Always Forever

#7 Nothing's changed. You are my solace

The moment Bong-soon gets out of Guk-doo's car and prepares to say goodbye, she notices the presence of her family on the dimly lit, chilly street outside of her house. Her brother and father wear relieved looks while her mother has an annoyed frown on her face.

Guk-doo doesn't notice them. Or even if he did, the intelligent cop he is doesn't react. His voice pulls her gaze back to him. "Go on in. I'll see you tomorrow at Walnut Pie. We will discuss your situation fully."

Bong-soon seals her mouth shut. Tomorrow? She will probably see Guk-doo every day at this rate. Not a bad thing. She still likes to be around him. One incident can't shatter her feelings or affection. It's just she could have appreciated a few days of space

"Go on," Guk-doo gestures towards her home. "Have a good night's sleep."

The Dos then march towards them. Pa reaches her first. When he cries, "Bong-soon-ah, where were you? We were worried," is when she realizes the blunder she committed.

She didn't text her Pa, caught up in things.

"I travelled to West Busan." She reveals hesitantly. Mr Do's eyes widen. "West Busan? No wonder you couldn't return. It's far away."

Guk-doo bows to the older man. "She returned to Seoul at a late hour. I found her near the train station and decided to drop her home."

Guk-doo's white lie pleases Mr Do. A smile appears on the older man's face. "Thank you, Guk-doo-ah."

"You hold it there, dear," Mrs Do interjects, "I will ask her. Where were you, Bong-soon? What were you doing? Were you with Guk-doo all along?"

Bong-soon remains tight-lipped despite mother's tongue lashing. As usual, there's no end to it.

"West Busan? Why would you go there? Art research?" Mrs Do glares at Bong-soon and turns towards her husband. "Why don't we get her married off?"

She looks at her daughter again. "And why are you such a rebel of a daughter?"

Bong-soon has had enough at this point. "Of course, Ma! I'm not a rebel but a person. Not the puppet you want as a daughter."

Mrs Do is ready to talk back but Mr Do steps in between. "Bong-soon is tired. We have to let her rest now. She could not have texted us due to the lack of battery power in her phone. Or poor signal, perhaps."

Guk-doo observes that Bong-soon is feeling low. He wants to soothe her by pulling her into his arms. At least pat her head but cannot. Not with Mrs Do glaring at him with such hostility.

He's always known Bong-soon's mother is strict but this is a bit over the top. He's aware the teensy bit of the older lady's anger is because he's a cop. And she detests cops. Yet he shouldn't comment about it now.

"Take care." Aiming those words at Bong-soon, Guk-doo bows to Mr Do and turns on his heel, nodding at Bong-gi on the way to his car.

Back to the PD I go. I hope Bong-soon will be okay. I can text her later if possible, and if she's willing to talk.

***

The following morning Bong-soon is seated at a far-off table. No other customers are at Walnut Pie in the early hour. Despite her concerns, she slept like a log last night. She definitely didn't see what was coming.

Guk-doo is at the head of a table just from across her, dressed like a civilian despite being on duty. Bong-soon remembers he's always been kind of an undercover cop. Like the CID? The only time she saw him wearing the uniform was a ceremony a few years ago which she was fortunate enough to witness.