wait for you
This is a long, overdued birthday fic for the one & only awesome kirakirashahida's 22nd. I have to admit - I have mixed feelings about this story. I personally love the first few parts, but towards the end I feel like I may have rushed it a little too much :( Reasons because I didn't want to prolong this any longer, seeing how we're about to head into 2016 soon. Nonetheless, I apologise from the bottom of my heart & I hope that even though you may not love it, you would still like it. Or at least parts of it. I love u, loser. xoxo
wait for you
jaebum/hyejeong
romance, 3 578 words
I: they were each others’ first love
Jaebum thought he had everything. Fame, money, good grades - all the things that mattered in high school (or so he thought). But it wasn’t until he set eyes on her; the tall girl with legs that could cover a whole stretch of road, whose pretty flushed face reminded him of a plum (full and rosy) and honeycomb hair which she loved to tie up in a high ponytail each time she gets ready to cheer with her round, fluffy set of pom-poms.
He’d watch her before the start of his games, as he warmed up by the benches with the rest of his team-mates. His eyes followed her every move as she stood front and centre, looking ready and poised to lead her girls.
She - Shin Hyejeong, the school’s cheerleading squad captain.
He - Im Jaebum, the school’s basketball team captain.
They were a perfect match, a total fit for each other. Many thought and believed they’d be together without a doubt. After all, isn’t that how all high-school cliché stories go - the popular jock with the high-school beauty?
But he wasn’t the cocky jock, and she wasn’t the airhead beauty.
He fumbled with pick-up lines and she avoided flirty gazes.
Yet, as days went by, Jaebum knew that he was keen on asking her out and amidst the sea of playful winks, there was only one pair of eyes Hyejeong wanted to catch.
It was late in the evening, after a tough game against their notorious rivals. Most of the crowd had gone home and almost all of the players had taken their leave too. Jaebum had just finished washing up and hurriedly changed into his clean clothes before walking back into the court. He found Mark, one of his team-mates (and also best-friend) sitting on a bench, tying up his shoelaces.
From the corner of his eye, he realised that a couple of girls from the cheerleading squad were still lingering around their spot.
Jaebum breathed out heavily when he saw Hyejeong standing there, talking and laughing with the other girls.
Just then, one of them whispered something to her and she whirled around to see what her friend was pointing at. As soon as she locked eyes with him, he saw her smile faltering momentarily, before she turned back around as though she hadn’t seen him.
His heart fell. This wasn’t going as he planned.
“Hey, man. Good game just now,” Mark patted his back as the red-haired guy walked past his captain. Jaebum hadn’t even realised when he had finished with his shoelaces. “See ‘ya tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” he cracked a smile, despite their earlier loss. “Better luck next time though.”
Mark shrugged his shoulders and saluted him with a peace sign. As he approached the exit door, he was joined by two of the cheerleaders; one of whom offered him a shy smile to which he returned with a friendly one of his own. He quickly stepped aside like the gentleman he is and let the girls walked out first.
Jaebum shook his head and smiled as he took one of the balls on the ground and started dribbling it. He dropped his bag with a thud and ran across the court with the ball, before dunking it into the basket.
“That was a good shot.”
The ball which he had just caught almost slipped from his grasp at the sound of the soft, delicate voice. It sounded different than when she was shouting out her cheers, yet weirdly, he could still recognise it as hers.
Slowly, he turned around to face her as his heartbeat raced a million times faster. This was the first time they were actually starting a conversation, much less having her standing just a few feet away from him.
Her backpack was slung over her shoulder and she was no longer in her cheerleading uniform. Her straight hair was let loose and her bare face flushed even more than usual (even though he wasn’t sure if it was because of the heat or…)
“Thanks,” he broke into a grin. “Although…I should’ve played like that just now.”
She let out a small laugh, one which was enough to make him go weak in the knees.
“Oh, I think you did fine,” she said reassuringly. “We can’t win all the time…but I’m sure you’ve given it your best.”
“Yeah…” he laughed nervously, racking his brain trying to keep the conversation alive but nothing was coming to him. He could see
Hyejeong shifting her weight uncomfortably as she glanced down at her wrist watch. He couldn’t let her leave. Not yet.
