wttcs 52
Chapter 53
The Finale
I am the dove that will keep on coming back to you. Don’t let me go. Saranghae.
All I Want
track no.6
Nothings so loud
As hearing when we lie
The truth is not kind
And you've said neither am i
But the air outside so soft is saying everything
Everything
All I want is to feel this way
To be this close, to feel the same
All I want is to feel this way
The evening speaks, I feel it say...
Shin read each word over and over again until his eyes were blinded by tears. Clutching the papers by his side, he took out the wristwatch from his pocket and stared at it with a yearning more intense than the rays of sun. Shivering, he slipped the watch back on his wrist and quickened his steps towards the car.
The traffic flow in the main road was medium to heavy but she managed to squeeze in her scooter as she chose to take the longer route leading to the freeway. Chae Gyung soared past each vehicle with streak of tears running down her cheeks, wishing her pain be washed away with the gust of wind as it blew against her face.
He sped off in his car as his heartbeat raced against time and pounded rapidly against his chest. Her voice echoed, Good-bye. Suddenly he found it hard to breathe, as if his heart was being mangled beyond pain. His mind wandered off afar that he failed to see a van from the opposite swerving to the other lane heading straight at his direction. He immediately maneuvered the wheel to the right, causing his car to almost hit the guard - rail but managed to get back to the lane. Reaching an intersection, Shin looked at the opposite sides of the road, and decided to go left where he thought a shortcut route back to the city would be the more probable choice Chae Gyung would take.
Fifteen minutes into the road and still no sight of her. Shin parked the car in one corner and closed his eyes as frustration was slowly eating him up. The last scenes in their conversation came in a sudden burst into his head. He opened his eyes in a daze, recalling her words again. You’re hurting me. Quickly he turned the car around and headed to the opposite direction.
Driving like a mad man behind wheels, Shin kept his eyes fixed on the road hoping to see her up ahead. The car in front which was moving slow only added up to his agitation. Unable to contain himself, he honked the horn consecutively as he overtook the vehicle.
Nothings so cold
As closing the heart when all we need
Is to free the soul
But we wouldn't be that brave I know
And the air outside so soft, confessing everything
Everything
After speeding past several cars, something red finally caught his eyes, it was her Vespa. Stepping on the gas, Shin sounded the car horn continuously until the noise caught Chae Gyung’s attention. She looked over her shoulder but turned to face the road again and didn’t stop. Driving up to her side he pressed on the horn button non-stop and finally, when she turned to look at him, Shin signaled her to step on the brake.
Chae Gyung pulled over in one corner and got off her scooter as he parked behind and alighted from the car.
She took off her helmet, he stood across in silence. Their eyes finally met.
“What now?” Chae Gyung asked with eyes still moist from crying.
Shin raised the papers with one hand.
“I’m not signing it.” She saw something familiar in his wrist.
“What have you written in here?”
“Are you blind?”
“What do you mean by this?”
“Are you playing dumb? I said I’m not giving you a divorce. You can go back to London. You can do whatever you want, but I will remain as your wife.”
“I want to hear it.” He stared into her eyes with a scorching passion.
She was taken aback.
He tore the papers into half and dropped it to the ground as he stepped closer to her, until their faces almost touched each other. “I want you to say it. Now.”
Little by little Chae Gyung was melting under his gaze and she’s loving it. She boldly met his eyes and spoke in a tender voice, “I love you, stupid.”
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer to him. Cupping her face, he took her mouth in a sudden kiss, pressing hard on her lips, savoring her sweet taste. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him back, her trembling soft lips responding to his seeming aggressiveness. She started to open her mouth slightly as he kissed her deeper and lingered inside. Gently nip-kissing on her lower lip, he moved up and back to the lower part again, brushing his lips lightly on hers. He brought his kisses to the corner of her mouth and murmured, “I love you.” She pulled him back again and this time it was her turn to kiss him deep, sending quivers all over his body.
And it wont matter now
Whatever happens to me
Though the air speaks of all well never be
It won't trouble me
And it feels so close
Let it take me in
Let it hold me so
I can feel it say...
Honking sounds were heard from the vehicles that surrounded them as the kissing couple slowly created a traffic jam.
Three months later
July 20, 2007
At a luxury yacht in the midst of the Carribean Sea
“I stand before you today, in a reaffirmation of vows I made a year ago. I promise to stay faithful, to stay true and be with you for eternity. You’re the man I love, the only one I want to spend the rest of my days with. With God as our witness, I promise to honor you, to respect you, to comfort you and keep you in all the days to come.” Chae Gyung who was sophisticatedly dressed in a white off - shoulder flowing chiffon gown, said her vow in near tears.
