Breaking Rules

Her alone

Two years ago...

He liked Jin-ah. He knew she knew that.

"It touches me Ji, that you like me" Jin-ah explained "but I'm sorry. I wasn't able to tell you about this before but as I've said I already have a boyfriend."

"You, obviously forgetting to tell me about him makes me think that maybe you don't care about him as much as you're claiming."

The girl sighed. "Ji" she began "you see... I did like you... no. I do like you."

"So, what's holding you back? I'm willing to forget all about you not telling me about your boyfriend. It's a small matter."

"It's not Ji" she shook her head "We both know it's not... if you were any other guy, I would have not thought twice but you see... you have been nothing but kind and wonderful to me and what you're asking is not fair for both of us."

He grunted in frustration. "So... you're choosing HIM over ME because I'm kind and wonderful?!?!"

"Not that at all" Jin-ah answered "But it had something to do with why I have decided to end this."

"I don't understand you."

She took his hand and looked at him sincerely. "I don't want this to go any further because every time we're together, every time that we see each other, every time we hang around with your friends or even without them, I feel like I'm a replacement for someone."

"What are you talking about?!?"

"Ji... I'm not blind. I see how you sometimes look at me and see another person" there were now tears in her eyes "I don't know who she is but she's there – her memory with you is stronger than anything I've ever seen... and you may be trying to forget her, that's why you keep seeing a lot of girls."

"I don't know what you're talking about" he denied.

Jin-ah wiped her tears "There you go again. Being so stubborn. Min Li – the girl you dated before me – we had a talk and she said the same thing. Everybody sees it Ji – I don't know about your friends or your family coz you hide yourself well but those of us who you have dated... I think, we all know. We're fighting against someone whose hold on you is so strong."

He shook his head "Min Li just said that because we weren't able to part ways well."

"It's because she's fallen in love with you Ji and she knew that she'd never be able to have you fall in love with her the same way. You already gave your heart to someone... you can't give it to another."

His head dropped to his hands. "Why do you keep saying that??? I'm here and willing to give that heart to you. If you're going to leave me... maybe you shouldn't really put the blame on me."

Jin-ah took a deep sigh. "Go! Keep denying it! But you know more than we all do that what I am saying is true! Yes! You're willing to TRY to give me your heart but that's all you can ever do Ji. You can just try and try and try but it's not going to work. You can't forget her. You keep trying but you just can't."

He stood up in anger. "I don't know what you're saying Jin-ah. But if this is how you want it to end, just go. I'm tired of listening to these things that you keep saying. There's no one. No one at all."

He turned his back from her and walked away. "There's no one" he repeated to himself "No one at all."