“Uh…I guess I’ll see you around in school?” she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Goodbye Jaebum.”
His fists were clenched tightly by the sides. He had to do something.Now or never.
“Hyejeong…wait.”
She stopped in her tracks and curiously glanced over her shoulder.
He started spinning the ball on the tip of his finger. He may suck big time when it comes to girls but if there was one thing he could score in, was this.
“If this one goes into the basket…date me?” he blurted out before he even had the chance to change his mind. Before he totally lost his cool and before the girl of his dreams disappeared from his sight.
Hyejeong was staring at him doubtfully. For one, he was no longer standing near the basket and the spot he was on, was a clear three-point shot. You could be a pro and still miss it. And besides, she wasn’t sure about how serious he was being.
“Will you…” he raised his voice slightly when she didn’t say anything. “…date me?”
She crossed her arms across her chest and smiled amusingly.
“Why should I?”
She wanted to say yes badly, but she also had to test his sincerity. She’s always been a guarded person, especially when it comes to her heart. She had to be sure that this wasn’t just another game to him or a bet he had to win.
“Because you’re the only score that matters.” Taking a deep breath, Jaebum focused all his concentration on the aim and with the chance of dating his dream girl as encouragement, the ball flew through the air with a loud swoosh and went straight into the basket.
Jaebum pumped up his fist in victory. For a moment, he actually forgot about the real prize because he wasn’t confident about his three-point shot but as soon as he remembered, the smile was wiped off his face as his head whipped around to look at Hyejeong.
She was looking back at him impressively and even gave him a small clap. As she moved forward closer to him, he wondered if he had pushed things a little too far, a little too soon.
Instead, she took him by surprise as she started to lean in close until their faces were only inches apart. He held his breath when he felt her lips brushing his ear as she said, “Yes, I’ll date you.”
II: misconceptions
Jaebum thought he did all that because he loved her. He thought that Hyejeong would see he did what he did out of love, because he only wanted to protect her - because he was afraid of losing her. He never imagined that it would only push her further away from him. Day by day, a step two steps further, thousands of miles away, until she was finally gone from his life.
“That’s too far.”
“It’s the best offer I have now. This is once-in-a-lifetime chance - you of all people should be able to understand how badly I want this.”
“It’s still too far, Hyejeong. And we’re not talking about one or two days here. It’s three years…three fucking years. How do you expect me to wait that long?”
There was a long pause on her part. Her stare on the paper hardened; her grip on his hand loosening. And right at that moment,
Jaebum knew he had already lost her.
“If you love me, you will,” she said so faintly that he almost missed the crack in her voice. “We will find a way.”
But he was being too stubborn. He kept pushing because he was only thinking of himself. In his mind, it was Hyejeong leaving him behind while she gets to be happy with her dream of being an actress. Right then, the thought of her suffering just as much without him by her side didn’t even cross his mind.
“Don’t go, Hyejeong.”
She lifted her head to meet his gaze with glistened eyes. He ought to know by then the decision was tearing her apart more than it was doing to him. But he was too blinded by selfishness to see the sincere love this beautiful girl has in her whole heart for him. And
only for him alone.
“I’m sorry, Jaebummie.” She pecked him softly on his cheek, very so carefully like it was the last time they were going to see each other.
Jaebum closed his eyes. He wanted to stay in that moment forever.
And when he opened them again, Hyejeong was long gone - leaving only that piece of paper along with her endless love behind.
III: even separated by time and distance, their hearts still beat as one
He read about her progress and whereabouts through newspapers and magazines. He watched her growth through his television screen. And when he missed her, he’d put her interview snippets on repeat before he wallowed in nostalgia.
Initially, he thought about emailing her, but he wasn’t sure where he stood in her life anymore. He didn’t even know if he still has a place in her heart and he was too afraid of taking that risk of finding out.
She didn’t make any effort to talk to him either. Busy or forgotten, Jaebum took it as a sign she has moved on (to the better things in life) - a part where he wasn’t included.
“You look like my dead goldfish,” Mark told him as he downed his fifth glass of liquor that night. “Only it was cuter.”
