A Thousand Days (Love in Magic)
A Thousand Days (Love in Magic)
"Love me tender.....Love me sweet.....Never let me go." -Norah Jones cover
500th Day
He looked disgustedly at the possessions inside her treasured wooden box. He picked a picture of himself, old and tattered, and the animosity building inside him quickly strengthens.
Was everything an entire lie? Were his feelings only an illusion of some sorcery casted upon him?
He picked a piece of paper encrypted with Latin words he didn’t understand. Did she write this or was done by someone? But the scrawny writings told him that it was written not by her. Her penmanship was always neat and legible, ladylike to be exact.
He suddenly clutched his head in pain. This headache of his is getting worse. He can literally hear the angry pounding of his head. Was she doing this too? Making him physically suffer the moment he found out of her secret? He grabbed the vial and reads the writing on it.
“Amare Venenum”
It’s half full. Thinking that she might have mixed this concoction with his everyday drink, he was beyond disgusted. Furious, he threws the offending bottle to the wall. The pale pink liquid stained the clean walls of their bedroom.
Their room……Their house……They were living together for 500 days!
“O-oppa?”
He swiftly turned around and locked his eyes with her frightened ones. He marched angrily toward her and grabbed her shoulders roughly.
“WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!” He shouted at her.
“I-I’m…I’m sorry……” She stammered tearfully while looking at him.
“What kind of a person are you?!”
His screams made her flinch badly. Seeing her like that made him angrier, pushing him to grip her shoulders tighter. She tried to hold her face but he won’t let her. Her guilt laden eyes frustrated him further. If she’s asking for mercy from him, she has it all wrong. At that moment, he’s sickened by her and wanted nothing to do with her.
“I really lo-“
He threw her to the floor violently. He didn’t notice how she held her stomach protectively nor the way she winced in pain when her left shoulder hit the floor.
“You’re one desperate woman! I know what your secret is. You disgust me! Stay away from me.”
The words he’s throwing at him cut deep in her heart but all of them are true. She was a desperate woman. But if you’re given the opportunity to finally claim something that you really want……Then let her be persecuted as long as she got to have him by her side…..she doesn’t care in what way she will have him.
Because……if you’re prince charming is already the prince charming of everyone, how can you ever win his heart?
She stared longingly at him hovering in front of her. He looked so tall and intimidating; he’s so near and yet so far. She could feel his heart getting farther away from her. But in the first place, has she even had his heart?
“I had no choice Oppa. You won’t even look at me.”
“Of course I can see you! You’re the farmer’s daughter. Everyone knew you!”
She gave a sad smile, her tears blinding her. So after living her dream for 500 days, she’s back to her situation before……The farmer’s daughter who is blindly in love with the town’s golden boy. He gave her one last look of contempt before leaving the room.
“You must be dreaming that I would fall in love with you.”
The moment she heard the screech of the tires it dawned to her that the townspeople will soon know that she and him are already over. Gossips run fast and her unusual family has always been a fun topic to the neighbors. Thinking quickly, she got up and ran to her closet to pull out her suitcase. She hurriedly stuffs her clothes on it when she feels the wind blowing strongly inside the room.
Before she could react, a huge gust of wind circled around her. Fear immediately took over and she knew something will happen to her once this crazy wind stopped surrounding her. Then out of nowhere, a ringing voice echoed inside the room.
“A deal is a deal.”
She was suddenly knocked backwards, landing on her bed as she felt the air being sucked out of her lungs. Panicking, she scratched on her neck as she attempted fighting the invisible power sucking the air out of her. Black spots started to appear and she began to get dizzy. She struggled. She really did but the force was too strong. Too weak to fight back, she finally succumbed in to the darkness.
**********
“One wish and I will grant. But there are consequences if you fail and you must pay no matter what it takes. Are you ready for it?”
She takes out a nervous gulp of air before nodding, her eyes staring straight to those large beady eyes staring sharply at her. The older woman smiles cunningly and produces a small white sheet of paper.
