Co-authored with Nanu107.
Chapter 19 Part 5
Wedding (The end of the long day)
Deo Gi stood to the side, looking lonely, especially not being able to hear the conversations or the music, making her face sour and eyes tear. This was one of the rare occasions when she was aware of being deaf and wishing she could be like the rest of the hearing people. Somebody's hand gently touched her shoulder and she saw Deok Man in front of her smiling. He was talking to her, and she was able to read his lips. Apparently, he was inviting her to join him at the table. Before she could answer, he took her hand and dragged her along; placing her on the bench, he moved a plate and a cup in front of her on the table and sat right next to her. He was very pleased with himself, but Deo Gi looked uncomfortable and would not look back at him.
He leaned toward her, knowing that in order for him to be understood, she had to see his face, at the same moment, she finally lifted her head up, their heads bumping painfully. Both of them pulled away, rubbing foreheads and frowning.
Many, many times Deok Man was called hard headed by his general. But he never thought he would see the day proven so; the poor woman he literally hurt while trying to speak with her! He was attempting to assist Deo Gi, at least to get a glimpse at the bump she must now sport, watching her holding the side of her head, making soft sounds of pain. She attempted to get up, still keeping her head down, running into his chest, as he was hovering above her, clumsily wanting to help. They both froze. Embarrassed and blushing from this closeness and these strange accidents, which just kept bringing her to him, Deo Gi kept her head burrowed in his chest. While he sat there, arms stuck in the air, not moving, not knowing whether to hug her, or move her, or stand her up. Her head felt soft and warm against his hard muscled chest and he could smell the sweet scent of her hair, making his breath shallower and heartbeat faster. Finally the girl lifted her head, turning away and quickly got up, stumbling, with her dress, stuck on the side of the bench. He jumped at the chance to serve her and pulled the dress, tearing a hole in it. Deo Gi stared at him, angrily gesturing and walked away toward the exit of the room.
"Aish!" he slapped his stupid head and followed her to try to beg for forgiveness.
Appearing in front of her, yet again, he blocked her path and she was forced to look up at him. "I am so sorry, forgive me, please, I did not mean to hurt you. I was just trying to talk to you and you turned, and I have this head, hard as a rock, and I'm too tall, so if you are not used to me… And I'm sorry about the dress. Your dress is very pretty." He was mumbling and stumbling around with his words, obviously trying to express something sincerely. She could tell at least that much from his expression. "And you are very pretty, very pretty, Ms. Deo Gi," he finally produced, astonished himself at what just came out of his mouth.
The girl smiled, understanding his last words.
And signed OK, I forgive you.
"I don't know what you said," he admitted, his face a little sad at not being able to communicate with her.
"I said you are pretty. Your eyes are pretty and your mouth, too," he added, getting a little confident and thinking that she, maybe, did not understand what he said before.
She smiled once again and returned back to the table, he followed her like a puppy, realizing he was forgiven. Both of them a little shy and a little awkward, dining next to each, not really able to communicate like regular couples, forced to keep eye contact, and with that feeling something being born and growing, the first sprouts of affection planted. Love was in the air.
The music filled the hall, echoing off the high ceilings, making the sound bounce from wall to wall. The musicians took turns playing, drinking and eating in-between, and very soon they were all a little drunk and a lot more happier.
Attracted by the sound of festivities, people started spilling into the yard from the street and two little girls snuck inside the dining hall, bright eyes looking intently at the bride with curiosity. Eun Soo noted them next to her and smiled, waving them to come closer.
"Ajumma, are you the bride?"
"Yes, I am"
"And Attashi is the groom?"
"Yes he is."
"You are pretty."
"He is pretty, too."
"Thank you," they made her laugh, how cute and innocent!
The girls tugged at her sleeves, curious to see the dress underneath.
"Do you want to see?" And Eun Soo got up, translucent cover dropped over the bench, she stood in her wedding dress, her slender white arms exposed and a v-cut in the front lower than any dress anyone ever seen. Her beauty was astonishing. Yes, the curves and the exposed skin were alluring and sensual, but the white against her skin and in contrast with the red jewels made her look regal.
"Ajumma is so pretty!" the girls pulled her hands, dragging her away from the table and to the center of the room, where the people immediately separated, making way for her, like she was a queen. Choi Young, usually quick to react, did not move, paralyzed by her lure and divine perfection. It was his wife out there, every man in the room could see her forms and imagine what was underneath the dress; after this, she could never show her face at the market place and he would have to ship her off to a distant monastery for a few years till the gossip and stories die out. Meanwhile he will live like a widower, with a new wife who is alive and well, only because her wedding dress, made to her heavenly specifications showed her arms and cleavage. These thoughts passed through his mind, but in a haze, he still did not leap to cover her or blind the eyes of all the men in the room with his KI. Shielding her beauty was as futile as trying to block the sun from being seen by standing in its path or attempting to make the moon and stars shine less brightly by covering somebody's eyes. There are just some kinds of light that can not be dimmed…. "Imja, he called," and she turned smiling. "You are so … bright."