Jaebum couldn’t be bothered to reply as he asked the bartender for another glass. Mark shook his head and motioned for the guy to cancel his friend’s order. Instead, he wrapped one arm around the drunken Jaebum and helped him up to his feet.
“You’re wasted. We’re going home now.”
They were only halfway out the door when Jaebum had to stop and threw up by the sidewalk. Mark scrunched up his nose in disgust yet still, he patted his friend’s back to sooth him down.
“Told you to take it easy, didn’t I? You know you can’t hold - “
“She’s engaged…” Jaebum spat out angrily. “She’s fucking engaged.”
Mark didn’t even need to ask who. There was only one person, one woman that could make Jaebum act this way - the usual calm and composed Im Jaebum turn irrational and rash.
And that was only Shin Hyejeong.
“How do you know that?”
Jaebum let out a dry laugh as he used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth. “The news of course. I should’ve known; a well-known actress would want someone of the same standard. I’m just anobody. A fool for thinking she would come back to me.”
Mark scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Don’t you think you should wait for the truth from her own mouth? You know that Mina still keeps in touch with her and she hasn’t said anything about Hyejeong getting married.”
Jaebum scoffed. “Why should I give her the chance to fool me even more?”
“I’m just saying…sometimes the news can be exaggerated. Only she knows the truth.”
“Take it back.”
She was fuming. Steam of anger could practically be seen coming out from her ears. Shin Hyejeong was flabbergasted by the news her friend had shoved into her face early in the morning and she wanted answers.
And she wanted them now.
“Damn it Jonghun, I am not kidding. Take that piece of false shit back!” she demanded with her arms crossed. “Don’t bother playing dumb,” she shook her head when he was about to open his mouth denying her accusations. “I know you fed those reporters with lies just to cover up your own bloody scandal!” spat Hyejeong.
“Calm down, love. Come, have a seat. We can talk things out,” he gestured for the empty sofa but she made no move towards it.
Sighing, he walked over slowly towards her but she backed further away.
“This wasn’t how I pictured it was going to be.” Slowly, he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a black, velvet box. “I wanted to do it the right way - rent out an entire restaurant just for the two of us, get down on one knee and ask you the question properly. Really, I wanted to.”
“Now I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Sweetheart, don’t be like that. You know she’s nothing. You are the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t even believe that she had actually thought they might have a chance of working things out. That this was probably what fate has written for her, after leaving behind the man she has ever truly loved.
“I’m going back to Korea,” she said evenly. “And you’re not going to stop me this time.”
IV: you’re my safe person
“Come on, you won’t get to see the best part if you don’t go up.”
Sixteen-year old Hyejeong shook her head pleadingly, her ponytail swinging back and forth as she did so. Her expression was clearly terrified as she stared up at the tree-house longingly. She really wanted to see Jaebum’s childhood secret hideout, but she’s had a bad experience with climbing up trees and she wasn’t ready to face her fears yet.
Jaebum could sense her hesitation. And even thought she hasn’t told him the story yet, he knew that it must’ve shook her up pretty bad for her to be this afraid. It would also explain her fear of heights.
He placed his two hands on her shoulders and squeezed them gently.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right behind you to catch you if you fall. But I won’t let that happen,” he said softly.
Hyejeong reached up for his hands and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath she said, “Promise me you won’t.”
“I promise.”
“If you do - “
“I won’t, Hyejeong. I promise.”
“Okay,” she let out a loud sigh. “Here goes nothing.”
About ten minutes later, two teenage kids were trying to squeeze themselves into the tree-house which was meant for eight-year olds. Alas, Jaebum had to make do with his right leg dangling out in the air. Hyejeong couldn’t even bring herself to look down.
It made him grin. Stupidly.
“So, welcome to my secret hide-out!” he said brightly, trying to lift up her spirits. “You’re the only person I’ve told about this place and brought here. So, you should feel honoured.”
Hyejeong managed a weak laugh. “Oh, I’m feeling very special alright.”
“Of course you should. Because you are my special person.” Out of excitement, he punched her playfully, causing her to almost
topple over.
“Jaebum!” she yelped out. Quickly, he stretched out his arms to keep her from falling and also steady her. Feeling guilty, he pulled her close to his body and hugged her tightly.
