Jin left his husband Taehyung and his 3-month-old son to pursue his dream of becoming a chef. Ten years later, he came back to claim his family. Would Taehyung allow him?
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Jin POV
I heard the taxi beeping its horn outside the gate of our small rented house, signaling it is time for me to leave. I stuffed the remaining things in my handcarry bag and zipped it closed, holding it in my right arm.
I took one last look at the whole bedroom. The very room that I slept on for one year -- separately from my husband. A year full of cold treatment from me, I am surprised at how my husband was able to put up with me despite my frozen feelings for him. Because of that particular incident, which led me to an unplanned pregnancy, a hasty secret wedding, and now this cold and uncaring early married life,
And because of this, I must get away from here. I need to find myself. I need to have my own life. Call me selfish if you want, but I wanted to pursue my dreams, and if my husband was to be asked, he would never allow me.
The clock on the wall seemed to mock me with its relentless ticking, each second a countdown to my husband's return. It was a quarter before 4 o'clock, and in half an hour, Taehyung would be home from his work as a hotel receptionist. For two years he'd been doing this, a steady, predictable presence in our lives. But today, his routine felt like a ticking time bomb, threatening to derail my carefully laid plans. I couldn't let him catch me here, not now, not when I was so close to finally breaking free from the life that had become a cage.
I grabbed the trolley suitcase with my left hand and placed my handbag on top of it. I opened the door, went out of the room, and closed it behind me.
I trudged down the hallway and went to the room where our three-month-old son, Jaehyun is. I left my suitcase by the door and entered the room. My son was peacefully sleeping flat in his crib. He was fully fed a few hours ago and immediately fell asleep. The room was cool enough to make him sleep like a log.
I sat on the stool beside the crib and silently opened the top panel. I held out my index finger and caressed his plump cheek, feeling the smoothness of his skin on my finger. My son slightly flinched from my touch and let out a soft sigh, which I cooed at.
A tear escaped my eye and rolled down my cheek. I held my baby's left hand, encircling my index finger around it. "I'm sorry I have to do this," I whispered as I thumbed softly into his tiny knuckles, the tears glistening in my eyes. "But please remember, I love you. And I will find you, once I have the courage." I felt a little tight grip on my finger. My baby must have sensed what I was about to do as if telling me not to leave.
I removed my finger from his grasp. I wiped my tears with my palm and brushed my lips against Jaehyun's cheek. "Sleep well, baby. Your dad will be here soon." I smiled sadly when Jaehyun sighed cutely. I smoothed his onesies and stood up. I made sure that my son was secured and safe before my husband arrived, putting away anything that would pose a danger to his well-being. I walked towards the room and took a last glance at the tiny bundle in the crib. I went out, closed the door behind me, and leaned against it. Tears started to well up again, and I let out a soft sob. A minute later, when I relaxed and took a deep breath, I grabbed my suitcase and descended the stairs.
My gaze lingered on the familiar details of the house, each one a silent reminder of the life I was leaving behind. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and I turned towards the door, my heart aching with bittersweet longing. The warm air of spring in May, a cruel mockery of my inner turmoil, blew on my face as I marched slowly towards the gate. The vast lawn spread across me as I gazed at the ground. Looking up into our cherry blossom tree, I observed a few flowers blooming. I was told that springtime means rebirth and rejuvenation. But I think otherwise. With what I am about to do, leaving my husband and child will be the death of them. Yet I must do this.
"Jin, where are you going?" A familiar woman's voice cut me off from my thoughts when I closed the gate. I looked back and saw Aunt Mina, our next-door neighbor, walking towards me, her eyes on my suitcase. She is an early middle-aged widow whose husband died of cancer. She lives alone in the house next to us. She became our friend and was the first person to reach out when we moved into our home.
"Jin, does Taehyung know?" Aunt Mina's voice was a choked whisper, her eyes wide with alarm. "What about your son? Are you going to leave him? Them?" The panic in her voice mirrored the storm raging within me. I sighed, the weight of my decision pressing down on my shoulders. "Aunt Mina, I wish I could explain everything, but I have to go. Please look after my son as soon as Taehyung arrives. And please, can you hand this letter to him?" I pulled out a sealed envelope, my hand shaking slightly as I gave it to the teary-eyed woman. Her face, a mixture of confusion and despair, reflected the pain I was leaving behind.
"Jin.." Aunt Mina held my wrist. "You can talk it out with your husband, can't you? Have pity at least on your own son." The woman pleaded.
I sighed. "I can't. I need to get away." I smiled sadly and kissed her on the forehead. "Please take care of them for me."
With enough courage, I slowly made my way into the taxi. The driver helped me put my suitcase in the trunk. I opened the door of the back passenger seat and climbed in. As I closed the door, I surveyed the whole house for the last time.
I clenched my heart at what was about to happen. My thoughts wandered as to what lay ahead once I got away.
"Where are we off to, sir?" The driver looked at me from the rearview mirror and asked, "To Incheon Airport, please." The driver nodded and started the car.
The taxi pulled away from the curb, the familiar sounds of the neighborhood fading into a distant hum. Away from the house, away from my husband and child, a wave of grief washed over me. I leaned back against the seat, the plush leather offering no comfort to my aching heart. I took a deep breath, the scent of exhaust fumes a bitter reminder of the choices I had made, and tears streamed down my face, blurring the outside sight into a hazy reflection of my sorrow.
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Hello, guys! Tell me. Did my prologue make sense? Gosh, I think I over-exaggerated the scenes?!!!!! I am so sorry. But I will edit and proofread that. For now, that is what I had in my mind. Please write a comment and tell me how I am doing. I am open to criticism.
I will try to update you as soon as I find time. Sorry for the mistakes, i will make it up to you.
