Going Home.....

Ryu’s POV...

Hai, my name is Ramona Kwon, but you can call me Ryu. My Mom said the night before I was born, she had a dream about meeting a dragon, that’s why she choose Ryu as my nickname. Weird right? I know.

This is Mark Lee and he is my bestfriend in the Uni. He really is a very bright boy, just like his smile. How we met? On the very first day in the Uni we have a same class. That time he came a bit late and rushing to the sit right next to me after the Professor scolded him.

Flashback...

To begin with, since my freshman year in the Uni, I have no any friend. Not a single one, moreover I am an introvert, so it’s a bit hard for me to make a new friend. But there he was, sitting right beside me and mumbling to himself “wow! That was a hella long lecture and it’s not even about the English study. I wonder what would he talk about later since he really talked nonstop about students being late. I’m just late about three minutes jeeezzzz…” he said in annoyance.

I glanced at him and his face looks funny. Without even realizing, I giggled at him. He turned his head and asked “what’s so funny?” his eyebrows lift a bit. I’m start to panicking and rumbling my apologies “uuuhhh... I’m sorry... Ummhh... I—I didn’t mean to.” I stuttered my words because I am afraid he will get mad and bully me later.

Surprisingly, he chuckled at me and he said “ahahahaha no, it’s fine. It’s my fault in the first place since I came late.” then he smile at me. I got really confused with his response and smile awkwardly after “umm... Okay, sorry again.” I said to him. After he heard that, he answer “nah, it’s fine.” and he wave his hand a little at me. We stop talking because the class has begun and the Professor have told us no talking in his class or he will kick you out.

The class just finished and the Professor just left minutes ago and here I am with my old habit, waiting for other people to leave the class until I am the only person left. All of sudden there’s a hand stretched out in front of me. I’m looking at the hand and up to the owner face with confusion, after that he said “hey, you’re not leaving? My name is Mark Lee by the way, you can call me Mark.” then he smiled.

The introvert in me jumps out, I think he noticed it and start laughing at my expression, he said “are you an introvert? You seems a bit panicking. You’re not scary of me, right? Don’t be scared, I won’t bite haha…” he is still laughing. My stuttering words comes out again “umm... yes I— uhh... I’m an introvert.” after saying that I really want to slap my face because I sounds stupid.

He stop laughing “are you really gonna ignore my hand? It’s getting awkward though.” he said that while rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand. Still in a panick state I grab his hand and talking really fast at him “mynameisRamonaKwon,butyoucancallmeRyu.NicetoknowyouMark.” I said that while shaking his hand a bit fast too.

Mark being the brightest boy that he is, start to laugh again “hi Ryu, it’s nice to know you too. I don’t know you can rap. Btw, when are we gonna stop shaking hand? haha…” after that I stopped shaking his hand and pull my hand away still confused with what is actually happening.

He smile at me and his next words really confused me even more “are we friends now?” still smiling, waiting for my answer. I turn my head down and playing with my fingers “you are not lying, right? You said you want to be my friend but you’re not gonna bully me in front of your friends or something later, right? You know, people did that to me in high school since I moved a lot to a different cities and schools because of my father’s work.” I said that in a very small tone. But he still can hear it.

He looks shocked with my reply “what?! Of course not! People bully you because you’re a new student in your high school?” he raise his tone a bit because he got surprised.

After hearing his reply I slapped my lips impulsively because of my stupid words. When he saw that, he pulled my hand from my lips “hey, don’t do that. It’s okay you asked that because you have a trauma. So it’s true that they bully you before?” he asked while letting go of my hand.

I let go a sigh “yeah, I got bullied in high school and I have no friend. That’s why I’m afraid and said that. Sorry...” I said, not realizing I shared one of my secrets to other people except my family. His response is “hey, no need to apologize. I totally understand what you are feeling Ryu. Now raise your head please, I want to see my new friend’s face” then patting my hand.

I raise my head slowly in hesitant and what I see is his smiling face. As he watched what I’m doing, he said “well, hello there Ryu. I’m so glad you accepted me as your friend. Please don’t be afraid of me, I won’t hurt you” then he showed me his smile again. I gave him a smile too “hi there Mark, thankyou because you want to be my first friend. Please don’t hurt me since I have trust you” I told him. He really has a power to made me trust him in our first met.

End of Flashback...