“I am so, so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t mean to hurt you or - “
To his surprise, she was laughing.
“What is so funny?” he asked, pulling away.
“Nothing,” she continued to giggle and took both his hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “Thank you,” she whispered softly. “For sharing your secret hideout with me.”
Jaebum beamed. Right there and then, he felt true happiness. And even if the world were to come to an end then, it wouldn’t have mattered - because he had conquered it.
He had conquered it all with Shin Hyejeong.
V: your existence is the reason for mine
He thought he must be dreaming. When he caught a glimpse of the tall girl with legs that could cover a whole stretch of road and honeycomb hair which had been neatly styled up into a high bun - Jaebum thought his eyes must be playing tricks on him because he was missing her like crazy.
But as he came closer to the podium, his heart started racing faster. The sound of her laugh was all too familiar. The way she threw back her head and closed her mouth with her hand mimicked his first love too well. And when she turned around (after something her friend said and pointed at him), Jaebum knew that reality was too good to be true.
Her beautiful, pretty flushed face (which will always remind him of a plum - full and rosy), was contoured into a thousand and one expressions; excited, confused, nervous, uncertain - a mixture of his own - only his was mostly filled with disbelief.
The room was starting to fill in. Relatives and friends of the bride-and-groom were chatting away happily, oblivious to the growing tension between the boy and the girl in the best-man and bridesmaid outfits respectively.
And he was suffocating, badly.
“Jaebum - “ she began and that was all it took for him to turn on his heel and stormed out of the room as quickly as his feet could carry him. He heard his friends calling out his name and the hushes whispers among the guests, but he couldn’t care less.
“Hey,” Youngjae stopped him just as he reached the doorway. “Where are you going?”
“You could’ve given me a heads up,” was all he said as he shoved past the groom roughly, too confused and mortified to even utter a quick apology.
Like a scene from a romance movie, it started raining - heavily. Yet, even in the heavy downpour, Jaebum sat on the old wooden bench with his head hung low. He couldn’t get the image of her lovely, rosy face out of his goddamn mind. It kind of annoyed him - how she still has this power over him, even after all these years. Even after she has moved on, and he hasn’t.
He heard footsteps approaching and a second later, a pair of black heels appeared before him. He didn’t need to look up to know it was her.
Silence stretched between them for a whole minute long. It felt like eternity (just like how long he has been waiting for her return) and for a second, he thought he might’ve lost his ability to speak.
Thankfully, she spoke up first.
“How are you?”
Not what he was expecting to hear, so he scoffed.
“Please, let’s just not.”
“Jaebum - “ she tried again.
“How long?”
“Awhile now,” she replied, understanding his question perfectly.
“You didn’t call.” Not that she was obliged to - now that she belong to someone else. Now that she wasn’t his anymore. Now that he has no place in her life any longer.
“I didn’t know if you were still…” she stopped, letting her sentence trailed off. He waited and when she still remained silent, did he finally lift up his head to look at her - his first love who broke his heart.
God, she is still so beautiful.
“Of course I am,” he said bitterly. “Every single day since the moment you left me. I have been waiting for you ever since.”
“I’m sorry,” her voice barely above a whisper. “But you told me you couldn’t wait that long - and I respect your decision so I assumed you’ve moved on.”
He tried to laugh, but all that came out was some incoherent choking sound.
“It doesn’t matter now, does it?” Jaebum stood up, his height now towering over her even with the heels she had on. His hair was dripping wet and so was hers. Their clothes were both soaking wet and they were completely drenched from head to toe - but it was nothing compared to the catastrophe of their love.
“I wish you a blissful marriage life,” he said, trying to sound as sincerely as he could but they both knew better. “Take good care of yourself.”
He started to walk away.
“Jaebum, wait.”
He knew he should stop and turn around. He should at least listen to what she has to say. But his pride got the better of him. He couldn’t let her destroy the last bit of hope he has in his heart. The hope that she would return to him someday - that they would be together eventually and nothing will break them apart.
And so, he left.
He left her this time.
He reads her letter for the umpteenth time - already memorising it by heart. He finally understands her explanations and even though he knows the truth now - he believes that he had made the right decision.
