bittersweet
Title:Bittersweet
Character: Kyumin
Status: Complete
Rating: G
Genre: slight angst
Summary: The war separates them, can they be reunited once again?
I don't know what came over and I write this story.
*************
I am working on a Hospital that cares for elderly. One of the patient that we have there is a very cute old man. He have a very cute smile and eyes, and perfect lips.
Anyone can imagine that he is very handsome during his youth, that's why it is a big question as to why he didn't get married and have family.
When I first start working here, I was assigned to him. He is very friendly and always full of jokes and wose words, though one cannot deny the sadness that is a residence in his eyes.
It took me awhile to ask him the question that most people would want to ask him.
"Sungmin-abeoji? Can I ask a question"
"you are wondering why I am alone?" he said to me
I nodded "but, it's alright if you don't wish to share it to me"
"It's alright" He said, then he continued " I used to have a lover back then, he is my first friend, my first crush, my first love, boyfriend and we are engage"
"then what happen?"
" During the war, most men is required to join a military unit to fight for the country. I was placed in one of the units that will be assigned in the borders, he was excempted because he suffered seriuos injury from a car accident. So he and his family were left in the village"
** flashback ** -Sungmin-
"I have to go now Kyu" I said to the man that is hugging me
"NO!! You don't have to go, pretend to be sick or anything but please Min don't go to war" Kyu said while hugging me tighter.
"I have to do this for our country, for you and our family. I promise I will comeback." I tried to tell him. After much persuasion
" Promise me you will comeback alive and well alright? I'll be waiting for the time where we can reunite again" That night we seal our promise by making the two of us as one. It is a bittersweet moment that I will never forget.
I went to my assigend area and fought with North Koreans, there are number of times that I almost didn't make it.
After years of fighting and sacrificing, the two sides agreed to part ways and form a temporary peace.Soldiers were finally given permission to go home.
I grab the opportunity immediately and took the train that will take me back to my little village, to my Family and to my Kyu.
As I reach it, I saw that most of the houses were already destryed and only a few were left.
I arrived at the block where my house used to stand, now all I see is the burnt out walls and burnt wood.Kyu's house was also in the same condition, I tried to round the village asking people what happen.
Turns out that during the war, this place was attacked by the enemies and houses were burned down and countless people were killed. I collapse to the ground upon hearing the news, a good old lady approach me and told me where my parent where buried.
As I got there, I notice that there are more graves than I remembered and a huge memorial stone was also placed in the middle. She took me to a place near it and there my parents name was engraved in the stone placed on top of my grave.
she said they were found under the rubble of our house after the attack.
They were the lucky ones, the others were already hard to identify and many went missing so they just put those names to the memorial stone.
I asked her where Kyuhyun and his Family are, and she pointed to the stone. I thought that nothing could be worse that what I am feeling right now, dread, sadness and guilt is consuming me. I feel like a complete failure since I went to war to protect the country but I failed to protect the people close to me.
I saw their names engraved there, but I was only able to see 3 Chos, his parent and Ara-noona. I was looking for Kyuhyun's name, while dep inside a hope is blossoming.
"Kyuhyun-ssi sis not die from the attack, he is still alive" at that I look at her with hope in full bloom
" but he was severely injured and his ribs that were broken before got damage again, some volunteer Doctors took him away and we never saw him again."
Though my heart sank in that news, the fact the Kyu is still alive gave me hope. After a few days I went to the Military head quaters and inquire about the people taken from my village.
I search every Cho Kyuhyun in the list, but my search went unsuccessful. After a year I went back to my village and built a small house in place of our old one. I stayed there waiting everyday with hope that he will one day return to our village.
Days turn to weeks then months and years. I grew old and my village has been modernized, condominiums, shopping malls and highways replaced the peaceful place I used to know. Pretty soon I move to a Nursing home where I met my old comrades, veterans of wars.
