wttcs 40
Chapter 40
Shin’s room
South Korean Mall Magnate, Lee Shin ssi is among the 135 passengers in the ill-fated plane that crashed in North -Central Mongolia, last Friday evening. Hopes are getting bleak for his family and friends as no survivors have yet been reported until now.
She pressed the remote to turn off the TV. Chae Gyung sought refuge in the stillness of the night but all she found were waves of disquiet and tormenting thoughts. Her eyes wandered around the room as she tried to feel his presence once more. The wedding picture sat in abandonment in one corner of the corner table. Chae Gyung picked it up and wiped the dust with her palm while teardrops found their way down to the frame. She reminded herself to take pictures anew with him when he comes back, wanting to save as many captured moments as she could, happy ones, to last her through the days when he’s apart from her.
.
Unable to resist the urge, she took off her clothes and put on a loose shirt which she has taken from the closet earlier. It was Shin’s cotton night shirt, and Chae Gyung felt a certain intimacy upon wearing it next to her skin. As she sat on the bed, her hands caressed the smooth texture of the bedspread, held his pillows close and breathed the manly smell that was still lingering on. It was the only place she wanted to be that night, it was where she could feel him closer to her. This was where he spent his nights alone, and Chae Gyung regretted the wasted chance of being with him in this room. She turned her head to the side, suddenly having an image of Shin laying beside her, smiling back at her. She reached out her hand to hold him, but all she could touch was an empty space.
“Ma’am! This is Cheli.”
“Do you have any update?” Chae Gyung felt her heartbeat coming to a halt.
“Yes, ma’am.”
”What is it?”
“Ma’am….”
“What is it? Where is he?”
“Please calm down first.” Cheli suppressed the nervousness in her voice.
“No! I want to know where he is. Tell me!”
“He’s not coming back anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“His body was found this morning, charred beyond recognition. Lee Shin ssi was positively identified through dental records. I’m so sorry, ma’am.”
“No! No!!!” Chae Gyung’s scream resonated throughout the room.
“Chae Gyung ssi! Chae Gyung ssi! Wake up! You’re having a nightmare.” Mrs. Kim shook her shoulders violently.
She opened her eyes and cried out. “Ajumma, I thought it was for real. I dreamt of him, he was dead. He’s not coming back.”
“Hush. He will come back. Dreams don’t always come true. Sometimes they tell us the exact opposite of what’s about to happen. Don’t cry.” Mrs. Kim gently wiped her tears. “I brought you some food. Please eat.”
Chae Gyung could hardly breathe. Still shaken from the nightmare, she shook her head and said, “I don’t want to eat. If he’s starving out there, I want to starve myself too. I want to feel what he’s going through right now.” Strength was finally running out on her.
Mrs. Kim reached out for her hand and held on tight. “This is bad for you. You will need to eat to sustain you through all the waiting. What if he comes back and you fall sick from too much worrying? He wouldn’t want to see you in such condition. Be strong for him, he will need you to take care of him once he comes home.”
Chae Gyung upon hearing her ajumma’s advice, took her first intake of food since the news on plane crash broke out.
Chae Gyung nervously pulled on the cord while waiting on the line. “Cheli? Are there any news?” she immediately asked as soon as she heard the secretary’s voice.
“Sorry, ma’am. Still no news. I will call you right away once we received information from South Korea Embassy.”
“Thank you.”
Click
Chae Gyung turned to Janny and shook her head.
“We have to pray harder. Don’t worry.”
Chae Gyung put her head on Janny’s lap. “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.”
“Hang in there. You can do it.”
“I’m tired. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
Janny combed Chae Gyung’s hair with her fingers. “Don’t say that. Just hang on.”
“I can’t do it.”
“You have to be strong.”
“What if he doesn’t make it?” A tear from Chae Gyung’s eye fell.
“What if he does make it? Have faith.”
“What day is it today?”
“Sunday.”
“It’s been two days. He must be starving now. He likes ramen. He likes it with eggs.” Chae Gyung spoke while staring at the wall, eyes devoid of emotion.
Janny nodded.
“I wonder what he’s doing now.”
“He must be singing his favorite songs now or listening to his Ipod.” Janny tried to sound cheerful but her tears were on the verge of falling too.
“He must be.He likes to hug pillows. I wonder if he could sleep at night.” Chae Gyung uttered in drone.
“Hush.”
“I’m going out of my mind now.” Chae Gyung’s eyes were now half-closed as her voice slowly faded.
“Be strong for him. Please.”
“I want him back.”
“You will have him back. Just believe.” As Janny turned to check on her friend, she was pleasantly surprised to see Chae Gyung has quietly fallen into sleep.
Third day
Jansq Twin Towers
“Ma’am, you’re here.” Cheli looked up and saw Chae Gyung leaning over her.
“Is there any news?”
“None yet.”
“So you’re here.” Ji hyun spoke from behind.
Chae Gyung refused to look at her.
“This is your fault. You can’t wait to have him back? See what happens if you insist in doing it your way?” Ji Hyun found a chance to get back at Chae Gyung.
“I don’t think you have the right to speak to me this way. If I asked him to come home, that’s my right, I am his wife and there isn’t anything wrong with that.” Chae Gyung holding her head up, answered coldly and looked straight into her eyes.
Cheli interrupted, “Ma’am. They have an update on the plane crash.”
Flash Report
There are survivors found in the wreckage early this morning. The number has already reached a total of 18 persons. You can see the list of names flashed at the bottom of the screen.
Meredith Ashton
Thomas King
Wang Ching Luy
Adoracion Mendez
Lucinda Wellington
Marcus Beckingham
Han Na Jiang
Frederick Wong
Kirk Greene
Candice Greene
Peggy Sue Greene
Cole Greene
Shane Ramirez
Melissa Stuart White
Eugene Byrne
Ingrid Santiago
Bernard Santiago
Wallace Rice
The names were flashed again on the screen for the second time.
“Lee Shin ssi is not on the list.” Cheli said weakly, while covering her face with her hands.
Chae Gyung kept her stare on the TV screen. “He’s gone?”
Cheli remained speechless. Ji Hyun sank down the couch.
“He’s gone.” Chae Gyung said with finality. Suddenly images of her future without Shin appeared, and tears came amidst the shattering of her heart.
Cheli who was in tears, pointed at the screen again.
Flash Report
Another piece of news came in just this second. Another survivor was found, bringing the total number to 19.
They turned around and held their breath.
The last survivor was identified as the popular South Korean mall magnate, Lee Shin ssi.