Chapter 9.5: What Lies In Between?

"So, what other wonderful things did you write about me back then?"

"Do you really think all my mini-hompy entries were about you?"

"Well, all of mine were about you, my wife."

"I don't believe it, my husband."

"Chagiya, is it so hard to believe that the only person on my mind when I wrote in my mini-hompy was you?"

"It is when you also complained about Jun Pyo frying your hair straightener in New Caledonia, when you whined about Jae Kyung unnie and her drunken antics, and when you ranted about Ji Hoo betraying you."

"He lied about his phone dying so that he could borrow my phone to call you!"

"He did? How come I didn't know that?"

"I guess it just never came up."

"So, he knew about you… possibly having a thing for me back then?"

"He is Ji Hoo, you know. The man with the sixth sense."

"That is true."

"Anyway, all that aside. Read me something, Ga Eul-ah. I want to hear something you wrote about me."

"Hmmm. Well, you've already seen one of my favourite posts, haven't you?"

"I've framed it up in my office, so I can look at it every day."

"You mean, you are going to frame it in your office. I suppose you haven't done it yet?"

"Secretary Han is still looking for a Hello Kitty wooden frame for it."

"I stopped liking Hello Kitty years ago, in case you haven't already realised."

"Who says the frame is for you? Okay then, read me something else."

"Hmmm, let's see. Ah, okay, I've found it."

"I'm all ears, baby."

"I had such a fun day with Jan Di today! It's been a long time since we last had a girl's day out. We went for a manicure, and then sat down at our favourite café for tea and yummy cupcakes. I really enjoyed our chat, it was very fruitful…"

"Hey, wait a minute… this isn't about me-"

"Shhh. Don't interrupt. I haven't finished."

"Fine. But it just feels like you were dating Jan Di, not me."

"Yah, don't pout, Jeong-ah. It doesn't make you look cute anymore."

"Oh, just finish it already."

"…especially when it came to the topic of our significant others. But as Jan Di talked about Jun Pyo, I suddenly missed Yi Jeong sunbae terribly. He's been back in Sweden the past week and will only be back next Monday. The day couldn't come fast enough.

I miss the hugs that make me feel safe. I miss the smile that lights up his face, and my heart. I miss having him hold my hand while he's driving. I miss hearing his encouraging words after a difficult day. I miss hearing him whisper 'I love yous' in my ear. I miss the warmth that he brings. I really miss you, Sunbae. I seriously, wholesomely do…

I miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you…"

"Whoa, whoa. Breathe, Ga Eul-ah, breathe!"

"Well, that pretty much was the rest of the entry."

"All those 'I miss yous'?"

"And a lot more! I could read the res-"

"It's okay, baby. I think I… kind of get the idea."

"But yeah. I like this post because it made me realize how much you encouraged me back then, through your gestures and your words. I know that you knew that's how I feel the most loved."

"And I still do."

"I know."

"Can I read you something else now?"

"Of course."

"Today, after a long day at the museum, I managed to meet up with Ga Eul-yang. We sat at the playground near her apartment. It was a quiet night, with a sky full of stars, and it was gorgeous, much like the girl sitting next to me. We spent the whole night talking, about our hopes and dreams, and our thoughts about the future. I feel so good just talking to her. We hadn't done that in a while.

'What do you think we'll be like in 50 years time?' I asked her at one point.

'Well,' she said, thoughtfully looking up into the sky, 'We'll be older, possibly wiser, and our hair may be grayer. We'll be an old fuddy-duddy couple in our matching slippers and pyjamas…'

'And will you still love me the way I love you now?' I asked again, 'Even if I'm less handsome? Less attractive?'

Her reply completely floored me. She looked me in the eye, took my hand in hers, and replied, 'I wouldn't be with you if I didn't want to love you for eternity.'

And so, this is how I know that my Ga Eul-yang and I will last for a really long time."

"Wow. You remembered all that?"

"It was kept right here, in my heart."

"So, the rumours were true. You really are a closet romantic, So Yi Jeong. How come it's taken me so long to discover that?"

"Maybe, Ga Eul-yang, it's because I took so long to realize that."

"It's okay, sunbae. You have the rest of our lives to make it up to me."

"Your wish is my command, madam. How shall I start making it up to you?"

"You can start by opening your arms so you can hold me."

"That's easy enough. C'mere, you."

...

A/N: This, and the story were inspired in part by a couple friend's blog entries about each other :)