The Commuter

Part 8

Taehyung

"Kookie, had I not gotten sick I'd still be playing it safe in my boring job dreaming about painting and traveling when I retired in about 30 years or more. My illness changed my thinking and the way I approached life," I share as his eyes are wide open and he is fully present to our conversation.

"Why not now, I thought?" I say as his mouth opens and he releases a soft gasp.

"Slowly I became open to the possibilities of having what I want now. What would it take and how could I make it happen? It started with a tiny bit of faith and one small step and then another," I explained.

"Wow, Tae you are rare and amazing. I love your courage," he says expanding his smile as my heart flutters.

"I just did not rush out and quit my job. I did some research and slowly moved forward. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure Tae."

"Do you like this hotel, Kookie?"

He immediately scoffs with an added chuckle.

"Is that supposed to be a trick question? Of course, I like it. It is fabulous. Who wouldn't like it?"

"Really? You pass it five days a week on the train, and you are a successful businessman. Yet have you never stayed here."

"Are you kidding? What's this room cost, $800.00 a night?" He frowns.

"No. It cost $1,200 a night."

"Fuck!" He shouts as he jerks his head back.

"You are successful, and can afford that, right?"

He starts to shift his positions and then looks down at his hands.

"Tae, it's just not sensible. That's a lot of money."

"It wasn't sensible getting off the train with me, but you did." I tell him.

"Yes, Tae I did. And it has become one of best decisions I have made," he says with a soften expression.

I smile at him and then lightly touch his arm. "Let me show you something." I slide out of bed, and he follows me onto the balcony. It is a large balcony with an intimate table and chairs for two. There are also two lounge chairs for reclining and basking in the sun. As he steps out onto the balcony, I cover his eyes with my hands as he startles for a moment.

"Relax. I want to show you somethings. What do you feel?"

"I feel a cool breeze. It feels nice on my skin. Wait," he says with a surprised tone. "I feel the soft spray of water. Wow, that nice and very refreshing."

I cannot see his face but there is excitement in his voice.

"What do you hear Kookie?"

"I hear the ocean. It sounds so relaxing and soothing. I could listen to that sound all day."

"I know it's nice, isn't it? What else Kookie. What else do you hear?"

"I hear seagulls and the wind. It whistles," he says with chuckle.

"Anything else you notice?" I ask before removing my hands.

"Tae everything smells clean, crisp and fresh. Mmm, that's really nice."

"Now open your mouth and slowly breathe in. What do you taste?"

"Oh my, I taste salt. It very light but it is salt. I taste the ocean Tae. Oh my god."

"Now slowly open your eyes," I whisper in his right ear.

He opens his eyes and looks outward. He gasps as his mouth drops open and he takes in the view and truly experiences the ocean for the first time ever.