WHEN LOVE CALLS - CHAPTER 35&36
~The Karma~
Cove’s confused expression automatically turned to a frowny one, as she laid down the revelation.
“Why are you telling me this, Mokee. To hurt me?” He asked clearly hurt. She shook her head in disagreement.
“Are you two a thing now?” He laid another question. She shook her head in disagreement again.
“Then, do you…” He paused and change his question.
“Did you responded to the kiss?” He asked, his gaze fixated to her blurry one.
“I…I…” Her voice got trailed on so as her blurry eyes began closing up.
“I…” She repeated muttering till she falls into slumber, her head landing on the table with her mouth slightly open
Cove just watches her with a not so good expression. Obviously, what she said, has ruined her his mood.
*. *. *
“Drop her gently…” Mr Jung said to Cove who had piggyback Mokee back home.
Few minutes after she passed out, Mr Jung had luckily called her phone and Cove picked it up telling him of their predicament so he came to pick them up since Cove doesn’t know his way back.
Cove laid her down on the bed gently while Mr Jung covers her properly with the blanket.
“Aren’t you gonna ask me why she drank so much?” Cove asked him who wouldn’t utter a word. Mr Jung only withdrew, patting his back.
“Take care of her” He said and exited the room.
“You can’t leave…” Cove heard Mokee’s voice and took his eyes back to hers. Surprisedly, sweats has formed on her forehead and some were already rolling down her face.
She keeps her eyes tightly shut, shaking her head as well.
Her face squeeze together and she kept mumbling some words.
“You can’t leave me… please just don’t… you have to stay here with me…stay here…stay please…” Her breathe began becoming heavy now, Cove alarmed, quickly held both her shoulders trying to wake her up.
“Mokee… Mokee are you okay? Mokee…” He called but all was in vain. She couldn’t hear a faint of his voice.
“No…. please no…” She began crying now, Cove confused, rubs his forehead not knowing what to do.
Should he tell Mr Jung?
It seems she’s only having a nightmare, he prolly shouldn’t worry him unnecessary right.
He brought his palm to her face wiping the sweats and tears.
“Mokee, can you hear me? Mokee…” He calls again. Mokee grab his palm on her face and held it tightly to herself.
“Don’t… you can’t… you can’t please… please…” She continued whimpering, while he laid beside her, pulling her to his arms.
“It’s okay… you’ll be fine… you’ll be fine…” He began whispering to her, stroking her hair with her other free palm.
“Stay…stay…” Mokee cries silently in his arms, till she fell back asleep minutes later.
~NEXT MORNING~
Her face twisted, she got a fistful of her own hair groaning.
“My head…” She turns over to her side, her eyes squinting, she saw a blurry image of a body but didn’t give much thought to it.
“Does it hurt a lot?” A voice asked her
“Huh…it hurts like hell…” She replied back without thinking. However, it didn’t take her thirty seconds to realize what just happened. She flaps her eyelids open right away and it met with that of a bare chest staring back at her.
“The f-__-k!” She traced her gaze up until it met with his arrogant smirking face.
He was facing her, his hand propped up with his head resting on his palm.
Her mouth dropped slightly open, and she sprang away from him immediately covering herself with the blanket.
“Wha…wha…wha are you… doing??” She asked wide-eyed as if she had just seen a ghost.
Cove sat up the then brought his palm forward to her forehead, checking her temperature.
She sank on her sitting, leaning back.
“Your fever is gone, thank goodness” He smiles withdrawing his palm.
“Why…are you here, and why…” She traced her eyes down to his naked upper body
“…are you naked?” She completed slowly.
“Do you have to ask when it’s quite obvious?” He asked back.
He faced the other side and she quickly used the opportunity to check herself under the blanket.
Her top was not on her anymore, but she was still in her bra and singlet. Her trouser was still on her also. Only the top is missing. Same goes for Cove also.
She looks back up chewing on her lower lip.
“Here. Have some honey water. The fructose in the honey will help flush out the alcohol in your system. It’s good for hangover according to your father” He extend it to her and she hesitantly took it.
After taking a little, she clears her throat.
“Did you stayed with me all night?” She asked slowly.
