My Ex is my Bestfriend

It was 10pm when I decided to go home. It's Monday tomorrow and I have to work.

We all decided that the wake would be in the hospital. It would last for 3 days.

So as I got home, I immediately called Ash.

"Hey Cass? Why so late?"

"Ash."

"Hey are you crying? Is it Minho?"

Oh my god Minho! I did not contact him. Okay after this.

"No. Uhm, it's Layla. She's gone."

"What?! Oh no no no she can't."

"But she did. Ash help me tell the kids."

"Yeah. But I thought we're going to strengthen our friendship? Why?"

His voice broke. This may be the first time I hear Ash crying. Oh, I wish I told him earlier. I totally forgot everyone when I received that call from Mr. Ryan.

"I know. And I know we have accepted this outcome, but it still hurts."

"Yes. Cancer is a bitch. I hate cancer."

Somehow, I laughed at that. Trust Ash to personify an illness.

Then I heard a girl's voice on the other line, Gina's.

"Hey. Who are you talking to?" And it sounded a bit jealous. Hahaha so possessive Gina.

"Hey Ash, I'll hang up now. You have a bit of a problem there. And we have to be early tomorrow. Come fetch me. Bye."

"Okay. Bye sweetie."

Oh no Ash. You're in so much trouble now. Although Gina knows me, she is sometimes, or most of the times, possessive. Well, I hope she'd understand our situation now.

I dialed Minho's number and waited for it to connect.

"Hey baby. I couldn't get to you earlier."

"Yeah. I'm sorry.."

"What's wrong?"

That question shattered me, and I bawled my eyes out.

"Hey hey. Tell me baby. What's wrong? Who hurt you?"

It took some time before I calmed down.

"Minho, do you remember Layla?"

"The girl from the hospital you were always talking about?"

"Uh-huh."

"Okay. What about her? Is she okay?"

I sniffled. "I believe she is now. But she's gone Minho. She's gone." And then I cried once again.

I cried and cried and cried. Minho was saying some soothing words and it calmed me down bit by bit.

After that crying spell, I said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry that much."

"Ssshhh. It's okay. I wish I could be there. I don't want you carrying that burden alone. I wish to accompany you."

"No baby. It's okay. I can handle this. I just wanted to hear your comforting voice. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. Now, you have to sleep early. You need a lot of rest because I know you have cried so many times today. I don't want you getting a headache. And drink water before going to bed."

"Yes Minho. Can you please stay with me until I can sleep?"

I heard him sigh. "I will ask for a day off. I want to see you so badly."

I teared up. Okay why am I so emotional? "Minho, you don't have to. But honestly, I want you here with me."

"I know. And I want to be with you. Oh god I want to see you. Now even more that you're sad."

I let that pass through because a little bit more and I will demand he come home immediately.

"Okay Minho, I have drank water. I'm sleeping now. Are you going to sleep?"

"You go ahead. I'll accompany you until you sleep."

I lay down in bed and tucked myself under the blanket.

"You're still working on the project?"

"Yeah, some finishing touches, client's request."

"Is it too hard?"

"Nah. Nothing I can't handle. This is a piece of cake. But not like your delicious cake."

"Hehe. I'll bake another one for you when you come home."

"I'm looking forward to that. Now you try to sleep there. Do you want me to sing for you?"

"You sing?"

"What? You didn't know?"

"Well you didn't tell me!"

"Haha then I'll prove I can sing. What song would you like to hear?"

"Eh, anything you want to sing to me."

"Okay let me think." The line grew silent. And then,

"Maencheoum neoreul bodeon nal

Sujub giman hadeon

Neoui mateun misodo

Oneuri jinamyeon gakkawo jilgeoya

Maeil seolleneun gidaereul hae"

He was singing in korean! But his clear and soulful voice entraps me. So beautiful. I could probably spend one entire day listening to his singing voice.

"Museun mareul gonne bolkka

ottohge hamyon nega usojulkka

soneul gonneboda osekhejilkkabwa

motjjogeun useumman usobwa"

I spoke groggily, "What's the title of this song?"

Instead of answering, he continued singing.

"Uri soro banmarhaneun saiga dwegireul

ajik jogeum sotureugo osaekhandedo

gomawoyo raneun maltu desin

jom do chinhage mareul hejulle"

I asked another question, "So what does this song mean?"

And as if he wasn't hearing me, he continued singing.

"Uri soro banmarhaneun saiga dwelgoya

han-goreumssik chonchonhi dagawa

ijen ne dununeul barabomyo mareul hejulle

nol saranghe"

Saranghae. And in the moment where reality blurs with my dream, I may have answered him.

"I love you too."