whispers to the cloudless sky chapter 21
Chapter 21
The whacking sound of rackets and bouncing of tennis balls were being heard in the outdoor court of the sports club.
After beating Shin consecutively for three rounds, Ji Hyun threw the racket to the ground and signaled for a break.
They were sipping soda inside the coffee shop when Ji Hyun started to notice Shin’s mind was gliding somewhere else.
“Question.” She broke the silence.
Shin turned his eyes on her absent-mindedly.
“What is the difference between a school teacher and a train?”
He shrugged.
“The teacher says spit your gum out and the train says "chew chew chew".”
Shin shook his head and laughed a bit.
“See I have to crack jokes because you can’t accept that I have beaten you thrice in a row.”
“Remind me to practice some more or else I have to sit through all your corny jokes again.” His eyes came back to life as he took another sip from the glass.
“Let’s do it regularly. Good for the health.”
“I can’t.” He replied briefly.
“Your wife will get jealous?”
Shin could not answer. He wasn’t even sure if Chae Gyung did mind him hanging out with Ji Hyun. He recounted the times when she tried in more ways than one of pushing him away to find another girl.
“Where’s your wedding ring?” Ji Hyun was looking at his left hand.
His reflex made him pulled back his hand in an attempt to hide it but it was too late.
“I saw it. You’re not wearing one. Don’t hide it anymore.”
After a few seconds, he answered, “Got lost.”
“Rebby told me you are in a loveless marriage. That you married for reasons other than love. Is it true?”
“Private matters. Sorry I can’t discuss it with you.”
“I understand. Sorry.”
Ji Hyun blurted out, “What has 4 eyes but no face?”
“Here we go again.” Shin jokingly covered his ears.
“Mississippi!”
“I swear you’re getting worse.”
“But you keep on laughing at my corny jokes.” Ji Hyun pouted her lips.
Minutes later, they decided to walk back to the locker room when they passed by the swimming pool.
“Why don’t we take a swim?” She tugged at his arms with one finger pointing at the pool.
“I don’t swim in public pools.”
“Does that mean you have a pool in your house? Can I go there? I love swimming too!” The lady of tall stature exclaimed with her hands making several small claps.
Before Shin could make a reply, Ji Hyun already jumped up and down and shouted, “Thank you!”
4:30 P.M.
In the living room
Peace was deeply rooted in her heart when she came home from visiting her father earlier. Shin Dong Wan was looking healthier nowadays, and Chae Gyung was relieved what used to be a hazy part in her life is now slowly getting to be cleared up.
The honking sound of Shin’s car reminded her of what happened last night, and as she peeked through the window, she saw a familiar face sitting on the passenger side.
Upon seeing Ji Hyun got off as Shin drove the car into the garage, Chae Gyung instantly felt her heart pounding rapidly. Why is she here? They were wearing identical yellow sports shirts, looking very much like an official couple.
Soon the door opened and as Shin entered with Ji Hyun, Chae Gyung immediately stood up to receive the guest.
“Hi.” Shin greeted her in a soft voice. “Ji Hyun is here.”
“Hello.” Ji Hyun smiled and bowed politely.
Chae Gyung smiled back. “Hello.”
“She wanted to take a dip in the pool.” Shin then turned to Ji Hyun, “You can go change in my room.”
“No.” Chae Gyung interrupted, “You can change in my room.” and she led her the way upstairs.
Later on, Ji Hyun emerged from the room and went out to the pool side and pulled off her sarong, revealing her slim body in a skimpy two- piece bikini swim suit. Chae Gyung could no longer stand the sight and quietly went back to her room where she hopes to regain her composure. With hands shaking and freezing cold, she decided to take a peek again at the window and this time she saw Shin by the pool side getting ready to take a dive. He was only in a pair of black swimming trunks and an intense desire to pull him back inside the house ran through her heart.
In spite of the gnawing pain throbbing inside her, Chae Gyung could not deny the two look extremely good together, and that image has made it even harder for her to deny the emotion she has been trying to ignore from the first time Ji Hyun stepped into their lives.
Another minute passed when Chae Gyung decided to follow what her heart was whispering, Go fight for what is yours. As she turned around and walked pass the table, a familiar piece caught her eye, it was an Omega watch identical to the one Shin was wearing last night, and it belonged to Ji Hyun.
Chae Gyung went to the poolside and brought them juice while Shin rose from the pool. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do this.” He seemed embarrassed to see her bring out the drinks. He patted his body dry, put on his bathrobe and took a seat. Ji Hyun followed and went over to sit beside him.
“Oh thanks. I don’t drink juice though. Do you have tea?”
Shin stood up. “I’ll get you some.”
“No, it’s okay. You stay here. Excuse me. I’ll go get you some.”
“Thank you.” Ji Hyun said while patting her hair dry with a towel.
With suppressed tears and a bruised heart, Chae Gyung turned back and took long strides to get to the house right away. Shin excused himself from Ji Hyun and immediately followed his wife.
“Chae Gyung.”
She stopped taking steps but could not turn around. Tears were now streaming down her cheeks.
“Is there anything else you need?” Chae Gyung asked in a cracked voice.
“I’ll go get some tea. You go up to your room.”
“I’ll get it.”
He grabbed her wrist. “No.”
Her head made a slight turn and looked at his hand.
Shin suddenly became conscious and slowly released his grip. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to touch you.”
Chae Gyung turned back again.
“I’m sorry for last night.” Shin thought he saw Chae Gyung cry, and felt for a moment he must have hurt her for not celebrating with her, but he shoved those thoughts aside when he realized it was foolish of him to even think she would ever shed a tear over last night.
Chae Gyung finally turned to face him still with tears on her cheeks. She wanted to ask him why he didn’t come last night, why did he bring Ji Hyun to their house, why is she starting to feel this way towards him. So many questions and yet, she could not find the courage to speak each word. Shin was startled to see those tears. Was it because of Ji Hyun? He walked a step closer and thought of wiping the tears away. He wanted so much to touch her but his fear of being pushed away again held him back. With instinct stubbornly dictating at his heart, Shin slowly raised his hand to reach for her face. Chae Gyung seeing what he was about to do, held her breath, but as he was about to run his fingers on her skin, someone coughed from behind. “Excuse me?” Ji Hyun was standing by the door. “Can I have some tea?”