Thirty-One Days

Day 27 - Soft

Thinking about another iconic CLOY scene where Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Seri exchanged not just couple rings but also the softest smiles, gaze and words. But how about a kiss? 💏

*****

SOFT

"Thank you. It's the prettiest ring I've ever seen. I won't take it off for the rest of my life."

Gently rubbing my thumb against the back of her hand, and touching the gold ring around her slender fingers, I just could not believe Yoon Seri accepted my birthday gift.

My chaebol picky princess... She was sharing a humble couple ring with me. That was all I could afford as I had absolutely no capacity here in the South. No diamonds, no precious stones but I swear it has all of me. My heart. My mind. Everything. My entire being committed itself to her when I slid the ring to her finger.

She looked at me with her smiling face then back to our interlocked fingers. It was the sweetest smile that I have ever seen on her.

"No matter what happens, I will remember you..."

Words of promise came out softly from Seri's lips. Her cracked voice so sincere that I was close to tears. It was then her turn to feel my hand with her thumb. Without thinking, I would do the same to hers again and again.

I didn't want to let go of Seri's hands just yet. It was the longest time I have held them, caressing them with utmost tenderness, love and respect. She has the most beautiful hands I have ever seen, even more beautiful than my own mother's hands that raised me.

I was focusing all my attention to our adorned ring fingers that I was not able to say any word anymore. But in my mind I was reciting my wedding vows to her. I want so badly to be able to  explain all the love I have for her.

Not the kind of love that makes my stone heart flutter or how she makes me gaze at her or smile like an idiot. Rather, it is the love that is willing to take all the risk -- even to the point of death -- just to make sure she stays alive and well.

But I fear for our future or the lack of it. In a few days I will have to return to the North as the military sports games were about to come to an end. I had no idea exactly how much time we have left before I head back. Forty-eight hours? Thirty-six? Twenty-four? Or even less?

Just the thought of the clock ticking made me want to throw up.

"Ri Jeong Hyeok-sshi are you alright?"

With my left hand still holding Seri's hands, I realized the dire situation we were in.

There was no time to lose.

At that moment, my other hand found its way to Seri's back and pulled her towards my chest for a tight embrace. I released my hand that was holding her and wrapped it, too, around her small, fragile frame.

"I don't know what the future holds but today I promise to remember you for the rest of my days. You brought back the life in me... I am forever yours, Yoon Seri."

With tears in their eyes, their lips touched and danced as one. Softly then passionately. Sharing shallow and deep breaths. Lost in their own pace and tempo. Not minding of the time and space around them.

At last, they shared a kiss that their hearts deserved and longed for.

-Ends-