“Write the name that you have always sought.”
She grabs her pen and is about to write his name but paused. She looks back at the older woman unsurely. She can’t believe she is really doing this. Where were her promises of never asking help from the people she didn’t want to be associated with?
“You doubt me child?”
“Ahni! It’s just…..Will this-“
“It will. Write that young’s man name now and I will tell you my first prize.”
And so she wrote his name in a careful and looping manner, as if writing his name is a special phenomenon already. She folds the sheet of paper and hands it to those wrinkled hands that are eagerly waiting for it.
“Wha-what do you want as prize?” She asks in a small voice.
“I want……your voice.”
“Deh?!” She squeaks fearfully, automatically putting her hands around his throat.
“But how can I-“
“Be assured. I won’t take my prize now. If you won’t succeed….then your voice is mine.”
“………….Algesseumnida.”
“Good. You can leave now child. Our business for today is finished.” The old woman tells her dismissively. She stands up and walks toward the door when the latter calls her back. She looks back to stare at those large beady eyes again.
“One thousand days. A thousand days of illusion. If you succeed by the one thousandth day, the love that was fabricated will finally come true.”
“Will it really come true?”
“That……….is up to you child.”
**********
590th Day
“Man, I’m so glad you finally came out of your senses! We thought you were cursed when you told us that you’re deeply in love with that farmer’s daughter.”
He has to force himself to laugh when his friend told him that. He looked at his group of friends laughing and shaking their heads at that outrageous statement. His family decided to throw a welcome back party three months after he returned to their house from (what his parents called) “Temporary Insanity.”
“If you only knew…….”
“No way!” His younger sister suddenly exclaimed aloud. Conversations were immediately halted as they stared at the lonely figure standing outside the restaurant. He quickly turned and finds her, wrapped in a cheap brown coat with the snow pouring heavily on the street. He could hear the murmurs and questions behind his back. His mother stood up and from the way her face looking furious, the person standing outside the restaurant is mostly the reason behind it.
“Omoni.” He stopped his mother, holding her wrist quickly.
“Don’t stress yourself. I’ll just talk to her and ask her to leave right away.”
“What? But dear-“
“I’ll be okay.” He cuts her off reassuringly. “I won’t go with her again. I’ll be right back.”
He doesn’t understand why he even wanted to talk to her. He is still clearly angry with her. What she did to him was outrageous and to be truthful, it scared him. He used to believe that such strange things don’t exist. He easily notice how her eyes lit up the moment he stood up in front of her. He frowned to see her paler and her hair unkempt. She always fixed herself prettily when they were together. Wait, why does he care? He coughs then stared at her coldly.
“What are you doing here?” He asked gruffly.
She didn’t answer. She continued to roam her over his face with that noticeable sad smile on her lips. She didn’t even steer when a soft gust of cold wind blew to their direction. The snow was falling thicker and he’s sure if she stayed longer outside, she will freeze to death. He frowned in distaste at her thin coat. It looked too huge on her and its slim fabric will not protect her from the cold.
“You won’t answer? Then go. You’re not welcome here.”
He turned around but stopped when he felt her hand holding his wrist. He sighed in exasperation and looked back at her again. He’s about to shout some harsh words when he felt something thick and warm being placed on his hand. He looked down and finds a knitted white scarf.
“She finished knitting it.”
She quickly lets go of his hand and stepped back. He stared at her long and hard as he tried to ignore this impulse of wrapping her neck with the scarf. He doesn’t feel cold. It’s she who needed more warmth……and food. She has grown thinner, her elbows were sticking out sharply and her fingers look too bony. He snapped out from his thoughts when he heard his mother calling his name.
“You’re not welcome her. Leave.”
He expected her insisting to stay but was surprised when she just nodded and automatically turnedaround, not even looking back. The snow continued to drop freely as he watched her walking away from him. There’s this weird feeling of calling her back and tell her to get inside the restaurant because it’s too cold outside.
