The night was getting late. It was past 9 PM. and the main house was empty. It was never crowded atmosphere to begin with, but Ga Eun wished Lee Chung Ho and Kim Ae Mi were there. Just knowing they were inside the house always made her feel comfortable. She didn't know why. Maybe it was a habit.
Or maybe, she wished for a certain bedroom to be occupied by its rightful owner.
She passed Myung Hwan's bedroom and opened the door.
Not much had changed. Everything was still in its place. She had made sure of that. But there was no smell of his cologne. Usually it floated faintly in the air.
She walked inside slowly, running her fingers on his desk, before finally sitting on a chair. Taking in the surroundings, she closed her eyes.
At this hour, if his parents were not at home, he'd summon her to bring dinner. And two hours later, if he hadn't slept, he'd ask for coffee.
She missed the routine. She missed the little chat. She missed the smile.
She missed him.
It was so plain, simple, and undeniable.
She finally stood up and went downstairs, walking to Lee Chung Ho's study. As it was Sunday, it was her time to read the family's schedule.
Once inside, and after printing the schedule sent by Lee Chung Ho's secretary, she tidied the desk, filled the printer with paper and piled all of the letters according to the subjects. Bills, personal, invitations, brochures, and finally business matters. That was when the phone rang
As instructed, if she's in the house and the phone rings, especially Sajangnim's, she should pick it up and forward the messages immediately.
So she picked it up.
"Yeoboseyo? Abeoji?"
Her throat went dry and she clutched the phone.
"Do—ryeonnim?"
There was silence for a while before his voice answered with, "Ga Eun?"
She could instantly feel her eyes getting wet at the mention of her name from the person she had missed day and night. Because of course she missed him. Jin Yang was sweet, Ki Jun was very important, but Myung Hwan was her universe. He always would be.
"Ne, Doryeonnim. This is Kim Ga Eun."
"Oh, hello, Go Eun! How are you?"
I miss you so badly. I want you back here in this house. Please don't ever leave me again. Please love me.
"I'm very well, Doryeonnim, what about you?"
"Me....um, I actually need to talk to Abeoji, he should be home by this hour."
She glanced at the clock. It was fifteen minutes past 9 PM. "Maybe he is detained..."
"I guess so...so how are you lately, Ga Eun?"
"Doryeonnim," she smiled, "I already said I'm fine. It's you who haven't told me about yourself."
"Hmmm....let's talk. I have one hour."
"Jeongmal, Doryeonnim?"
"Ne."
"Algesseumnida."
"So, um.....tell me about yourself lately."
"I....."
"I'll count until five. If you don't tell me anything....."
"....."
This was something new and she just didn't really know what to say.
"One, two...."
"My friend is in trouble lately....His father disagrees with his dream."
"Which friend?"
"Seo Ki Jun"
"Ah. What does he want to be?"
"A fashion designer."
"Hmm. I can see why fathers would hate their sons to do that....."
"But Ki Jun really wants to do it."
"Do you think he has the chance to be good in it?"
"Absolutely, Doryeonnim."
"You sound so sure of him."
"Of course. I know he is good. He draws sketches and colors it and everything looks good."
"What's his trouble?"
"His father threw him out of the house."
"Whoa. Now that's serious."
"Ne."
"So where is he now?"
"He's renting a room near our school."
"He sounds like he won't give up."
"He will not. It's impossible for him."
"I wish him luck."
"Gamsahamnida, I'll tell him."
Myung Hwan chuckled.
"Ga Eun, he doesn't need my prayer. You're supporting him, I'm sure it's more than enough."
She fell silent.
"Is that the only thing that is happening to you recently?"
"Ne, Doryeonnim?"
"Your.....relationship is too personal and I can't know?"
"Ne? Relationship? What—oh."
"Yes, Ommoni told me. That Kim Ga Eun went to school together with a boy, who waited for her in the morning and dropped her again after school. He is also, I quote, very cute."
Ga Eun squealed in embarrassment. "Ommona!" she whined.
"Wae? Is Ommoni telling lies?"
"Aniya, Doryeonnim....."
"So she's telling the truth?"
"...Ne."
