Decisions

Together Again

She could see the polished leather of the shoes from between her fingers and when they didn't move, Ha Jin looked up to see a dark blue and white polka dot handkerchief being offered to her.

Ha Jin reached out and used it to wipe her face hastily. She was sure her make up was completely ruined by this time but she stood up, clearing her throat while still looking at the ground.

"Thank you for the handkerchief. I apologize for disturbing your time here."

"That portrait must have made you very sad."

That voice sounded eerily familiar to her, but Ha Jin figured it was because she had remembered so many memories that she was hearing things. She tugged at the handkerchief with her hands, still looking at the ground.

"Not the portrait per say but just the memories associated with it."

"What type of memories?"

At those words, Ha Jin slowly turned to see the face of the man speaking to her. Her mouth dropped open in shock and her eyes combed every inch of his face to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. When her eyes met his, she felt as if she was right back in Goryeo.

"You're..!"

Was she dreaming right now? She blinked hard and opened her eyes again, still seeing the same face in front of her. The man seemed to be looking back at her with an amused smile on his face, just like he always did.

"Are you going to keep staring at me?"

Ha Jin blushed and diverted her eyes.

"I'm sorry for being rude. This is probably going to sound like I'm using a pick-up line on you, but you just look a lot like someone I've met before."

"Someone like him?"

So pointed to the portrait.

"Do we look alike?"

"The likeness is certainly uncanny...but you aren't suggesting that I've met the 4th emperor of Goryeo, are you?"

Ha Jin became uncertain, wondering where this So look-alike was going with this conversation. Did he know something that she didn't?

"What if I told you that I have met you before?"

"You...have?"

Did she meet him somewhere before her coma? Or was he suggesting something else entirely? Something she was hoping for with all her being?

"I have. I don't know if you remember it though...it was a long time ago."

"Where did we meet?" Ha Jin asked hesitantly. She was still unsure if this was the person she was waiting for.

"Oh you know, it was on the side of the road. I might have saved you from falling into the river," he said before scratching the back of his head. "Then again that probably wasn't the best meeting...given I unceremoniously pushed you off a horse."

Ha Jin couldn't believe her ears. There was only one person to have ever done that to her, and it led to another wave of tears.

"So ya?"

He smiled and nodded.

"I've found you, my Soo ya."

Ha Jin reached out to touch his face, just to make sure that he wasn't a figment of her imagination. When she felt warm skin underneath her palms, she launched herself into his arms and buried her face into his shoulder.

"You're here. You're really here!"

She felt his arms wrap around her waist tightly to return her embrace. They stood there for a few seconds before she pulled back and looked at him again, just to make sure it was real and she wasn't dreaming. Once their eyes connected, it wasn't long before they both leaned in to share a very long-due kiss.