Chapter 15 - Especially for You

Especially for you...

I wanna let you know what I was going through

All the time we were apart I thought of you

You were in my heart

My love never changed

I still feel the same...

LEE DONGHAE

That should be me.

It was already four in the afternoon when we came back to the ship after the excursion. I hated myself for not being Althea's partner. I envy how Kevin seemed to enjoy her company. I envy their private talks. I envy them being together throughout the excursion like a real couple.

"Hey Donghae!" Kelly called me. She ran towards me and hugged me. I was shocked but I tried to remain calm. She pulled away and kissed my cheek. "I really had fun today! I hope we can still be friends after this."

"Sure," I told her. She smiled and left me. I went up to my suite at deck seven to freshen up. After a cool shower, I went to the open air deck at deck six to relax. It was the place where I first saw Althea. I sat at the corner of the area and just watched the ocean. I closed my eyes and felt the cool ocean breeze on my face. It was very quiet until I heard a voice singing.

"Especially for you, I wanna let you know what I was going through..." 


It was a beautiful voice from a girl. I remained silent to avoid distracting the person. I kept my eyes closed to listen to the song well. 


"All the time we were apart I thought of you. You were in my heart. My love never changed. I still feel the same..."

It's MYMP's Especially for You. I love this song.

I opened my eyes and stood up to see who was singing.

"Especially for you -" 


The girl stopped singing when she saw me. She looked shocked. But I was much more amazed to see who it was. It was Althea.

"Sorry to interrupt you," I said. She just smiled shyly. "I didn't know you have a very beautiful voice. I am happy to hear you sing one of my favorite songs."

"It's not really that beautiful. I just sing when I'm alone," she said, looking at the ocean. 

I hope that song was intended for me.

"It is beautiful. I like it very much."

I saw her blush a little. "Thanks," she said.

I started to ran out of words to tell her. Then came an awkward silence.

"Uhm, are you fine?" I asked her. "I mean, aren't you tired from this day's excursion?"

"Ah, I'm fine. I wanted to rest here. In this place. It feels so peaceful."

"I see. I hope you don't mind me being here."

"You are the first to came here. I hope you don't mind me," she said.

I sat back on the floor and she sat beside me. I was not expecting her to stay so I was so happy when she did. We remained quiet as we watched the ocean. I didn't know what to tell her. All I could care about was Althea sitting beside me. I thought maybe she had forgiven me for all that I've done.

"Thank you," I said without looking at her.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for still accepting me as your friend. And sorry for being selfish and not thinking about what you feel."

She smiled. "Let's just be good friends," All I could do is smile and nod. "Hey, I want to ask you something. I hope it's alright."

"What is it?" I asked.

"What are your plans after this trip?"

"Hmm... After our two-week vacation, we would start our preparation for our 7jib comeback," I said. 


We already finished the recording and the choreography is intense. I really had fun in the rehearsals and this two-week vacation was given for us to remove all the stress from work and be able to comeback smoothly. 


"Wow, you're already on your seventh album. I guess I missed out 6jib," she said, still not looking at me. I guess it was the time when she stopped updating herself on Super Junior because of me and Eunseo.


"It's okay. But it's never too late to catch up," I told her.


"Yeah, you're right. I have to watch the perfs of my Donghae-oppa," she chuckled. I laughed at her aegyo attempt. She looked cute though.


"Yeah, you need to watch how handsome your oppa was during the 6jib comeback and even in the SS5 concert stops. And make sure you watch all the comeback perfs of 7jib before your oppa enlists."


She turned to me. 


Finally, you looked at me.


"When are you going to enlist in the military?" she asked.


"Hmm, actually I've never told anyone when, even the members. So you will be the first to know," I said. "I would enlist after the last SS6 stop."


Her face looked dim.


"You will miss me, am I correct?" I teased.


"Of course!" she exclaimed. I was stunned to see her sad expression. She then looked away and made her voice down. "You are still my ultimate bias and I'm your biggest fan."


I was very happy hearing her words. I thought she would not say that again. I smiled secretly because I didn't want her to see me acting like a fanboy.


I tried to break the silence when Althea kept her head down. She seemed affected by the enlistment issue. "Hey, are you fine?"


She nodded, though her head was still kept low. I leaned to look at her face. I was shocked to see her trying to stop herself from crying.


"Hey, hey," I said as I cupped her cheeks with my hands. A tear fell from her right eye and I wiped it with my thumb. "Why are you crying?"


"I just realized," she said, holding back her tears. "I was so stupid last year and I missed out so many things already. And now, when I had to catch up, this 'enlistment' thing is already fast approaching."


She's so cute.


She looked at me straight into my eyes and it felt like my heart would jump out of joy. I felt the blood rush through the veins of my face and I knew I was starting to blush. I didn't want her to see my red face so I kissed her forehead. I didn't let go until I calmed myself down.  


"Hey," I said after finally letting her go. "Stop worrying about it. As the person you look up to, I promise to give my best in this upcoming album and in the concerts. So promise to support me and wait for me until I come back from my military service, okay?"


Her face lit up. "I promise."


"It's already dark, let's have dinner." I stood up and held out my hand. She took it and stood up. 


We had dinner at the Vivaldi dining room and tried the Asian cuisine special served. We had a fun chat on just about anything.


"You're a doctor?" I was amazed. She nodded. "Wow. You must be really smart. Is it difficult?"


"Well, yeah. Human lives are always at stake while at work. However, just like being an idol, if you love your job, no matter how stressful it is, you would still continue to work. It's the same."


I never thought this petite, sort of clumsy and cute lady is actually a doctor. I would rather be sick just to see her.


"What do you specialize in?" I asked her.


"I'm currently training for the Department of Surgery. I'm still in my first year of residency so I'm still not that good."


"I'm sure you will be successful," I told her. "So after this trip, you will be back to work?"


"Yeah. There are patients waiting for me."


You must be a very busy girl. I hope you don't tire yourself too much. It seems your body is small and frail. I don't want you to get sick.


"Hey," she said waving her hand in front of my face. I realized I was staring blankly. "What are you thinking?"


"Oh, I'm sorry about that. It's nothing really," I lied. "Gaahhh... I'm full! That was delicious!"


She giggled. She really looks cute when she smiles and laughs. "I'm full too."


"So what should we do now?" I asked her. I should not let her go this early. I still want to stay with her. "Ah, I know! Can you come with me? Please..."


"Where?"


"I need to buy souvenirs for the members. You know, they will get mad at me if I don't."


"Sure. I can help you choose too," she said.


A wide grin appeared on my face.


Yes!