Still....YES!

author's note: if you're a hwangbo fan, you somehow wish she'd end up with shinhwa's junjin. he is afterall her bestfriend and you cannot deny the fact, that he's a hottie. he was a hottie then, he remains a hottie now, like all shinhwa boys errr, men.(this is me being a shinhwa fangirl) plus if you watched the WGM episode of Come to Play, you would be curious at how intently junjin was watching his bestfriend and hyunjoong.

oh, i could go on and on about junjin and hwangbo and how they should end up together. they look good together and they seem good for each other, no?

so here's my fervent wish.....i hope when junjin comes out, they go directly to a priest, get married and have kids...hahahaha....
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The rain has poured immensely today. The rain clouds have hindered people from going out and gloomy skies have casted a heavy shadow all over the busy city of Seoul. It has been two years since she visited this apartment, and the last time was probably hardest for her to bear. Now that she's back, the emotions seemed raw and too real for her. She felt uneasy and her heart was thumping like mad. Jins watched her as she walked back and forth, pacing towards every corner of the living room.

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT?, she asked Jins when she noticed her white pomeranian's intense eyes following her around. DADDY'S COMING HOME, JINS!, she nervously announced, AND HE'S GONNA MEET HIS GRANDSON FOR THE 1ST TIME, slowly picking up the sleeping puppy from the huge black couch.

It was two years ago when she said goodbye for now in this same very apartment, but two years already feels like a century to her. It's always hard being the one left behind. She was 30 then, and so was he. Although, she understood why he had to leave her behind, part of her was still crushed. The feeling of sadness and isolation was overwhelming when he told her he should enlist in the army that tears started escaping her eyes. She was not expecting such emotions to blow up, but now that he is coming back, she felt the same way and did not understand why.

Hyejung started to walk towards the sliding glass doors leading to the terrace and let out a big sigh as she watched the rain drops falling against the clear glass, the cars passing by, and the people under their colorful umbrellas and clad in heavy rain gears and rain boots.

THE DAY WE SAID GOODBYE WAS JUST LIKE TODAY, she reminisced cradling the 5 month old puppy closer to her abnormally beating heart.

The day was coming to a close. The twilight was darker than usual that day, and the rain was pouring like mad. It was yet another wet day in the big city, and there she was, trapped in a room with her stylists, dancers and personal assistants going in and out of the room every 10 seconds. She was especially anxious that day. The filming for the show started late, and there were things she needed to do, words she needed to say to someone, so she was giddy and queasy. Her best friend was leaving to join the army today, like all Korean males do. The last time they met was not exactly pleasant--it was on the day he broke the news to her. She did not know why, but she suddenly got furious. It felt to her like he was leaving her. He was her best friend for God knows how long. They've been together through the roller coaster ride called life, and have not been apart for more than two months. She was never the damsel in distress, but when he travelled with his group outside the country, her series of unfortunate events just happens-one after another, like mushrooms growing on every corner- for example: a broken water pipe, damaged air conditioner, losing keys, leaking apartment roof, flu. Experiencing all those with him somewhere in Asia was an ordeal she had to go through alone. On that day, he was leaving her not only for a month, but for 2 years. She suddenly stood up from the couch, she could not wait any longer. She walked briskly to the door in the white sundress she wore during the show.

OMO, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?, the stylist asked her. YOU STILL HAVE A PHOTOSHOOT!!, the stylist tried to grab her by the wrist.

TO HELL WITH THE SHOOT, she thought and ran to the door. She easily slipped out of the TV Station's Building only to realize that her car keys were in another bag. Not minding the painful drops of rain on her back, she ran to the street and hailed a cab.

When the cab halted, she ran swiftly to the entrance of his apartment and breezed through the stairs. She started feeling cold as she lightly tapped on the door. She was shivering as she wiped the water droplets on her skin. After a few seconds, Junjin stood infront of her.

I THOUGHT YOU WOULD NOT COME, I THOUGHT YOU COULD NOT SEE ME OFF, he said in surprise, ushering her in after covering her shaking shoulders with his jacket from the stand.

Hyejung walked quietly and sat on his huge black leather couch.

I CALLED YOUR MANAGER, HE SAID YOU STILL HAD A PHOTOSHOOT, he said offering her a cup of warm water.

She took it and warmed her shivering hands. Tears started to escape her eyes, I WISH I COULD MAKE YOU STAY, CHOONGJAE, she confessed.

Junjin, whose real name is Park Choongjae, smiled at his bestfriend, YOU KNOW THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE HYEJUNG, he said wrapping his arms around her.