They both needed (more) time and space apart. They needed to grow, as individuals, before they could come back together, better for the other. Jaebum understands it all now.
And he is still willing to wait - wait for the day till they find their way back to each other. It might take awhile; months or even years, and seasons might come and go - but he would wait.
Because he has an entire lifetime for her.
wait for you
jaebum/hyejeong
romance, 3 578 words
I: they were each others’ first love
Jaebum thought he had everything. Fame, money, good grades - all the things that mattered in high school (or so he thought). But it wasn’t until he set eyes on her; the tall girl with legs that could cover a whole stretch of road, whose pretty flushed face reminded him of a plum (full and rosy) and honeycomb hair which she loved to tie up in a high ponytail each time she gets ready to cheer with her round, fluffy set of pom-poms.
He’d watch her before the start of his games, as he warmed up by the benches with the rest of his team-mates. His eyes followed her every move as she stood front and centre, looking ready and poised to lead her girls.
She - Shin Hyejeong, the school’s cheerleading squad captain.
He - Im Jaebum, the school’s basketball team captain.
They were a perfect match, a total fit for each other. Many thought and believed they’d be together without a doubt. After all, isn’t that how all high-school cliché stories go - the popular jock with the high-school beauty?
But he wasn’t the cocky jock, and she wasn’t the airhead beauty.
He fumbled with pick-up lines and she avoided flirty gazes.
Yet, as days went by, Jaebum knew that he was keen on asking her out and amidst the sea of playful winks, there was only one pair of eyes Hyejeong wanted to catch.
It was late in the evening, after a tough game against their notorious rivals. Most of the crowd had gone home and almost all of the players had taken their leave too. Jaebum had just finished washing up and hurriedly changed into his clean clothes before walking back into the court. He found Mark, one of his team-mates (and also best-friend) sitting on a bench, tying up his shoelaces.
From the corner of his eye, he realised that a couple of girls from the cheerleading squad were still lingering around their spot.
Jaebum breathed out heavily when he saw Hyejeong standing there, talking and laughing with the other girls.
Just then, one of them whispered something to her and she whirled around to see what her friend was pointing at. As soon as she locked eyes with him, he saw her smile faltering momentarily, before she turned back around as though she hadn’t seen him.
His heart fell. This wasn’t going as he planned.
“Hey, man. Good game just now,” Mark patted his back as the red-haired guy walked past his captain. Jaebum hadn’t even realised when he had finished with his shoelaces. “See ‘ya tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” he cracked a smile, despite their earlier loss. “Better luck next time though.”
Mark shrugged his shoulders and saluted him with a peace sign. As he approached the exit door, he was joined by two of the cheerleaders; one of whom offered him a shy smile to which he returned with a friendly one of his own. He quickly stepped aside like the gentleman he is and let the girls walked out first.
Jaebum shook his head and smiled as he took one of the balls on the ground and started dribbling it. He dropped his bag with a thud and ran across the court with the ball, before dunking it into the basket.
“That was a good shot.”
The ball which he had just caught almost slipped from his grasp at the sound of the soft, delicate voice. It sounded different than when she was shouting out her cheers, yet weirdly, he could still recognise it as hers.
Slowly, he turned around to face her as his heartbeat raced a million times faster. This was the first time they were actually starting a conversation, much less having her standing just a few feet away from him.
Her backpack was slung over her shoulder and she was no longer in her cheerleading uniform. Her straight hair was let loose and her bare face flushed even more than usual (even though he wasn’t sure if it was because of the heat or…)
“Thanks,” he broke into a grin. “Although…I should’ve played like that just now.”
She let out a small laugh, one which was enough to make him go weak in the knees.
“Oh, I think you did fine,” she said reassuringly. “We can’t win all the time…but I’m sure you’ve given it your best.”
“Yeah…” he laughed nervously, racking his brain trying to keep the conversation alive but nothing was coming to him. He could see
Hyejeong shifting her weight uncomfortably as she glanced down at her wrist watch. He couldn’t let her leave. Not yet.
“Uh…I guess I’ll see you around in school?” she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Goodbye Jaebum.”
His fists were clenched tightly by the sides. He had to do something.Now or never.
“Hyejeong…wait.”
She stopped in her tracks and curiously glanced over her shoulder.
