Story of Mari

Chapter Twenty-Two

That was the first time I got a good look at her. I felt like I was bewitched back then, and I always wanted to see her after that. I was like a stalker, watching and observing her every move, what she does every recess, where she goes after class, and when she recites, I couldn't help listening to her voice, and sometimes I could not focus in class because I really couldn't help it.

Hwan Chul brightens up upon recalling his girlfriend. He began his story with how he and his girlfriend met.

"I came to know her during our high school, we were both in the Fourth Year, and I came to know her more when we became classmates because we crossed our seats at each other. I was never interested in her if not for that incident when we crossed the path in the quadrangle. We were about to form our lines when I was fixing my bag then I was distracted by my friends shouting my name and telling me to join them that's when Marie, that's how she was known to her friends, suddenly appeared out of nowhere. We bumped together, and she was about to fall when I caught her by impulse."

Hwan Chul vividly recalled that scene and was glad, then continued.

"I got a close-up on her face, and our eyes met. That was the first time I got a good look at her. I feel like I was bewitched back then, and I always wanted to see her after that. I was like a stalker, watching and observing her every move, what she does every recess, where she goes after class, and when she recites, I couldn't help listening to her voice, and sometimes I could not focus in class because I really couldn't help it. We got close when I was practicing soccer on the field one day, and I saw her sitting on a bench under an old tree, reading a book and an earphone on her ears, listening to music. Because I focused on her, I couldn't kick the ball, and it suddenly flew over her place. That was the beginning of our acquaintance. So I could have a reason to get close to her, I asked her to tutor me in English. She was not surprised because, unknown to me, she was laughing at me every time I recited in English. And you know what she said when I asked her to tutor me, Hyeong?" Hyun-Ki was chuckling as if he knew what she could have said.

"Yeah, you're right. Mari said, 'no, why should I? I am a student like you.' She advised me to ask the teachers to assign one for him, but I never told her that I already had a tutor because all I want is to be close to her. We always meet under the old tree before going home, reading a book because that was her hobby, and I even introduced known Korean songs which we both listen to on my phone with my earphone." And Hyun-Ki expressed his appreciation. "That was so sweet."

And Hwan Chul continued his story about Mari.

"You know Mang Ben, right?" Hyun-Ki nodded. "I always ask him to bring Mari home first, and then we fetch her in the morning so she won't get late. And every time we fetch her, I give her a red rose, and everyone in the class has been wondering who his admirer was, and all she would say is 'secret.' One of the girl's classmates was envious of her because she happened to know that the roses she always received came from me, and well, you know, this girl had a crush on me. There was a time when Nicole and her group of friends waited for her by the stairs, and they were about to hurt her, and it was timing for me to catch them when Nancy, Mari's friend, asked for help. That was when we got closer upon learning from her that she liked me too as a friend."

Then Hwan Chul recounted that time when Mari did not want to attend the Prom Night despite my asking her to be my date. I learned from Nancy that she has no lovely dress to wear because she doesn't want to bother her Mom by buying one for her since she will wear that dress one time only. So, what I did, was I asked Nancy to help me find a dress for her, since she knew Mari very well, her dress size, her shoe size, and her favorite color. She was gorgeous with that blue dress I bought for her and became the night's main attraction."

"I regretted that day during our Graduation because Mom and dad were there, and I lost the chance to see her and congratulate her. Dad and Mom have to go back to Korea and wanted me to go home with them." Then Hyun-Ki retorted, "that was him, our dad, and it is hard to refuse once he decided on something." Hyun-Ki curiously asked, "If you went back home, when did you meet again?"

"I insisted on returning and promised Dad to work for him in the Main Office once I graduated the course in Business Management. And if not for Mom's intervention, I would be stuck in Korea, and I'd been missing Mari already.

"I followed her to the university where she enrolled because that was where we took our Entrance Exam before high school graduation, and we both passed. The closer we get, the more we develop into caring for each other until we fall in love. And yes, there were misunderstandings, sometimes when we quarrel, she doesn't like to see me for weeks; imagine that Hyun, she can bear not seeing me for weeks? Once she said it, she didn't break it. And then I would learn that all she does is cry, waiting for me to apologize, but how can I do that when she doesn't want to see me, avoids me in school, does not answer my calls, and yet she gets angry because I failed to do what she expected from me. Imagine that, ha, brother? That was Mari, but despite her crazy whims, I couldn't help falling in love with her every day of my existence. I truly loved her!" feeling frustrated.

Hyun-Ki felt helpless desperation at Mari's loss. "So, you believed that she's dead, Hwan?"

"I don't know; I don't know! But I want to find the truth! Mom said she was near death then and couldn't find out because she rushed our return to Korea. It is three years now since that fatal accident separated us. That is why I will find a way to find her, dead or alive, Hyeong!"

"Is that why you postponed work to find her?' Hyun-Ki muttered.

"What if you cannot find her anymore? Do you think that is a wise decision? Consider Nam-Joon, who is waiting for you to turn over his responsibilities." Hyun-Ki retorted.

Silence hovered between them, then Hwan Chul stood up, confused, fidgety about what to say.

"Hire a detective to find her. You cannot postpone work anymore, Hwan. Learn to be responsible." Advised Hyun-Ki, and he encouraged Hwan to tell more about the accident. Hyun-Ki seems curious and wants to know what transpired that day.

He suspected that their dad had something to do with triggering that accident.