I was displaced by Joong's voice earlier when I had called him. I hung up, looking at my phone still when Phuwin sat down next to me, passing me a bowl of popcorn.
"What happened? Why do you look a little upset?"
"Joong. I heard his voice. He definitely sounded like he had been crying, but he refused to say anything."
"Yeap, that's definitely Joong. He always has to be so strong for his family that it spilt over everywhere. He's like that with his friends, colleagues, and everyone. He would never tell you when he's in distress or pain and only confides if he's really at a breaking point."
"This guy is so difficult!"
Phuwin laughed. "He has always been like that. A bit hard to change him plus Dunk is also more passive so all the more Joong is the stronger one per se. That guy has always been seen as the "protector" and not to be protected."
I hummed, listening to Phuwin. But I had seen that side of him, in the hospital desperately wanting to be protected. I had also seen that side of him after our performance when he just broke down in my arms. I did not say anything but looked at my IM and realized he was offline. He had either fallen asleep or busy watching tv I guess.
I refocused my attention back on Phuwin and our movie though I had to admit, Joong took up a corner in my mind and did not leave it at all. The next morning, I woke up, half dazed. I had slept over in Phuwin's house post our movie marathon. This idiotic Phuwin had long left for his filming, and I had nothing on today. I took a shower, changed {always had clothes in Phuwin's place} and then left his place. I decided to grab some breakfast on the way and was just on my phone when I accidentally bumped into someone. I looked up, mortified, apologising profusely when I realized it was Joong!
"Hey! What are you doing here?"
Joong smiled, saying he wanted to get some breakfast from the cafe as it was his favorite place. I cocked my head, at this piece of info and looked up at the place. It was a small, quaint, cozy looking place.
"Is it really good?"
"Their food is good plus they do a mean coffee. So, I like it a lot. What are you doing here?"
"Phuwin's place is around the corner. I stayed over last night. He has already left for work, so I got ready, wanted to buy breakfast and then heading home thereafter."
"Any plans today?"
"Just to sleep in."
Joong snorted, nodding his head.
"I get going then. See you on Tuesday for practice."
I nodded, watching as he was about to walk off.
"Joong."
He turned around to look at me confused.
"Are you heading home?"
He nodded, smiling.
"Are you in a rush?"
"No, why?"
"Well, want to wait for me? I can drive you home thereafter."
Joong laughed but shook his head, saying his motorbike was parked around the corner. Ah, I nodded my head, telling him to be careful. He just smiled, waving me goodbye and went off. I turned to head into the cafe and studied the pastries and drinks. I finally got myself a matcha latte and 2 croissants. I headed out, going back to Phuwin's place where my car was parked and left.
I got home, finished off my food and was just chilling when the boys were texting in the group chat. They wanted to go drinking tonight and asked whom was up for it. I watched as replies flew in and one of them was Joong. He agreed to go and was asking on what time to meet and all.
I was still half deliberating if I should go when he called me.
"Hey, sleeping?"
"Not yet. Why?"
"Saw the group chat?"
"I did..."
"Did not see your reply. You do not want to go?"
"I am not sure actually. I am still thinking."
"Oh, well are you going to see if Phuwin will go?"
"He has filming plus he is going to visit his parents after that so he would not be going. It is not really about him also. I just..do not seem to have the mood to party tonight."
"Ah, okays. Well, see if you change your mind. I am sure the boys will love your company."
I said OK and we hung up. About an hour later, I made up my mind and just told the boys I would not be going. They were bummed out but left it as such. I went about my day, taking a fat ass nap then woke up to go to the gym and came home, wanting to make dinner when I saw the group chat. I realized over the course of the last hour, Joong had changed his mind and said he would not be going. I was confused as to why he changed his mind.
I texted him but there was no reply. About an hour later, he finally replied to me. I decided to call him back.
"Hey, saw that you are not going. Why?"
"Uh, got into a little accident so have to sit it out. I do not think my ankle can manage a bar experience tonight."
"What happened?" My voice was slightly alarmed at this stage.
"Do not panic. I went to play basketball with some of my other friends and twisted my ankle. They brought me to the clinic, and I just got home. It is still swollen and throbbing so that's why I decided to sit it out."
"Are you home alone? Will you be fine?"
"I am home alone but it is all good. I can manage. Do not fret."
I kept quiet, not quite wanting him to be alone but I could not force my hand if he did not want company.
"Ok. Just call me if anything ok?"
"I will be fine. I always am. I can't always rely on someone, Pond."
I didn't say anything but just said ok and hung up the phone. This guy was so exasperating at times. Didn't I say he was a brat?
Yeap that still stays. So stubborn. Why can't he accept help when it is offered readily to him? It doesn't make him any lesser!
I was mumbling away to myself in frustration when a message flitted in from Joong.
"It's not that I am being stubborn and don't want your help. I don't know how to accept it when I have always been taught to fend for myself."
I looked at that message and a pang shot through my heart. Was anyone even supposed to be feeling that way 24/7?
I couldn't deny that my heart broke a bit reading that message.