“She looks lonely.” He noted.
“Son.”
He glanced at his side and stared at his mother quietly.
“Don’t try feeling guilty. Don’t be swayed by how pitiful she looks now. Remember what you told me? She tricked you. Always remember that, Son.”
“I know Mother. Don’t worry. I still haven’t forgotten what she did.”
Later that night, a blizzard came to their town. There were a lot of falling posts, broken trees and harsh cold winds that threaten to detach the roofs of their houses.
As he lay down on his bed, certain thoughts of a pale girl in an oversized brown coat plagued his mind. No matter how he tosses and turns on the comforts of his warm bed, there’s this gnawing guilt that prevents him on falling asleep.
**********
100th Day
“I love you.”
She stops her knitting and gazes at him tenderly. It has been 100 days since she did what Halmeoni told her. She can’t believe she’s hearing these three lovely words that she’s been waiting to hear.
It was 100 days of giddiness. One hundred days of abundant love. One hundred days of guilt.
He scoots closer to her, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Not wanting to humor him immediately, she slides away until she feels her back leaning on the couch’s armrest. He quickly traps her by circling his arms around her waist.
“Gotcha!” He exclaims in glee.
She squeals loudly when he starts to tickle her. Because she’s wearing a long dress, it immediately hiked towards her thighs as she tries to wriggle he entire body away from his naughty hands. She tries to push him away but he took the opportunity to pin her down on the couch, his weight pressing on hers.
“Oppa! Stop it!” She pleads while laughing.
He right away stops and cups her cheeks. And then stare at her for a while. Only staring and roaming her eyes all over her voice with this gentle smile ghosting on his lips. She lifts a finger then starts tracing his eyes, nose and lastly his lips. She gasps when he playfully bites her finger.
“I love you.” He repeats again.
She tucks away those whispering voices in her mind and concentrates on what he just said.
“And I……” She holds his face as well. “Love you more.”
“I love you most.” He encounters good-humoredly.
“I love you forever.”
“Yah! Stop countering me and just say I love you Oppa.”
“I love you Oppa.” She tells him with deep emotions. “I love you so much. Please don’t leave me. Please?”
He lowers his face and kisses her softly. Kissing her in a way that was gentle and reassuring that he will really not leave her. She circles her arms on his neck and opens her mouth to let him venture deeper. She doesn’t want to lose him. It’s going to be alright. Nine hundred days to go and he will surely forever be mime.
Right now, instead of worrying I will do my best to make him fall in love with me more. To make his heart whisper only my name and his mind think of only me.
So she kisses him desperately, almost frantic. Like she’s really wants to own his lips. She pushes him to sit up then straddles him, her long legs holding his waist tight.
He too is getting bolder with his kisses and movements. His hands are everywhere; on her face, waist, and back and on her breasts. He bites her lips and quickly pushes his tongue through her mouth, not even giving her the chance to gasp. When he suddenly felt her slowly grinding on his lap, he has to briefly stop the kiss.
“I want you.” He whispers hoarsely. “Please let me have you.”
Instead of answering, she kisses him again. That’s her way of saying “Yes. I want you too.” He lifts her off the couch, her legs around her waist then enters their bedroom.
Both are feverish as they continue to madly kiss each other amidst of impatiently taking their clothes off. He pushes her toward the bed and starts to make love to her. Oh, its way better than she has imagined it to be. He did not just own her body, he’s worshipping her.
She cried out in pleasure when he made a feast of her breasts. Even if he was getting rough with his movement, she is not bothered. She likes it very much. And so she arcs her back more to let hi have more breasts and skin. To make him taste more of her.
She never thought she would scream when she felt his mouth touch the most sensitive part of her body. It was completely indescribable. But she didn’t stop him. She encouraged him more by bucking his hips towards his face while she cried out to do not stop and shouting for more. And he gave her more, his skillful tongue relentlessly lapping on to her sensitiveness. And when she had her release, it was like floating on water. Weightless and light.
