hair.  "I was so scared," she sobs, "I didn't know-"
"Silly goose."
"Me?!"  She yanks away from my embrace, "I'm silly?  You didn't even call to say you were coming!  What else could I think but some criminal in my house!  And those shoes-" pointing at my new black Adiddas- "I don't recognise them!"
"I bought them a few days' ago, chill'e out Mat."
"Chill'e out?  How would you like to come home to find a stranger in your house grabbing you from behind?"
"I was going to give you a surprise-"
"Ohho it was a surprise all right!  And a shock of my life too!  You nearly gave me a heart attack."  
I don't say anything in case I annoy her even more.  I wait until she calms down, which is shown by her even breathing now.  Her head is lolled down, supported by her hands which cover her face.
"I'm sorry."
"You should be."  She mumbles.
"I love you.  Forgive me?"
A pause.
"Mmm'kay."  
I hug her tightly.
"I've missed you so much, Oppa- missed you all so much."  She is a little shorter than me so she has to tip-toe to put her arms around my neck.
"I'd wish you would stop calling me "Oppa"," I say, "it makes me sound so old."
"Ohh then should I call you Ahjussi?"
"No," smiling, I say: "just call me Joong."
"It'll be weird calling the others "Oppa" when I call you by your name."
"Well, call them by their name."
"Speaking of them, where are they?"  
I release her from my arms.
"They're still in Incheon."
"And why are you here?"  Her blue eyes which are set with beautifully long eye-lashes peer at my face.
"Why, to see you of course."
"Couldn't the others come?"
"I told them I'd be on a business trip to deal with some media matters."
"When is it?"
"I don't know.  I made it up, I wanted to see you."  Looking away from those aquamarine, I continue: "We'll be back in a few days' or so and it'll be your birthday then-"
"Ahh yes," I hear Mat say, "I totally forgot about that."
"Yes, your birthday and the guys will snatch you right up before I come in the front door."
"Oh, Oppa-"
"Joong-"
"Joong, what do you propose we should do today then?  I have the rest of tonight free, plus the week-end."
"I made a picnic basket."
"Ooooh picnic for dinner, sounds fantastic."
"Okay, off we go then-!"
"I'll get changed first," she says, already unbuttoning her work shirt and heading towards the bathroom, letting her fair curls loose on her shoulders from the ponytail, "could you choose an outfit for me and just hang it behind the bathroom door please?"
*****
"Omo!  I can't believe Hyung is missing out on these!"  Joon rips the cooked meat from the KFC chicken drumstick with his mouth, "this is soooo good!"
I throw a tissue at him.  "Go wipe your face, you savage."
"You have to admit this is nice, getting away from the studio and just eating to our hearts' content."  Jong sips some lemonade.
"You mean Hyung dumping all the responsibility on me?  No thanks."
"Ohh cheer up Saeng, it's only for today and a bit of tomorrow."  Min says.
"No, he'll be back tomorrow night."
"How do you know?"
"Gut feeling."  I say as I tear a piece of chicken with my fingers and popping it in my mouth, watching the stars appear in the evening sky.
*****
After the last piece of chicken is devoured by Joong, we lie together on the picnic blanket under a large tree, Joong's head against the side of my body, a little above my waist.
"This is nice, we should do this often."  He says.
"Ahhh those days are over, now is sing sing sing, work work work."
"Too late for us."
"Not so late for me.  I could do it with someone else."
"No, you can only do it with us."
"Why is that?" I ask.
"Because I say so."  He rolls over until our eyes meet, his chocolate brown eyes which melt deliciously into mine.  He gently collaps next to me, his head on my right shoulder.
"I wonder what it would be like to be your boyfriend..."
"Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."  
"Hmmm... don't know.  You could always ask my ex's."
"What would your first date be like?"
Hummm...
"Probably a walk in the park, we talk loads, he drives me home, the end.  If it goes really well, we'll see each other again."
Joong snorts then burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"That has to be the most boring date ever."
"What's your ideal date then?"
"Take the girl out to a night club or something, get drunk, take her into more night clubs... maybe kiss her if I'm drunk too and uh... go home."
"Sounds umm.." What's the word?  "Hectic.  If I were the girl, I certainly wouldn't like to smell your alcoholic breath."
"Oooohh but any girl will surely fall for me."
"I wouldn't fall for you even if you kiss me."
"Are you sure about that?"
I chuckle.  "Of course."
"We'll see about that."
Joong leans forward while I lean back away from him.  I am nearly lying on my back and as I close my eyes, Joong kisses me fully on the lips.  His familiar aggressive yet gentle touch always surprises me, even now.  I feel his hand coming up to my shoulder, his other gently cups my chin towards his.