It made me happy to see some old friends, but the pain and longing in my heart is still there.The only thing that keeps me going is the fact that somewhere, Kyuhyun is there alive.
** end of flashback **
" Thank you for sharing this story to me Abeoji, I never knew that it is this kind of pain you are keeping inside"
He held my hand and said " It is painful, but even after all these years I am still hoping to see him and be reunited" I teared up because even if he said that with a smile, the pain and longingness is visible for the world to see.
Right then I decided to help him grant his wish.I contact all the nursing home I know and inquire about a man named Cho Kyuhyun, I got a few result, good Thing that Cho is not a common surname.
I visited each of them and as days pass my hope decreases of ever finding him.
The last one is very far from here, it is located in Yeong-pyong near the north Korean border, it took me several days before I can go there, I had to file a leave from work since it will take me more than two days for this trip.
Once I got there, the head nurse guide me to the garden where I saw an old with greying hair. There are some scars in his cheeks that results not from the war but from Acnes.
I approach him and introduce myself. He looks at me and went back to looking at the lake.
I ask him if he came from Joomoonjin village. He didn;t answer me, but I saw a glistening in his eyes and that raised my hopes up.
Then I ask him again if he knows any man named Lee sungmin from there that went to war.
At the mention of the name, the tears that he is holding fell to his cheeks then to hands.
He looks at me and told me he knows him.
" He went to war to protect us, he promised that he will return, I waited for him, but news reach us that their base here in Yeong-pyong was attacked and the soldiers died. Shortly after that, our village was attacked and his family and my family perished, I was able to escape but very nearly. Doctors took me to Seoul. When I got better I stayed there to help out the people then after the war, I move here so that I can be near the last place he's been"
I feel sadness took over me after I heard his story, I told him the Sungmin is alive and he spent years looking for him.
He looks at me and ask if this is true. I nodded at him and told that he is at the nursing home where I work, just on the outskirt of Joomoonjin. He ask to take him there and I said yes.
During the journey, I told of how Sungmin waited for him to return to their village and how sad his eyes are.
He is not crying but I can see the sadness and self blame he is hiding.
When arrive back at the nursing home, I took him to where Sungmin usually sits, He is there under a tree reading a book. Kyuhyun is holding a little stuff bunny that is slightly burnt, he said that it used to be Sungmins, but he left it to him when he went to war.
He walsk alowly to him and placed the bunny in front of him.
Sungmin was shocked at first then he slowly look up. His eyes went wide and tears fell from his eyes.In all the times I have work here this is the first time that I didn't see the sadness in his eyes.Despite the tears, one can see a happiness beyond words reflected in those orbs and Kyuhyun is also smiling, as I look at them, I don't know if it is my imagination but I thought I saw the two of them looking like what they used to look before they got separated.
Foxy brown orbs shining lovingly while looking to a small chocolate eyes thats reflects love and Happiness.
"Kyu? is that really you?" he ask cutely, I chuckled at that and continues to observe them
"Minnie, I never thought I'd see you again, I thought you were dead" Kyu said while crying.
" I didn't die Kyu, I'm sorry for not contacting you when I was away" He said while crying too
Kyuhyun sits down beside him and gave hima a tight hug " it's not your fault, I should have come back in the village when I was healed, but I was too consumed by grief thats why I opted to stay in the place where I thought you died, all these years I am in Yeong-pyong always looking at the lake thinking of you."
" don't blame your self kyu, none of it is your fault. I stayed in our village, i built a small house where our house used to be, I stayed there hoping that you will come back, I should have known that it will be painful for you to go back to the place after witnessing such tragic event"
"ssshhh let's just stop blamin ourself, what matters is that we are now together and I am never going to let you go again, wherever you go I will go to and you cannot stop me" Kyu said.
" I am not planning on going anywhere without you anyway, I miss you so much that I can't bear the thought of being away from you again after all these years" They slowly leaned to each other and share a kiss.
