Loose Ends
001
He was the campus heartthrob. And I’m his fiancé.
After all the years that we spent apart, we still made our way to each other’s hearts.
Now, thinking back, choosing Joo Won was one of the best decisions I ever made. I could never be happy with anybody else, but with him. I still remember when he went back to his mom and owed to give her an explanation about us. Soo Yeon had no choice but to accept us, and the fact that her son cannot love a girl finally sank in her mind.
The strange thing was, Joo Won hadn’t proposed to me, and he’s calling me his fiancé. I couldn't help but laugh at it. I love him just like that, and every time I burst out into laughter, he always hugged me and kissed my cheek.
Right now, all I have to care about is the present. It is much more important than any other thing in this world. We’re living together in an apartment in downtown Seoul. He offered me the best companionship, and we had all the time with each other.
I opened the door and expected Joo Won’s presence. But he wasn’t there. I tossed my bag on the couch and went to the counter. I was dead hungry out of the day’s activities. There was a box of cereal in the refrigerator, as far as I could remember. I pulled its door open and what caught my attention was something unusual to happen. A folded white paper was placed on the top of the cereal box, with my name as the recipient. With a big smile on my face, I picked the paper and read what has to be read.
Nam- San Tower. 8pm. Take care. I love you.
It’s Joo Won again. I said to myself. After I glanced at the clock, it told me that it was 6pm.
There were a couple of hours to prepare. I grabbed the cereal box and put a generous amount on the large white bowl.
8pm. I dialed my phone while taking the steps to Nam-San Tower, trying to contact my boyfriend. He was out of reach. I dialed his number again, and for the longest time, I couldn’t contact him.
The tower was deserted with people. I looked at it and decided to make my way up to the building. My instincts told me that Joo Won might be there. He might be waiting for me.
Finally, I reached the rooftop. Darkness was all I could see in that area, and the little, twinkling lights on the far side of the view were given off by the city of Seoul.
I turned my back and dialed his number again. I grew impatient when I came to the realization that he was out of reach. And then, in a sudden lapse of a second, lights flickered on from behind my back.
“Looking for me?”
It was Joo Won’s voice, I was sure of that. I smiled and turned to him. All this time, he was preparing this for me. I knew the reason why he was out of reach when I contact him, why he was in deep thinking these past few days, and why he smiled to himself for no reason. Even though this surprise might be considered a little thing, I appreciate all the efforts he made. This meant something to me. For a loving heart, this meant more than everything.
“Yeah. Since I read that letter, I’ve been looking for you.”
He beamed.
“I’m sorry if I was unreachable. I switched my phone off-“
“Just to put up this one? It’s alright. I understand.” I cut him off, finishing what I knew he would say next.
“Yeah. I set this up for you.”
I smiled.
“Thank you.”
What he did was simple, yet spectacular. He put up a four-cornered tent, and under it was the table decorated in the style of a candlelit dinner. Series lights were placed I an organized way so as not to cause short circuit. A violet scented candle stood tall on the center of the table, its long height served as a landmark in that miniature world. Flowers were put up all around the candle, and our meals were covered with that semi-circle stainless steel cover separately.
“Shall we eat? I’m hungry.” I said, after my stomach made a grumbling sound. I was lucky he hadn't heard it, or else he’d laugh at me.
“Sure.” he said.
We both sat on our chairs, and for a minute, what we wanted to say was held back by silence and awkwardness. I attempted to break it, so this night wouldn’t be spoiled.
“What’s with all these, Joo Won? Do you have something to say?” I asked. I felt intrigued by this set up.
“Take the cover off.”
“Huh?”
“That one.” He pointed on the stainless steel.
I took it off. A ring was seated on the center of the plate. It was a diamond one and I couldn’t help but cry out of joy. This was the best night I ever had. We came into this smooth-sailing road after going through a rough terrain. I fixed my gaze at it, and he suddenly asked me a question that cost no amount of time for thinking.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes. I will. I definitely will.”
I saw a tear escape from his eyes. He sprang from his seat, lit the candle and stood in front of me.
“What?” I asked, smiling.
He took the jewelry and slid it in my ring finger.
“I love you, Lee Sung Min. Forever.”
I grabbed him closer and sealed his mouth with a kiss.
