Day 58- A trip in vain

[Authors note- There appeared to be some kind of a problem so I'm publishing it again~]

--

"The flight is about to land. Please be seated."

I looked out the tiny foggy window and saw blurred lights shining into a dream. The picture was vague but the distance of mine and Jellal's heart was now close. The flight shook a little as it safely landed on its course.

Gray smiled at me and I knew what that smile meant.

Finally, I had touched South Korea. It was so different. The airport. The people. The atmosphere. I never did travel from a flight nor did I go to any other destinations that spoke of different cultures. And seeing and feeling of being here makes me so excited but a little scared at the same time.

However, because Gray was with me and he did mention in the flight that he came to Korea for business matters, I felt a little safe (Okay, more than safe but I won't tell him that, otherwise he might get over-protective of me...)

"Hold my hand," Gray suddenly said as we exited the airport.

"Eh?"

"You might get lost...plus, it's your first time, right? You never know what might happen."

Unwillingly, I held his hand since because when I looked around, all I could notice were busy business people or couples that appeared to occupied to care. I have heard the fact that Koreans are very helpful people, just like us but I would rather take a raincheck on that before experimenting it myself.

We sat in the taxi and Gray pronounced the address that Meredy gave me to the driver. What shook me from head to toe was that Gray could speak Korean! Guess he does have hidden talents in him...Now I can't help but be indebted to him for coming with me even though I told him not (Which would have been difficult for me all the more If he stayed home while I was hiding somewhere in the alleys trying to run away from bag snatchers or some kind!)

The driver stopped at the given address and once more Gray did the honors of paying the fare (Can't believe he had won* in his wallet...)

"So he's here, eh?" The taxi passed us and I slowly turned around to look at an average sized apartment. There was a name plate on the bricked walls in Kanji, written- フェルナンデス (Fernandes)

Without further ado, I took a step ahead but stopped as I felt a kind of a pain in my chest. It must have been stress and nervousness but taking one more step ahead felt impossible for me.

"Erza, You all right?" Gray asked and held me by the shoulders.

I patted my irregular beating heart a little and nodded while straightening myself up a bit. Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the door and rang the bell.

I noticed that the front yard had a collection of amazing bonsais and antique vases. The grass was neatly mowed and a black cat statue that stood right in the middle of the bonsai's and the house shone under the moonlight. It appeared so spectacular and real, I felt that the cat would move its tail any moment now and purr at us.

There was no response from the other side which only meant that whoever was in there was obviously sleeping but before I could tell Gray to go back and stay at a hotel for the night, he rang the doorbell a couple of times annoyingly.

"Not that I want to disturb them but we came all the way so..." He chuckled and I rolled my eyes.

No sooner had we noticed that the light inside was switched on. I could see a silhouette coming straight towards the door and the door clicked open. It clicked a few times as though having a few extra locks and finally, the door opened.

"Who the hell is...it?" Jellal's jaw dropped open upon seeing me and Gray, "Scarlet?"

Maybe it was just me but I could see a glimpse of happiness in his eyes...

--

"Don't make any noise...My grandma might wake up," Jellal closed the door of his room and sighed, "Seriously? You came all the way to Korea just to meet me? Where the hell did you even get the address from?" He yelled but in a whispering manner. e

Jellal signaled us to take our seats wherever we could find place and eventually we ended up sitting on the floor.

"Meredy-San gave us your address," I said.

"Meredy? Ah...should have known...she never stays quiet even if I tell her to," He muttered.

"Oi, you shouldn't just--" Gray spoke, however, Jellal gestured him to decrease his tone, "Just leave without saying where you're heading," His words came out soft but in irritation.

"I don't need to tell you where I'm headed," He said.

"Not me, at least you could have told Erza."

"I knew this would happen if I would have told her."

"But then she wouldn't have gone through the trouble of going to Kyoto just to speak to Meredy and then at least she would have been less worried where you were and not come all the way to Korea!"

Jellal looked at me and I did the same.

Something in his eyes or expression tells me that he's sorry for all the trouble he has given me but I don't want an apology from him. I want answers. Answers that would determine my life choices. Answers my heart wants to ask.

"Anyway, Erza didn't even sleep properly because of you."

Jellal kept staring at me but my vision soon began to turn blurry after I realized that I hadn't slept properly for two days.

"You both can stay in the guest room for tonight, tomorrow you both are leaving to Japan," Jellal got up and headed towards the door, "I'm gonna get you both some blankets and do you need anything to eat?"

I shook my head and so did Gray.

"Well then,"

"Jellal!" I stopped him before he could exit the room, "Thank you and, I'm sorry..."

"Good night," He said without looking at me and quietly left the room.

"Erza, let's talk the hell out of him the moment we get up, okay?" Gray chuckled and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I lightly nodded.

Is...Jellal angry with me for coming here without warning?

Did I make things worse by choosing the wrong action?

But...I want answers to my puzzling questions and I'm not going to leave until he answers them for me.

--

"Oi, you both, wake up."

"My Grandma went out for a walk so she will be back in an hour," I heard Jellal say I slowly opened my eyes and rubbed them.

Gray was still asleep, snoring loudly in my ears, however, Jellal gave a light kick on his butt and woke him up.

"Your necessities are in the washroom. For real...why do I have to do all those for you both?" He exited the room while mumbling those words.

Gray forced me to go first to the washroom since he wanted to sleep for a few more minutes.

There was a set of boyish clothes (Probably Jellal's) beside the sink. A black sweat shirt and a black pant. I smelled it and it smelt of him. My heart went haywire for a while.