“I pledge my steadfast love to you, that I shall stay faithful and remain constant in your life. I have never felt this way for anyone, and I will never ever feel this way for anyone else. In the presence of our witnesses, I am reaffirming my commitment to you, to cherish you, to honor you and to love you, for better for worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.” Shin completed his vow with eyes misty and wet. It made her weak in the knees.
“You may now kiss the bride.” The priest smilingly pronounced.
He lifted up her chin and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. Potpourri and confetti rained on the couple as family and friends cheered and gathered around them.
“Congratulations!” Everyone greeted in chorus and broke into applause.
“Thank you.” The groom who donned a dashing Versace black suit, smilingly nodded as the bride held onto his arm.
Jolee and Shin Dong Wan approached and tightly embraced the couple.
“We’re so happy for both of you. I hope you will love each other well.” Jolee glanced at her son-in-law. “Thank you for not giving up on my daughter.”
“I will never hurt her nor leave her again.”
Chae Gyung’s father answered, “We trust you. Congratulations.” He smiled.
“Hey, why leave me out?” A voice from behind was heard. Cunto came rushing to her brother-in-law’s side and threw her arms around the two. “Congratulations! Oppa! Unnie! I’m the happiest dongsaeng in the world!”
“When will we have a rematch?” Shin asked.
“Now that you both are going to be busy with…” Cunto stared down at her unnie’s stomach and gently brushed her palm against it. “Maybe we can reschedule it by the time this baby comes out, say in six months’ time?”
Moments later
The couple started to mingle with their guests while food was being served by the staff.
“Congratulations! Did the book come in handy?” Janny winked at the bride.
Chae Gyung blushingly gazed into her husband’s eyes as Shin smiled shyly and looked away.
“Oh my god, don’t tell me….” Janny’s eyes widened.
Anne covered her mouth to suppress her giggling.
Chae Gyung let her friends touch her stomach, “Three months.” She proudly declared.
The two pulled Chae Gyung into a group hug. “Can’t believe this is happening! We’ve never been this happy!” Janny exclaimed.
Shin cleared his throat.
Anne turned and smiled, “Oh sorry. We got carried away. Congratulations.” The two ladies shook his hand.
Smiling incessantly, he bade them as he took Chae gyung’s hand and led her to another set of guests.
“Hey, I’m so happy for you.”
Chae Gyung turned around and saw Angezz and Ko Mae standing behind her.
“You really are our fairy godmother.”
“Of course, I am. Shin….” Angezz turned to the groom who was behind his bride. “You can’t even imagine the amount of words I have used on your wife just to knock some senses into her head.”
“I know. Thank you for guiding her.” He answered with eyes gleaming, as he could hardly believe everything that had happened before could lead to something as beautiful as this.
Chae Gyung felt an outpour of joy as she hugged Angezz tight. “Finally, I was able to tell him how I really feel.”
“You deserve each other. This is like a fairy tale. I’m so happy I could cry.” She replied in a shrill voice while Ko Mae tugged at Chae Gyung’s gown.
“You two look so good together.” The child locked her arms around Chae Gyung’s waist.
She hugged Ko Mae back as Shin bent down and gently patted her on the head. “And they say kids don’t lie.”
Chae Gyung turned to their godmother and said, “Thank you so much for always being there for me.”
Angezz tearfully nodded with a smile.
There on the upper deck she stood in a blissful state, her eyes glistened like the burst of sunlight as her hand gently rubbed on her stomach while the warm wind danced around her in silence.
“Chae Gyung.”
She turned around. It was her ajumma.
Chae Gyung smiled and nodded to acknowledge her presence. Another lady stepped out from behind, looking exactly the same as Mrs. Kim.
“Congratulations.”
Chae Gyung smiled at the second lady as well.
Flash back
The night Chae Gyung had a conversation with Mrs. Kim.
“Ajumma, can we talk?”
Mrs. Kim nodded. “What is it that you need?”
“Are you Kim Ha In or Kim Eun In?”
The color suddenly drained from the elder lady’s face. Speechless, she slowly bowed her head and answered in a shivering voice, “Ha In is having her routine check up today.”
Holding her hand, Chae Gyung pulled her down to sit on the couch. “I had a talk with Eric. He already revealed his true identity.”
After a few seconds of silence, the housekeeper started to speak faintly and kept her stare fixed on the floor, not daring to raise her eyes even once.