"Jjinjja? Aigoo, Kim Ga Eun is growing up and dating a guy now," he teased, voice filled with glee.
She was blushing by then, grateful that he couldn't see her.
"I have this strange feeling of wanting to know the details," he added.
She didn't say anything.
"But I guess you'll be embarrassed if I force you to spill everything. Just, what do you think of him?"
"Park Jin Yang is..."
"Oh so that's his name? Park Jin Yang?"
"Ne."
"And he is?"
"Very kind and very nice....."
"Okay."
She waited for him to ask anything again, because she felt she couldn't be smart enough to start another subject.
"Are you happy with him, Ga Eun?"
What else to say besides, "Yes, Doryeonnim, I am."
"Good."
"What about you, Doryeonnim? If you don't mind me asking."
"Eh? Me? What's with me?"
"Are you still with.....Hwang Min Young-ssi?"
".....No. We broke up almost a year ago."
The feeling of elation was instantaneous. But she dropped again when she remembered to ask, "And now, Doryeonnim?
"Now, Ga Eun?"
"Are you with.....with..."
"I'm not with anyone right now. I'm single and miserable, unlike you."
She laughed. Oh, the joy to know that his heart was currently unoccupied.
"Nobody caught my attention before I enlisted, so.....yeah..."
"Ne...."
"I'm fine, though."
"You're fine?"
"Yeah. I don't know. I just feel that this is the time to be single."
A phone was a good device. It helped you ask questions you wouldn't dare to ask when you see another person face to face.
"You don't...feel lonely, Doryeonnim?"
"No...." he answered, as if weighing the answer. "No, I don't. Is it strange?"
"No, I guess not. Maybe loneliness is from within, not related to who you are or who you are not with."
".....True. That's what I think, too. It's like happiness, Ga Eun, don't you think so?"
"Ne?"
"Happiness. Nobody else could make you happy. It's within you"
"Really, Doryeonnim? Isn't it related to what you have and what you don't have?"
"People could be rich without being happy. I've seen my friends like that."
"Are you happy, Doryeonnim?"
He laughed, "What a heavy topic we are talking about! But yes, I am happy, Ga Eun."
"You have everything....."
"Do I?"
"Of course Doryeonnim!" she answered vehemently. And then after a while, she added, "Don't you think so?"
"No."
"What is it that you don't have?"
"For now...a girlfriend. Right? You're richer than me in this one. You have someone. I don't. And...."
"Ne, Doryeonnim?" she was breathless. Somehow. This moment felt magical. Myung Hwan was pouring his thoughts for her to hear.
"Harabeoji," he added softly. "I wish I could still have him."
She couldn't say anything.
"Oh no. You're not crying, aren't you?"
"I—I'm not, Doryeonnim."
"Don't. Smile instead."
She laughed a little.
"Do you miss your Appa, Ga Eun?"
"I do, Doryeonnim. Every day."
"Do you feel lonely?"
"Sometimes."
"Are you unhappy?"
She thought for a while before saying, "No. I guess I'm happy."
"But if you could, you want to be happier."
She giggled, "How do you know, Doryeonnim?"
"Don't we all?"
"Ne..."
"Ga Eun?" he called.
"Ne, Doryeonnim?"
"Hm...want to hear about my days here?"
"Absolutely."
"It's not that interesting....."
"Tell me, Doryeonnim, I'll be glad to hear it."
"Very well, then. You see, I wake up every day at 5, and then we all eat together at this big dining room, like the cafeteria in your high school...."
And they went on and on until his one hour was up.
*********************************
Author's Note :
I wanted to tell about these three different guys in Ga Eun's life. Each conveying a different meaning. One will step out, one will forever stay by her side, and one will be the love of her life.
Thank you so much for those of you who like Cruel, and always wait for the update. I'm so very grateful to all of you. Please tell me what you think about the story.
The first draft of this story was made more than a decade ago. When I edit it, I see that my grammar and punctuations were worse than now, lol. Ah, I have grown up and learnt a lot over the years.
Back to the story.
Did you think Myung Hwan was really looking for his Abeoji and called his landline, or was he actually looking for Ga Eun and want to talk to her?
Tell me what you think. See you soon!