“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
***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