Yes, a rather delayed update, but I'm still working out how this story will go. I know roundabout whats going to happen but I'm working on climaxes (that's STORY climaxes, you pervs!) and ending plots and yadeyadeyada. Well anyways heres another chapster!
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The pier was at least two miles away from Ayutthaya- a good, long walk. The scenery was quite lovely; there was the great sea in front of them, visible above the picturesque forests, through which paths were cut. There were birds singing, the sun was shining, and there was a cool, calm breeze. As ideal the conditions were, they wouldn't have mattered, because Yunsung and Talim only had eyes for each other.
Yunsung was brimming inside. He had his hand around Talim's waist, and occasionally he tugged her white khakis upwards a little, as a kind of reminder to her that he was there, and a reminder to others that she belonged to him. His other hand was on Talim's left forearm- he would run it up and down, along the cool, soft underside, down to her fingers, which he would pluck at. Talim acted as if she was a toy of Yunsung's affection, calmly doing all the things he liked, like leaning her head back onto his shoulder, putting one of her hands on his abdomen, and taking deep breaths.
They didn't say much, they just walked along, occasionally squeezing each other's hands for support. Yunsung wanted the walk to last forever. But alas, they reached the pier, where two boats were waiting for them. The sea air washed over Yunsung, so fresh but so terrible-of new beginnings but parting of ways. "Well, this is it." said Talim, looking at him with a sad smile.
"I love you. I'll always think about you."Yunsung vowed immediately.
"I'll think about you as well."she said, as he took both of her hands, to admire her one last time, "Well, we better head off."
"Wait!"said Yunsung suddenly, throwing her into a kiss. He closed his eyes and savoured it, but before he knew it, the kiss was over, and Talim was asking which boat sailed north. A sailor answered her, "The one on the right goes to Vietnam, to the north, and the one on the left is direct to Cape Town, across the Indian Ocean."
"From there I should take another boat to Europe." said Yunsung.
"It's quite a journey. I'll have to go all across Asia..."she looked at him worriedly, "Please look after yourself, Yunsung. You're a strong man – make sure your boat makes it, okay?"
"You take care too. You're only little, but you're tough." He swept her hands onto her armpits and lifted her up. "Yunsung!" she yelped, "Down! Down, again!" he put her down, chuckling, "Not here!" she insisted, with an indignant but amused look on her face.
"Right. When we meet again. In Germany." he said taking her hand. She nodded. She looked definitely downhearted, but she swept away before he could console her more. He frowned- she must have been very upset. He reluctantly followed the line of passengers boarding the big, strong, well-built ship on the left. His feet made tapping noises on the wooden deck. Looking out across to the right, he saw the boats were only inches apart. He struggled through the bustle of passengers waving goodbye to loved ones on land, to meet Talim on the other boat.
They smiled sadly at one another. Yunsung waved and Talim waved back, slowly, as if their hands had become weak from not being held. Yunsung found himself lost for words-he was bursting to say something to her, as if there was some destined thing he was meant to say here, but he couldn't think of anything at all...
"Lift the anchor!" shouted the captains. "Everyone into the boat! Quickly!"
"Goodbye!" Yunsung called, leaning over the boat's edge.
"Goodbye! Farewell!" Talim shouted back.
"I love you!" He said desperately.
"Oh, Yunsung! I just remembered!" she cried, as the boats began to drift out of the harbour. She lifted the gold necklace he'd given her off her neck and handed it over the side of the boat, "Take this!"
"But-"
"I can't bring it!" she cried, leaning further- the space between the boats was getting wider, "It's to do with my religion! Please! Take it!"
Yunsung leaned across just as his boat had begun to turn away. He stretched as far as he could...just a little closer...he willed himself, he willed his arm to stretch. His fingers were millimetres from the gold necklace, and Talim's soft fingers.
His fingers closed on the necklace, but closed on her fingers as well. How soft they were.
"YUNSUNG NO!" Talim screamed. Unwillingly, he had been pulling Talim off her boat and into the sea, as his boat was still turning away. A sailor on Talim's side took hold of her, reacting to the cry. Yunsung's fingers slipped from Talim's warm ones, and the cold metal necklace slipped into his hand, hanging by it's string across the harsh sea.
Talim was heaved back onto her boat. "I love you!" Yunsung roared desperately. But Talim just waved, and turned away.
He looked on, watching the boat get further and further away. "Don't look back, kid." said one of the sailors on his boat, who had tapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, get underneath." Yunsung reluctantly, dejectedly and almost tearfully followed the sailor down the steps, into the dark belly of the boat, which he knew, would swallow him up, and keep him for a long time.