After that, we got really close and we became best friends. It’s our last year in the Uni and I am afraid what will happen with our friendship after we graduate. He told me he will follow me anywhere I go after we graduate but for me it’s just sounds wrong. I want our friendship last forever but I do realize that we have our own lives.

One day he got really mad at me after I told him about a girl who just confessed her feeling to him. I asked him why he didn’t accept her feeling and become her boyfriend. I have told him a lot of time that he can’t be with me forever. Turns out my words offended him. It’s the very first time he got that mad and called me with my real name, he said “just stop it Ramona! If we gonna argue about this again, I’m done talking! We’ve been talked about this before and I have told you that I don’t need a girlfriend since I have you. I don’t like that girl too, I don’t even know who she is. So stop talking about this nonsense!” after that, he left me. I’ve got really shocked that day.

*****
Ryu’s POV...

Since I don’t have anymore classes and got bored in my dorm because the only thing left for me as student in the Uni is gradation day in a few months, now here I’m sitting in this studio dance, waiting for him to finish his daily practice. Yes, he’s a performer. This boy is really talented. He can dance, he can play music instruments such as guitar and piano, he can sing and rap too. Sometimes I wonder why he chose Psychology as his major instead of Performer Art.

They got a break for 10 minutes and he walk toward me. He put his head on my lap and lay down beside me. I put his towels on his face “wipe your sweat please.” I said that lazily and start reading my book again. He pull the towel away from his face and start screaming “why are you ignoring me baby?” after hearing that, I close my book “sit down! And how many time I told you to stop calling me that?” I answered him. He sit in front of me and I start wiping his face in annoyance. Yup, he has been calling me that since the second year and people start to misunderstand our relationship.

Screaming again “but you’re my babyyyyyyy” he start to nag. I glare at him “keep nagging and I’ll leave you. Your friends are looking at us” I slap his hand lightly. “fine!” he pout at me. I just sigh at his acts, he is just unbelievable. Then from across the room someone yell at us “hey lovebirds! Please continue that later. We need to finish our choreography here” that is his friend, Lucas, I think. His friends have been calling us that and this pouting boy in front of me never try to correct them or do anything about that. He turn his head to him “okay, coming!” he told his friend and turn his head back to me “stay here! Don’t go anywhere. See you later baby” he said in a serious tone, pat my head lightly, then run to his friends. I just shake my head at his antics.

His dance practice has been finished thirty minutes ago but here we are, still in the dance studio. It’s his habit, he will do the choreography, record what he is doing and review them. He will do that until he feels satisfy. I walk toward him, take a sit right in front of him and handed him his water bottle. I wipe the sweat on his face, his eyes glued to his phone, watching his moves before. He frowned as I can see that he saw something wrong with the way he moves. I sigh as I got worried “take a break please. You’ve been doing this for thirty minutes already” I pull his phone away and he raise his head, looking back at me.

He drink his water, eyes still looking at me. I just watching him as our eyes locked. The competition is in three weeks and I can see that they got a lot of problems with the choreography. He looks so restless, it’s worry me a lot. As he finish his drink, I start to caressing his hair “you need to cut your hair, it’s getting messy since it’s got too long” he just humming as a respond and close his eyes, enjoying what I’m doing with his hair.

Still caressing his hair, I told him “I know you’re tired and it’s stress you out because the choreography is really hard this time but please take a break. You’re doing amazing, don’t push yourself too much. I got really worried here” he opened his eyes then he pull my hand away from his hair and put it on his cheek instead. He sigh and answer “okay, I’m sorry baby” he kiss my palm and put my hand back on his cheek, closing his eyes again.

What he has been doing is really confused me sometimes. He act like this and he got really possessive too. He sweet talking to me and treat me like a queen. He really put me in his top priority. Because of that I fall for him, really hard. I’m in love with him but I don’t know about his feelings. I’m afraid if I confess to him, I’ll be ruin our friendship if he didn’t feel the same way. That’s why I keep my feelings towards him to myself.

I try to pull my hand and his grip on my wrist tightened a bit. I just let him do what he want “hey Mel” I called and he opened his eyes. He really love when I call him that.

He told me only special people can call him that and I’m a bit fluttered when he asked me to call him Mel. Even he won’t allow his father and brother to call him that. It’s his mom who gave him that special nickname when he is still a baby. When his mother knew that she is pregnant, she is hoping that she will have a baby girl as their second child. Mrs. Lee even already prepare a name since a long time a go, which is Mellisa. That’s why she gave him that special nickname.