But the amazing feeling wasn’t over yet. It only started.
The moment he entered her, it was extreme. It was extreme pain and extreme pleasure. How can these two intense emotions be felt at the same time? But she stopped thinking once he began to move.
He hit her hard, so hard she thought she might break. She screamed until her voice became hoarse. He was moving inside her fast, pushing and pushing until she felt him trying to reach her soul. So she gave back, she began to move frantically. Her hips lifting willingly as she tried her best too meet him halfway. She locks her legs around his waist and tries to respond to all his frantic pushes and hurried movements. She wanted to give him pleasure too. She wants him to scream too.
And together they reached it, that euphoric feeling of their release. It was strong and mind blowing. Like not hearing and seeing anything. Only feeling. She felt dizzy and for a minute, she couldn’t see and just feel her body basking with too much pleasure.
Their gasps and panting echo inside the room while they try to even their breaths. He places his head on her chest as he continues to lie on top of her. They lay like that for a while, him on top of her, her fingers playing with his hair when she blurts out again.
“Please don’t leave me Oppa. I love you so much.”
He raises his head and looks at her face that is etched with fear he didn’t understand.
“I love you. I will never leave you. I promise.”
**********
680th Day
Seoul is very much different from their town. It’s too big, too modern and too noisy for his taste. But he has to work. He needed to help their restaurant business and ensure that it will flourish. And so with a dreaded heart, he looked back at his home for one last time before getting inside his car and endured the 2 hour drive towards the city.
He was peacefully driving out of their town when he abruptly stepped on the breaks.
“What the hell is she doing?”
It’s her again but she didn’t see him. She’s busy coaching a frightened puppy to come near her. A frightened puppy standing on a train track. And she’s wearing that oversized brown coat. Is that the only coat she owns? He watchedher picking up the puppy and carrying it her arms, petting it.
So she found a stray puppy. But why the heck she’s still standing on that train track?
His eyes suddenly widened in alarm when he heard the warning sound of an approaching train. She’ll get hit if she won’t move! Without thinking twice, he jumped out of his car and ran with all his might towards her. He grabbed her swiftly on the shoulders then half carried half dragged her to the safer side of the road.
They stared at each other, him in mute anger and her in shock, as the train passed by them noisily.
“WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?” He yelled at her.
“Are you trying to kill yourself?!”
Her eyes widen in fright but didn’t say anything. The puppy whimpered in her arms listening to his shouts. He grabbed her by the shoulders then shook her violently. She has to let go of the puppy or else she’ll lose her hold on it.
“You almost died! Are you planning a suicide here?!”
Rather than explaining, she pushed his hands away and rran. She didn’t run far as he chased her then grabbed her hand. She started to kick and hit him frantically. Without sound just relentless slaps and kicks from her. He managed to hold her wrists, stopping her from hitting him further.
“I just saved you. Why are you being like this??”
To his surprise, she wailed. Like a little kid. No coherent words but just wailing and tears wetting her pale face. Shocked with the way she’s acting, he immediately released her hands. He looked down to see the puppy barking angrily at him. As if it’s reproaching him for making her cry. He approached her again, cautiously reaching out to hold her face.
“What happened to you?” He asked worriedly. She still continued wailing, not hearing him at all.
He cupped her face and tried to make her look at him as he wiped the tears on her face. He suddenly felt constricted. There was this heavy feeling slowly building inside his chest. He didn’t feel wronged at all. It’s as if he was the one who did something wrong.
He can’t understand it but pity and guilt were eating him. Why was it as he stared at her tear stained face, he has this sudden urge to cry?
“What-Wait!”
She has pushed him to the ground, surprising him. She immediately ran away before allowing him to chase her again. The puppy is even running with her. He looks at her running figure as he slumped speechless on the cemented road.
“What happened to you?”
