The busy streets of Seoul were twinkling with lights flashing from car headlights and lamp posts. People in their cars were either coming home to their families or going out to party for the rest of the night. Su-Jin was doing the former, she was coming home to her family that she might or might not see alive anymore. During the four hour drive back to Seoul, there was nothing else on her mind but her father. She knew this would happen so she blamed herself over and over for being so selfish.
“It’s going to be okay, I promise,” Jiyong assured Su-Jin.
He removed his right hand from the steering wheel and reached for Su-Jin’s hand. She didn’t protest and looked at Jiyong with eyes clouded with tears. He knew she wanted to cry but having known her personality she probably didn’t want to show him her tears. She was always the type to put a brave face on even if the situation required her to do otherwise. She had the tendency to lock her feelings inside even if it was too hurtful to bear.
They reached the hospital and went directly to Su-Jin’s father’s room. Jiyong went inside first and was immediately greeted by Su-Eun with an embrace. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Su-Eun must have felt the whole time she was alone to face that terrible incident. She must have been really scared and worried at the same time.
Su-Jin saw how Jiyong held Su-Eun upon entering the room. She was expecting something like that would happen because it was only natural for two people who were together to show affection, especially when one of them was experiencing and ordeal. But, it still hurt Su-Jin to actually see it. She diverted her gaze from Su-Eun and Jiyong to her father who was lying on the hospital with tubes and medical devices attached all over him. She moved closer to her father and held his hands with hers.
“Papa, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not being a good daughter to you. This is my entire fault. I have let this happen to you,” Su-Jin was already crying while saying those words.
“It’s not your fault Su-Jin,” Su-Eun told her from behind.
She placed one hand on Su-Jin’s shoulder to assure her that it wasn’t really her fault and that she didn’t blame her on what had happened. Su-Jin looked up see Su-Eun’s face that showed a shy smile.
“I’m happy you’re here Su-Jin. You were always the brave one and I was always the weakling. I really don’t know what to do so I’m glad you came home.”
Su-Jin would have wanted to stay at the hospital but Su-Eun insisted that she would stay and that Su-Jin should go home and get some rest.
At the hospital entrance lobby, she saw Seung Hyun coming her way. When she saw his face, she suddenly felt the presence of the weight around her shoulders. It felt like she has never been tired all her life until that moment. He reached for her and gave her a tight hug. He could feel her shaking but she was not crying. Maybe she was just tired of all that happened, he thought.
They were in each other’s arms for a long time. They didn’t care about all the people around them. They only parted when Su-Jin felt comfortable enough that she could stand on her own without Seung Hyun’s support.
“Oppa, thank you,” Su-Jin whispered.
“Anytime,” Seung Hyun answered.
“You’re really right on time. I’m just wondering how you always know that I need you.”
“Maybe our minds are intertwined,” Seung Hyun answered with that smile she loved about him.
Seung Hyun rested one arm around her shoulders as they walked side by side towards the hospital exit. They were about to reach his car when another car stopped in front of them.
“Come on Su-Jin, I’ll take you home,” it was Jiyong driving the car.
“No, thank you. Seung Hyun Oppa will take me home.”
“For goodness sake get in the car Su-Jin!” Jiyong angrily replied. “Please remember that I am STILL YOuR HuSBAND!”
“He’s right Su-Jin. You should let him take you home,” Seung Hyun agreed.
Su-Jin was still in a bit of a shock when she got inside Jiyong’s car. She never expected Jiyong to react that way.
They were both very quiet in the car but Su-Jin couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Jiyong looked like he could kill a person with his anger. His mood didn’t change at all even when they reached their destination.
“Why did you bring me here?” Su-Jin asked when she got out of the car.
She was standing in front of the same building she left six months ago.
“I said, why did you bring me here? I thought you were going to bring me home?” Su-Jin asked again.