He started spinning the ball on the tip of his finger. He may suck big time when it comes to girls but if there was one thing he could score in, was this.
“If this one goes into the basket…date me?” he blurted out before he even had the chance to change his mind. Before he totally lost his cool and before the girl of his dreams disappeared from his sight.
Hyejeong was staring at him doubtfully. For one, he was no longer standing near the basket and the spot he was on, was a clear three-point shot. You could be a pro and still miss it. And besides, she wasn’t sure about how serious he was being.
“Will you…” he raised his voice slightly when she didn’t say anything. “…date me?”
She crossed her arms across her chest and smiled amusingly.
“Why should I?”
She wanted to say yes badly, but she also had to test his sincerity. She’s always been a guarded person, especially when it comes to her heart. She had to be sure that this wasn’t just another game to him or a bet he had to win.
“Because you’re the only score that matters.” Taking a deep breath, Jaebum focused all his concentration on the aim and with the chance of dating his dream girl as encouragement, the ball flew through the air with a loud swoosh and went straight into the basket.
Jaebum pumped up his fist in victory. For a moment, he actually forgot about the real prize because he wasn’t confident about his three-point shot but as soon as he remembered, the smile was wiped off his face as his head whipped around to look at Hyejeong.
She was looking back at him impressively and even gave him a small clap. As she moved forward closer to him, he wondered if he had pushed things a little too far, a little too soon.
Instead, she took him by surprise as she started to lean in close until their faces were only inches apart. He held his breath when he felt her lips brushing his ear as she said, “Yes, I’ll date you.”
II: misconceptions
Jaebum thought he did all that because he loved her. He thought that Hyejeong would see he did what he did out of love, because he only wanted to protect her - because he was afraid of losing her. He never imagined that it would only push her further away from him. Day by day, a step two steps further, thousands of miles away, until she was finally gone from his life.
“That’s too far.”
“It’s the best offer I have now. This is once-in-a-lifetime chance - you of all people should be able to understand how badly I want this.”
“It’s still too far, Hyejeong. And we’re not talking about one or two days here. It’s three years…three fucking years. How do you expect me to wait that long?”
There was a long pause on her part. Her stare on the paper hardened; her grip on his hand loosening. And right at that moment,
Jaebum knew he had already lost her.
“If you love me, you will,” she said so faintly that he almost missed the crack in her voice. “We will find a way.”
But he was being too stubborn. He kept pushing because he was only thinking of himself. In his mind, it was Hyejeong leaving him behind while she gets to be happy with her dream of being an actress. Right then, the thought of her suffering just as much without him by her side didn’t even cross his mind.
“Don’t go, Hyejeong.”
She lifted her head to meet his gaze with glistened eyes. He ought to know by then the decision was tearing her apart more than it was doing to him. But he was too blinded by selfishness to see the sincere love this beautiful girl has in her whole heart for him. And
only for him alone.
“I’m sorry, Jaebummie.” She pecked him softly on his cheek, very so carefully like it was the last time they were going to see each other.
Jaebum closed his eyes. He wanted to stay in that moment forever.
And when he opened them again, Hyejeong was long gone - leaving only that piece of paper along with her endless love behind.
III: even separated by time and distance, their hearts still beat as one
He read about her progress and whereabouts through newspapers and magazines. He watched her growth through his television screen. And when he missed her, he’d put her interview snippets on repeat before he wallowed in nostalgia.
Initially, he thought about emailing her, but he wasn’t sure where he stood in her life anymore. He didn’t even know if he still has a place in her heart and he was too afraid of taking that risk of finding out.
She didn’t make any effort to talk to him either. Busy or forgotten, Jaebum took it as a sign she has moved on (to the better things in life) - a part where he wasn’t included.
“You look like my dead goldfish,” Mark told him as he downed his fifth glass of liquor that night. “Only it was cuter.”
Jaebum couldn’t be bothered to reply as he asked the bartender for another glass. Mark shook his head and motioned for the guy to cancel his friend’s order. Instead, he wrapped one arm around the drunken Jaebum and helped him up to his feet.
“You’re wasted. We’re going home now.”
