11. A Curtailed Reunion

Darkness had fallen long ago, the fall chill was in the air with the scent off winter not far behind. Seol and Jung walked together in the yellow glow of the street lamps, their hands still held onto each other tightly. Their steps were whispers on the concrete, their lips silent, but the things unsaid filled a void more than three years in the making.
Jung kept glancing at Seol, their clasped hands his eyes still held shadows of the tears that he had shed at her wish. He had once thought that he found someone that was as strange as him. Instead he found someone that understood and accepted him as he was. Someone who would demand nothing more from him than truth. Would be his shield when he was under attack. Who stood next to him with loyalty and trust that he long ago decided was a lie. In the beginning he took for granted her presence in his life, but life was unpredictable and change expected. He wasn't all powerful, he couldn't control everything but he would do his best to be next to this women. Seol who grabbed hold of his hand.. and never let go of his heart.
Seol could feel Sunbae's eyes on her but she suddenly couldn't think of anything to say. Three years meant that there should be alot of things to be shared, right? But the emails...
"Sunbae, you read my emails?" She looked up at him, his face moving in and out of shadows.
"Mmm... yesterday night once I landed I read your emails in the hotel."
"You didn't go home?"
"No, I haven't told my dad that I changed my flight."
"Sunbae!" Seol exclaimed stopping abruptly on the side walk, jerking Jung to a halt.
"You have to call your dad! The news is saying that you were in a plane crash! Everyone must be worried!" Jung raised his eyebrows confused then realization dawned. Without letting go of Seol's hand he fumbled for his phone, placing a text to his dad.
"Sunbae! Call him, he must be so worried. A text won't be enough."
"It's okay, my dad will understand."
"Sunbae call him please, he must be really worried." Jung considered he words and realized that she wouldn't budge on this. So he switched to placing a call to his dad. The phone rang for a few moments before it abruptly cut off.
"Jung! Is that you?" His fathers voice was panicked in a way he had never heard before. Jung froze in confusion, he hadn't expected this.
"Jung!" his father called out again when no response came. Jung snapped out of his confusion and cleared his throat.
"Abhuji. I am fine, I wasn't on that plane, I arrived last night on an earlier flight." Jung talked to him as calmly as he would to a stranger. Seol looked on surprised, she had initially tried to move away to give him some privacy but Sunbae just tightened his hold on her. She couldn't make out the words spoken but could hear that his dad was definitely angry.
"Yes Abhuji, Ill come home in awhile." Jung cut the call and looked at Seol.
"I didn't think he would have that strong a reaction." Jung looked surprised and confused. Seol rolled her eyes exasperated.
"Of course he would! You could have been in a plane crash!" Jung gave her a small smile.
"I am glad I decided to come home earlier even just by a day, it's one more day to spend with you. But I have to head home soon, my father is expecting me."
"I understand. It's late for me too. My parents will be expecting me home soon."
"Alright then. Ill walk you home and then Ill head to my dad's."
"No, It's okay. I can go on my own. You hurry home, your dad must be so worried."
"Seol, I really missed you, just let me see you home okay?" Seol considered his words, it really wasn't far and she missed him too.
"Okay, let's hurry then." Seol pulled Jung along as she directed him home. Jung laughed and let himself be dragged along. Within minutes they were outside her parent's apartment. Seol turned to face Sunbae at the door.
"Hurry home Sunbae. So that you don't get into too much trouble."
"I will let me just call a taxi. Stay here with me until then." Seol nodded and watched his face as he looked at his phone. They hadn't let go of each other since the park bench. She looked at their clasped hands. It was always his hand she thought, she could never let go of the hand he gave her.
Sunbae raised both her hands to his lips and blew on them.
"Your not cold?"
"No, I am okay." Seol hesitated.
"When can we meet again?" worry had creeped into her voice.
"Ill come pick you up tomorrow. Just tell me when and where."
"I have work. If I don't have anything unexpected I should be done by 6pm."
"What? I can't see you until that late? How about I come see you at lunch?"
"I won't have much time to spend with you then. Let's talk about it later. You still have to talk to your dad. See your car is already here." Jung glanced over his shoulder at that moment, raised his hand to the driver and turned back to Seol.
"Araso, then hurry inside I'll call you later."
"hmm." Seol said and took a step back but didn't let go of his hand, she glanced down as tears began to fill her eyes again. Jung noticed this and pulled her back into his arms, squeezing her tight.
"I'll see you again tomorrow, don't cry Seol-Ah. Ill call you tonight so wait for it." Seol nodded in response her face buried in his chest. The fear that had spread through her just a few hours ago suddenly fresh in her mind. Jung placed kiss on her head, her curly hair tickling his lips. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and took her to the door of the building and watched until she go on the elevator to go up. Only then did he turn to the taxi waiting for him.
Once he settled in he sent her a text.
"Let's date again, Seol-Ah."