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Sitting in the sofa, staring into space, Hyunsik was waiting. He didn't know exactly what he was waiting for, but he was desperately waiting. It was like if there was a huge void around him but into him as well.
The deathly silence which only the clock was breaking with its ticking weighed more upon his mind than all the accumulated professional and personal problems he had at the moment. Was his condo that quiet, lifeless, before his disappearance? It hasn't been that long since he's been gone though. Maybe one day, or two. Aren't we supposed to miss other people's presence after a while, when we finally realize what has happened?
Hyunsik could barely understand why he left like he did. The need to see new horizons, to meet new people, were not a sufficient reason for him. He felt his love wasn’t enough for him. Not enough for him anymore. Yet no one could love him, respect him, give him the life he wants and deserves as much as he does.
He remembers the first time he had seen him. He was banged up, soaked and shaking with fear.
“Do you need help?” he asked him, worried.
He looked like he had nowhere to go. No house where someone would be there to greet him warmly.
No answer. Only a dark look to protect himself and pushing away the helping hand that was offered to him. Hyunsik didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want to abandon him like that, but what more could he do if he stubbornly refused his help? He couldn’t force him to follow him, a stranger. He would have been even more scared.
This little one (as he called him, but in reality, he was an adult) had him obsessed. He thought about him days and nights, he couldn’t even concentrate at work. He returned to that place every day, and there he was, leaning against the alley wall, in the same position he has seen him the first time. Even more in a poor shape than the day before but still so fierce. He gave him food every day but he refused to come closer. So, he would leave it to him and go, walking slowly at first and turning around to check if he was going to start eating but still nothing, he didn’t move an inch. The food however was gone the next day, but it must have been the work of a stray animal.
One day though, maybe he had gotten used to him and seeing him every day, or maybe he was desperate and felt faint, but he didn’t refuse his help. He had accepted the food Hyunsik handed him and let him approach him. The poor thing must not have the strength to fight any longer as he had offered no resistance when Hyunsik grabbed him to take him home.
After a good scrub and scissors, he looked fit to be seen again. He also realized that he was even rather cute under all that filth.
Despite what his close family members and friends’ objection, he put him up. He was shy at first, always keeping to himself, and not daring to touch anything or to move. Then he slowly got used to it and they learned to live together. From, then on, they quickly became attached to each other.
Hyunsik was surprised to find out he was cuddlier than he looked like. When they were watching a movie on the sofa, he would curl up on his legs. When Hyunsik came home from work, he always went to greet him with tremendous joy.
Their life together was perfect.
That’s why he couldn’t understand why he left.
A noise coming from the kitchen, where was the half-opened glass door leading to the terrace, caught Hyunsik’s attention. The latter stood up at such a speed that it made his head spin, but he ignored it. He rushed into the room.
Suddenly, it was as if his world had a meaning again.
He was there, in front of him, looking at him with his big sparkling eyes. Hyunsik felt his tears filling up his eyes.
“Ilhoon, my love, you’re back!” He said as he hugged his beloved.
Ilhoon nestled his head in Hyunsik’s neck in a cuddly fashion.
“Meow,” the cat replied, obviously asking to be fed.