Most people would be gross out seeing old couple having a PDA, but as I look at them all I feel is awe at their love for each other.
Such sweetness and tender in their intimate touch, it made me teared up and glad that I was able to help reunite this couple.
I left them alone and went ahead to put away my things back to my room, I heard a knock and when I open it I saw them standing there, Sungmin hugged me and cried, I didn't understand what he is saying I can only make out the word "Thank you"
"no need to thank me Abeoji, it is my pleasure to help you out" I smiled at them.
"You've been very kind, I cannot thank you enough for bringing us bac together" He said to me
"one cannot put into word the gratitude we felt for you. You've gone to a lot of trouble trying to look for me. I know someday you will find your great love, a wonderful person like you deserves it. " Kyuhyun said to me.
I thanked them.
"it is getting late, we need to go, Goodbye, and thank you" I don't know why I feel a sense of loneliness when he said the word goodbye, but the smile they have in their faces eases me.
I bid them goodnight and they went of to the direction of Sungmins room.
----------
In the moring I went to their room to wake them up for breakfast.
As I got there I saw the two of them hugging each other tight with the stuff bunny in between them, there were content smiles in their faces.
I went near them and feels that there no longer any pulse in them and they hands are a bit cold now.
I cried that time, not because of regret because they only have a day of reunion then they passed away, but of relief that now I know that after this nothing can separate them again and I know they will be happy where they are heading and they'll be together forever.
I arranged their funeral, it is short and quiet. I made sure that they are buried together in the cemetery where their family is resting.
engraved in their tombstone are the words
"KyuMin, A bittersweet love that the war separates, but have reunited to be together eternally"
with one last look at their grave I walk away from the cemetery with a smile on my face ready to start a new and find my own love.
--------------------
"neh Kyu?" a cute guy in early twenties said
"hmmm?" a guy with curly brown haired answered
" this is forever right? we are not gonna separate again?"
" Yes my Min, this nothing can separate us again"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
---------end------------
Character: Kyumin
Status: Complete
Rating: G
Genre: slight angst
Summary: The war separates them, can they be reunited once again?
I don't know what came over and I write this story.
*************
I am working on a Hospital that cares for elderly. One of the patient that we have there is a very cute old man. He have a very cute smile and eyes, and perfect lips.
Anyone can imagine that he is very handsome during his youth, that's why it is a big question as to why he didn't get married and have family.
When I first start working here, I was assigned to him. He is very friendly and always full of jokes and wose words, though one cannot deny the sadness that is a residence in his eyes.
It took me awhile to ask him the question that most people would want to ask him.
"Sungmin-abeoji? Can I ask a question"
"you are wondering why I am alone?" he said to me
I nodded "but, it's alright if you don't wish to share it to me"
"It's alright" He said, then he continued " I used to have a lover back then, he is my first friend, my first crush, my first love, boyfriend and we are engage"
"then what happen?"
" During the war, most men is required to join a military unit to fight for the country. I was placed in one of the units that will be assigned in the borders, he was excempted because he suffered seriuos injury from a car accident. So he and his family were left in the village"
** flashback ** -Sungmin-
"I have to go now Kyu" I said to the man that is hugging me
"NO!! You don't have to go, pretend to be sick or anything but please Min don't go to war" Kyu said while hugging me tighter.
"I have to do this for our country, for you and our family. I promise I will comeback." I tried to tell him. After much persuasion
" Promise me you will comeback alive and well alright? I'll be waiting for the time where we can reunite again" That night we seal our promise by making the two of us as one. It is a bittersweet moment that I will never forget.
I went to my assigend area and fought with North Koreans, there are number of times that I almost didn't make it.
After years of fighting and sacrificing, the two sides agreed to part ways and form a temporary peace.Soldiers were finally given permission to go home.
I grab the opportunity immediately and took the train that will take me back to my little village, to my Family and to my Kyu.