Again, I call him “Mel?” he is looking intently at me “what is it baby?” he pulled my hand from his cheek and caressing the back of my hand this time. I smile as crazy idea pop up in my head “can you make me dance again?” I told him, I laugh at his confused expression after he heard that.

He arch his eyebrows “did I hear it right?” I laugh again “I know my body is as stiff as a maple tree in front of the Uni right now, but you knew that I used to learned ballet before my father ordered me to stop. So can you make me dance again?” then he laugh at what I just said. Still chuckling, he ask “I know, but are you sure about this baby?” I put my finger on my chin “hmm... not really but I wanna try” he smile at my reply “alright if that what you want” he said and I smile back at him.

*****

Ryu’s POV...

We are having fun as he teach me some moves, we are laughing a lot “hahahaha are you sure you learned ballet before baby?” he teased me. I put my hands over my chest and shot my protest at him “hey! are you doubting me?” I puff my cheeks. He laugh again “I’m just kidding baby. Why are you so cute?” he said that as he squeeze my cheeks.

As time pass, I can feel my flexibility coming back even if it’s a bit hurt in a few part of my body. We learn some couple dance moves, he put his hands on my waist “jump!” he said. I jump and he lift my body and I straight an Arabesque pose. After a few second he put me down “well, I can see you still got that in you babe.” he told me, his both hands still on my waist. I look at him “now you talk.” I said as I smirk at him.

We take a break as now my T-shirt drenched because of my sweat. We are laying on the floor next to each other. I turn my head toward him, looking at his face, his eyes close. His chest moves up and down, catching some air “thank you for making me feel beautiful again Mel.” he opened his eyes, turn his head to me, his expression looks serious “what are you talking about? You always look beautiful babe” he raise his hand an caressing my hair softly. I smile at him “I know.” then he chuckle at my reply.

*****

The Competition Day...

Ryu’s POV...

Today is the day, the Dance Competition that Mark and his friends have been waiting for. I watched their performance and as always, they really are amazing dancers. They won the first place and got a fast track ticket to the Nation’s Dance Competition. I am really proud of them.

I am on the way to the backstage now, carrying a bouquet of flowers. I knock on the door, open it slightly and take a peek. Mark saw me and open the door wider “baby, you come.” he hug me, lift me from the ground and spin us around. We laugh together and he put me back to my feet. I gave him the bouquet “congratulations Mel, I’m so proud of you.” he accepted the bouquet with his right hand while his left hand remain on the side of my waist.

He smile, looking at the bouquet then looking back at me “thankyou baby. Now where’s my kiss?” what he just said really surprise me. I hit his shoulder “stop joking like that! Your friends are here.” he just laugh. After that “then, you want to kiss me when we are alone?” he whispered to my ear, his eyebrows moving up and down. I am glaring at him “YAH!!!” I hit him again.

As Mark can stop laughing at my annoyed face, his friend Lucas, (now I really remember him because he is the tallest in their group and the closest one to Mark) walking toward us “okay lovebirds, that’s enough. We should get going, the party will start soon.” he stopped in front us. Lucas point his finger at me “you should join us too, Ramona. We are celebrating our victory in the Diamond Sky, that very famous club. You know that, right?” he put his hands inside his jeans pocket and smile at me.

Mark and I looking back to each other “yeah you should join us too baby. It will be fun.” he plea. But I shake my head “you know that I hate those kind of places right? You guys can go without me.” I assure him. He let go a sigh, he know no matter what happen, I will never go to that place.

*****

Ryu’s POV...

He pulled over his car in front of the dorm of our Uni. I removed the seatbelt then turned at him when I feel he hold my left hand. I am looking at him with a question look “are you sure you don’t want to join me baby? Just this one time, hmm?” he give me a puppy look. I chuckle and caressing his cheek with my right hand “it’s a no Mel. I’m sorry okay?” I gave him an apologetic smile, hopping he will understand. He put his other hand over my hand that still on his cheek “but—” I shake my head fast, cutting him off. He sigh and gave up.

I pulled my hand away from his cheek and holding back his hand instead. Thinking how to make up to him, until I said “how about the kiss? You want a kiss from me as a present since you won right?” then his expression lighten “are you sure?” he asked. There’s an excitement in his tone. I chuckle as I look at him. Without hesitant, I gave him a peck on his right cheek. I pulled my face away, looking back at him “there. That’s your present from me.” he look really shock. He even lost his words and just blinking his eyes at me.

