“Hana, Hana,” he panted. “Hana, Hana,” rushing with all the energy left in his body until he reached her. Suho snagged her shoulders and swiveled her around. “Hana, Hana… Is that you?” The lady turned around, pulled out her headset, and stared into Suho’s eyes. “Suho oppa?” she blinked multiple times. The place dark and askew, he couldn’t make out if it was indeed Hana that he was staring at. As she turned, all the exhaustion eating him up, his sight went blank. “Ha....” Suho trailed off and crashed into her arms. “Oppa…! Oppa…!” Hana caught him in the nick of time but was too feeble to hold him straight. She skimmed the premise, shouting at the top of her voice, “HELP! HELP! Please help us!” Moving her weight to carry him in her arms, “Oppa…!” Tears fell down from her eyes. “Please please save us!” Hana bawled in the middle of the night. Her hands quivering, she can’t even push keys on her phone. Trying to dial 119, screaming to the top of the world, while searching for a car
“Please pack my bags, eomma. I’m sorry, but it’s best if we don’t go back.” Suho’s tone was tight, his jaw tensed while listening to the brittle voice of his mom on the other line. But there’s no turning back for him the moment he stepped out of his grandmother’s house. They lived on land, while he and Hana drifted in the sea. Suho knew, if there was anything, they should weather the storm together.The warm atmosphere of the jjijimbang (Korean Spa) did nothing to appease his bewildering emotions. Everyone wore the same set of orange clothes. Some were sleeping while others chatting away, scanning for Hana was challenging. But he listened to his heart. And found her in one of the heating chambers, looking like a gigantic oven from the outside.Suho stepped in and saw her seated at a corner, her eyes fixated on the floor. “There you are!”“Hey,” Hana’s voice was flat, but her eyes flickered under the light. “Did you get to speak with your mom and Naeun?”“Yes.” Suho watched her from his
“Was it all worth it?” Hana’s eyes shifted, watching the full moon from afar.The moonlight cast a warm glow over the sea turned bleak, hiding behind gigantic dark clouds swallowing it whole. It’s face hidden in the starless night. It was as if it’s sending a distress signal of impending danger.“Love is WORTH it. I’d rather be a heartbroken prince than a soulless creature on earth.” His voice steady but warm. He reached out for Hana’s hand and clasped it within his two hands.“Your hands are so warm,” she mumbled. Tears fell on Hana’s cheeks, leaning closer on his shoulders.Together, they watched the moon reveal its face once again. Dark clouds drifted away, creating a halo in the black sky.Suho pulled her up, walking hand in hand, next to the seashore towards their trailer van. Waves crashing in on their barefooted feet.“Ya! What are you
***Suho’s POV***November 4, 2005I started writing because I was happy. Today, I only write to feel amidst the depression.Exactly a year has passed. Ever since that day, November 4, 2004, my love vanished in thin air. But every detail was still vivid in my mind like it merely happened yesterday. The truth was it’s a memoir that should have perished like the seafoam. Yet, for some reason, the waves kept pushing back these foam to the shore.From the time we left Busan, everything went easily, better than what I imagined. Hana became busier than normal. Working two shifts for the pet store, running errands for Grandma Jung and eomma, and volunteering at the shrine.While I sat around waiting for the result of the bar exam, standing by for her to come home every day. Her busy schedule ended with bus dates. Every morning, we’d have breakfast, send her to work, and
The lioness came out of the den and caught me off guard. My heart palpitating, palms sweating, and throat dried from the thought. Our conversation still echoed in my ears.“Hello,” I answered in a low, intimidating tone. It was more than what I intended to do, not knowing who the other person on the other line was. Whoever it was has interrupted my peace and must pay for it. “Hello,” a woman’s voice reverberated through the other end of the line. Her voice brought chills to my bones. In an instant, a wind zapped me through a deep tunnel, the speed of lightning. One word was enough for my mind to be blown away.I leaned forward, unconsciously gripping the wooden arm of my chair, my knuckles turning crimson. I banished to a place where black clouds appeared on the horizon and fog blurs everything in sight. My mind whirling as I bit my lips. “Suho,” her sweet voice echoing through the dense mist. “Are you still there?” she asked. “Hana,” pausing in between, breathing after each