ISLA
During the bonfire, we were all gathered in the open area. Taek-woon is the one who is cooking the samgyetang while Eun-woo helps him grill the pork belly.
While waiting for the dishes to be cooked, some of the students decided to play games so that they won't get bored. And since I'm not fond of playing games, I decided to help out with the cooking.
I approached Eun-woo and as soon as he saw me, he reached out the tong he was holding with a piece of meat in between.
"Ah," he ordered me as he opened his mouth.
I did what he instructed me to and got a small bite of the newly grilled pork belly.
"How is it?" He asked.
"Aside from it's hot, it's tasty." I continued to chew.
"That's a relief," he sighed and proceeded to grill.
I looked around to observe what everyone was doing and caught a glimpse of Na-bi talking with Su-bin. Actually, it was the other way around.
"Do you still have feelings for him?" I looked at him and he wasn't even looking at me when he asked that question.
I sighed. "I'm not sure."
"I wonder if you were ever sure before you said yes to his confession," he teased me.
"Maybe the reason I said yes was because you would always tell me that it's better if I choose Su-bin more than Mizuki," I explained. "It's your fault."
Eun-woo glanced at me. "Everyone makes mistakes."
"You're right. I'm glad that you solved your dispute with Mizuki." I smiled at him.
"But, that doesn't mean you're allowed to fall in love with him… again!" He slightly raised his voice to me and I could just laugh.
After having a short few laughs, I have decided to tell him the truth.
"Eun-woo, would it be okay if I talk to Su-bin and end everything between us? Like, officially."
"I'm not an advisor, but I think it's better if you do that," he replied.
Right after the dinner in front of the bonfire, everyone was allowed to walk around the place to get some fresh air and pictures before going to bed. It's more like a free time.
Meanwhile, I went straight to the place where Su-bin asked me to be. He texted me that he wanted to talk to me, maybe it's about us. I'm not sure.
Upon reaching the meeting place, I saw that he was alone, sitting on the grass while looking at the sky. I breathed out in nervousness, but I know I have to do it. So, I normally called his attention.
"Su-bin."
He looked my way and smiled. "You're here."
I walked towards him at a normal pace until I sat down on the grass as well, beside him.
"Did I bother you about something?" He asked shyly.
"Not really. I was just having some time alone," I said. "Why?"
"It's nothing. I just wondered." He smiled at me again before looking away.
He breathed out heavily and I knew he was really nervous to be with me right now. I won't deny that I feel the same.
"I'm sorry–"
We were both shocked after saying the same words in chorus.
"You can go first," he said.
"No. You can go first," I said.
"Please. I don't mind…"
"Okay." I nodded at him. "I'm sorry for suddenly leaving you without saying anything."
I noticed that he remained silent while listening.
"I just couldn't handle the disappointment and the extreme feeling of uncertainty after what I witnessed from the last time," I continued. "Even so, I shouldn't have left you hanging."
"I'm sorry, too. But, the truth will always be about loving you so much, Isla. I want to let you know that I sincerely apologized for lying to you..." He told me boldly.
"Su-bin, don't push yourself anymore," I told him.
"I love you." He said it again. "But, forgive me for using you to express my love for Na-bi."
"I forgive you. But, I will not forget what you did to me. And by means of that, I have enough reason not to trust you anymore and someone who is like you."
I know what I just said could hurt him to his core. But, I want to be honest with how I really felt and how my thoughts became.
He nodded and that's when I saw his tears flow down to his cheeks. So, I just caressed his back as a comfort. I wanted him to understand that I'm going to move on and don't need to feel bad about losing me anymore.
Su-bin and I talked and spent a few hours together during our stay in that same place. And I noticed that he was having a hard time telling me his answer after my straightforward question.
"Why me?" I asked. "Out of all the women that could possibly look like Na-bi, why did you choose me?"
"I don't know how to tell you everything. It's just… I am so ashamed to talk to you about it," he said.
"I just wanted to know," I said.
"I could say that I honestly became attracted to you, but I lost interest when you did not respond to my affection," he said. "That's so stupid of me, right?"
I sighed at him after hearing his answer. "I can tell that you're not really in love with me after all. Why? Because if you really love someone, no matter how long they say he or she loves you, you will patiently wait for their answer. And I'm telling you Su-bin, you're not in love with me."
He remained speechless for a while.
"I'm not going to lie, but you hurt me," I continued and he looked up to me, seeing in his eyes the sadness and conscience for what he had done.
"You have not been true to me by saying that you see another woman in me. And that is one of the reasons why I do not like most of the guys I've met and be friends with... except for one person I intend to give my heart wholeheartedly," I explained.
"And that guy is your stepbrother, right?"
I gulped after hearing him say that.
"Just as I expected…" Su-bin continued.
"If I became too attached to people, I would be the one to get hurt in the end," I said.
"I won't blame you for that. But I didn't know you can be this cruel too," he said.
"Many things have changed. And probably that is because you really don't know me at all."
He sighed. "Now that this has happened between the two of us, do we still need to continue our relationship as friends? Even if it's only temporary."
"I talked to you because I want to let you know that I did not feel what you felt for me before. You loved me, but I did not love you. But, then I was forced."
Even the truth in my point of view is coming out of my mouth.
"Therefore, I want you to get rid of those regrets in your mind because I was not the one you chose in the end. I want you to love only the person you really love. Love Na-bi alone and no one else aside from her," I told him.
It took him a few seconds before he nodded at me. I gently touched his right cheek so he looked at me, in my eyes. Even though he couldn't tell me what was really running through his mind and what his heart was dictating to him about me, I could see it in his eyes.
He's finally ready to let go of me...
Everyone went back to their respective rooms and so did I. It felt great to have closure with Su-bin. I have no regrets about doing it at all.
In the middle of walking back to our rooms, I decided to look for Lav. I might clash with Na-bi again in case I arrive there alone.
And on my way there, I saw Na-bi walking alone. So, I decided to talk to her by approaching her kindly.
"I thought you're already in the room," I said.
She just looked at me.
"Look, I'm sorry if I saved you from your friends earlier, but I did what I had to do. If I see someone who needs help, I provide a helping hand. I'm not the kind of person who just sits and watches while other people are suffering," I explained to her.
She still doesn't answer. So, I figured she really hated me. I decided to just walk away and let her be. But, as I passed by her she called my attention by saying two words.
"I'm sorry…"
I couldn't help but turn around to face her again, but then, someone suddenly covered my mouth from behind and snatched me out of the walk path before I was brought someplace darker.
There, I saw a few guys wearing bonnets until one of them immediately covered my head with a black sack and I was completely sightless of where they would be taking me. Then, someone put a cloth inside my mouth so that I won't be able to make noises again.
I suddenly heard a voice which sounded familiar although I have no idea who it could be.
"Make sure no one will see you." Those are the words I heard from that person before I eventually passed because of something I smelled earlier.