Work Text:
“Hi, you’ve reached Gyugyu’s voicemail. I’m sorry but I won’t be able to answer your call at the moment. Talk to ya later!”
Jeonghan sighed hearing the same voicemail.
He got up from his bed, took a moment to look around, and smiled when he saw Mingyu’s picture on the bedside table.
“Good morning love.”
He looks at the clock just above their own photographs on the wall and frowns as he realizes he doesn’t have much time left to prepare breakfast. He slept pretty late last night. He failed to do the lesson plan for the whole week, so he had to cram his night away. Well, it’s not like the kindergartens would screw him up over it. They don’t even know what that is. But still, it’s part of his job and he needed to organize things.
The day is bright. It’s hot but the breeze tells him fall is approaching. Leaves would be falling in on his path and gradient colors would fill out his eyes.
Jeonghan loves fall. He thinks fall is the best season of all. The engine started.
He sat comfortably and stepped on the gas.
Maybe he’ll eat at lunch.
“Hannie-Ssaem, Haneul keeps on poking my ears! I hate it!”
Jeonghan heard the complaint. It was loud, clearly annoyed, and definitely will throw a punch later if Jeonghan won’t stop the little misunderstanding right now.
“Haneul… Come here dear.”
He called putting the chalk down and wiping it as he looked for a vacant seat that Hanuel could stay on, away from Miyu. Miyu was also asked to sit in the very opposite direction.
“And now, Miyu… you sit here.”
He figured out that the best way to prevent the kids from clashing heads is to separate them. These two have always been fighting ever since. So today, he decides they must be separated.
“Now, you two, stay at your own places. Hannie-ssaem doesn’t want to hear you fighting. I care for both of you, now are we clear?”
Both kids looked at him and nodded, feeling a little shy and a bit scared. But all he did was smile at them and it was fine. He knows it would be fine. He was once in their place. Where the teacher had to separate his and Mingyu’s seats so they wouldn’t kill each other. Jeonghan walked back to the little board and started drawing. He remembers Mingyu and smiles. Maybe he’ll call him later.
“Jeonghan?”
He heard a familiar voice. It was definitely Cheol. He smiled even before looking back at his friend. The latter is also doing groceries for today. The packs of ramen almost filled his cart.
“Oh, you’re here too, ran out of ramen at home?”
Seungcheol laughed a bit before picking up the same brand of meat loaves that Jeonghan placed In his little, much more spacious, green basket.
“Well, what’s a life without Ramen?”
“That’s something Mingyu would say.”
And he laughed. Cheol smiled and laughed too, agreeing and even nodding his head. Jeonghan was right, it’s exactly something Mingyu would say.
“Are you free tonight? Seungkwan invited us for a movie night, he tried to call you, but you didn’t answer. You might wanna spend a little of your busy time with us.”
Jeonghan looks at his friend, smiles sadly and lightly shakes his head.
“It’s not even Friday yet. I have to go straight to the mobile company store to pay my phone bills.”
“I see. Are you still paying for both lines?”
Jeonghan nodded but he didn’t say anything. Seungcheol didn’t mind. Of course, he’s paying both lines, his and Mingyu’s.
“You know, I can add you to my account to be one of my lines instead. We could get a good number of discounts for the monthly plan.”
Seungcheol looks at his phone and back at Jeonghan’s.
“Well, if they could get me a good deal for an upgrade adding my line to you, I’d say yes.”
“Good, I’ll ask them.”
Jeonghan had to say bye first. He’s got his groceries at the back of his car and drives to his next destination.
The drive home after paying his phone bill was a bit hectic. There was an accident ahead and Jeonghan had to wait in quite heavy traffic. Not a very good day he could say. Things starting to piss him off after no progress on the road.
“Calm down, we don’t want you looking grumpy. It’s okay babe, this doesn’t happen all the time.”
Jeonghan sighed.
Those were Mingyu’s lines and whenever he gets mad or grumpy over something, he’s always there to cool his head down. It’s with a smile or with a tap on his shoulder and a little rustle on his head.
“Thanks, babe.” He whispered.
