Chapter 70 - An Unexpected Meeting

I leaned against the side of the door. With the inactive cell phone in my hand, I looked at it curiously and wondered, is there someone looking for me now? Is Donghwa looking for me right now? It had been almost a week since I turned off my cell phone, which seemed frozen in my hand and completely useless. 

The screen was black, looked gloomy and there was no hope in it. Staring at my cell phone silently, I didn't want to turn it back on even though I wanted so badly to notify someone at this time, who might not worry me at all, that I would leave and would never want to come back to him again.

Once you threw me out, then at that time everything had ended up like broken glass and would never come back intact like-new glass. Even if you manage to put it back together by using glue, the result would never be the same as before, nor did my feeling.

Thinking of this, I let out a heavy sigh. That thought should no longer be worth thinking about, but I couldn't stop doing so.

It was useless for me to think of someone I wanted to forget in my life even though I knew that doing so was futile. Then, I quickly slipped my cell phone back into my pocket and started walking downstairs.

I couldn't think of anything that day. With feelings I couldn't control, I left with nothing — not even my medicines. There were only the clothes I wore and the money on my card which I should use for my medical checkup after surgery, which was destroyed only because of a misunderstanding. So, I could only grimace and cry to endure the pain that could come at any time. It tormented me, but the pain couldn't be compared to torture both physically and mentally that left me dying.

However, I was also quite lucky. With this card, I could rent a house and pay for my transportation to Jeju and Sokcho, then I would donate the rest to those who were more in need.

After being downstairs, I was waiting for the car to pick me up at the airport. I leaned my back against the wooden fence and stared at the deserted street with a blank gaze.

While waiting, occasionally I shuddered as the cold wind gently touched my skin. Even wearing a thick coat made of camel skin and a scarf around my neck, the cold air almost made me shiver.

"Chunghee!"

Hearing a familiar voice calling me in the distance, I immediately turned my head and saw my aunt who was rushing towards me.

"I'm so glad I could see you before leaving. Even though I can't take you to the airport, at least I can see you before you leave." She embraced me after saying her words.

I smiled at her. The warmth of the familial embrace did have a different kind of warmth. This was something I had hardly felt since years ago.

"Chunghee, I will miss you. Take care of yourself. Look at yourself, you're very thin and your skin is very pale. You look like someone who is sick." While saying, she let go of her hands.

"I'll miss you too. You also have to take good care of yourself and don't forget to visit me when you have time."

"Of course."

A few moments later, a black car was parked on the sidewalk, and a middle-aged driver came out with a friendly smile. He walked towards me, speaking in a friendly manner, "Good morning, sir, are you, Mr. Park?"

"Ah, yes, I am." I turned to look at Bo Hwa, then shook her hand. "Well, I think I have to go right away. Don't forget to come to visit me in Sokcho, okay? I'll be waiting for you at grandma's house."

"Of course. If I have time, I'll come there. Take care of yourself, Chunghee. You should also visit me back here if you have time." She gave me another warm embrace before I headed to the airport.

I could only hope that this meeting wasn't a farewell meeting. I also hoped that in the following winter, I could still see the snow even though it sounded impossible for me.

When I arrived at the airport, I intended to wait for the flight's scheduled departure for about forty minutes ahead in a large and crowded hall.

Before sitting on the bench, I went to a drink machine that wasn't far from where I was standing. However, as I passed through the seated crowd, a person who was sitting about a few feet away from me, who was currently staring at the cell phone in his hand, looked familiar to me. So, I decided to buy two drinks to greet that person.

"Hey, you were Donghwa's colleague at that time, right?" When near him, I asked while handing him a drink. At first, he looked doubtful, but finally, he grabbed it reluctantly.

This was an unexpected meeting for us. I was surprised as well as he was, but I tried to cover my expression with smiles.

By the look on his face, he looked displeased with my hospitality like someone who had known him for a long time. However, if he knew my true heart, that I was doing this only because I wasn't a vengeful person, and didn't want to blame him for the breakup of my relationship with Donghwa.

"I'm Park Chunghee. What is your name?" I asked after sitting beside him. My voice was a little hoarse.

He glanced at me sharply, then suddenly replied coldly, "You don't know me? Or are you just pretending as you did back then?"

I frowned tightly. "What do you mean?"

However, the young man showed a different expression. He then gave a cold reply that sounded indifferent, "You don't have to be friendly to me because I'll never do the same as you, get it?"

I smiled, and immediately understood the meaning of his words. "Oh, I got it. I'm sorry. But, if you hate me just because of my relationship with Donghwa, then I'm sorry."

He was about to stand up, but my hand immediately held his hand, "Wait, about Donghwa, ... do you really love him?"

"I don't want to hear that question from you!" As he said, he looked away and threw out his hand.

I took a silent breath, tried to be calm, and spoke again, "I mean it. I really want to know how you feel about him."

Hearing those words, he slowly turned his head towards me, with his eyes that flashed an inconceivable rage. As for me ... I could only show a sincere smile even though he didn't think it was.

"You really love him. I can see it in your eyes." I sighed heavily before continuing to say, "I don't mind when there is someone who sincerely loves him, like you. But ... can I ask you something? I never thought of you as a foe or wanted to compete with you. I'm too old to do something like that. I just wanted to ask this as a supportive friend."

There was silence for a few moments, then I spoke again, "Will you take care of him? Will you stay with him till the end? He is indeed temperamental, selfish, stubborn, and very possessive about the things he is passionate about. Sometimes, he also acts like a child, spoiled, and always wants to listen. However, you must know that he is someone who will always love you."

"I'm sure, he likes you too. Therefore, make him crazy about you more than this. And, when he has fallen too deep, never leave him, but take care of him. I beg you. Promise me."

He was just silent with a sullen face.

I smiled bitterly. This young man was Donghwa's type. Donghwa would be lying to himself if he didn't want to admit it. I knew that pretty well.

"That wound on your face ... I know that he did it."

He flinched a little after hearing my words, but his trembling lips still didn't say anything.

"Forgive him. Will you forgive him? I beg you. He isn't the type to be good at apologizing, so I will convey it to him. I beg you, please, forgive him."

Still not saying anything, he immediately stood up. He looked away, didn't want to look at me, and I could tell that his eyes were teary as he wanted to cry before he left without responding to my words first.

After he left, I was stunned, pondering all the words I had just said.

I understand Donghwa even more than that kid. He didn't even know anything about Donghwa. I could judge it by the look on the face he showed when I reveal Donghwa's true nature. But, after saying my words, he would understand more.

A few moments later, the departure schedule was announced and I immediately got up, then went to the boarding gate.

After entering, I watched people wave at each other. They could be seen laughing, joking with each other, and some of them gave smiles that showed sadness. Everything made me jealous of those who could do things like that with someone he loved. Until someone well-dressed and handsome, who was standing in the corner of the crowd from outside the boarding gate, made me startled.