Chapter 6 : Why did I feel like that?

Naomi! May I come in?; Jihwan said from outside my room.

He was either very punctual or very excited. Because he came 10 minutes earlier the time I gave him. In his voice was an unhidden excitement. But I didn't know what he's so excited about.

Yes, of course; I replied.

The door opened slowly, and Jihwan entered my room. He was in his pajamas.

The girls were all looking at me weirdly, as if they saw some alien or something; he said, making a confused face.

I giggled and said; Maybe because you have entered the girls' hostel. Hey, have you taken permission?

Of course I did. Otherwise the old man at the gate wouldn't let me in; he said.

He was really good at joking about.

Hey, you haven't told me a lot about to yourself; he said.

Have you came here to gossip?; I said coldly. But, to be honest, I wanted to gossip with him too, but then, we will get sidetracked. And the main work won't be done.

No; he said and fell silent.

Now, it wasn't like me to make someone unhappy.

I'll tell you everything about me after we're done, okay?; I made up.

He looked at me and smiled. Okay then, let's start; he said, opening up the book.

Soon enough, we started. What I found was, that, his brain was not as sharp as others. It did took me time to make him understand a very easy concept towards the beginning.

I tried my best to help him, and it seemed like it worked.

Wow, you are so good at this!; Jihwan said after we were done.

Listen, you have to try yourself as well. It's won't be possible if you don't do anything; I said, trying to sound serious.

Okay, miss; he said, raising his hands to a salute.

I couldn't help but giggle.

Now, can you tell me about yourself?; he asked widening his eyes.

Why is he so interested to know about me?

He knew my name and nothing else. I told him. I live in Gwangju, I lost my mother when she gave birth to me, I was brought up by my Dad and he owns a little grocery store.

Did you get a scholarship to study here?; he asked suddenly.

Um, yeah. I'm not rich like you, right?; I said, coldly.

So you have worked really hard for your Dad; he said; I wish you will get to your goal someday.

The words felt so soothing. No one except Dad used to tell me this. Everyone thought I won't do anything, because my background was poor. But I had promised myself to get the better of them, and I succeeded.

Thanks, for your support; I replied.

That's fine, I'll support you whenever I can; he said looking straight into my eyes. The shiver ran again through my spine.

Why did it happen, when he made eye contact with me?

I moved my eyes away, afraid I might say something irrelevant and embarrass myself.

It's dinner time already, and we're also done. So- can we leave now?; I asked, not looking at him.

He was still staring at me, when I looked up for half a second.

Yeah, sure! My tummy is growling with hunger; he said and got up from my bed with his books.

I heaved a sigh of relief. It felt like a huge burden on my head, when he was staring at me like that.

But why did it feel like that? Well, I do get a bit nervous when someone's staring at me.