Destination Wedding

64

Mrs. Kim walked tentatively down the beach pathway toward the ceremony site. As she drew nearer, mirthful conversation and laughter grew in volume against the sounds of softly lapping waves and beach breeze. The members of the wedding party were exchanging heartfelt greetings with other close family members participating in the rehearsal. The bubbling, joyous mood was only accentuated by the perfectly warm evening and gorgeous sunset.

She watched the group in longing when she realized she felt out of place. Everyone appeared so gleeful and earnest as they mingled about, and she didn't feel worthy. They appeared so close-knit, and her anxiety multiplied with the awareness that she was no longer close with the group of boys she helped raise.

Mrs. Kim had sent her husband ahead of her with the excuse that she needed a few more minutes to get ready, hoping to calm her nerves. She wished she hadn't, as she could use his encouragement right now. She was afraid to face her son again after the conversation they'd had over lunch. Despite her apology, she harbored heavy guilt after appreciating how hurt he truly was.

Facing Jeongguk was perhaps intimidating her more than seeing Taehyung again. She went round and round in her mind on how she would even greet the boy when she realized she hadn't seen him up close yet.

She suddenly stilled at the afar sight of her husband hugging a svelt-looking, black-haired young man in a handsome dark hanbok. She watched her husband hold his face in his hands before speaking to him fondly. When the young man cracked a bunny smile so wide that it rendered his eyes to close, she knew it was him. Jeonggukie.

He was always such a lovely boy. She admonished herself for judging him blindly, knowing deep down that people blessed with hearts as golden as his didn't just change.

"Keuneomma? Are you coming?" The bright voice at her side made her jump, clutching her chest when she realized it was her nephew.

"Hoseok-ah! You startled me." Hoseok chuckled and bowed repeatedly, apologizing and looking at her expectantly.

She took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm coming. Just a little... nervous."

"Ah, don't be! I know it's your son's big day. But it's going to be beautiful, just like you, Keuneomma," Hoseok smiled earnestly, offering his arm and pulling her forward from the place where her feet felt cemented to the ground. She chuckled nervously, appreciating the positivity her nephew always exuded, and moved with him in trepidation. She heard a faint ringing in her ears as she approached her husband, still conversing enthusiastically with Jeongguk while Taehyung stood beside, gushing over the younger with silent fondness.

Mr. Kim took notice of his wife and instantly gestured her forward. He knew she was feeling terribly anxious about meeting Taehyung again, but he wanted to encourage her. Earlier that day, she tearfully recounted her conversation with Taehyung and he was proud of her. He knew she made no excuses and wanted to be better for their son. He wouldn't let her flounder now.

"Jagiya! Come here. You finally made it," he called. She walked up quietly and Taehyung had never seen her so meek. "I'm sure you remember our Jeonggukie!"

She finally turned to the young man and was instantly floored. He bowed deeply and returned to meet her gaze with big doe eyes and a gentle smile. These features were so heart-wrenchingly nostalgic, but around them had grown the sharpened attributes of a stunning man. He was much taller, looking down to meet her gaze rather than looking up at her like he used to in their kitchen, pleading for snacks fifteen minutes before dinner time.

She didn't realize that her mouth was gaping, causing Taehyung to pass unnerved glances between his parents and Jeongguk.

"My God," she whispered. "How can someone look so different yet so completely the same?" Her hand reached up on it's own accord to hold Jeongguk's cheek.