Since he still in his shock state, I talk again “you should go now, your friends must be waiting for you. Thank you for dropping me off. Don’t forget to text me when you’re already back to your dorm.” I let go of my hands from his hands and turn around.

I open the car door and when I am about to get out of the car, I turn my body again at him, give him another peck on his left cheek this time, get out of the car, slammed the door, and runaway from his car. I laugh as I can hear his scream since the windows of his car are opened “YAH RAMONA KWOOOOONNNN!!!!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MEEEEEEEE?????!!!!!!” I turn back to see his car and I can see him hitting his head to the steering wheel. I laugh again.

*****

Ryu’s POV...

It’s almost 11pm and I got a phone call from father. Every time his name showed up on my phone screen, there will never be something good going to happen. I pick up “hello father?” and he answer “Ramona, you need to go home now! I need you to take your place in our company as soon as possible. I can’t handle them myself alone now. The Jet will be waiting for you at the airport. I’ll send someone to pick you up, you hear me?” see? My father and his order for every moves I make in my life. I hesitantly answer him “yes father, but can I go to the airport by myself? My friend will take me there.” then he answer again “fine! But you need to go, now!” then he hang up without waiting for my answer.

After that call, I have been trying to call Mark, but he didn’t answer. After a few times, finally he picked up. But the only thing I can hear is a booming sound of music, not his voice “Mel, Mel can you hear me? Can you take me to the airport now? I need to go home now. My father just called and he order me to go home. I need to go now. Mel? Please, can you hear me?” I scream to the phone.

Then it’s start to become quiet, I call again “Mel, can you hear me?” to my relief, I hear his voice this time “hey Ramona, I’m sorry I couldn’t hear you before. What is it?” I got confused by his answer and pulled my phone away from my ear, checking if I dialed the right number. It is his number.

Thinking maybe he’s a bit drunk right now, I asked again “hey Mel, can you—“ my voice got cut off when I hear a woman’s voice over the phone “Mark, hung up the phone already. You said you want to take me somewhere private so we can having fun.” I hold my breath when I hear his response “okay baby, wait a second. Hey Ramona, I have to go now, I’ll call you later.” then he hang up. My phone still pressing against my ear “what did just happen to him? He just got really excited when I kiss him a few hours a go.” I talked to myself in disbelief. I lost my energy in my body, my hands drop to my side, hanging there limply.

As I am still in a shock state, I jump in surprised when my phone rings again, this time is my mom calling “hello, Ryu? Just pack the important things for now and someone will get the rest later. You don’t need to go back to the Uni after this since you actually have finished your study. The only thing left is just your graduation day next month right? We have to skip that, it doesn’t matter. Just go home now before your father get mad.” I take a deep breath before answer her “okay mom. Can you order someone to pick me up? My friend can’t take me to the airport.” I can hear her sigh of relief “okay, I will send someone. Just wait a minute okay?” I just humming to her before I hang up the phone.

In a few hours, my life turn upside down. After four years of my quiet life as a student, far from my heartless father and his demanding order, now it has come to an end. It’s getting worst after my call with Mark. I just don’t understand what actually happened to my best friend. When he dropped me off and I kissed him, he act like a teenager who just got a text from their crush. But just now, he act like we just known each other for a few days a go. He even called me Ramona, not Ryu nor baby as usual.

After a few minutes, I got a message from my mom, saying that the driver has arrived. I try to call Mark again, but this time it’s send straight to the voicemail. I decided to just left him a message then I hang up.

After sending my voicemail to Mark, I am crying loudly while hugging my knees. I don’t want to leave, I want to stay here, I want to stay beside him but this is my fate. I will never ever have my own life. My life has been written by my father even before I was born. These four years living as student in the Uni is just an agreement between me and my father. And now my father asked for his payment from me. I really can’t do anything.

*****

Ryu’s POV...

I am on my way to the airport now and it’s start raining really hard. The rain really reduces the visibility and the drivers slowed the car. There are only a few cars on the road since it’s midnight already. We stop at the traffic light for a few minutes. After the light turn green, the car start moving again but the driver didn’t see a truck came from our right side, it came really fast.

*****

Next Morning.....

Author’s POV.....