-THE END-
After all the years that we spent apart, we still made our way to each other’s hearts.
Now, thinking back, choosing Joo Won was one of the best decisions I ever made. I could never be happy with anybody else, but with him. I still remember when he went back to his mom and owed to give her an explanation about us. Soo Yeon had no choice but to accept us, and the fact that her son cannot love a girl finally sank in her mind.
The strange thing was, Joo Won hadn’t proposed to me, and he’s calling me his fiancé. I couldn't help but laugh at it. I love him just like that, and every time I burst out into laughter, he always hugged me and kissed my cheek.
Right now, all I have to care about is the present. It is much more important than any other thing in this world. We’re living together in an apartment in downtown Seoul. He offered me the best companionship, and we had all the time with each other.
I opened the door and expected Joo Won’s presence. But he wasn’t there. I tossed my bag on the couch and went to the counter. I was dead hungry out of the day’s activities. There was a box of cereal in the refrigerator, as far as I could remember. I pulled its door open and what caught my attention was something unusual to happen. A folded white paper was placed on the top of the cereal box, with my name as the recipient. With a big smile on my face, I picked the paper and read what has to be read.
Nam- San Tower. 8pm. Take care. I love you.
It’s Joo Won again. I said to myself. After I glanced at the clock, it told me that it was 6pm.
There were a couple of hours to prepare. I grabbed the cereal box and put a generous amount on the large white bowl.
8pm. I dialed my phone while taking the steps to Nam-San Tower, trying to contact my boyfriend. He was out of reach. I dialed his number again, and for the longest time, I couldn’t contact him.
The tower was deserted with people. I looked at it and decided to make my way up to the building. My instincts told me that Joo Won might be there. He might be waiting for me.
Finally, I reached the rooftop. Darkness was all I could see in that area, and the little, twinkling lights on the far side of the view were given off by the city of Seoul.
I turned my back and dialed his number again. I grew impatient when I came to the realization that he was out of reach. And then, in a sudden lapse of a second, lights flickered on from behind my back.
“Looking for me?”
It was Joo Won’s voice, I was sure of that. I smiled and turned to him. All this time, he was preparing this for me. I knew the reason why he was out of reach when I contact him, why he was in deep thinking these past few days, and why he smiled to himself for no reason. Even though this surprise might be considered a little thing, I appreciate all the efforts he made. This meant something to me. For a loving heart, this meant more than everything.
“Yeah. Since I read that letter, I’ve been looking for you.”
He beamed.
“I’m sorry if I was unreachable. I switched my phone off-“
“Just to put up this one? It’s alright. I understand.” I cut him off, finishing what I knew he would say next.
“Yeah. I set this up for you.”
I smiled.
“Thank you.”
What he did was simple, yet spectacular. He put up a four-cornered tent, and under it was the table decorated in the style of a candlelit dinner. Series lights were placed I an organized way so as not to cause short circuit. A violet scented candle stood tall on the center of the table, its long height served as a landmark in that miniature world. Flowers were put up all around the candle, and our meals were covered with that semi-circle stainless steel cover separately.
“Shall we eat? I’m hungry.” I said, after my stomach made a grumbling sound. I was lucky he hadn't heard it, or else he’d laugh at me.
“Sure.” he said.
We both sat on our chairs, and for a minute, what we wanted to say was held back by silence and awkwardness. I attempted to break it, so this night wouldn’t be spoiled.
“What’s with all these, Joo Won? Do you have something to say?” I asked. I felt intrigued by this set up.
“Take the cover off.”
“Huh?”
“That one.” He pointed on the stainless steel.
I took it off. A ring was seated on the center of the plate. It was a diamond one and I couldn’t help but cry out of joy. This was the best night I ever had. We came into this smooth-sailing road after going through a rough terrain. I fixed my gaze at it, and he suddenly asked me a question that cost no amount of time for thinking.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes. I will. I definitely will.”
I saw a tear escape from his eyes. He sprang from his seat, lit the candle and stood in front of me.
“What?” I asked, smiling.
He took the jewelry and slid it in my ring finger.
“I love you, Lee Sung Min. Forever.”
I grabbed him closer and sealed his mouth with a kiss.
-THE END-