As I reach it, I saw that most of the houses were already destryed and only a few were left.
I arrived at the block where my house used to stand, now all I see is the burnt out walls and burnt wood.Kyu's house was also in the same condition, I tried to round the village asking people what happen.
Turns out that during the war, this place was attacked by the enemies and houses were burned down and countless people were killed. I collapse to the ground upon hearing the news, a good old lady approach me and told me where my parent where buried.
As I got there, I notice that there are more graves than I remembered and a huge memorial stone was also placed in the middle. She took me to a place near it and there my parents name was engraved in the stone placed on top of my grave.
she said they were found under the rubble of our house after the attack.
They were the lucky ones, the others were already hard to identify and many went missing so they just put those names to the memorial stone.
I asked her where Kyuhyun and his Family are, and she pointed to the stone. I thought that nothing could be worse that what I am feeling right now, dread, sadness and guilt is consuming me. I feel like a complete failure since I went to war to protect the country but I failed to protect the people close to me.
I saw their names engraved there, but I was only able to see 3 Chos, his parent and Ara-noona. I was looking for Kyuhyun's name, while dep inside a hope is blossoming.
"Kyuhyun-ssi sis not die from the attack, he is still alive" at that I look at her with hope in full bloom
" but he was severely injured and his ribs that were broken before got damage again, some volunteer Doctors took him away and we never saw him again."
Though my heart sank in that news, the fact the Kyu is still alive gave me hope. After a few days I went to the Military head quaters and inquire about the people taken from my village.
I search every Cho Kyuhyun in the list, but my search went unsuccessful. After a year I went back to my village and built a small house in place of our old one. I stayed there waiting everyday with hope that he will one day return to our village.
Days turn to weeks then months and years. I grew old and my village has been modernized, condominiums, shopping malls and highways replaced the peaceful place I used to know. Pretty soon I move to a Nursing home where I met my old comrades, veterans of wars.
It made me happy to see some old friends, but the pain and longing in my heart is still there.The only thing that keeps me going is the fact that somewhere, Kyuhyun is there alive.
** end of flashback **
" Thank you for sharing this story to me Abeoji, I never knew that it is this kind of pain you are keeping inside"
He held my hand and said " It is painful, but even after all these years I am still hoping to see him and be reunited" I teared up because even if he said that with a smile, the pain and longingness is visible for the world to see.
Right then I decided to help him grant his wish.I contact all the nursing home I know and inquire about a man named Cho Kyuhyun, I got a few result, good Thing that Cho is not a common surname.
I visited each of them and as days pass my hope decreases of ever finding him.
The last one is very far from here, it is located in Yeong-pyong near the north Korean border, it took me several days before I can go there, I had to file a leave from work since it will take me more than two days for this trip.
Once I got there, the head nurse guide me to the garden where I saw an old with greying hair. There are some scars in his cheeks that results not from the war but from Acnes.
I approach him and introduce myself. He looks at me and went back to looking at the lake.
I ask him if he came from Joomoonjin village. He didn;t answer me, but I saw a glistening in his eyes and that raised my hopes up.
Then I ask him again if he knows any man named Lee sungmin from there that went to war.
At the mention of the name, the tears that he is holding fell to his cheeks then to hands.
He looks at me and told me he knows him.
" He went to war to protect us, he promised that he will return, I waited for him, but news reach us that their base here in Yeong-pyong was attacked and the soldiers died. Shortly after that, our village was attacked and his family and my family perished, I was able to escape but very nearly. Doctors took me to Seoul. When I got better I stayed there to help out the people then after the war, I move here so that I can be near the last place he's been"
I feel sadness took over me after I heard his story, I told him the Sungmin is alive and he spent years looking for him.
He looks at me and ask if this is true. I nodded at him and told that he is at the nursing home where I work, just on the outskirt of Joomoonjin. He ask to take him there and I said yes.