As I got out of the washroom, I hollered Gray and headed towards the kitchen where I could hear the sizzling of an egg and the popping out of the toast.

He was making an egg so handsomely, I thought I was looking at the show, 'Star Chef'.

His broad shoulders and the way he had tied the apron behind him made me want to stare at him without blinking. Slowly, before I had realized it, I was advancing towards him like a ninja.

He didn't sense me yet, and I was kind of glad that he didn't because right before he could turn around, I did something I'm totally embarrassed about...

"Scarlet, what are you doing?" He asked as I slowly wrapped my hands around him. The smell of the T-shirt he was wearing right now was different than the one he gave me. I just closed my eyes and stood still as I felt movements of Jellal's hands.

"Scarlet, you all right?"

Even the way he asks is so cold...

He held my hand but gently pulled it as a signal for me to let go. I didn't want to, but I did. He switched off the stove and turned around towards me. I was still close to him and then he placed his hand on my head and leveled his head to mine, "You really are something, aren't you...?" He whispered with a smile.

"It's because it's you," I said.

"You're the type to die for the one you love, right?"

"Maybe..."

"You really are unbelievable, Erza Scarlet."

"You like me, right?"

"Huh?" His smile suddenly faded away.

"Please tell me that you do...Yesterday at the park...you said things right? I know it wasn't a dream or anything, I'm sure of it."

He straightened himself and pulled back his hand from on top of my head. My head felt light again but I missed the heaviness already.

"At the park, you fainted."

"After you told me all those things, right?" I widened my eyes and eagerly waited for his answer.

"I don't think I said anything."

"You're lying...why are you lying--"

"Erza, you fainted right before you could approach me."

I looked down and by Jellal's firm words, I was now doubting myself. Was it a dream or the plain reality...?

"AH I'M SO HUNGRY! IS BREAKFAST READY?!" We heard Gray's voice and immediately changed the positions and the mood.

I sat diagonal to Jellal and Gray sat beside me.

"Thank you for the food!" Gray yelled and quickly began wolfing down his food.

"Thank you for the food..." I mumbled and began eating as well.

Jellal was looking at me as though he wanted to say something but he couldn't. At least not in front of Gray.

--

"You both are going back to Japan tonight. No arguments."

We came outside to talk since Jellal's Grandma was already at home and he didn't want us to meet her because then he knew that she would definitely force me and Gray to stay in their house for a few days and Jellal didn't want to start all those formalities. So, we have no choice but to leave tonight, huh? It's a pity, though, Since we are already here, taking a tour wouldn't be a bad idea, right?

South Korea is a different beauty in its own way. But all the more similar looking to Japan.

"But we came all the way just to meet you, Jellal-Kun!" Gray whined.

Jellal clicked his tongue and glared at him for calling him, 'Kun', "It's your fault then. I didn't tell you both to come, did I?"

"You didn't but you did leave without telling us so it hypothetically, it's your fault." Gray retorted.

"Whatever, I want you both to leave for Japan tonight. I'm not going to let you both stay another night at my house."

"That's so mean of you! At least think a little about Erza too, you selfless person!"

"Call me whatever you want but I'm just telling for the safety of her."

"Yeah right!" Gray scoffed, "This is not a joke, Jellal! Erza came all the way here just to see you, just to hear you confess and yet you're acting like a jerk!"

"I'm only thinking of her safety; this place isn't safe for people who don't know--"

"Stop with that already! I'm here to keep her safe so just confess already!"

Jellal didn't say anything.

Gray was giving his all to make Jellal realize that I would go to any lengths just to meet him but unfortunately...

"Stop it, the both of you," I loudly uttered and stopped walking, "If that's what Jellal wants...then let's just go back home, Gray..."

"But Erza, you came all the way just to leave again--?"

"It's all right, Gray..." I glanced at Jellal and he blinked.

"Damn you, Jellal!" Gray suddenly grabbed my hand and roughly dragged me somewhere, leaving Jellal behind in a speechless state.

And before I could grasp the situation, we were already in the taxi heading to the airport. Going back to Jellal's house was useless according to Gray since we did bring our bags with us to the park.

"It's all right, Erza. He will come back. He has to come back."

"I'm sorry we're leaving so early...I just couldn't take his argument...your safety he says? If that's what he's so worried about why doesn't he just stay with you and protect you then?!"

"Damn that guy...Erza, I can make you smile. I can keep you happy."

"But, it's no use saying these words, right?"

"We both gave up on each other already...Ah, somehow I regret it now..."

--

In another three hours we were back to Japan, tired and frustrated.

Of course, mom didn't say anything about us leaving the house since she didn't really care.

Gray was more than annoyed at Jellal for not comprehending my feelings. So, in the end, the trip was kind of a waste but at least I got to see Jellal's face and his smile and his...

I looked down and saw that I hadn't changed into my old clothes before returning (Not that I had the time or place to do so)

Wearing his clothes felt like he was right in front of me. Being in the same material as his, I wish I could know what he was feeling...

My phone vibrated just as I laid on my bed without changing my clothes.

"I'm sorry."

Was the message Jellal sent me.

Sorry for what...? For breaking my heart? For denying that you love me when you actually do?

I didn't reply to him. I wanted to but I held myself back.

After this trip...Maybe I should just stop hoping and wishing but that's what I can't do after I have come this far.

Somewhere deep in my heart, I know that he will come back for me. It will take time but eventually, he will. Giving up is impossible for me and my heart.

No matter what, I will make him confess to me! Even if it takes another 42 days!

--

*Won- Korean money