They were only halfway out the door when Jaebum had to stop and threw up by the sidewalk. Mark scrunched up his nose in disgust yet still, he patted his friend’s back to sooth him down.
“Told you to take it easy, didn’t I? You know you can’t hold - “
“She’s engaged…” Jaebum spat out angrily. “She’s fucking engaged.”
Mark didn’t even need to ask who. There was only one person, one woman that could make Jaebum act this way - the usual calm and composed Im Jaebum turn irrational and rash.
And that was only Shin Hyejeong.
“How do you know that?”
Jaebum let out a dry laugh as he used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth. “The news of course. I should’ve known; a well-known actress would want someone of the same standard. I’m just anobody. A fool for thinking she would come back to me.”
Mark scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Don’t you think you should wait for the truth from her own mouth? You know that Mina still keeps in touch with her and she hasn’t said anything about Hyejeong getting married.”
Jaebum scoffed. “Why should I give her the chance to fool me even more?”
“I’m just saying…sometimes the news can be exaggerated. Only she knows the truth.”
“Take it back.”
She was fuming. Steam of anger could practically be seen coming out from her ears. Shin Hyejeong was flabbergasted by the news her friend had shoved into her face early in the morning and she wanted answers.
And she wanted them now.
“Damn it Jonghun, I am not kidding. Take that piece of false shit back!” she demanded with her arms crossed. “Don’t bother playing dumb,” she shook her head when he was about to open his mouth denying her accusations. “I know you fed those reporters with lies just to cover up your own bloody scandal!” spat Hyejeong.
“Calm down, love. Come, have a seat. We can talk things out,” he gestured for the empty sofa but she made no move towards it.
Sighing, he walked over slowly towards her but she backed further away.
“This wasn’t how I pictured it was going to be.” Slowly, he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a black, velvet box. “I wanted to do it the right way - rent out an entire restaurant just for the two of us, get down on one knee and ask you the question properly. Really, I wanted to.”
“Now I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Sweetheart, don’t be like that. You know she’s nothing. You are the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t even believe that she had actually thought they might have a chance of working things out. That this was probably what fate has written for her, after leaving behind the man she has ever truly loved.
“I’m going back to Korea,” she said evenly. “And you’re not going to stop me this time.”
IV: you’re my safe person
“Come on, you won’t get to see the best part if you don’t go up.”
Sixteen-year old Hyejeong shook her head pleadingly, her ponytail swinging back and forth as she did so. Her expression was clearly terrified as she stared up at the tree-house longingly. She really wanted to see Jaebum’s childhood secret hideout, but she’s had a bad experience with climbing up trees and she wasn’t ready to face her fears yet.
Jaebum could sense her hesitation. And even thought she hasn’t told him the story yet, he knew that it must’ve shook her up pretty bad for her to be this afraid. It would also explain her fear of heights.
He placed his two hands on her shoulders and squeezed them gently.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right behind you to catch you if you fall. But I won’t let that happen,” he said softly.
Hyejeong reached up for his hands and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath she said, “Promise me you won’t.”
“I promise.”
“If you do - “
“I won’t, Hyejeong. I promise.”
“Okay,” she let out a loud sigh. “Here goes nothing.”
About ten minutes later, two teenage kids were trying to squeeze themselves into the tree-house which was meant for eight-year olds. Alas, Jaebum had to make do with his right leg dangling out in the air. Hyejeong couldn’t even bring herself to look down.
It made him grin. Stupidly.
“So, welcome to my secret hide-out!” he said brightly, trying to lift up her spirits. “You’re the only person I’ve told about this place and brought here. So, you should feel honoured.”
Hyejeong managed a weak laugh. “Oh, I’m feeling very special alright.”
“Of course you should. Because you are my special person.” Out of excitement, he punched her playfully, causing her to almost
topple over.
“Jaebum!” she yelped out. Quickly, he stretched out his arms to keep her from falling and also steady her. Feeling guilty, he pulled her close to his body and hugged her tightly.
“I am so, so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t mean to hurt you or - “
To his surprise, she was laughing.
“What is so funny?” he asked, pulling away.
“Nothing,” she continued to giggle and took both his hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “Thank you,” she whispered softly. “For sharing your secret hideout with me.”
