𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 | 𝘥𝘰 𝘬𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘰𝘰

⤖ chapter eleven

Every part of their house Minkyong gazes at, she sees her grandfather, as if he never left. The single couch he always sits on as he watches his favorite Liam Neeson movie, it couldn't leave in the assistant director's memory. At the other corner of the living room stood her grandfather's phonograph, his favorite song playing on repeat.

I'm comin' home, I've done my time
Now I've got to know what is and isn't mine
If you received my letter telling you I'd soon be free
Then you'll know just what to do
If you still want me, if you still want me

As the two sisters leant their head over each other, sitting on the same couch he used to share with them, they shared a deafening silence, thoughts wandering off to the special man who will never leave their now broken hearts.

"Can't believe he left before I do," Minyoung spoke, in which her younger sister nudged her with a frown.

"Stop saying that, Unnie!"

Tittering, the other shook her head. "I envy him, Kyongie. He's already up there, with mom, dad, halmeoni."

A doleful grin lingered in Minkyong's lips, agreeing to her sibling's words. "Bet they're already celebrating a reunion."

"I'm so jealous,"

"But, Unnie..." Minkyong trailed and the older turned to face her. "I don't want you to leave me,"

Only a small smile replied her statement as Minyoung faced forward to the black screen in front of them.

"Do you remember Harabeoji telling us his and Halmeoni's love story?"

"Of course! Who wouldn't?"

Whoa, tie a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree
It's been three long years, do you still want me?
If I don't see a ribbon round the ole oak tree
I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me
If I don't see a yellow ribbon 'round the ole oak tree

That song was so memorable for the couple. Seungwon had just got his name enlisted for the military. He and Hyojoo just broke up, neither of them had spoken to each other since Hyojoo declared they part ways. Nights were spent with excruciating cries of how they missed each other and how they refused to admit that they needed each other.

"Hands down to Halmeoni's pride though. She never dared to speak to him even though she admitted she always walk to his house every day on her way to work." Minkyong chuckled.

"Harabeoji can't help himself either. He went to her house!" Cackling, Minyoung lightly threw a slap on her sister's shoulder.

Days passed and Seungwon couldn't deal with the cold treatment any longer. He tried calling Hyojoo's telephone, hoping she would pick up just once for them to clear the misunderstanding. But Hyojoo never did. So, Seungwon finally gathered all his courage and showed up in front of their gate.

Hyojoo's father that time was completely against their relationship. The boy was just a lowly construction worker who barely had enough money to sustain a family even though they considered marrying.

For hours, he rang their doorbell, however, no one opened the door for him. He only has three days before he go to military and he cannot let his service come to date without having Hyojoo talk to him.

So, he sent a letter instead. Seungwon made certain that she would read it before he leaves, and perhaps have her agree to meet up with him. Again, she didn't respond. Seungwon was already losing hope.

The day he was dreading to come finally came. 21 months. Rigorous training, strict officers. He was held liable of every action he made, and it was made harder at the sleepless nights he had, thinking whether he would see Hyojoo greeting him once he returns home.

It soon ended. All the worries he accumulated vanished at the sigh of Hyojoo waiting for him at his house that he shares with his mother. She was wearing the scarf he gave her before when they were still together. It meant she was willing to come back to him and have their relationship be whole again, filling the emptiness in each other's hearts.

Seungwon immediately ran to his love, lift her up and spun her around.

"Seungwon-a, let me down!" she said, giggles escaping her lips in between.

"I have to tell you something,"

He intently waited for her to speak up after bringing her down on the ground. "What is it?"

"The reason I wanted us to break up before, it's because..." Hyojoo gazed down and as she trailed, Seungwon began to fret at what she was going to say. He brought his hands to cup her cheeks and made her look at him.

"It's because I was scared you might leave when I tell you you're going to be a father."

"And that's how they had Eomma," Minkyong beamed, loving the story she remembered their grandmother told them.

"Harabeoji said he was so happy then," Minyoung said, eyes turning to the picture frame beside their television. "I'm sure he's a lot happier now that he's with them."

Nodding in agreement, the assistant director released a deep sigh. "I already miss him so much."

"Me too..."

a short back story for their grandpa </33