**********
Once she arrives at her house, she collapses on the bed and cry.
She misses him so bad. It was only three months since she last saw him but it feels like an eternity already. Did he notice that it was the scarf that she knitted herself? The one she has been painstakingly knitting for months?
“Did you even miss me Oppa?” She thinks sadly, wishing for her heart to stop breaking already. She places a hand on her stomach and cries more.
“It hurts Oppa. It hurts so much! I only did it because I love you. I don’t have any choice. You won’t even look at me!”
She sobs harder as she lay curled on the bed, hating to hear her almost soundless cry. What kind of payment will Halmeoni ask from her now?
“Alas, I have to get my second payment.”
She freezes. She sits up then looks dreadfully behind her. If she could scream, she would. How did Halmeni enter her house? Her eyes widens in fear as the older woman slowly walks toward her.
“No! No no no no NO!!!!”
“A deal is a deal.”
Thin and wrinkled hands covered her ears and the next moment……………..It was silence.
She lost her hearing.
**********
740th Day
Seoul
He settled in Seoul with a very distracted mind. He can still supervise well their restaurant business but when he’s all alone, his mind would drift and immediately think of her. It has been two months since he last saw her. How is she doing right now? Is she doing well?
“Why do I even care?” He complained to himself one night.
Because you love her, you idiot!
“No!” He denied crossly. “I am just curious. That’s all.”
He stomped towards the cd player and turned it on.
“Love me tender….Love me sweet…..Never let me go……”
“Oh for the love of!” He cursed.
He just played her song for him.
Click to view“Oppa, dance with me!” She grabbed his hand enthusiastically then dragged him to the center of their living room.
“But I don’t dance!” He complained childishly. She twitched her lips just to hold her mirth.
“I know. But my song for you is playing so we have to dance.”
And so they danced, her feet placed on top of his feet as he playfully twirled her around the room.
“Why is this song for me?” He asked curiously.
“Because I’m begging you to love me Oppa.”
He laughed at her absurd answer.
“Why would you beg? I already love you!”
She was quiet for awhile before asking him. “Why do you love me?”
He guided her head and placed it on his chest, right above his heart.
“Do you know the sound of a beating heart?”
“………..No.”
“It’s labdab.”
“Lab…….dab?”
“Yup! Labdab. Labdab. Labdab.”
“Oh……”
“But do you know the sound of my heart?”
“Labdab?” He chuckled then whispered softly to her ear.
“It’s saying your name. That’s the sound of my heart.”
“…………….That’s so cheesy Oppa!”
He guffawed in laughter as he tried to pacify her annoyance. He pecked her twice on the lips before circling his arms tightly around her waist again.
“But it’s true. One day it just keeps on calling out to you that it hurts already.”
She clung to his shirt as she listened to him. Tears were already forming at the corners of her eyes. Please please please what he is saying is true and not some effect of a hocus pocus.
“And so here I am, in front of you and my heart became calmer ever since-Yah, why are you crying?”
They had to abruptly stop their dancing because she was crying too much.”
He clutched his chest he drowned himself with the memory. And so his night was spent reminiscing the 500 days they had together.
**********
“Hey, I’m back!” He calls out from the back door.
He frowns when she didn’t answer immediately. He trudges the stairs toward their room to look for her. Their room is empty, the curtain swaying softly to the soft breeze. He peeks outside and sees her standing by the tree in front of their house but stops. She seems to be talking to an old lady and they look like they were arguing. What could be the problem? He turns around and is about to leave the room when he finds her diary on their bed, open.
He’s not really a snoopy person but he became extra curious that day and decided to read her diary. He was at first giggling as he flips the pages but the more he reads his smile eventually vanishes.
“He passed by my house again after checking their family’s farm. I was so nervous because he might look at my direction as I was watering the plants. But as usual, he wouldn’t look at me.”
