wttcs 41
Chapter 41
Rebby hurriedly came out from the elevator and nervously headed towards the car while Cheli trailed behind her, taking last minute instructions.
“No silly phone calls, no disturbances. You understand? You can reach me through my private number if there’s an emergency. I don’t want anybody calling me except you.” She said firmly while opening the car door.
“I understand, ma’am.” Cheli bowed.
After boarding the car, Rebby rolled down the tinted car window and reminded the secretary once more, “Strictly no unimportant calls.”
Cheli nodded, “Yes, ma’am.” and continued, “Is Lee Shin ssi safe, ma’am?”
“He is, but I don’t know the extent of his injury yet.” Rebby answered then smiled, “Thank you for the concern.”
“She left without me.” Chae Gyung muttered when Cheli called her few minutes later.
“It was immediate, ma’am. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to inform you.”
“It’s not your fault. She didn’t want me to come along. Did she say how Shin was?”
“No.”
“How do we contact her?”
Cheli who couldn’t speak clearly for one moment, forced her voice to come out and calmly answered, “She didn’t leave a number. She said she will call once she reaches Mongolia.”
“I hope he’s alright. Did she say when are they coming back?” Chae Gyung went deaf on the sudden shift of Cheli’s voice.
“No, ma’am.”
One week after
Shin’s eyes seemed to be sifting through the crowd in the arrival area, but still can’t find the one familiar face he was hoping to see.
“You okay?” Rebby asked while looping his arm with hers. “Dizzy?”
Shin shook his head and uttered, “I’m fine.” There were no traces of serious physical injury except for some minor bruises on his left cheek. His eyes continued to roam as they passed through the gate.
“She’s not here. I didn’t inform her. Besides, she has her business to attend to. Let’s go straight to my place. Rest is what you need, I’ll ask Mrs. Kim to stay with us for a couple of days.”
Shin gently spoke, “Noona, thank you. But I’m going home.”
“I am your home, Shin.” Rebby stopped and held his hands. “I’m your family.”
“I want to go home, to Chae Gyung.” He answered while taking his eyes off her, hoping his words were clear enough to convince Rebby he could not possibly stand another day being apart from his wife.
His noona paused upon seeing him avoiding her eyes. After drawing in a deep breath she finally answered, “Okay, if that’s what you want. But I will be checking on you. I doubt if that woman can take good care of you.”
“Thank you.” Shin’s hug spoke out the gratitude in his heart, more than his words could ever say.
“I’ll have my chauffeur drive you home.” Rebby hugged him back.
Shin was dropped off outside his house two hours later. He entered the gate and took wobbled steps around the garden to look for Mrs. Kim, but she wasn’t there. As he walked into the house, a sudden surge of joy overwhelmed his senses. This is it. He was able to return to the only place he has longed for since the day of the crash. Seeing the door in the study room left ajar, he silently moved near to have a closer look. Chae Gyung with her back fronting to the door, was rearranging his things. He stood still and stared at her in sweet silence, each move making him gasp for breath and every motion gracefully flowed to his heart’s delight. He never knew how much he has wanted to be with her until this moment.
Chae Gyung whistled a tune as she carried the books next to her chest, and up to her chin. Eager to put everything back in place, she inched her way to the bookshelf when she saw from the corner of her eyes a tall figure standing by the door.
Her eyes froze, with tears gliding down freely. Her mind told her to be calm but her heart is doing otherwise.
“I’m home.” Shin greeted her with a smile.
Everything came to a blur. Chae Gyung’s arms weakened as books fell on the floor. Small steps turned into big steps until she finally reached him and threw her arms around him. She pressed her face against his chest and tightened her hold on him.
“Oh my God! You came back.” Chae Gyung lifted her eyes. “You came back to me.”
Shin pulled away but Chae Gyung held on and buried her face in his neck. “I have waited for you since my birthday. I thought I have lost you.” she mumbled in between sobs.
He hugged her closer as Chae Gyung savored the moment. “I don’t want us to part again.” She said while breathing in his scent, clutching at his shirt like a lost child.
“I’m here, I’m not leaving you.” He pulled away again, this time drying her tears with his hands. “Don’t cry.”
Chae Gyung nodded and smiled amidst her tears as she clasped his hands tight. She noticed the bruises on his face and blurted out, “You’re hurt.” Her hand reached out to touch it.
“Got some minor bruises. But I was treated at the hospital back there. They made sure I was fine before allowing me to leave.”
“Are you sure you don’t have any serious injury? Can you show me your medical reports?”
Shin laughed. “You don’t trust me?”
Chae Gyung smiled and answered, “I do.” Her eyes rested on his face, couldn’t believe something divine has finally happened. She stared so long that she could see the reflection of a woman madly in love, in his eyes.