She came up to him, wearing the white silk of her dress, her arms now used to be in the open. "Dance with me," and she offered him her hand, slightly pulling him up from his seat. He followed, as she was a siren, calling out to him and he had no defense against her enticement.
"It is called the first dance. I want it to be memorable." She turned to the musicians and sang a tune, explaining that the beat was to three and it was important to keep the beat consistently like that.
"Put your hands like this," she instructed him placing his right hand on her waist; he pulled it away, uncomfortable to be so intimate in front of the huge crowd. But Eun Soo placed it back and took his other hand, outstretching both their arms to the side, while putting her left hand on top of his shoulder. "Don't worry it is just a dance, we are not making love in front of the audience," she joked, seeing how confused he was about what was about to happen. "Trust me, Daejang, you will do just fine. Follow me. I will count for you, the beat is to three." And she signaled to the musicians, who to their credit were very talented and picked up the tune to the note, starting the slow melody, enchanted themselves and lulling the rest of the crowd to silence.
The music was unlike anything heard before. It was gentle and moving, it had a passionate undercurrent, kept at bay with a steady, yet simple rhythm to the count of three, creating a beautiful movement of the feet and bodies on the floor: slow rotation around each other and along the dancing circle.
Choi Young naturally gifted with his body, immediately picked up the steps and Eun Soo happily gave away the lead to her husband, who now danced with grace of a professional ballroom dancer. Round and round, without stopping, while their eyes obsessed with each other, smiling and loving every moment of it, this was the ultimate first dance of the wedding, memorable and magical.
The crowd began gently swaying and some couples tried to join them on the floor, clumsily repeating the steps, yet beckoned by the heavenly music to dance.
"Imja, are you happy?"
"This is the wedding I dreamt of, but better!"
As the evening draw to its end, they were both tired and delighted. At last the day that was pushed back and avoided, finally came to life, bringing them much deserved relief and recognition. They quietly slipped outside, and hugged under the open skies, the fireworks splashed above them, as some of the people on the roof waited for the dark to show off their skills. The skies lit up momentarily casting colorful glow on the couple and those who were outside respectfully kept their distance, admiring the site of the newlyweds.
Holding hands they started home, quiet and content.
After the delights of excitement and experimentation caused by their pre-wedding separation, they did not need the immediate satisfaction of the flash. The thrill of the day drained them both to the point of collapse. Coming back home, finally to share the same bed, Eun Soo and Choi Young kissed and without talking helped each other out of their clothes. The black of his tunic cast aside. A white silk of the dress departed her skin and the glow of the jewels no longer adding the sparkle. They embraced, finding comfort in nudity and getting comfortable under the covers, closed their eyes to welcome long awaited rest for bodies and souls.
He woke up from the sound of raindrops hitting the roof, at first slowly, one at a time, then quicker in a strangely arranged cacophony. It was fitting to have the rain on a wedding night. It was said that it brings luck, but they were beyond simplicity of luck. The rain that his wife loves so much, the rain that became an integral part of their journey together, that jolted him into consciousness when he was almost dead, this rain became a symbol of their union. Just like the yellow flowers – ordinary in their appearance, but carrying a deep symbolic meaning of love, faith and hope, nevertheless. Listening to the rain, feeling Eun Soo's body pressed against him, Choi Young felt a growing desire. He wanted to make love to his wife in the rain, to make love with the sound of raindrops as the music accompanying their lives. He was moved by a sense of connectedness to her and tenderness that ached throughout his body. He turned toward Eun Soo only to meet her wide open gaze. She was not asleep, also awakened by the rain. Looking at each other's eyes, drawn by the magnetic inevitable force, they both were in silent agreement. Their attraction was a mix of passion and tenderness, every gesture and move intended to give, not take. Here they were, loving each other in the rain, happy with the occasion to celebrate their marriage that was 5 years in the making.
Afterthoughts:
This chapter turned out to be more, than I expected. By after all, even this day should end. Wanted to have you guys join me in thanking Nanu for being such a delight to write this bit of a story with. We part our ways after the wedding (for now, who knows what future will bring). But not to worry, our collaboration on Contemporary is stronger than ever. Both of us will try to focus on all of our individual stories and not to neglect any.
FYI: I am not able to post daily, aiming at every 2-3 days, so be patient. I appreciate continued support.