“Why are people bullying me? Why do they care that my Halmeoni is doing things out of the ordinary? I’m different from her! I am just a farmer’s daughter. That’s all and not some witch who likes to play with her voodoo dolls. I am not like Halmeoni you pabos!”
“I hate his friends. They passed by our house after visiting him in his family’s farm. They keep on calling my name as I was sweeping the dried leaves. But I won’t look at them. I can’t. He’s also watching. But he wasn’t taunting me like his friends he was just quiet.
Witch girl. Farmer girl. They keep calling me that.
I want to cry. And the greatest insult when his friends dared to throw rocks at me. It hurts….I’m just a farmer girl. Not a plague. I am not like Halmeoni at all.”
“He talked to me. He really did talk to me. I was too shocked that I only stared. He has to tap on my shoulders just to snap me out of shock. He saw my house as he passed by. He said he came from their farm but he’s too thirsty and would like to have a glass of water. Like an idiot, I quickly ran towards the kitchen and fetch water for him.
I was staring shamelessly at his face while he drank his water. He’s so handsome, like a prince. It’s no wonder all the girls in their town fell for him. He’s not just handsome. He’s good person too. He helps an old man cross the street, gets along with everybody and unlike his friends, he leaves me alone. He doesn’t call me names and quietly pass by me.
I immediately looked away when he thanked me. Our fingers brushed when he handed me the glass. I’m sure he could see me blushing and is grateful when he didn’t point that out. I was about to go back to the house when he said something that made almost drop the glass.
He said thank you and then……..mentioned my name.”
“I might be a foolish girl. He just knew my name. That’s all. But it led me to ask for Halmeoni’s help. There’s no turning back. I love him and I want him for myself. Please forgive me but this my only way of having you.”
“He drank it. He asked for water again and it took the opportunity. I was doubtful if the potion will tamper the taste of the water but I guess it didn’t. I was chanting softly as I watched him. Thoughts of “Will it work?” crossed my mind when he suddenly looked at me and smiled.”
“We’re together now! It worked. It feels surreal hearing him say “I love you.” I can do this. I will do my best that he will really be in love with me. I’ll shower him with my affection. I’m willing to do everything. Even serve him! As long as he will not leave me. I love him so much. So so so much………999 days to go.”
“It’s been 500 days…….I’m happy and guilty. Another 500 days to go and he will be mine forever. I love you Oppa and forgive me.”
His hands were trembling after he read the last entry.
**********
790th Day
Seoul
He was doing his usual routine check in their restaurant when he saw her again. She was standing across the street, looking at him. He just stopped whatever he was doing and ran outside. He paused just outside the door and continued on staring at her.
She’s here. In Seoul.
She’s still wearing that hideous brown coat. It’s already spring and wearing that clothing would be really hot for her. But before he can go near her, she turned around and ran away.
“Not again!”
He quickly crossed the street and chased her. He kept on calling her name but just like the last time he saw her, she didn’t stop and continued on running. He quickened his pace as he reached out his hand and try to get a hold of her coat.
“Omo!” He blurted out when she suddenly fell on her knees. He tried to help her stand up but she stubbornly pushed his hands. For a minute, they were struggling. Him pulling her up while she was pushing him away. And that’s when he noticed.
She’s pregnant.
He immediately stopped struggling. He stared at her in disbelief.
“You………Am I……Am I the father? “
She didn’t answer but only stared, her eyes were blank but tears were pouring down her cheeks. He carefully cupped her face as he thumbed her tears.
“Did you come here to tell me about the baby?”
She still didn’t answer.
“Please say something.”
But she surprised him with a sudden peck on the lips. She let out a tiny smile and slowly stepped away from him. Strangely, he didn’t like that. He grew more worried when he stared at her. Her eyes, her sad eyes, were as if telling him “Goodbye Oppa.”
“No……Don’t go.” He called after her, hurrying his steps when she started walking again.
“Yah! Why are you not listening to me?”
