Kang Chi: Beyond Life and Time

Chapter 3: Beyond Life: Getting By Everyday

Yeo Wool and Jung Ju stood silently as Captain So nagged the morning away. It is still too early for a sermon, and she has not even eaten breakfast yet, but apparently, they did not matter. She let it all in through her right ear and out on the left, just like before. She would not have lasted this long if she had not done it this way.

"Just let it go." She told Jung Ju, who was obviously taking it hard. "It's part of the job. You won't last long if you take everything in and mope about it."

Following her lead out of the station, Jung Ju took giant steps to keep up with her fast pace. She went in the driver's seat and started the car to respond to a resident's concern, five blocks away.

"Seonbaenim..." Jung Ju began, as they ride to their destination. "Isn't Captain So too harsh? Why does he have to curse a lot? Ugh! I can't get it out of my head now...."

"Musihaeyo." She answered. "I've learned ignoring sermons like that early on. You should, too."

"Cham, Seonbaenim..." He continued, after a few silent moments. "That man...the one we arrested...."

"What about him?"

"I feel responsible for what happened."

"Waeyo? Wae geuron mareul haeyo?"

"Geulse...When I cuffed him, I knew I've seen him before. I just wasn't able to figure out where...When I heard his name as you took his statement, I remembered who he is...but I thought it was too late to let you know...."

She scoffed a laugh. "Gwaenchanhayo...." She said. "It won't do us any good if we don't let go of this. Just forget it."

"Algessumnida, Seonbaenim."

They sat silently as she continued to drive. She has no idea what is going on in her hubae's head, but in hers, it is definitely not the usual....

I wonder where he is right now...Will we see each other again?

After addressing the concern of the resident who called for assistance, the two headed back to the station, but not without stopping by at a 7-11 along the way. They have not eaten breakfast yet, and...

It's not a sin to grab a bite while on duty, guereojyo?

She parked the car and they both got out to have a quick bite of some ramyeon and sausages. Still on alert as she slurps the warm broth, she has her eyes set on what is going on outside. Then, suddenly, a small car side-swept another as it attempted to overtake and beat a red light, creating a traffic jam. She quickly gulped her remaining food and ran outside, with Jung Ju a few steps behind her. As she approached the scene of the accident, she could not help but admire a white Lamborghini Gallardo, a few cars behind the collision...But no, it is not the time for her dream car to be charming her and dividing her full attention.

Mediating the negotiation and settlement between the people involved did not take long as she had anticipated. In just about fifteen minutes, the road was cleared of the jam and the traffic flowed freely...as she saw her dream car pass in front of her eyes.

Aigoo...When will I ever get to ride you?

"Seonbaenim..." Jung Ju called. "Shall we go now?"

"Eung." She answered, as she was taken back to reality. "Kapssida."

"It's a nice car." Jung Ju said, as he took over the driver's seat.

"It's still good." She answered. "Considering it had been in a lot of accidents during pursuits...."

Jung Ju smiled, seemingly amused. "I'm talking about the white Lamborghini that you couldn't take your eyes off."

Was I that obvious? Hwa...I'm really bad at holding it in.

"You saw that, huh?" She continued before heaving a sigh. "Mollayo...I have a fascination for expensive cars. I wish I hadn't though."

"Waeyo? It's nice to have a motivation to work hard...."

"It's distracting."

"Huh? Distracting?"

"Geuraeyo." She stopped talking to end the conversation. But to her surprise, her inner self was not yet finished speaking her mind.

"It distracts me from the reality of my own life. It just reminds me that people like me-who has a child to feed, a mortgage to pay and debts to settle-whose life-threatening work does not even pay enough, should not waste time pursuing things that are deemed impossible for me."

Silence. This is her reality. The one she had been living with for twenty-eight years. She had to forego her personal dreams to make way for other's dreams and realize it for them. She does not regret any of it. She just wonders constantly....

What if...?

And another day went by the usual way. She left the station and headed home as the sun begins to disappear and darkness starts to takeover. She stopped by at a restaurant and bought some fried chicken for dinner.

Han Wool was watching television when she arrived. He excitedly stood up to welcome her as she entered. They enjoyed the fried chicken dinner and washed the dishes together, helped him with his homework, and tucked him into bed after he cleaned himself up.

Outside his room, he sat down on the couch and turned the television on, not paying much attention to what was being shown on the screen. She just wants some 'me' time.

Then to her surprise, a news report about the misapprehension of Baeknyeon Hotel's CEO flashed on the screen. She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh upon hearing the story.

"Aniya...." she said to the television screen. "Geuge aniya...."

As if you can do something about it now? Or even tomorrow?

This would be another earful from Captain So.

She turned the television off and went to bed. She had to prepare herself for work tomorrow.

It will definitely be another earful morning.