The Commotion At Cheong Wa Dae (2)

For the past three years, Kim Dong-Joo had cared for Eun-Su with all his heart, protecting her as if she were his own body. But about ten days ago, Eun-Su said something that turned Dong-Joo's world upside down. Her confession came so suddenly, right after the warmth they had just shared in bed.

"Oppa… I want to date Tae-ho oppa. I'm sorry… I couldn't tell you sooner. Today… seems like the last time we'll meet like this."

Dong-Joo froze. His heart felt as though it was collapsing, shattered into pieces by her piercing words. Yet, he fought hard to hide the turmoil behind the calm smile he had trained for years.

"Ah, I see," he said, his voice flat, though his feelings were in turmoil.

"I had a feeling, you've been spending a lot of time with Tae-ho lately. He's a good man. A successful, handsome surgeon. I'm sure he'll make you happy."

As he spoke, Dong-Joo reached for the TV remote, pretending to focus on the screen even though his mind was long gone. His heart raced, blood boiling, burning all the way to his head. Without waiting for a response from Eun-Su, he slowly rose from the bed, grabbed a can of beer from the table, and walked out onto the balcony.

"Ah! The air's so refreshing tonight," he murmured, half to himself, half to fill the silence.

Standing with his back straight, he gazed out at the city view while sipping his beer slowly. From behind, he looked calm, like a boulder unshaken by waves. But Eun-Su, watching him, felt a wave of confusion. How could he be so calm? She furrowed her brow, puzzled by his reaction.

Finally, Eun-Su broke the silence.

"Oppa… Dong-ah has contacted me."

Dong-Joo turned his head slightly, just enough to hear, but not enough to meet her gaze. "I should have contacted you sooner. Sorry, I was in too much of a hurry," he said, his voice trembling.

"It's okay," Eun-Su replied, her voice flat.

She took another sip of her beer before adding, "I should be the one apologizing. Your mom loved us so much, and I feel guilty for not having met her one last time."

Dong-Joo wiped a tear from his eye with the sleeve of his shirt, his breath catching in a soft sob. The atmosphere grew even more awkward after that. They spoke carefully, as if walking on fragile glass that could shatter at any moment.

But the tension reached its peak when Tae-ho arrived. The man stood awkwardly in the living room, bringing with him a chill in the air. Dong-Joo knew he had to be polite, though his heart was rebelling. With measured tones, he greeted him:

"The trip here must have been tiring. Thanks for coming."

"Oh, no, not at all," Tae-ho replied with a nervous smile. The conversation stopped again, sinking into an uncomfortable silence. Dong-Joo filled a paper cup with his beer while his thoughts wandered far away.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asked, finally breaking the stillness.

"No, we'll just have some tea," Eun-Su answered almost too quickly.

Normally, Eun-Su wouldn't have refused alcohol. She was a movie lover who often had marathons and spent hours discussing films afterward, usually with a few drinks in hand. Nights like those were precious memories for Dong-Joo, but today was different. Eun-Su didn't even touch the beer he offered, and that made Dong-Joo feel a bitterness that came not only from the drink but from something deeper.

"Did you watch the news today? What do you think about it?" 

The question slipped out of Dong-Joo's mouth, his tone filled with uncertainty. He knew there was no proper way to talk about the weight that had settled on his chest. Yet, for some reason, it was all he could bring himself to say. 

Eun-Su, leaning back against the sofa, stared at the blank television screen, her eyes narrowing not from the light, but because her mind was busy sorting through a thousand thoughts. Then, almost casually, she answered, as if speaking about the weather, "I'm scared. But, if the world really does end, wouldn't we all die together? Somehow, that thought makes me feel... a little more at ease." 

Dong-Joo frowned at her response. It sounded cold, almost heartless, but upon deeper reflection, there was something strangely comforting in it. He remembered an old saying: Seeing others suffer makes us feel a little more alive. Perhaps, if death was the absolute end, then the pain of loss would never be felt, right? 

"What about you, Oppa?" Eun-Su's voice broke his thoughts. 

Dong-Joo snapped out of his reverie. He paused for a moment, considering his answer, then said quietly, "I... I would plant an apple tree." 

Eun-Su blinked, staring at him in disbelief. Then, without warning, she burst out laughing. It started as a small chuckle but quickly grew into a full-blown laugh. "Hahaha! I'm sorry... I didn't mean to laugh!" 

Tae-Ho, who had just walked in carrying a bag of snacks, looked at them both in confusion. Eun-Su quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, while Dong-Joo only smiled faintly. 

"It's alright," Dong-Joo said finally, his voice flat. "I was just joking. I'm sure the world isn't really going to end. There will always be a solution." 

He poured some beer into a plastic cup and drank it down in one gulp. The atmosphere shifted, and he knew it was time to end the evening. 

"Thanks for coming all the way out here," he said, glancing at Tae-Ho and Eun-Su. 

Eun-Su caught his hint. Swiftly, she tugged on Tae-Ho's sleeve, signaling it was time to leave. "Come on, Oppa. We should go home." 

Tae-Ho, who seemed used to following Eun-Su's lead, nodded immediately. "Thanks for everything, Dong-Joo. We'll head out now." 

They turned to leave, and Dong-Joo stood still, watching their figures fade through the door. There was a strange ache in his chest, an emotion he couldn't quite place, a feeling he couldn't explain even to himself. 

Since when did Eun-Su start liking that guy? he thought, letting out a long, heavy sigh. 

***

The memories of their nights together lingered uninvited, as if rising from the depths of his mind. He remembered those moments when he and Eun-Su would talk about things they never told anyone else. Somehow, physical closeness made it easier to express their innermost thoughts, even the words that should never have been said. 

"If you find a good guy, just date him whenever," Dong-Joo had said one night. 

Eun-Su scoffed and shot him a sharp look. "Don't worry! Lots of guys like me. If I want, I could have a boyfriend any time. You're such a coward!" 

Dong-Joo laughed softly, but there was a sting in Eun-Su's words, as though they had struck him directly. He should have stopped talking, but for some reason, he kept going. 

"If you find a good guy, let me know first. Guys know other guys. Don't end up with some weirdo." 

Eun-Su narrowed her eyes, and this time her gaze was piercing, cutting right through him. "Would you be okay if I dated another guy? If I slept with him?" 

Dong-Joo shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Hm... I could do that too." 

Her eyes flared with indignation. In one swift motion, she grabbed a pillow from beside her and began hitting him over the head with it. "You really have no feelings, do you?!" 

Dong-Joo quickly snatched the pillow from her and pulled her into him, one arm wrapping tightly around her waist. 

"Eun-Su..." he said softly, but his tone was serious. 

Her eyes welled up with tears. "Why do I love someone like you?" she murmured, her voice trembling. 

Dong-Joo stared at her tear-streaked face, unsure of what to say. So, he did the only thing that felt right at that moment. He wiped her tears away with his lips, kissing her deeply. 

The kiss was long, tender, yet full of longing. Dong-Joo's mind flooded with memories of their shared moments—the nights filled with laughter, the silly little fights, and the warm moments that made him feel alive. 

But, somewhere in the middle of those memories, one thought surfaced: I'm not ready to lose this.

Though Dong-Joo appeared calm on the outside, inside, a storm raged, one that refused to subside. Even now, when everything had come to an end, his heart remained in turmoil. He knew that this separation wasn't just the end of their relationship—it was the beginning of a long, lonely path. 

And, much like the apple tree he had mentioned to Eun-Su, maybe all he could do was plant something new to distract from the ache in his chest.