During the journey, I told of how Sungmin waited for him to return to their village and how sad his eyes are.
He is not crying but I can see the sadness and self blame he is hiding.
When arrive back at the nursing home, I took him to where Sungmin usually sits, He is there under a tree reading a book. Kyuhyun is holding a little stuff bunny that is slightly burnt, he said that it used to be Sungmins, but he left it to him when he went to war.
He walsk alowly to him and placed the bunny in front of him.
Sungmin was shocked at first then he slowly look up. His eyes went wide and tears fell from his eyes.In all the times I have work here this is the first time that I didn't see the sadness in his eyes.Despite the tears, one can see a happiness beyond words reflected in those orbs and Kyuhyun is also smiling, as I look at them, I don't know if it is my imagination but I thought I saw the two of them looking like what they used to look before they got separated.
Foxy brown orbs shining lovingly while looking to a small chocolate eyes thats reflects love and Happiness.
"Kyu? is that really you?" he ask cutely, I chuckled at that and continues to observe them
"Minnie, I never thought I'd see you again, I thought you were dead" Kyu said while crying.
" I didn't die Kyu, I'm sorry for not contacting you when I was away" He said while crying too
Kyuhyun sits down beside him and gave hima a tight hug " it's not your fault, I should have come back in the village when I was healed, but I was too consumed by grief thats why I opted to stay in the place where I thought you died, all these years I am in Yeong-pyong always looking at the lake thinking of you."
" don't blame your self kyu, none of it is your fault. I stayed in our village, i built a small house where our house used to be, I stayed there hoping that you will come back, I should have known that it will be painful for you to go back to the place after witnessing such tragic event"
"ssshhh let's just stop blamin ourself, what matters is that we are now together and I am never going to let you go again, wherever you go I will go to and you cannot stop me" Kyu said.
" I am not planning on going anywhere without you anyway, I miss you so much that I can't bear the thought of being away from you again after all these years" They slowly leaned to each other and share a kiss.
Most people would be gross out seeing old couple having a PDA, but as I look at them all I feel is awe at their love for each other.
Such sweetness and tender in their intimate touch, it made me teared up and glad that I was able to help reunite this couple.
I left them alone and went ahead to put away my things back to my room, I heard a knock and when I open it I saw them standing there, Sungmin hugged me and cried, I didn't understand what he is saying I can only make out the word "Thank you"
"no need to thank me Abeoji, it is my pleasure to help you out" I smiled at them.
"You've been very kind, I cannot thank you enough for bringing us bac together" He said to me
"one cannot put into word the gratitude we felt for you. You've gone to a lot of trouble trying to look for me. I know someday you will find your great love, a wonderful person like you deserves it. " Kyuhyun said to me.
I thanked them.
"it is getting late, we need to go, Goodbye, and thank you" I don't know why I feel a sense of loneliness when he said the word goodbye, but the smile they have in their faces eases me.
I bid them goodnight and they went of to the direction of Sungmins room.
----------
In the moring I went to their room to wake them up for breakfast.
As I got there I saw the two of them hugging each other tight with the stuff bunny in between them, there were content smiles in their faces.
I went near them and feels that there no longer any pulse in them and they hands are a bit cold now.
I cried that time, not because of regret because they only have a day of reunion then they passed away, but of relief that now I know that after this nothing can separate them again and I know they will be happy where they are heading and they'll be together forever.
I arranged their funeral, it is short and quiet. I made sure that they are buried together in the cemetery where their family is resting.
engraved in their tombstone are the words
"KyuMin, A bittersweet love that the war separates, but have reunited to be together eternally"
with one last look at their grave I walk away from the cemetery with a smile on my face ready to start a new and find my own love.
--------------------
"neh Kyu?" a cute guy in early twenties said
"hmmm?" a guy with curly brown haired answered
" this is forever right? we are not gonna separate again?"
" Yes my Min, this nothing can separate us again"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
---------end------------