He continued to follow her, greatly worried for her safety as cars passed by. They are crossing the damn highway! People by the sidewalk were giving them curious glances. Some were even whispering, for sure they are having their own interpretation on what they’re witnessing.
“Be careful! There are-“
She didn’t notice the screeching of the tires or the screams of the people when the accident happened. She didn’t hear anything. She was trying her best to get away from him. She has finally decided to let him go. But she can’t bear not seeing him for the last time. So she travelled to Seoul just to see his face. But he caught her looking at him so she has to leave immediately.
But she did notice that something was wrong. Why were the people running towards her direction? Why do they look like they were screaming and have this horrified look on their faces? What happened?
A traffic officer ran past her and unintentionally bumping her shoulders.
“Ouch!” She thought.
She looked behind her and let out a soundless gasp.
Her Oppa is lying almost lifelessly on the ground, bloody and gasping. Forgetting that she’s pregnant, she pushed through the gathering crowd and kneeled in front of him.
She reached for his hand and squeezed it, willing him to open his yes.
It was a total chaos after.
Paramedics tried to pry her hand off his but it was him who was gripping her hands tight. So they had no choice but to let her ride the ambulance. She cried and cried, no sound but just incoherent wails. Everyone that was in the ambulance took pity of her. When they arrived at the hospital, the police and doctors were continuously asking her questions.
It was frustrating. She wanted to help but she can’t hear or answer them. She was told to wait as she watched her Oppa being wheeled to the operating room.nShe was crying outside the dor when she felt Halmeoni’s presence beside her.
“Aigoo……It is sad to see the one you love suffering. But I have to take my final payment.”
“Not now!!! Oppa needs me!” She stared at the older woman reproachfully.
“But what can you do?” Halmeoni taunted. “You’re deaf and mute.”
She sobbed helplessly. She hates herself for being useless. What can she do anyway? Oppa is struggling right now and almost dying. This is all her fault. If only she didn’t come here at Seoul and look for him….This won’t happen.
“Do you want to save your Oppa?”
That immediately stopped her sobs then looked at Halmeoni doubtfully. “What are you asking from me now?”
“Your third payment……and I promise your Oppa will live.”
Do you have to think twice? Do it! This is for Oppa. After this, you promised to stay away from him and never let him see your presence again. So do it now before it’s too late.
“What…..do you want?”
“For the last payment……” Halmeoni smiled mysteriously. “All of your memories.”
********
1000th Day
Seoul
He recovered well from the accident. After a month of rehabilitation he could finally walk around without crutches. The doctors were amazed at his quick recovery. He hit his head pretty bad but after several tests and exams, he was cleared from any permanent injuries.
He was thankful of course that he lived. He also thought he was going to die. But here he is, well and alive. His father even jokingly said that it would be a shame if the child will die first before his parents. He immediately returned on supervising their restaurant. His employees were delighted to see him again, some were even crying. Everyone was happy to see him back.
But he was looking for a certain someone ever since he woke up in the hospital.
Where is she?
That was his question everyday. Where did she go? Why wasn’t she beside when he woke up? What happened to her…..and their baby?
I……I love you.
I realized it now. I love you. It’s not because of the potion or whatever you Halmeoni did.
I miss you. I love you. My heart keeps on calling for you. I love you. Please come back to me.
Everyday he would go to the hospitals and police stations, asking if they saw her or have an idea where she was last seen. But they can’t give him a concrete answer. They too were clueless.
“Where are you?” He wondered anxiously. He just came from another visit to a hospital, checking if a certain pregnant woman was checked in.
He halted on his steps when he noticed a familiar looking person sitting quietly on a bench just near the hospital’s parking lot. He can’t be mistaken. It’s her.
He quickly jogged to her direction and without warning, gathered her in his arms. There’s this huge wave of relief washed over him. He finally found her.
“I found you…..”
He leaned back and expected to see her smiling but was puzzled when she remained quiet. She even was looking warily at him, like a person looking at a complete stranger.
