ECLIPSE (SWFS 2)

Gift of Reunion

Moon Byul Yi’s flight arrived at the JFK airport that late night. She was exhausted over three consecutive scheduled pictorials and two board meetings for the day but there was no way she’s going to miss this flight. A backpack rests on her shoulders, a duffel slings on one arm as the other pulls a suitcase.

Despite arriving later than the intended time, she was relieved, animated at the thought of being in this foreign land. America, the land of opportunities they say.

She was a woman on a mission. She had a goal, one that couldn’t wait until morning. It doesn’t matter even if it was already late, it has to be done.

She fished her phone from her pocket to call a companion.

The receiver accepted the call in an instant telling her she was being expected.

“Unnie, my plane just arrived. I’ll just drop off my things at my suite and I’ll be there soon.”

“Oh, I thought you weren’t coming. It’s already late. You’re probably tired, why don’t you stay over later?” The older woman suggested, concern laced in her almost familiar voice.

Moonbyul holds her breath thinking about her proposal. She weighs in her choice, wondering if she will be readily accepted.

“Unnie, is she home yet?” She breathes out in an almost whisper.

“She’s probably going to be home late too. It’s her big day, after all.”

“Okay, I’ll be there soon as I can.”

“Take care, Byulyi.”

She ends the call. She can’t wait any longer. Five years has been long enough.

---

Yongsun dashed her way outside the restaurant. She almost slipped midway, she almost tripped in her drunken state but there was no way that is going to stop her from meeting her mysterious visitor.

It was chilly outside. The unfriendly November air blows on her hair, creeping around her nape which creates a nipping sensation on her skin. She puts her hand over the ring which now hangs around her neck as a pendant of a necklace she always wears. She lets her thumb feel the etched moon on the band, wishing, hoping.

“Hey, Kim Yongsun.” The voice called her from behind.

She turns fast. Too fast that her vision blurs, creating after-images.

The figure was tall, handsomely dressed, brown hair nicely tousled, a bouquet of red roses in hand.

Yongsun’s heart leaped in their confines but she was disillusioned for a bit.

“Eric. Hi.”

The guy smiled widely, showing his genuine gratitude and joy reconnecting with an old friend. He hands the bouquet in his hand.

“Congratulations. Your hard work paid off. I’m so happy for you.”

Yongsun took the flowers as she wrapped her arms around him.

Despite that he wasn’t was she was expecting; she is still happy Eric remembered her. He was an important person in her life. They shared their early lives together and he was of great support to her before until their fallout. It was a good thing she decided to come at his flight to end things peacefully with him. It relieved her that they remained friends, after and despite everything.