Half a Sheet of Foolscap
Title: Half A Sheet Of Foolscap
Pairing: HaeHyuk
Genre: Angst
Rating: PG
Warning: Character’s death
Disclaimer: I do not own the pairing, nor the main plot. This story is based on August Strindberg’s “Half A Sheet Of Foolscap” (Ett halvt ark papper). I’ve only made a few changes.
Summary: As Donghae looks at that little piece of paper, he is still able to smile.
With a silent sigh, Donghae watched through the dusty window as the last lass of the furniture was carried into the van and drove down the street until he could not see it anymore. The young man, carrying a crape band around his hat, walked one last time though the empty apartment for a securing check to see if anything was left behind. No, there was nothing that was forgotten, nothing at all. With heavy steps - causing the floor to creak slightly for each equal step he took, remembering how that person always put his feet down so softly that not a single sound could be created - he went out into the front hall, firmly determined to never think again about what he have gone though in these rooms.
Wanting to leave as soon as possible, still, something caught his eyes in the front hall making him stop his runaway. His eyes rested on that half a sheet of foolscap, which somehow had managed to get wedged in between the wall and telephone; it was covered with different handwritings, some properly written with a clear ball-point pen, another scribbled with a lead pencil, once or twice a red pen had been used.
Right in front of his eyes, that beautiful story of two people, having taken place on the short period of two years; two years of everything he wanted to forget was recorded there; a piece of human life on a half sheet of foolscap.
Donghae picked the sheet up, detaching it from its home. It was a sun-yellow scrap paper, that kind that shines beautifully. He gently placed it on the mantelpiece in the drawing-room, leaning over as he read it. The very first word was his name: “Hyukjae”, it had been the most beautiful name he had ever heard, because it had been his husband’s. And the number - 15 11. It looked just like the number of a hymn, in the church. Thereafter: “the bank”. It was his work, the blessed work which gave him the bread, the home and the spouse - the foundation of life. But miserly it had been scratched, for the bank had failed. Luckily, he was saved to another bank, though it was after a period of much worry.
Then it came. “Flower-shop” and “hackneyman”. The moment of happiness, the engagement took place as he had his pocket filled with money.
As if only looking at the sheet he could picture Hyukjae right there, his white clothing, petals sticking to his shining hair, and glittering eyes staring lovingly into his own. It was the most beautiful moment they ever spent together.
Next entry: “furnisher, upholster”: they were creating their home.”Forwarding agents”: they’re moving in.
They had stayed up all night, Hyukjae being almost too excited over everything new. He had to hold the other one still in his arms, which the man easily had melted into and calmed quickly.
To the ticket office of the opera - 50 50. As they’re newly married, they agreed to go out on opera every Sunday. Their best moments, when they are silent themselves and melt into the beauty and harmony of the fairyland on the other side of the red curtain. Though nobody sees their entwined hands.
Thereafter, the name of a man, scribbled over. It was a friend, who had reached a certain peak in the society, but couldn’t carry the happiness and fell, helpless, and hand to move far away.
So unstable was fortune!
“Orphanage”, Donghae remember being the one who with shaking hands wrote that down. The big turning point in their lives, creating more happiness among the now three inhabitants in their home.
Here was shown something new had entered the lover’s lives. It says with a woman’s neat handwriting “Nurse”. What nurse? Well, it was the one with the big cloak and the sympathetic smile, always walking in so quietly, walking directly into the bedroom as Donghae was left outside.
Under her name was “Doctor Kim”. A chill growing on his body remembering all the times he had repeated Kim’s number on the telephone.
For the first time, the name of a family member appears, saying “Mom”. It was the mother-in-law, who had subtly stayed away to let the newly married couple be, but now being called for in the moment of need. She came with happiness, knowing she was needed.
Then the great number of entries and numbers started, in both red and blue mixed together. “Servants’ Registry Office”: the maid had left, or should a new one be engaged? “The pharmacy”. It’s getting darker! “The dairy association”. Milk is needed to be ordered - tubercle free.
“Grocer, butcher” etc. The house is started to be taken cared of over the phone, when the keeper was no longer on his usual post. No, he wasn’t, for he was to stay to bed. Painfully, the other had to be away so that he could earn what he needed to pay the doctor’s fees.
The following, Donghae was unable to read as is started to darken for his eyes, for that happens to the one drowning in the sea, as he shall look through the water of salt.
But there it was written as plainly as it could get: the”undertaker”. One large and a small one. Implied: coffin. And in careful parenthesis was written: “of dust”.
At last, there was no more. That was the end of it, ending with “dust”, and that’s it.
Donghae took the sun-paper, kissed it gently, letting it rest against his lips for a little bit longer before putting it down in his chest pocket.
In two minutes he had lived his last two years once again.
He was not bent down as he walked out; for he was carrying his chin high, as a happy and proud person, for he knew that he had possessed the most beautiful.
How many unfortunate who hadn’t got that chance!
~*~
A/N: Just because my teacher loves Strindberg, he made us read this story. Lately, all stories I read, I always imagine Hyukjae and Donghae as the couples. OTL. So I just had to re-do this story, even though I kind of don’t like angst…
This didn’t come out as good as I expected since I’ve mixed up mine and his’ writing styles - which are totally different!! Anyway, hope some of you maybe enjoyed it!