It is more than 20 years since Yoon Seri crash landed on Ri Jeong-hyeok and they have had everything they ever dreamed of: love, marriage, family and success. But can their love and family survive the unexpected challenges they must now face?
"How d...
Autumn passed and it was now winter. Jeong-hyeok had continued to make good progress with his physical recovery and was back to normal, apart from the slow reactions in his hand. One objective of the Swallow Foundation had been to promote support for good mental health, particularly amongst artists and young people. So after the concert, Seri had encouraged him to seek counselling support to help him with his feelings about his injury. He agreed, realising that it was taking him time to accept and adjust. The dark place he found himself in on some days was overwhelming, crowding out the ordinary joy in life and closing him down to the love and support on offer from his family and friends. Perhaps acknowledging his bouts of depression and need for support would be another step.
On days when he felt more positive, he would reflect on his experience and was conscious that his down days were difficult for Seri too. He didn't want to cause her pain. Looking back at the dark period after his brother had died, he realised he hadn't dealt with those feelings at all well. He had only suppressed them. He didn't want to repeat the experience of those lonely years, when he hated himself and withdrew from those who cared for him. His family offered so much joy, he couldn't risk sacrificing that. With support, he felt he was making progress, able to enjoy everyday life more, but there was still a gaping hole where his music had been.
It was getting close to the Christmas celebration, and the girls were getting excited. They had decided they should all make a special effort this year, and go to town with decorations and a special meal. He knew they were doing it for his sake, as well as their own, and loved them for their sensitivity and support.
They did share a fun day, and in the late afternoon, Ka-youn called them to the verandah room.
"Look! First snow!"
Jeong-hyeok and Seri looked at each other and smiled, both sharing that memory.
That night, watching the snow in Pyongyang, he'd known he loved Seri; he'd given up denying it to himself. He'd kept telling himself he was imagining all her signals, that she might have feelings for him too. But there she'd been, with her head on his shoulder, wistful about the prospect of leaving. Of leaving him? Could their love be fulfilled? He'd desperately wished for it at that moment, and then berated himself for wanting her to stay with him, when he needed to keep her safe.
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Perhaps there was something magical about the snow after all. But only if they truly loved. And he did, and he had to make sure he deserved the wonderful love she had unselfishly offered him over the last few months. He must find his way back to being the man she had wanted to marry. She had married him, not his music; he must fulfil his promises to her.
He put his arm about her and pulled her close, and she immediately leaned her head into him.
"You can lean your head on my shoulder anytime," he said, and lingered a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiled in response, sliding her arm about his waist and pulling him even closer. The sense of intimacy seemed to spread, warming him through.