Dinner time
Shin just finished emptying his bowl.
“Eat some more. I have been waiting for this moment again, to see you eat to your heart’s desire.” Chae Gyung said.
“I’m full.” He touched his stomach, and let out a burp.
“No. Please eat some more.” She scooped more food into his bowl.
Shin picked up the chopsticks and obediently ate again.
Chae Gyung could hardly take her eyes off him. “Was it hard?” She wanted to ask this all along.
Shin nodded.
“Were you scared?”
He nodded again. “I was scared of not seeing you anymore.” He gazed into her eyes.
“I was scared too, of you not coming back to me. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. I prayed hard to God to bring you back to me.” Chae Gyung confessed as her eyes turned misty.
“I guess He has heard your prayers. Our prayers.” He said while taking in the last piece of food into his mouth.
Chae Gyung opened her door and tip-toed across the hall, stopping by his room as she raised her hand in an attempt to knock. Suddenly reluctance set in and made her take several steps back to her room. She wanted to check on him, but nervousness got in the way. She plunged down on the bed and laid flat on her back staring at the ceiling, without a blink. Restlessness was pulling her up now, making her rise on her feet. Chae Gyung walked out of her room once more. She wanted to turn on the knob as soon as his door was in sight but stopped the moment her hands touched on it. Chae Gyung slipped back into her room again and stood behind her door. Closing her eyes, she listened to her own raging heartbeat going on a rampage. Taking deep breath one after the other, she finally calmed down and pushed herself to go out one more time.
She pressed her ear against the door, trying to listen if he was awake. She was about to turn the knob when sound of moaning from Shin was heard, and it kept getting louder and louder until he shouted, “No!”
She immediately entered the room and rushed to his side as Shin sat up on his bed, his trembling hands covering his face.
Chae Gyung held him close and whispered, “You’re having a nightmare.”
Shin nodded. He was still shaking.
“Hush, everything’s alright. You’re safe.”
He nodded again without looking at her. Shin didn’t want her to see his fear.
“I’ll get you water.”
Shin reached out for her hand and blurted out, “No. Don’t leave.”
Chae Gyung cupped his hand and squeezed it, “Go back to sleep. I’ll stay beside you tonight.”
With her hand held close to his chest, Shin slowly laid down again on his back and closed his eyes.
Chae Gyung watched over him as he fell back to sleep. He looks so handsome, she thought. She leaned over him and stared lovingly at his face. With one fingertip, she slowly trailed his nose bridge, down to the curve of his thin lips, and slightly brushed the bruise on his cheek. She bent down and planted a soft kiss on his eye, and tenderly put her arm around him.
An hour later, Chae Gyung woke up feeling his body tremble again. Shin was having another nightmare. She tightened her grip on his hand and gently woke him up.
“Shin. Wake up. You’re dreaming again.” She whispered to his ear.
He jerked hard to open his eyes. Catching his breath, he turned to face her.
“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Shin felt the fear subsiding with every gentle stroke of Chae Gyung’s hand on his face.
“I see them in my dream. People who died in the crash.” he finally spoke.
“It’s not your fault.”
“I feel guilt.”
“You should not.”
“Why me? Why am I still alive?”
“Because He has other plans for you.”
Shin pulled his hand out from her grasp and covered his eyes. “I can see their faces. Before we crashed, before everything went black. I heard their screams. I saw the horror on their faces, the fear. It’s hard for me.” tears were streaking down his cheeks.
“Hush.” Chae Gyung wrapped her arms around him. “It’s not your fault that you came out alive.” She kissed the top of his head and cradled him back to sleep in her arms. “It’s not your fault.”
( author's note: please try to listen to the song for maximum enjoyment of this chapter.
)
If That's What It Takes Lyrics
http://www.musicwebtown.com/lualm
track no. 5
composed by J.J. Goldman, Phil Galdston
You're the bravest of hearts, you're the strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark, you're the place I call home
You can say it's all right, but I know that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes
Even you face the night afraid and alone
That's why I'll be there
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
You can sleep in my arms, you don't have to explain
When your heart's crying out, baby, whisper my name
'Cause I've reached out for you when the thunder is crashing up above
You've given me your love
When YOU smile like the sun that shines through the rain
That's why I'll be there
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
I will stand like a rock, I will bend till I break
Till there's no more to give, if that's what it takes
I will risk everything, I will fight, I will bleed
I will lay down my life, if that's what you need
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
Through the wind and the rain, through the smoke and the fire
When the fear rises up, when the wave's ever higher
I will lay down my heart, my body, my soul
I will hold on all night and never let go
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
whatever it takes
If that's what it takes
whatever, whatever, whatever it takes