Jaebum beamed. Right there and then, he felt true happiness. And even if the world were to come to an end then, it wouldn’t have mattered - because he had conquered it.
He had conquered it all with Shin Hyejeong.
V: your existence is the reason for mine
He thought he must be dreaming. When he caught a glimpse of the tall girl with legs that could cover a whole stretch of road and honeycomb hair which had been neatly styled up into a high bun - Jaebum thought his eyes must be playing tricks on him because he was missing her like crazy.
But as he came closer to the podium, his heart started racing faster. The sound of her laugh was all too familiar. The way she threw back her head and closed her mouth with her hand mimicked his first love too well. And when she turned around (after something her friend said and pointed at him), Jaebum knew that reality was too good to be true.
Her beautiful, pretty flushed face (which will always remind him of a plum - full and rosy), was contoured into a thousand and one expressions; excited, confused, nervous, uncertain - a mixture of his own - only his was mostly filled with disbelief.
The room was starting to fill in. Relatives and friends of the bride-and-groom were chatting away happily, oblivious to the growing tension between the boy and the girl in the best-man and bridesmaid outfits respectively.
And he was suffocating, badly.
“Jaebum - “ she began and that was all it took for him to turn on his heel and stormed out of the room as quickly as his feet could carry him. He heard his friends calling out his name and the hushes whispers among the guests, but he couldn’t care less.
“Hey,” Youngjae stopped him just as he reached the doorway. “Where are you going?”
“You could’ve given me a heads up,” was all he said as he shoved past the groom roughly, too confused and mortified to even utter a quick apology.
Like a scene from a romance movie, it started raining - heavily. Yet, even in the heavy downpour, Jaebum sat on the old wooden bench with his head hung low. He couldn’t get the image of her lovely, rosy face out of his goddamn mind. It kind of annoyed him - how she still has this power over him, even after all these years. Even after she has moved on, and he hasn’t.
He heard footsteps approaching and a second later, a pair of black heels appeared before him. He didn’t need to look up to know it was her.
Silence stretched between them for a whole minute long. It felt like eternity (just like how long he has been waiting for her return) and for a second, he thought he might’ve lost his ability to speak.
Thankfully, she spoke up first.
“How are you?”
Not what he was expecting to hear, so he scoffed.
“Please, let’s just not.”
“Jaebum - “ she tried again.
“How long?”
“Awhile now,” she replied, understanding his question perfectly.
“You didn’t call.” Not that she was obliged to - now that she belong to someone else. Now that she wasn’t his anymore. Now that he has no place in her life any longer.
“I didn’t know if you were still…” she stopped, letting her sentence trailed off. He waited and when she still remained silent, did he finally lift up his head to look at her - his first love who broke his heart.
God, she is still so beautiful.
“Of course I am,” he said bitterly. “Every single day since the moment you left me. I have been waiting for you ever since.”
“I’m sorry,” her voice barely above a whisper. “But you told me you couldn’t wait that long - and I respect your decision so I assumed you’ve moved on.”
He tried to laugh, but all that came out was some incoherent choking sound.
“It doesn’t matter now, does it?” Jaebum stood up, his height now towering over her even with the heels she had on. His hair was dripping wet and so was hers. Their clothes were both soaking wet and they were completely drenched from head to toe - but it was nothing compared to the catastrophe of their love.
“I wish you a blissful marriage life,” he said, trying to sound as sincerely as he could but they both knew better. “Take good care of yourself.”
He started to walk away.
“Jaebum, wait.”
He knew he should stop and turn around. He should at least listen to what she has to say. But his pride got the better of him. He couldn’t let her destroy the last bit of hope he has in his heart. The hope that she would return to him someday - that they would be together eventually and nothing will break them apart.
And so, he left.
He left her this time.
He reads her letter for the umpteenth time - already memorising it by heart. He finally understands her explanations and even though he knows the truth now - he believes that he had made the right decision.
They both needed (more) time and space apart. They needed to grow, as individuals, before they could come back together, better for the other. Jaebum understands it all now.
And he is still willing to wait - wait for the day till they find their way back to each other. It might take awhile; months or even years, and seasons might come and go - but he would wait.
Because he has an entire lifetime for her.