The long awaited reappearance of CY... Please leave your comments and reviews.
The trip was trying and tiring, despite constant surveillance from Choong Seok and Zaphira, and prying on Deo Gi's part, Eun Soo felt like a ward, whose care was placed into the hands of others, as if she was incapable somehow. It drove her crazy, making her irritable and impossible to reason with. She found that the only person who was actually more accepting of her independence and responsive to her pleas to leave her alone was none other, than Deok Man, whose personality somehow was similar to hers – direct, practical, mischievous, but responsible and serious when needed. At her request, he once again, like a long time ago, became her personal guard, shooing everybody away from her carriage, even Deo Gi, in front of whom he melted into a puddle of goo otherwise. But this was a job and he was Woodalchi, his General's wife gave him an order, therefore, it was as good as the General's.
Choong Seok did not expect the young man to stand up to him and simply refuse to allow anybody else to disturb the doctor.
"She would like to be left alone. I will call for anybody needed. That includes you, sir."
"Fine," Choong Seok suppressed a laugh and kept a serious face. "If something goes wrong – you will be the one to answer to the General once he recovers. If he does, since the doctor is the only one who is qualified to treat him."
"Sir, I'm not as dumb as you think I am," retorted spunky Deok Man. "You think you can trick me? 'No' means 'no'. However, if I have to answer to the General – so be it. I trust the doctor. She knows what's best."
"Fine," agreed again Choong Seok, now serious without any hidden smirk. "I'll be right there, if you need me. Carry on. You are doing a great job, proud of you."
"Thank you sir," Deok Man saluted to his superior as the man rode off, hastening his horse.
"Eun Soo-shi, the coast is clear," announced young man, riding up to the carriage.
"Thanks," he heard her response from inside.
She should have enforced this policy before, but what's done was done, and for now she fell into a state of cautious anticipation, trying to curb any anxiety that rose as she would start imagining all kind of scenarios about Choi Young's condition.
When she arrived at the location, where Choi Young was tended to by a couple of local doctors and guarded tightly with the outmost vigilance by a group of soldiers who stayed behind, she found her husband's limp body placed over a wide and low wooden pedestal, which appeared to be a table, converted into a cot. It was padded with a few layers of thick duvets, a chair was placed next to it for a caretaker and a tent sprawled above to protect from the elements.
She was strangely composed and calm as she came up to the patient. Of course, she knew he was alive, but the confirmation with her own eyes of his current condition gave her that extra bit of confidence she needed to focus on her job. She quickly, but methodically inspected him from head to toe and noticed deep cuts and wounds made by the sharp blades of the sword on several parts of his body. It did not look like any of the gashes injured the organs, however, his limbs had deep wounds, possibly affecting his future chances for mobility. Her inspection revealed lowered muscle tone in the right part of his body and by the looks of it, she suspected that he also suffered concussion. His heartbeat was steady, but slow, his breathing shallow, and pupils did not demonstrate appropriate response to the light. All and all, it was as it was expected to be. She pressed her lips tightly and knitted her brows thinking for minute. Why was he like that? Ahh - there were signs of heavy bleeding.
The rest of the medical personnel, as well as Choong Seok and Deok Man, were invited to the patient's side. Eun Soo gave clear and specific instructions as to what needs to be done and how frequently. She explained that it was necessary to turn and move his body every hour to avoid him getting bedsores as he was immobilized, she directed that massage be given to his back, buttocks and legs, excluding the areas of wounds and cuts. And finally the acupuncture twice a day to stimulate energy and blood flow.
"Bring me warm water and sponges," she ordered, "We will need some privacy."
She uncovered his body, exposing his skin and ran her hand along the surface of his chest and arms. This first intimate touch was very comforting. It was truly the first time she was close to Choi Young during the last few months. Kissing his chest, hope filled her, as her hot lips drank his taste and she inhaled his scent. Warm tears left a trail on his skin as she moved to cover his body with kisses till she stopped short winded.
"How about a sponge bath?" She asked softly and began to wash her husband tenderly and carefully, whispering something into his ear. All the pain, suffering, and remnants of the battles and touches of death were being washed away and lifted off his body along with dried blood, dirt and sweat; his skin finally could breathe, bringing the oxygen to the starved cells and cleansed with healing waters of love, Choi Young took his first step toward recover.
. . .
Eun Soo wondered many times why such terrible things have to befall them over and over again. What was the purpose of such trials? Have not they demonstrated their commitment to each other? Haven't they gone through enough sacrifices to last a 100 lifetimes? What was so special about them that at every turn something had to happen to threaten the fragile balance of stability and the ethereal happiness?
She was pregnant after the horrible scare of miscarriage and he was supposed to be home alive and ready to build their dream home, so that the three of them: him, her and the baby - can have their little family situated. She was meant to rest and enjoy the pregnancy, being spoiled and taken care of by her husband, who did not have to go to war any time soon and could just focus on his marriage and work duties that would not take him away from home. It was supposed to be a smooth sailing from now on…
She was not about to let this affect her health or to threaten her baby's. Once was enough for her to learn. She had to be calm and relaxed, resting and eating well. That was her job for now till the baby comes. But how could she, when Choi Young… The tears filled her throat and the pressure building for a while finally broke the dam keeping her from bursting – bitter and salty, so hot they burrowed and ate at the skin, tears of anger, sadness, helplessness, frustration and resentment, such huge resentment, began to pour. She let them run and hurt, realizing the need. Crying won't be of harm, if not, than how else could she drain all these feelings that started to be too big to be held inside. Her baby that survived against all odds was a source of her strength.
