Victon and Us (Oneshot)

In the corner of the quiet cafe, there is one guy who busy with laptop and loads of papers. Chan had to come here to finish his paper that due at midnight because his neighbor decided to do the renovations works on this lovely weekend. Talk about selfish and ignorance. There is no way he can do all the work with all the noises banging next door. So, he carefully packed his stuff and heading to the cafe near to his house. It's a small little cafe owned by middle age couple where he is the regular there.

He starts to feels tired and lost for idea to write. He grabs his cup of caramel macchiato only to find that its already gone. Sigh, he must be too engrossed in writing while sipping the sweet drink. Halfheartedly, he drags his lazy ass to the counter to order a new drink. Its Americano this time, with extra shot too, to keep his eyes wide open. He goes back to his seat while waiting for the drinks. A girl in a white knee length dress clumsily entered the cafe and almost bumped into him. He just can't help but stare at the girls when he sits back in front of his laptop. Pretty. He smiles to himself before trying to focus again. But, his brain starts to wander to somewhere else while he blankly stares at the screen of his laptop.

****

4 Years Ago

"Oppa, why do you love me?" Areum suddenly ask while fidgeting the end of her long hair. Chan calmly took her hand and gives her warms smile.

"Does love require any reasons? I love you, that's all that matter. One is loved because one is loved"

"Hmm. It has to be some sorts of reason. I mean, why me instead of any other girls around you who a lot prettier, smarter than me?"

"Well, It's simple. You give me those butterflies that nobody else did. Even after all these years, the butterfly still won't go away when I am with you" he said in a soft voice while rubbing his thumbs against hers.

"Will you love me forever?"

"Of course Pretty, you are my eternal love"

"Even if I'm sick?" She finished the sentence with tears starts to fall down on her cheeks. That one sentence sends a thunder to him but he tries to keep his compose.

"Are you sick Love?" Chan asks while tightly grab her hands. Areum still soft sobbing to herself. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder to comfort her. She leans her head on his shoulder.

It turns out that Areum had been diagnosed with a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). It's a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect almost any organ system, although it mainly involves the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, and nervous system. It is more commonly diagnosed women in young ages.

It is not easy to deal with the disease and more importantly the emotion distress that they have to face whenever Areum getting sick. Stress is definitely a big no for a person with this disease and Chan is doing his best to accommodate her. They do their best to embrace the disease but her condition wasn't getting any better when its start to attack her vital organs. Hospitals are unofficially their second home now. Chan also take turn to take care of her to let her parents get some rest too. He watched her in her hospital gown as she finally asleep after an episode of seizure before. It's really broke his heart to watch her went through the pain. He wished he can take all the pain out from her.

"Oppa...."

"Yes, I'm here. Do you want some water?" Areum slowly nod her head weakly. Chan pour the water into the cup and quickly help her to get up. He held the cup as she slowly inhales the water with the straw. He helps her to tidy a bit of loose hair strand behind her ears.

"Oppa,I'm sorry for getting sick. It must be tiring to have sick girlfriend like me" she slightly smiles.

"Stop saying that Areum. I'm not tired at all. I'm beyond happy you let me take care of you. We promised before that we will always together through our thick or thin. Don't say that again please baby" he grabs her hands tightly.

"Can you promise me something more Oppa?" Chan raised his eyebrow in puzzled.

"Promise me that when I'm gone, you will always be happy. Don't be sad for too long. And also, find someone better to be by your side but do remember about me too once in a while." She gives him the warmest smile. Chan lost for words. He hugs her firmly.

"I'll always be with you baby. Let's fight this damn disease together"

"Please, promise me Oppa. I want to see you happy" she held up her pinky towards him. He half-heartedly linked the fingers.

Though they fought hard, her condition getting worse with more complication to other organs and finally on that very night she left him forever.  The memory of that night was still vivid in his mind. He stood in the corner of the room in disbelief, trying to digest the facts that she really left him. It happens so soon. He was left in confusion for a brief moment before manly tears starts to gush from his eyes. Sense of emptiness start to choking him. Suffocating. All the memories with her starts to flash in front of his eyes, one after another. He finally left the room with swollen eyes. "Goodbye my love, my beautiful Areum. You'll forever etch in my heart" he whispers to himself, hoping that it can reach her.

After the painful eternal separation, he decides to continue his study because he need to leave the town as there are countless of beautiful memories with Areum here. He did try to open up his heart to new person to keep his promise to Areum but it just doesn't work out, just yet.
Not many people know about his sorrow past and most people couldn't figure it because he always appears as happy and cheerful person. Some people hide their sadness really well.

***

"Ajushhi!!"

Chan almost drops his pen when he heard someone knock softly on his table. He must be lost in thought of his first love. He looks up while adjusting his glasses. It's the girls from before. Her white skin almost glowing when the sunlight hits her cheeks. She's so pretty when he looks at her this up close even when her hair looks kinda messy. With the white dress, she's almost looks like angel to him. He senses a jittery feeling in his stomach as if the butterflies flying happily in there. He quickly straightens his back trying to hold back his reaction.

"Ajusshi??Me? Ajushhi?" he asks her in a surprise tone while pointing to himself.

"Err, sorry..I thought you are an Ajushhi from a far"

"Do I look that old?" He put down his glasses. He only wears this when he is reading all those journals. Small words in New Times Roman, size 11 for god sake.

"Sorry, I shouldn't call you that"

"It's okay. So, anything that I can help you?"

"Ah, can I use the power outlet next to you? My battery is almost out. I've tried the one on that side but it doesn't work"

"Oh sure thing, give me a minute to clear this space" Chan quickly arrange his thing to give space for the girl. The girl helps him too because she feels sorry for disturbing him.

"Ok, all set and ready. You can use the outlet now"

"Thanks a lot, I'm so sorry for invading your space here but I'm waiting for an important call"

"Hey, no sweat, it's not even my properties. Btw, I'm Chan" He gives sincere smile to her.

"Ahreum, my name is Ahreum" she smiles back and leaves Chan in awe.

"If you find someone you love in your life,
then hang on to that love"
-Princess Diana-

A/N: I know this is the epilogue from Noona Saranghae but it can be read as oneshot too right?😉