…
“Hi, you’ve reached Gyugyu’s voicemail. I’m sorry but I won’t be able to answer your call at the moment. Talk to ya later!”
Jeonghan placed the phone down and started eating. The home-cooked meals were nice, and he smiled proud of himself. Now that he thinks of it, Mingyu really influenced his cooking. He used to scare people at home whenever he offered to cook for them. His family thinks he’d blow the house down.
But Mingyu took the time to teach him. The latter has always been a great cook. Always meticulous with flavors and always enthusiastic with fusions. If he hadn’t been a doctor, he could’ve been a chef.
One plate on the table, a pair of chopsticks, and a spoon. One glass of water and a little bit of fruit.
It’s a busy day, he wonders if Mingyu has already eaten. He wondered if he would get a good rest.
Maybe yes, maybe no. Jeonghan would never know.
The phone rings just as he’s about to finish doing some notes for the kid’s tasks tomorrow. He looked at the caller ID and smiled seeing Mingyu’s mom on the surface.
“Hannie speaking.”
“It’s nice to hear your voice son, are you home now?”
“Yes ma’am. I cooked one of your favorites. Who knew I could do that?”
“Really? Was it good?”
“It was, surprisingly it was.”
“I’m sure Mingyu would be very proud of you.”
“Yeah, I was thinking about him while cooking. I was pretty sure he’s gonna like it.”
There were no words after that, it was just Jeonghan smiling and hearing a sigh from the other line. It got him a little worried about the elder, so he asked.
“What’s wrong, Eomeoni?”
“Nothing dear. Nothing. Just… just a little sad. I’m missing both of you here. You sure you don’t wanna come home sooner?”
Jeonghan sat down on his bed and as he felt it sunk, he let his body be one of it. He laid on his back, flat on the surface, and looked up to his ceiling.
“I was thinking about it but… maybe a little more time. Besides, I have a pretty nice job here. The kids and the parents are always so nice to me. Seeing them happy makes my day. Going back now, I’d be unoccupied. So, I guess it’s much better to stay here, for now. I have to take care of Mingyu’s plants too or else he’ll kill me when he sees me.”
He heard the woman laugh. The conversation went on and before Jeonghan knew, he already fell asleep.
The fall is at its peak.
Jeonghan figured he should enjoy the rest of the season.
So, he went on to visit a friend whom he had not seen for quite some time already.
He knocked twice and got an answer right away. Jeonghan waited patiently as the door opened. He’s got a smile on his face and smiled even wider to see who opens the door.
“Oh my god, Hyung! You didn’t tell me you were coming!”
“Well, that wouldn’t be a surprise if I did tell you. Besides Mingyu told me you’re always at home when It’s Saturday. Might as well take a chance.”
“Of course. Come in, Hyung.”
Jeonghan went inside with the box of his pumpkin pie.
The place has always been nice and cozy. Minghao made sure of that. Aside from the beautiful paintings on the wall, it would be about the details on every corner. Minghao loves aesthetics. He likes yellow lights, and he likes classical music.
Looking around, Jeonghan smiled.
“I love the new decorations. Did you do this all by yourself?”
Minghao came back with teacups in hand and a stack of little plates.
“Jun helped me a lot. He’s on duty right now though.”
Jeonghan nodded.
“I mean, he and Mingyu are never home.”
Minghao just nodded and gave out a small laugh.”
While Jeonghan took his time enjoying the house decorations, Minghao started serving the pumpkin pie and making tea for both of them.
There were pictures of them on the wall, it was them full of smiles. Memories of graduation, achieving life goals, and memories of people who left a very big impact on their lives.
Minghao was about to call him, but the latter noticed him looking straight at one of the pictures. It was Mingyu and him on the boat having the best time of their lives.
“You kept it. We look so happy here when in fact, the boat was actually sinking, and the water got us already.”
Jeonghan said with a little laugh in between. “Mingyu looks so happy here.”
Minghao nodded. He didn’t know what to say. If he had known Jeonghan would be there, he would’ve kept the pictures away. But Jeonghan held his hand and looked at him straight in his eyes.