Her lips started to quiver. It was obvious how much they meant to each other. Somehow they each knew what they felt for each other was more than friendship, but they were cowards, too craven too lose each other, too gutless to confess.

THERE’S SOMETHING I NEED TO ASK YOU, Junjin whispered.
Hyejung suddenly became nervous, like he was going to ask something deep. He looked into her eyes. No one else could do that except for him.

WILL YOU WAIT TIL I COME BACK?, his voice was raspy and serious, WILL YOU WAIT TIL I FINISH THE MILITARY SERVICE?

Hyejung looked confused., WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I THINK YOU KNOW, YOU’RE MORE THAN JUST A FRIEND TO ME, HYEJUNG. AFTER I DO THIS, WHEN I’M FINISHED WITH THIS, WILL YOU WAIT FOR ME? WILL YOU WAIT TIL I COME BACK?

She was shocked with this sudden confession. Tears streamed down her face, she felt the same way. She kissed him ever so softly on the lips, then hugged him, I WILL…I WILL PARK CHOONGJAE. YES, I WILL WAIT FOR YOU.

It was already dark outside, and the rain stopped. Hyejung fell asleep on the couch with Jins and her puppy lay quietly on her feet.

The door started to screech softly, but she did not notice. She was tired and drained.

Even at the door, he could tell she was there waiting for him to come back. Her floral scent was all over the apartment. Junjin immediately saw the sleeping figure on the couch. He set down his duffle bag, and picked up the puppy beside Jins. He did not want to disturb her. She looked as tired as he was after the long travel, but the sight of Hwangbo Hyejung waiting for him was definitely worth coming home to. He stared at her for a long time. She looked the same, her skin was still caramel and smooth, her long bridge nose, her delectable lips. Her lips. He could not resist those lips, he gave her a soft peck forgetting that she was a light sleeper. He stood up, still with the puppy in his arms, as she stirred. He watched her stretch, then smiled as she rubbed her eyes.

HELLO, she grinned shyly, I SEE, YOU’VE MET YOUR GRANDSON.

YES, I HAVE, he answered, sitting beside her on the couch. I AM SO PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER…AND I MISS JINS’ MOTHER SO MUCH, he added, setting the puppy on Hyejung’s lap.

She stared at the puppy trying not to look at him as her heart started to flutter. She could not believe her bestfriend was making her feel that way. She tried to say something, but her throat suddenly went dry. No words would come out when she opened her mouth. THE FOOD, she abruptly thought.
YOU MUST BE HUNGRY, she said almost in a whisper, I COOKED SOME FOOD.

After the meal, Junjin was kicked out of the kitchen, so Hyejung could clean up. The atmosphere inside the apartment started to lighten up. Hyejung found her bestfriend playing with Jins and the puppy. Her heart melted when he looked at her and smiled. She knew she was inlove at that very moment.

SO, DID YOU MISS ME?, Junjin broke the silence.

OF COURSE, she answered and sat beside him.

DID YOU WAIT FOR ME?, he asked, hoping for good news

I’M HERE, AREN’T I?, she laughed making the conversation flow easily.

I’M SERIOUS, HYEJUNG.

YOU DON’T SEEM TO KNOW ME ANYMORE, PARK CHOONGJAE, YOU KNOW I DON’T BREAK PROMISES.

RIGHT, he said, touching the tip of her nose with his index finger, I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU.

Hyejung stared at him anticipating and bracing herself for what he was about to say.

BEFORE I LEFT, I SAID YOU WERE MORE THAN JUST A FRIEND TO ME, I WAS TELLING THE TRUTH. I HAVE LOVED YOU ALL THIS TIME. I WAS JUST AFRAID THAT FESSING UP WOULD DESTROY THE FRIENDSHIP THAT WE BUILT. BUT NOW, WE ARE BOTH MATURE, AND NO LONGER MEMBERS OF BOY AND GIRL GROUPS. IT’S NOW OR NEVER FOR ME……I LOVE YOU HWANGBO HYEJUNG, I ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL.

Hyejung could not say anything. She was in awe. She knew she felt the same way. She looked up the ceiling trying to hide the tears then flailed her arms around Junjin without saying anything. He gently removed her arms around him, so he could see her face. She was smiling as tears flowed from her eyes, DOES THIS MEAN YOU LOVE ME, TOO?

She nodded, YES, FOR THE LONGEST TIME PARK CHOONGJAE.

He kissed her. A kiss that erases every bit of doubt and uncertainty between them.

When Junjin broke the kiss, he asked her, WILL YOU BE MY WIFE?

Hyejung smiled shyly, YOU KNOW I’D STILL SAY YES, CHOONGJAE.