Yearning (1/1)

He wanted to be with his girlfriend, he had missed her. They had been so busy lately and they couldn’t meet up with each other. His heart had been uneasy, he was afraid she would forget him and leave him eventually like all his ex. He couldn’t imagine his life without her, a life with no hope and happiness.He managed to free himself up for half a day, he messaged her, ask her for her availability. Silently, praying in his heart, she would be available at least for 1 hour, that’s all he asked. Even if it a meeting in his car, he would be happy. He couldn’t believe how small his wish was but that was how desperate he felt. He needed to see her, hear her, touch her and kiss her. He needed to be assured she hadn’t forgot about him and their relationship.He remembered their first meeting in family outing, she was a young and brave girl who went against Hyo Ri and won. He was impressed by her. When she joined Running Man as a guest, she was more reserve yet she tried her best. Even when Suk Jin had teased her about her incompetence, she still carried on bravely. He and Jae Suk had tried to ease her into Running Man, Jae Suk with his encouragement, him with tolerance and patient. Slowly, her change was obvious, she slowly discarded her shell and showed her true self. Viewers supported her and she grew stronger.She was called the Ace. The first time the PDs put both of them in the same team, they were named the strongest team ever. No one crossed their path and survived. The rest of members were so impressed with their teamwork that they had requested the PDs not to put them in the same team. If they were, they were asked to mellow down. He knew how is it like in variety shows, so sometimes he would try his best, the others he would just make a living. But they did get closer after that, she would choose him in her team anytime anyday.He found that he liked this dongsang more than the others, he would look out for her. He was usually surrounded by his dongsangs, and he would look after them. But her, she was different, she don’t need to hang around him, he would make special effort to make sure she was well taken care of during filming. Although it had been subtle, she had sensed it and she loved to be around him.When he first heard of her relationship with her CEO, he felt his heart broke. That was when he knew he had grown to love her and everything was too late. He remembered the first few filming after the news, his heart had ached so much that he kept his distance. Yet he was like a moth who flew towards the fire, he wanted to be by her side despite her heart was somewhere else. Only then, he felt his life had colours again. He recalled himself getting more and more in love with her.She had told him about her breakup with the CEO before the others. They were in the same team and she was not looking well. With a bit of probe, she had broken the news to him with a grim face. His heart had gone out to her, he gave her an understanding look and offered to hear her out, if she wanted. She had taken up his offer, she needed to share with someone, someone who understand. She didn’t think he would, he was a male after all and she wanted to hear from a different viewpoint, but to her surprise, he did. He listened and didn’t judge, he offered his views when she asked him for it. She found great comfort in him and her pain eased bit by bit. He was happy when he saw smiles returning to her eyes after the few talks they had. Even after she was all better, they kept their relationship.They would exchange messages everyday, even after running man recording when they had just met. He would feel uncomfortable and worry about her if they didn’t. He knew he was just stupid and she would be fine, but still he need to know she was okay. He also knew he was digging a hole, the hole was his love for Ji Hyo, he had managed to dig a hole he would never be able to climb himself out  and he try his best to hide it from all other people.In the episode the running man against the PDs, he saw her concerns in her eyes when he reached the river bank cold and tried, she had taken special care of him, making sure he was warm and his arm was ok. He wondered did she feel anything more than friends towards him. He was hopeful. He remembered that was when he made up his mind to ask her to be his girlfriend. He took out his phone and scrolled to the messages exchange they had when he asked her out for dinner. He had planned to pop his question after that.“JI Hyo, are you free next Friday night. I wanted to treat you for dinner.”“Why oppa, what’s the occasion?”“Do you need an occasion to get treated with good food”“No, of course not oppa, but I was curious, ok Oppa, I see you next Friday night.”“Ok, I will come and fetch you?”“Ok, see you.”Although Gary was her official loveline, he and JaeSuk were still the only two persons who had stepped into her apartment, and knew where it was. He went to pick her up, he had rehearsed his lines but he still felt very flustered.  Ji Hyo kept asking throughout the whole dinner was he ok, he had nodded his head but didn’t manage to convince her. Her concerns were written on her face. He drove them to his favourite spot on the han river after dinner.They had sat down on a bench that overlooked the river, he took a deep breathe, he started to sing his song, “One man”. Ji Hyo listened to him attentively, she was smiling, she seemed to understand. “Ji Hyo, we had been close friend this one year or so” she nodded. “I don’t know whether you are ready for a new relationship but I had been in love with you for so long, even before I become your close friends. I didn’t have the courage to ask you then, but I had gathered enough now, Please Ji Hyo, Please be my girlfriend.”He remembered her expression, he didn’t know what to make out of it, his heart was in his mouth. “Oppa, why did it took you so long” tears was falling from her eyes. He recalled staring at her, he was not sure what the statement meant. She pulled his head towards her and planted kiss on his lips. “Yes Oppa, I will be your girlfriend.” He had hugged her then his lips found hers, this time he make sure he explored hers and the kiss had left them breathless.Sure, there were sweet and romantic moments in their love life, but they were still human. They had their fights, moments when they were angry and sad about each other, but after they got over these moments, these only make their love stronger. A beep on his handphone broke his trance. He looked at his phone and saw Ji Hyo replied, “I had managed to clear that slot too, Kookie oppa. I missed you too”“Ok, I will see you then. I love you, Im” He answered with a smile on his face.