“Don’t feel bad. Don’t even think of wanting to hide them. Thank you for keeping these with you. I love it Myungho-ya…”
…
“Hi, you’ve reached Gyugyu’s voicemail. I’m sorry but I won’t be able to answer your call at the moment. Talk to ya later!”
[Leave your message after the beat.]
“Hi, it’s me again. I just called you to tell you about my day. It was fun. Winter’s coming so I had to buy lots of socks. You know how I hate cold, right? Don’t worry about me too much. I can handle myself. Oh, and Jun said the patient from room 143, the one you used to tell me a lot about before, the one with a brain tumor. Jun said he survived. That’s so nice to hear right? I also went to Cheol’s place, but he wasn’t there. Maybe I’ll pay him another visit. The guys seemed upset with me already. I rarely go out with them. It’s just… you know… heavy. I just don’t wanna be around with too many people. Maybe next time.”
There was a pause and he’s pretty sure the voicemail wouldn’t be able to record all of what he’s about to say. It beeped but he continued speaking even after the call ended already.
“I kinda wish you’d pick up this time. Good night Gyu…”
The night didn’t end with his wish for a good night. Instead, it went on. It went on longer. The phone in hand is still clasped in his grasp. He was holding onto it as if it would break.
The hot tears started pouring. He’s pretty sure this will be one of those nights. Sleepless and sad.
And all of it is because of Mingyu.
This bed doesn’t feel as warm anymore. The lights would never be as beautiful. The paintings, the pictures, and the memories. All of them scream Mingyu’s name and he will never be deaf for it.
With tears running down his eyes, he called the same number once again, hoping that Mingyu would pick it up.
“Hi, you’ve reached Gyugyu’s voicemail. I’m sorry but I won’t be able to answer your call at the moment. Talk to ya later!”
“I know honey, I know. “
Jeonghan knows. He knows that even after calling a million times, Mingyu would never answer.
“We see no usage in one of your lines. Are you still keeping it? If we are to cancel the line though, it’ll delete the voicemails.”
Jeonghan never agreed.
“No, I’ll keep it.”
“But that means you’re paying for a line that’s never gonna be used anymore.”
“I’ll keep paying it.”
Tomorrow, he’d wake up and call the same number. Hear the same voicemail and get the same answer. He’d sigh, smile, and feel the same loneliness. But before he could even let the darkness take his consciousness, he remembered a memory replaying in his mind. It was a conversation he had with Mingyu a few weeks before he got into an accident.
“What If I die?”
Jeonghan asked out of nowhere, not really thinking about it as heavy.
“Why would you ask that question?”
“Nothing. Life is short and this is just a random thought. You don’t have to answer though. Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“Not really. I’m just baffled why you asking me that.”
Jeonghan sat down beside him. The grass was green, and the wind blew cold, but he got Mingyu’s embrace to warm him up.
“Your question is weird, but I’ll answer it.”
Jeonghan laughed.
“If the heaven decides to take you back –
“Mingyu, come on, I’m no angel.”
“Wait, Sssshhh. Listen. Listen to me, if heaven decides to take you back. I’d continue living.”
It was short, precise, and a bit sad but reasonable.
Jeonghan’s smile faded for a reason he knows, and he doesn’t know. Him being dead, wouldn’t be the end of the world and that’s the truth. But Mingyu wiped the understanding frown away with a kiss on his head and a smile on his face.
“Don’t be too sad. I have my own reasons.”
The taller scooted him closer, hugged him tighter,
and made sure limbs were around his figure.
“I’d continue living. I will do all my goals; I’ll finish all the things that need to be done. Because I will tell you all about it when we see each other again on the other side.”
Jeonghan looks straight back at him.
This was supposed to be a harmless question. But the aching in his heart was heavy. The tears in his eyes were about to make their entrance. “And you have to do the same. Because I’m pretty sure I’ll wait for you on the other side. I’ll wait till you recognize me, I’ll wait till you run back to my arms and wait for all the stories you have for me. So live… live your life. Be happy, do all that you want to do.”
Jeonghan finally fell asleep.
“Goodnight Mingyu.”