Once again her stubbornness came in handy. She was not the type of person to let a series of unfortunate circumstances derail her from the ultimate ambition – to live fully, to be alive next to the man she loved to such extent, she sometimes forgot the immense immeasurability of her feelings. And now – one more love yet to come to full bloom – the baby.
But how could she be calm and relaxed when he was like that? Her husband was in a coma. She said it. He was not dead, but he was not alive either. He was resting from the looks of it. Sometimes his fingers would move and grasp her hand, and sometimes his eyes would open up for a short while and then close. He was able to breathe on his own. So it was not hopeless, she was not worried about that. She had no doubt in her mind that he would come out of this, but when?
. . .
She was showing a little bit already. You could not see under the layers of her tunic well, but if she pulled the cloths tight around her stomach, the baby bump was there. She took Choi Young's hand and pressed the palm against the roundness of her abdomen. "Young-ah, feel, it's your daughter in there. She is very strong and persistent. I will tell you some time how hard she fought to stay with us. But for now, I need you to hurry and wake up. We both need you. I will take care of whatever is wrong with your body, just be well." She smiled gently and kissed his forehead and then his lips.
She raised her head, hair brushing his face, and wiped off her eyes, rubbing side of her palm against them. Eun Soo assumed a comfortable position by his makeshift bed and tucked the covers around his body. Still holding his hand, she felt his fingers tap or twitch, she was not sure, as she began to pull away in order to avoid being lopsided and hurt her back. "Young-ah? Can you hear me?" She focused on his face, studying it for any sign of conscious recognition. It was as still and peaceful as before. She sighed again, pressing her lips patiently, and there was another one – a merely noticeable tap of finger.
Her heart sputtered like an engine that would not start and she lost her breath, feeling dizzy again. She only had a moment to wave and call, "Somebody", her body setting heavy on the chair and soft darkness crawled advancing toward her till it enshrouded Eun Soo fully.
. . .
Choi Young's KI was dormant. Without it, he would have probably been dead, but the life energy within him has not gone out, its light was still flickering, albeit barely.
His body took a vacation and his mind was taking time off as well. He needed it. Suddenly, he had plenty of time and nothing to do with it. He felt restful, at peace, but unclear where he was or what he was doing… So he searched, but the mind only allowed him a glimpse at what had happened in the weeks prior. The memories were like faded pages of the book, some clear, some are blurred, and he could only capture pieces of the meaning they held.
Why couldn't he move?
A warm hand, the woman's voice and most of all a sense of somebody very important being present made him feel at ease. He felt a tinge of something, like a wake up call for the KI, as if an outside push was needed. The wave of energy was unusual, it was as if it had two currents – one strong and developed and another so puny it was almost nonexistent, yet palpable.
What is this strange sensation? He was used to having his energy poured into others, to help heal, to transfer what was essentially his, but not the other way around. The one true exchange was with his wife, when they made love, and he learned the unique cadence of her KI as it circulated in his body after intimacy. But this one, this one was like nothing he has ever experienced before. It was like a melody of his soul that was played for him, in a different key, but the same melody, just lighter, brighter, interpreted to be delivered softer, less powerful, yet throbbing with his own essence and … Imja's.
In his mind he was holding strongly onto this shapeless, but quite tangible source of mysterious KI, his fingers agile and tenacious, curled around… And then nothing, and then blank empty space.
. . .
Eun Soo felt really happy. She felt warm and weightless. She could see herself from a side, her figure slouched over Choi Young's body, crouching on uncomfortable chair flush against his cot, motionless. Deo Gi and Deok Man fussing around, looking perturbed, she heard somebody calling her name to wake and Zaphira's hands laid on her shoulders shaking her to consciousness.
She did not want to come back. She felt so free. It was great not be confined by the body, to be a free spirit. "One more minute", she pleaded. Just one more minute. She looked around and noticed a pretty young girl with the same exact almond eyes as Choi Young with a silent smile looking at her. The girl waved and Eun Soo flew over. She saw her husband healthy and strong, leisurely resting under a large tree, sword tightly clasped in his right hand, while another hand lifted up to the girl, trying to touch her. The child moved effortlessly through the air and landed on his palm, turning out to be the size of a small bean. He closed his fist and laughed gently with the softest and happiest sound that came from his joyous soul. Eun Soo fluttered around him and then turned back, as the voices of people concerned and frightened were growing louder.
She slowly opened her eyes, upset that she was pulled away from this beautiful spiritual experience back to this heavy with all the complications and unnecessary problems earth.
"Eun Soo-shi, you gave us a scare. You fainted, but not like before. Your breathing almost stopped and you looked like you were slipping into this strange state, almost like the General." Deok Man was speaking on behalf of Deo Gi who was gesturing so frantically, nobody besides him could comprehend her.
"Ahh, it was nice. The nicest dream I ever had. I feel refreshed." Eun Soo did not share their perception. "I had an out of body experience. I might have had it before when fainted, but never remembered it. I saw something very special. I'm glad I had this opportunity. Don't worry. I'm perfectly fine."
Deo Gi was already checking her pulse, while Zaphira presented her with a cup of medicine. "I'm fine, you guys," protested Eun Soo, but all three of them stared at her like she was an alien who just landed from the Moon and was speaking gibberish.
"Fine, take care of me." She surrendered.
She glanced at Choi Young who was in the same state of restful oblivion and braced herself for a long wait.