“I……I know you’re angry with me…..But I’m here now.”
Silence.
“Say something…..Please.” He pleaded softly. There’s this sudden fear that maybe he was too late. Could it be……Could it be that she doesn’t love me anymore?
“Ahjussi….” Another voice called him out.
A teenage girl dressed in white was standing behind him. She was holding a baby trolley and as he looked at it, he can see a baby sleeping peacefully. He felt an immediate lump in his throat. He glanced back at her but she is still giving him that curious look.
“Ahjussi, do you know Unnie?” The younger girl asked him.
“Yes.” He nodded. “She’s my…..My…….She’s sort of….my wife.”
“Oh!” The girl clapped happily. “Then are you baby Yongie’s Appa?”
“Yongie?”
“Deh! Unnie’s baby looks like a cute sleeping dragon so we call him Yong.”
“Ah…….” He glanced again at the mother of his baby. She has gone back sitting on the bench. She ignored me again. Why is she like this?
“Unnie was found outside of our orphanage. She was very quiet and the nuns noticed that she’s also pregnant. They later found out that she can’t talk nor hear.”
“What?!”
“They tried asking her name through paper but……..She can’t remember. She just shook her head and kept on caressing her belly. We think she has amnesia.”
Is it less manly if he admitted that he wanted to cry? He shook his head. Who cares? So with tears pouring down his face, he held her right hand and stared sadly at her. The teenage girl seem to sense the mood and quickly made her escape.
“…….Uhm. I’ll just wait for Unnie in the car. I’m sure the nuns won’t be worried that it took us a long time to have a check up for Yongie.”
He didn’t answer and continued on looking at the woman beside him. He tugged at her hand softly. She craned her neck towards him and hesitantly stared at him. It’s clear in her eyes she doesn’t recognize him anymore. He took his mobile phone from his pocket and typed some words. After finished typing, he showed it to her. It wrote:
“Don’t you know me?”
She shook her head as an answer. He typed again.
“I know you. I know your name.”
Her eyes widened, as if begging him to tell her name.
“Your name is Seo Joohyun.”
She was quiet staring at the screen of his phone, enthralled that she finally knew her name. And then her eyes started to water. She hurriedly wiped them and smiled at him gratefully, mouthing a “Kahmsamnida”. He held her hands and squeezed them. But she suddenly frowned and pointed a finger at him repeatedly.
“Ah….” He realized. “Me? My name is Jung Yonghwa.”
She scrunched up her face. She clearly didn’t hear him. He put her hand on his chest and said it again.
“My name is Jung Yonghwa and this pabo is in love you. So please Seo Joohyun, please remember me now. I want you back and also our baby. I don’t care what happened between us just please come back to me.”
He didn’t wait for her reaction and swiftly pulled her face for a kiss.
She can’t explain it concretely but at that exact moment, it felt like something heavy was lifted off from her. Goosebumps formed on her arms for she knew something special has happened.
Something magical.
She pulled back from the kiss and stared at him in awe.
“Oppa……..”
**********
“Will it really come true?”
“That……….is up to you child.”
She read again the name that was written on the paper. She shook her head in amusement. Silly girl. The future was already written. She doesn’t need to do this. She doesn’t have to use magic. But her grandchild asked for help so she has to show that she fulfilled it. She lit a white a candle and prayed.
“Don’t worry child. After 1000 days, Seo Joohyun and Jung Yonghwa will definitely fall in love with each other.”
The End.
A/N:
Hello! Did you guys miss me? I hope you do. I miss writing but real life really gets in the way. I have a job now. n_n So yeah, Merki will be very busy.
Truth is, I'm not satisfied with this one but because I really love YongSeo, I really did my best to finsih this in two days. it's not perfect but I hope it's presentable. I hope you will still like this. And I'll be really happy if you guys will comment. Thank you.
And the most important is......................Happy 1000 Days YongSeo. :)
Till next time.