“To take care of you. You don’t expect your father to”
“That was necessary though”
“I couldn’t miss out the opportunity to spend a night with you” He teased but she hit his shoulder.
“I know nothing happened so don’t even try teasing me” She says.
“Says who? Who told you nothing happened?”
“I…i know” She snaps.
“I’m not sure. Does you rambling about how much you like me, or the hot make out session which happened right after you confessed to me be considered as nothing?” He asked getting her eyes glowered.
“That…that is not possible. I won’t do that”
“But you did. Hey you know 70% of what drunk people says are true. You’ve liked me for a long time but only kept it in. They said the more you ignored the person you love the more you fall for them, your emotions for me were so deep and massive that you just burst out everything last night getting me off guard”
“Just because you said that doesn’t mean I really did. I know you’re making things up right now don’t take me for a fool!” She says rolling her eyes but he suddenly came closer, locking gaze with hers.
Her rolling eyes began blinking at the sudden proximity of their faces.
“Women tends to blink more than usual when they’re with someone they’re attracted to… just like you now”
“What nonsense are y_”
“Your lips can lie but your eyes can’t. Truly I made all that up but I’m do sure you feel something for me so as I do for you. Your face says it all. You can deny it all you want, but I’m not gonna believe you monkey, until you really admit your true feelings” He close the little gab between them by kissing her cheek.
“Go wash up. You look pretty ugly for the eyes to see” He lets out a charming smile then stood away after picking his top on the floor. He exits the room.
The moment he did, Mokee let out a long breath she had actually been holding, fanning herself with her palms also.
“What a joke…” She scoffs.
~LATER~
“And here is the main dish” Mokee served the pot of Kimchi Jjigae amidst the dishes served on the table.
She had stubbornly insisted on making breakfast even though her father disagreed.
Her father was already seated by the table while she took a seat opposite him.
“What do you think father?” She smiles after settling down.
“Well, they all look ravishing.”
“Right?” She chuckles.
“Wow! Monkey did you make all this!” They heard cove’s voice and look towards his direction to see him approaching.
Mokee wanted to laugh but she held her laughter. He is currently wearing Mr Jung’s clothes which looks funny on him.
“How do I look?” He asked posing.
“You lookkk… good” Mokee replied.
“Yeah, I look good no matter what I wear. That’s how charming I am” He winks.
He went beside her and sit.
“But you cooked all this?” He asked and she flaunts her hair.
“Well, I don’t normally do this but… After acting, cooking is the second thing I’m good at actually” She said proudly.
“I bet it’ll be delicious” Cove salivated.
“I’m my father’s daughter anyway”
“Father, why don’t you go first? ” Mokee extend a spoon to him.
“Sure” He collected it and have a spoonful of the soup.
“How’s it?” She asked anticipated.
Her father let out a smile.
“It’s good” He nodded. Mokee grins.
“You guys should have some too”
“Yes Father” Cove picked up his spoon and scoop a spoonful of soup in his mouth also. He paused for a while after tasting the soup.
“What do you think?” Mokee asked him.
Instead of answering, he scooped a spoonful of rice inside his mouth, like that he tasted all the food one by one then drops his spoon.
“So…?” Mokee asked. He looks at her and smiles.
“They’re all tasty” He says.
“Really?” Her face lighten up.
“Huh. You must have used sea water to cook the soup, it gives it a unique taste” He smiles. Mr Jung stifles a laugh.
“What?” Mokee frowns.
“Ah! That’s not all. The rice, it’s splendid, it tastes rocky absolutely great. And I guess you haven’t learned of the word ‘dicing’ when dealing with onions before, you must be used to the ‘ cutting’ I almost mistook an onion as meat. It’s tastes awesome though. And for the meat, I guess you added it to the soup at the last minute, I can feel the freshly taste. It’s superb!” He gave her a thumbs up while Mokee only scoffs.
Without saying anything, she stood up and march away from there.
“Father eat more, it’s prepared by your talented daughter, you should eat as many as you can” He smiles.
“I’ve tried many of her dishes, as a first timer. I’ll give you the privileged to eat as many as you could. Bon appetit” Mr Jung smiles standing up also.