Mark’s sleep have been interrupted by the sounds of his phone. His hand going anywhere on his bedside table. When he found his phone, he take a pick to see who have been calling him for nth times. He check the time, and it's still six in the morning.

A curse slip out of his mouth when he saw Lucas’s name on the screen. He picked up “you bastard! do you know what time is it?! Our plan will be start at 10am! Are you out of your mind?!” he said that even before Lucas greet him.

To his surprise, Lucas scream back at him “YAH MARK LEE WAKE UP!!! I HAVE BEEN CALLING YOU FOR A HUNDRED TIMES!!! AND IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUR STUPID PLAN!!! TURN ON THE TV NOW, YOU HAVE TO SEE THE NEWS!!! NOW!!!” Mark pulled his phone away from his ear and put it back after Lucas stop screaming.

He scream back “YAH LUCAS WONG!!! DID YOU HAVE TO SCREAM LIKE THAT?! I SWEAR TO GOD I’M GONNA KILL YOU IF THIS IS NOT IMPORTANT!!! YOU BASTARD YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD REASON FOR THIS!!!” without any pause between them, Lucas scream back “JUST TURN ON THE FCKING TV NOW!!! IT’S ABOUT RAMONA YOU ASSHOLE!!!!” after hearing that, Mark open his eyes widely and raise his body to a sitting position. His phone still glued to his ear, while his other hand fumbling with the remote control, trying to turn on the TV.

After switching a few channels, he found the one that Lucas has been talking about. The only voice came out from his mouth is just “what.....????? How......?????” and after hearing that, Lucas talk from across the phone “I’m on my way to your dorm mate. Please don’t do anything stupid. Wait for me.” then he hung up.

Mark still couldn’t believe what he just seen on the TV. He tried to call Ramona a few times but to no avail. He tried a few times more until he realize he got a voicemail from her. With a swift movement he open it and press his phone to his ear.

hey Mel, I don’t know what happen to you. I’m still wondering why you call me Ramona so suddenly. Did I make a mistake? Did you mad at me? Who is she? Is she your girlfriend? Did my best friend finally got himself a girlfriend? Please tell me everything later, okay? I called you before because I need you to take me to the airport but you seems busy right now. I—yah...

Mark can hear her took a deep breath before continuing “I even didn’t have a time to pack my things and clean up my room. I’m really sorry because I have to say this over a voicemail. Mel, I need to go home now and I’m not coming back to the Uni. I’m not coming back here. Mel... hiks... I’m sorry, I’m really sorry... hiks...” and now he can hear her cry. “no baby, no. Please tell me it’s just a lie! Please tell me you just want to prank me like what I did to you last night, right?”.

Mark stop talking as he can hear her continue. “Mel... thank you for everything, thank you because you want to be my best friend. Actually Mel, there’s something I want to tell you. It’s my biggest secret... Mel, I love you, I love you so much Mark Lee. I really do...” he answer her word really fast, his voice raise a bit. It’s almost like a scream “I LOVE YOU TOO BABY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH TOO! NO PLEAEE NO! PLEASE NO BABY! NO!”.

There’s a long pause there before her next words make him feels like his whole body got struck by a lightning “I’m so sorry and goodbye Mel...” Mark lost his breath as he can feel his World Crumble with Ryu’s final words “Mel, I’m Going Home...
That morning, Mark just lost his other half.

*****

Author POV...

BREAKING NEWS: Ramona Kwon, the only child of Gideon Kwon and the only heir of the Kwon Industries, one of the biggest and the most influential company in the business world has passed away. The car that she was riding on with her driver got hit by a truck last night.

*****

Author’s POV...

Ryu is sitting inside the car, on the way to the airport. Her eyes is in a daze, looking at the rain outside the window. The car stopped in a traffic light. When the light turn green, the car start to moving again. Unfortunately the driver didn’t see the truck coming to their way from the right. But Ryu seen that, she saw that truck coming toward her really fast. And that right moments she realizes the time has come.

God answer her misery as she got really tired with what her father has been doing. Her father want her to Go Home but she didn’t want to. God want her to Go Home and she willingly letting Him to take her away.

She mumble to herself “thank you for the wonderful memories, I love You Mel. I’m sorry, Goodbye.....” and she smile as the truck hit the car right at her side. The truck hit the car really hard and it flipped a few times before it stopped in an upside down position. That night Ramona really Going Home and she will never come back.

FIN...

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