After all the stopovers and unprecedented vehicular accidents on the highway, they eventually made it to Mrs. Lee’s hometown. The group arrived at the coastal town close to midnight. The streets were dark, without a soul in sight. “Hana, let’s go to the beach in the morning,” Suho glimpsed at her. “Yeah, unnie. Let’s go for a picnic.” “Isn’t the water cold?” Hana asked. “Yeah, but we don’t have to swim. We’ll just play in the sand, duh!” “Duh? Where on earth did you get that, Naeun? I think you’re watching too much TV these days,” Mrs. Lee chimed in, making everybody laugh at her plight. After a few minutes of navigating dark streets, the mood shifted. Seojoon creeped out the girls as he recounted some folklore legends and stories as Suho turned to dark corners and miles of dark fields and forests, void of any human presence. He made it look like a town in an eerie, horror movie, adding sound effects making Hana and Naeun shriek in fear. The boys bursting into laughter. And Mrs
“You’re so mean.” Hana shot an evil eye at Suho who couldn’t help but snortle the entire time. After breakfast, everybody broke off to their own assignments. Suho changed into his go-to ensemble, a basketball jersey over a white shirt and khaki pants. He became the assigned driver for her aunt who’s going to the market to buy the other ingredients for Chuseok. “Let’s meet here after two hours,” his aunt stated after dismounting from the car. While waiting, the two strolled by the sea watching the seagulls fly and boats ducked. Not far from where they stood was a lighthouse. “Let’s go there,” Suho pointed at the lighthouse, grabbed Hana’s wrist, and ran to where the lighthouse was. “Oppa, wait,” breaking into laughter, running alongside him, her dress flowing with the wind Suho halted halfway through leaving Hana perplexed. “Stay here, I’ll take pictures of you.” Bringing out the polaroid camera from his knapsack. “Okay,” Hana flickered her eyes, puzzled but followed his lea
“Is there a lifetime waiting for us?” Hana asked herself as she watched Suho go about helping in the preparation for Chuseok. She had been very sure of her emotions but the thought of the red mailbox gave her goosebumps she can’t explain. An impending departure that could test their relationship, was that it? “Unnie, come play with us,” Naeun urged, snatching her wrist and tugged her in the group of youth playing games. “But aren’t we supposed to help them?” Pointing at the elderly ladies making rice cakes. “No. Don’t worry about that. Let’s enjoy it while we can. Tomorrow is D-day but tonight is OUR night.” Hana sat next to Naeun and her cousins playing games at the height of the night. She glanced around and saw how carefree they were compared to kids in the city. They can be contrasted to her cousins who would meet separately from the older folks just to evade their endless banters and nagging. She was told that they have a full day the succeeding day. From preparing meal for
The night was dark and the icy breeze from the sea piercing through the skin. It was a stellar, crisp night with only the melody of breaking waves and cicada chiming into the night. The night was still young but the coastal village had retired to sleep, crippled from the day that was. All that was left from the revelry were drunkards crawling in the street. Hana meandered into the dark cold night with her backpack in tow. “There’s no turning back, she said.” A thousand things going through her head. BREATHE IN… The wind hissed in her ear. But with every puff, an aching thug slit to her heart. Hana clenched her chest hoping to soothe the pain only making it worse. “That’s why I always hold back when I’m happy because a catastrophe is just lurking around the corner. Waiting to pop up at the least expected time. A roller coaster ride that lifts you way up in the sky one second and in an instant, you’re crashing down on the ground. BREATHE OUT… Each exhale felt like waves smashing her
“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