Cove took a taste of the vegetables and spat it out.
“Did she washed the vegetables with a lime juice, it taste sour!” He exclaimed dropping the chopsticks.
*.
*
*
“What are you doing here?” Mokee didn’t bother looking back on hearing Cove’s voice.
She was sitting under a big tree watching people as they pass by.
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you, why are you sitting alone here?” He asked again standing in front of her.
“Nothing… just” She mutters.
“Let’s go back. It’ll start raining soon” He says and she looks up to the already cloudy sky.
“You’re right. It’s raining soon” She mutters.
“Your father is worried, you left home since earlier. Is it because of what I said about your food?” He frowns.
“I’m not that petty. What do you take me for, I know clearly well, how bad my food tastes” She says. Cove squatted in front of her.
“You knew and you still went ahead and cook? Shouldn’t you stay away from anything that has to do with cooking?” He asked rather in a playful manner.
“Just because I can’t cook doesn’t mean I shouldn’t. I have to keep trying until I became better”
“But it’s surprising your father is so good at cooking and even once managed a food company but as his daughter, you’re just the opposite of him”
“That’s because I never learnt” She sighs.
“When others were learning this things, I didn’t care. I thought it was unnecessary, my mom would always scold and shout then but I see it as her just being annoying. But now, I became the annoying one” She said, the sky rumbles, and it began drizzling.
“We’ve gotta run, come on” He held her hand but she remains stagnant. Cove looks back at her.
She slowly removes her hand from his.
“You should go first”
“I can’t leave you here” He frowns.
She said nothing and he sighs taking a sit beside her.
“Do you miss your Mom that much?” He asked and she looks at him.
“You talked about missing her when you got drunk last night. Didn’t you? It’s been how many years now?” He asked
“About seven” She replied.
“That isn’t much of a long time” He said.
“You think?”
“Huh. I’ve never got to know who my Mom is. Not even my Dad”
“What do you mean?”
“I grew up in an orphanage, I have no parents”
“What?”
“I left there when I was eighteen and worked my path into acting, actually I don’t like it when others talked about their parents, it pisses me off and I feel like I’m being oppressed. Unlike other kids, I didn’t get anyone to adopt me, I had to leave the orphanage with little support, it was a past I never wanted to think back to”
“I’m sorry…” She mutters and he looks at her with a smile.
“What I’m trying to say is, compare to others your situation could be minor. Some lost both and some never had. You have one so you’re still lucky don’t you think? It’s good to miss her but, don’t let your world shatter just because you do. All the things you didn’t get to do with her when she was still with you, it’s never too late to do them. Miss her, in a way she’ll be proud of you, not seeing you sitting alone pathetic, like some widow. We haven’t even got married, don’t make me feel bad” He teases and she rolled her eyes.
“Who says I’m marrying you?” She mumbles.
Cove dipped his hand in his already wet pocket and brought out something.
“Give me your hand” He took her hand and wore a jade ring on her little finger.
“What are you doing?”
“Look. Isn’t this pretty?” He asked after wearing it on her. Mokee looks at it with a little frown.
“Why are you wearing this on me?” She made to remove it but he stop her.
“I bought it from an old woman on my way here. She said it’s a bond which keeps two hearts together for a long time” He smiles rubbing it.
Mokee only scoffs, not finding the word to reply him.
Cove measure his little finger with her ring finger getting her wondering.
“She also told me, that when a woman’s ring finger has the same size with a man’s little finger, it’s means they’re meant to be. That they are soulmates…do you remember last time at the interview?” He asked.
“When I hugged you then, I could feel our heartbeats synchronized, I just didn’t say anything about it” He said but she removes her hand from his clearing her throat.
“We should go back…father must be waiting…” She began walking away but he held her back.
“Do you remember my resolution?” He asked and she looks at him.
“Today is the deadline Mokee… won’t you give me your answer now?” He asked, his gaze boring into hers intensely.
“What’s your answer, Mokee?” He asked again.
“That_”
“Mokee!!!” They heard a voice from a distance cutting her short.
“Hurry up! Come over!!” Their father who was in a bulldozer signal for them to come over.
