"Would you like another glass of wine?"
The gentle voice interrupted Yeji's thoughts. It was then she realized the wine glass in her hand was empty.
"No thanks," Yeji said politely, setting the wine glass on the table.
The waitress smile politely, cleared her glass, and walked away.
Yeji watched the snowfall and blanket the streets in white. With a short sigh, she left some note on the table and left the cafe.
For the past three years, Yeji had been visiting the cafe on Christmas eve. It was a promise she made with Ryujin before the latter left Seoul to pursue her Master's in California. Ryujin didn't want to be distracted by modern technology while she was studying, hence they kept in touch via emails and the occasional phone calls. Ryujin promised to meet Yeji at the cafe where they first met on Christmas eve, the day she was supposed to return to Seoul.
However, Ryujin didn't appear and hadn't appeared since three years ago. Yeji was puzzled and bewildered. Ryujin showed no sings of missing their date and even reminded Yeji about there date via her last email. When Yeji had tried all ways to contact Ryujin, she realized she only had Ryujin's home number. She kept calling finally picked up and said that Ryujin had moved.
Worried, Yeji called Ryujin's parents in Jeonju and was informed that Ryujin went on a soul-searching trip. Ryujin didn't want to be disturbed on her trip and that she would be back once she had found herself. Yeji wasn't convinced by the sudden change in attitude but didn't argue with Ryujin's parents.
Throughout the three years, Ryujin's parents assured Yeji that Ryujin was fine and didn't provide any further details. Yeji asked about Ryujin's return date each time but her parents couldn't give an answer. Her frustration was growing yet she knew she couldn't forget about Ryujin. On one hand, Yeji wanted to give up on Ryujin. On the other hand, Yeji's heart was yearning for the younger woman more and more each day. She thought time would make her feelings for Ryujin fade but It turned out to be otherwise.
Tucking her hands in the pockets of her trench coat, Yeji walked down the street to the train station. It was a crowded night everyone was out celebrating and Christmas tunes were playing from the shops along the street. However, Yeji felt like the lonely person in the world. She stopped in front of a toy shop where there was a huge Santa Claus and snowman smiling merrily at the glass window.
"Dear Santa, my friend tell me you wouldn't fail me and you would make my wish come true. I have been making the same wish for the past three years, won't you please make it come true this year? I wish to see Ryujin again. To see with my own my eyes that she is okay."
Tears filled her eyes as Yeji muttered those words quietly to herself. Loneliness was quickly filling up the void of her heart.
"Excuse me, you left your gloves at the cafe."
Surprised, Yeji wiped the tears from her eyes and turned in the direction of the voice.
It belonged to a blonde whose face was hidden behind a black scarf and thick hodges jacket. The blonde stuck her hands out and handed the gloves to Yeji.
"Oh, thank you. It slipped my mind," Yeji said gratefully, wiping her tears with the back of her hands.
"Your hand are always cold. Remember to bring your gloves wherever you go and don't catch a cold."
Yeji's breathing stopped for a moment. That sentence was close to her heart. Ryujin used to nag at her all the time in the same manner.
Just a Yeji was momentarily surprised, the blonde untied her scarf and revealed her face. The blonde's complexion was as fair as the falling snow but there was a deep scar running from the top of her right ear to her jaw.
Yeji was stunned momentarily before she rushed forward to envelop the blonde girl in a tight hug. "Ryu...Ryujin..."
Ryujin wrapped her arms around Yeji. "Sorry Yeddeong, I am three years late."
Yeji pounded Ryujin's back with her fists. "Where in the world did you dissappear to?! What happened to you?!"
A short pause. Only sobs were heard.
"I got into a serious accident on my way to the airport."
Yeji pulled away from Ryujin. She pulled the hood down and studied Ryujin's face. Running her fingers along the scar, Yeji couldn't stop her tears from streaming down her face.
"The taxi I was in collided with a container truck. I was lucky to be alive. I stayed in the hospital for long a time and had to go physiotherapy to recover as I couldn't walk properly after the accident. I didn't want you to worry so I told my parents to tell you I went on a solo trip.
"I can't believe you would tell me such a crappy story!" Yeji yelled amid her tears.
A wave of sadness washed across Yeji's face. "I could have flown there and be with you!"
"My mom flew there to look after me. I didn't know how would you react if I told you. I didn't know if you would still want to be with a broken me."
"Seriously, if your impression of me is so poor, I should have given up on you three years ago!"
"I am so sorry. I'll be okay If you decide to break up with me." Ryujin lowered her head.
"You have wasted three years of my youth just to wait for you and listen to this?!" Yeji's voice grew.
"Ouch!" Ryujin exclaimed when she felt a sharp pain in her forehead.
"You deserve that!" Yeji proclaimed, half-satisfied with the flick on Ryujin's forehead.
"You need to make up for the time you went missing starting right now. And stop giving me crappy excuses about being broken and such. What's important is this!" Yeji jabbed at Ryujin's heart with her index finger. "Am I still here?"
Ryujin was puzzled for a moment before she realized what Yeji meant. A soft smile appeared on Ryujin's face. She grabbed Yeji's finger, spread her fingers, and laid the palm over her own heart. "Of course you are. In fact, I worked so hard at physiotherapy so that I can see you sooner. I want to keep the promise I made three years ago."
Just then, the clock at a nearby building chimed. It was midnight. Everyone around them erupted into loud cheers and wishes for Christmas.
"Merry Christmas, Yeddeong."
Yeji's intense glare softened to a loving gaze.
"Merry Christmas, Ryuddaeng. Looks like Santa do make wishes come true."
"Eh?" Ryujin asked, puzzled by Yeji's reply.
Blushing, Yeji shook her head. "It's nothing."
Sliding their hands into each others and intertwining their fingers, the couple headed off to join the crowd.
__________
*Story by @Chichuyaahh
Merry Christmas everyone!!!, may your Christmas be filled with joy and happiness :)
