Chapter 2: Prologue (2)

At this time, the flight crew was guiding and preparing to board the passengers. Tae-Pyeong stood from his seat and moved his feet.

“You sound like my parent. It’s not me but my money that aunt and uncle are interested in.”

“Kim Tae-Pyeong!” 

His voice raised and grew indignant of his parents being insulted.

Tae-Pyeong chuckled softly. He had no time to waste his precious energy.  

“Isn’t it true, Oliver McAvoy?”

Tae-Pyeong said in a dry voice, calling out the name of his brother-in-law. He could hear nothing but a quiver, a groan on the other side of the line. It was a true sign that Oliver had been holding back his boiling anger.

“Alright… where are you now? I’ll pick you up. My parents want to congratulate you for dinner.”

“Can’t. I’m busy.”

It was time to board the plane. The announcement had just been made.

“Are you at the airport?”

“Mhm.”

Picking up his coat, Tae-Pyeong answered casually.

“Where are you going?”

“South Korea.”

“South Korea? Why are you going there?”

Exclaimed Oliver, who had barely kept his composure intact.

With calm and easy footsteps, Tae-Pyeong headed for the boarding gate, which was directly connected to the lounge.

“Why? Do I need a reason to go there?”

“No, that’s not what I mean… let’s meet up and talk calmly. What do you say?”

At Oliver’s earnest request, Tae-Pyeong smiled bitterly. Seven years ago, the memory of his kneeling down in front of Oliver was as clear as day. 

“Do you remember what happened seven years ago? What are you going to do when you run out of money while in Korea? Don’t ruin other people’s lives. Learn to take responsibility for yourself…” 

There was silence on the other end of the line. Oliver was mute and gave no answer.

Helpless, Tae-Pyeong spoke again.

“I’m going back. Don’t pay attention to me from now on. Eat well and live well.”

Tae-Pyeong reached his thumb to end the call, but just then, a voice from the other end echoed.

“You’re kidding. Is it because of Rosie?”

Her name contained indisputable anxiety. His lips contorted into a frown as he was led to the business seat guided by the flight attendant. Thereafter, he was kindly asked to turn off his phone. He gave her a nod and gave Oliver his last greeting.

“I warn you, don’t use her name and don’t threaten her again. If you do, I’ll kill you.”

Tae-Pyeong hung up the phone and buried his back on the seat. Suddenly, the commotion and noise from the crowd irritated him that he put on his earphones.

I do love, she does heartbreak.

I did love, till she broke my heart.

–– Heartbeat, Scouting For Girls

The song Rosie often listened to shuffled in play. 

He wanted to see her again.

His time spent in England for the past seven years was a horribly lonely and painful time; he was haunted by nightmares at night, and could not relax during the day thinking of her.

He laughed bitterly, recalling the day he broke up with Rosie seven years ago. Her voice was vivid as she said goodbye to him. How could he forget… that day was his happiest and unhappiest time… it was when he died.

And he wanted to amend his mistakes. He wanted to hold her and never let her go by hook or by crook that it became a monster, a blind obsession that clawed and devoured his heart. In the end, Rosie’s name became his guilt and regret he could not extract. 

‘Was seven years enough knowing that I could not live without you?’

 He closed his eyes. 

He wanted to know how she was doing. 

Does she regret the time they’d spent together seven years ago? 

Shortly after the plane took off, Tae-Pyeong fell into a deep sleep.

He had a dream.

*** 

“Tae-Pyeong.”

Rosie, wearing a school uniform, called out his name gently. He held her in his arms. He could feel her, feel her warmth that spread all over his body. He hugged her harder. This warmth, he did not want it to escape. 

But it would never be the same…