Mokee removes her hand and began running towards him while Coves lets out a sigh.
“Of all timing…” He mumbles.
~AT HOME~
A knock came on Mokee’s room door and she muttered a come in.
She had changed into neatly dried clothes and was standing by the window watching the rain falling.
“What were you two doing in the rain? You got all drenched” Mr Jung extends a cup of hot tea to her as he came in.
“Thanks Dad” She mutters collecting it.
“Are you two okay?” He asked and Mokee nodded offering a smile.
“What made you asked that Dad?” She asked.
“Earlier when I saw you guys, the situation seems quite serious…”
“Ahh that, we were just talking about random things” She chuckled.
“What do you plan to do with him?” Mr Jung asked.
“What do you mean Dad?”
“He loves you, doesn’t he?”
“What…of…of course he’s doesn’t. He’s only joking around…”
“You think so? He even followed you all the way here”
“Cove is usually like that…”
“And what made you think he’s not serious about you I can see it that he does, or…is the problem with you, do you have feelings for someone else?” Her father asked carefully.
“Dad I…”
“If that isn’t the case why don’t you just let him know where he really stands, let him know…what your heart really wants”
“I can’t date him Dad” She says.
“Why? You don’t feel the same way he does?”
“I can’t date someone like him, I can never be with someone like him. Someone like him doesn’t worth my love Dad. He doesn’t…” She shook her head.
“I guess… it’s such a pity then” Her father said. He walked over to the door and opens it revealing Cove who stood there with a hurtful expression on.
Obviously, he heard everything she just said.
“Cove!” Mokee gasped in shock on seeing him, the cup she’s holding falling from her hand.
Cove turns to Mr Jung and bowed at him.
“I’ll keep my promise to you, thank you for everything Mr Jung” He says and Mr Jung nods.
“Then, I shall take my leave now” He says.
“Why don’t you wait till the rain stops. It’s not a good idea leaving now” Mr Jung opined.
Cove only bows slightly bidding his farewell, he gave Mokee one last hurtful look, before walking away down casted.
“Co…” She calls but he was already out of sight.
“I hope you’re sure of your decision, daughter” Mr Jung said excusing her also.
*. *. *
“COVE! COVE WAIT!! COVE!” Mokee shouts as she ran after Cove but he ignored her calling.
“Covvve!!!” She eventually got to him pulling his hand to stop him.
“Where are you going, it’s raining so much” She asked stopping him.
“I’m going back home, I shouldn’t have followed you here to begin with” He replied keeping his head low.
“Cove what I said earl_”
“I was getting ahead of myself didn’t I? You made it so clear to me many times but I was just stupid not to get it. I mean, you’re right. Why would you wanna date a playboy like me. Why would you love, a flirt like me? It’s nonsense.”
“Can we go back and talk please?”
“There’s nothing more to talk about Mokee. I understand everything you said, and like I’ve promised, I won’t chase after you anymore” He took her hand and removes the jade ring from it.
“I guess this doesn’t belong to you after all…” He mumbles.
“This must be my karma, this pains I’m feeling right now, must be my retribution… right?” He looks at her wistfully.
“Cove I…”
“I won’t ever disturb you again now Mokee, I won’t chase after you or pester you anymore. I won’t even call or text. I’m going to go back to before I know you. I’m going to stop thinking about you, I won’t see you either. I won’t bug you anymore, you won’t have me disrupting your life anymore now… I….am not going to continue loving you. It may be hard, but I promise I will. I will get out of your life…as you have wished…so, you don’t have to worry anymore. Love whoever you want to, date whoever you want to. I’m sorry for being nothing, but a nuisance to you…all this while… I’m sorry” He said stepping away from her giving her a sad smile.
“Cove wait I…”
He turns away from her and began walking away.
Mokee stood on her spot not able to go after him.
She only stood, watching him leave with her fists balling.
“Mokee…” She heard her father’s voice and looks back to see him coming with an umbrella over his head.
“Dad…” She mutters with her lips shaking.
“Come here, my daughter” Mr Jung says and she runs into his arms.
“Dad…” She finds herself bursting into tears, hugging him tightly.
TBC…