Drawing in a deep breath, she started, “I’m Kim Eun In, twin sister of Kim Ha In. A year ago, she had a severe case of arthritis that required her to take longer rest and undergo regular therapy twice a week. She offered me to be her substitute, because I needed money, and she wanted me to take the job. I asked her not to tell Lee Shin ssi, for fear of not being accepted as he might not want unfamiliar people attending to his personal needs. I worked for two weeks straight, and twice a week afterwards. Every time she needed to take a leave, I would come here and pinch- hit for her. She would brief me with every single detail about the house, his needs, and everything else that was needed to be taken care of.
Eric is my son. I had him in my first relationship, but his father didn’t want him and abandoned me when I was two months pregnant. I met your father, Shin Dong Wan in one of the factories I’ve worked for, and we fell in love. He offered me marriage despite of my condition, but his parents were against me. And because I loved him too much, after giving birth I gave up my son for adoption, to my close friend, Park Sang Min. I waited for him to come back, but he didn’t. I learned few weeks later his parents had already arranged his marriage to another woman, your umma, Jolee. I called him, asked him to run away with me, but he said he could not go against the will of his parents. Even if I had given up my own child for him, he still left, for good.
As my child grew up, I often paid him visits, and later on he understood why he had to live with another set of parents.” She paused, holding back her tears. Chae Gyung held her hand and said, “Go on.”
“Unnie only saw Eric in his early months, when I gave him to Sang Min, she wasn’t able to keep track as she was hired by Lee Shin ssi’s family to be his nanny.
The elder Lee asked her to look for another nanny, for his close friend who was also in need of one, and I eventually got the job to take care of his godchild, Kwon Jung Kook. The child was good to me as I have treated him as my own. Years later, when they moved to another city, I was left behind, but he told me to come to him if I needed any help. One day Eric got into trouble, and I asked for Jung Kook’s help. He obliged, and that’s how they came to know each other.
I saw your picture with Lee Shin ssi in his bedroom, the one taken during your high school years. Unnie mentioned you, and I remembered Shin Dong Wan’s firstborn having the same name. She had talked about how Lee Shin ssi adored you so much. When he came back from Tokyo, I was the one whom he had a lengthy talk, he told me how he had missed you, and disclosed his plans to go see you again. I knew then, that he had set his eyes on you. I asked him your parents’ names, and I learned you were the daughter of the man who had hurt me in the past.
I told Eric about it, of how life seemed to be unfair. Your father wasn’t rich, but if you got married to the wealthiest bachelor in town, your entire family will lead a very comfortable life. And I was bitter about it. My son saw me cry, and he promised to do something about it. That’s how he came into your life.”
She fell on her knees and bowed her head to the floor as tears flowed out.
“Please forgive me. I regret doing all these horrible things to you, the lies and the deception. I’ll understand if you refuse to give me your forgiveness. I will face all the consequences, even those of my son’s doings.”
Chae Gyung pulled her up to her feet and hugged her. “I’m sorry too, please forgive appa for what he had done to you.”
Present time
“Thank you for inviting me here.” Kim Eun In said.
“You’re welcome. Everything’s in the past now. I have no room for bitterness.” Chae Gyung answered.
“Eric has migrated to Kuala Lumpur, he left last week. I just thought you might want to hear it, for your peace of mind.”
Shin hugged his wife from behind and both quietly smiled at Eun In as Shin Dong Wan and Jolee came over to join them.
The couple was ogling at their newly taken photos, images of two souls blissfully entwined, a complete opposite from the wedding photo they had taken last year.
“Lovely weather.”
They turned around and saw Rebby coming closer to where they are.
“Thank you for coming.” Chae Gyung greeted her.
Rebby stood several steps away from the two. “Take care of my brother. Love him well.”
Chae Gyung moved closer as Rebby stretched out her arms, waiting for her sister-in-law to reach her.
The sun cheerfully beamed its radiance as the two embraced each other. “I will.” Chae Gyung promised.
“It’s time I treat you as a grown up.” Rebby pinched her brother’s cheeks.
“Thank you, noona. For everything.” It was Shin’s turn to hug his sister.
The table was laden with various arrangements of flowers. Rebby came across a bouquet that reminded her of the dried tulips hidden silently in the dark depths of her closet.
The noise from the merry making sounded like a symphony to his ears. Shin sipped some wine as he stared out into the horizon, admiring the gentle little waves rolling back and forth in the middle of the sea.
Chae Gyung pressed her cheek against his back and said, “My dream has come true, I finally have you here with me.” He turned around and there she was, standing with a long stem of red rose in her hand, holding it out to him. He took it and held her close against his chest, locking her in a long and arduous kiss.
Jolee who was watching the couple from one corner, raised her head up to the cloudless sky and uttered. “Thank you.”
She smiled upon realizing her whispers have finally been heard.
End