PAPER HEARTS - Ryeji (English ver)

Chapter 10

Yeji watched Ryujin sleep in Niki's bed, still holding her hand. She found it endearing that Ryujin wanted to feel accompanied by her, allowing her to enter her life in such a way. Maybe Ryujin didn't feel alive, but Yeji had enough life for both of them, and she was willing to share it with her.

Without letting go of her hand, Yeji glanced around the room. It was small, though not too much, and the toys had dust on them. The wardrobe was slightly ajar, and if she looked closely, she could see small fragments of broken glass on the floor. The room was a bit dark despite the sunlight filtering softly through the curtains. It was obvious a child had once been there, but for how long? The only thing that seemed touched was Niki's bed, where Ryujin had cried before falling asleep; everything else looked like it hadn't been moved or cleaned since, probably, the child's death.

—Aren't you going to work, Yeji?— Ryujin asked as she slowly opened her eyes.

—They need me here— she softly replied, smiling a little as she listened to Ryujin's gentle morning voice.

—What time is it?— Ryujin asked.

—I don't know, but it can't be too late— Yeji replied with a shrug. —Do you want me to make you something to eat?—

—That's not necessary— Ryujin whispered, looking at her. She had stayed with her, never letting go of her hand. —Would it bother you if you held my hand a bit longer?— Yeji smiled tenderly at her. —You're warm.—

—It doesn't bother me— Yeji replied sincerely. —Did you sleep well?— Ryujin shook her head.

—Yeji... can I ask you how you got over your ex-boyfriend?— she asked suddenly. Yeji sighed but didn't stop smiling. —If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine...—

—He never showed up— Yeji answered straightforwardly. —I had the dress, the bouquet, the church was full of guests. Niki never came; he disappeared. I guess he changed his mind.—

—And what did you do afterward?— Ryujin asked, bringing her other hand to the one she was holding. —Didn't it bother you?—

—I gave up a lot for him— Yeji sighed. —I moved in with him when I was young and dropped out of school for him. That's why I started at Harvard late.—

—I see— Ryujin whispered. —When my child died, Beomgyu and I divorced a few months later.— Yeji listened attentively. —I suppose you and I are a bit different but also so similar. You wanted to get married, and I got divorced— she laughed a little.

—You hadn't seen him since the divorce, had you?— Ryujin nodded. —That's why you didn't know how to handle it— Yeji said, piecing things together in her head.

—Beomgyu always calls me when he's drunk, asking me to come back to him— Ryujin sighed, remembering. —But I simply can't see him the same way. Beomgyu was supposed to watch over Niki, and he didn't— she said with unavoidable resentment.

—My parents divorced too— Yeji confessed. —My mom doesn't care for me much because her plans for me were different from mine, and we don't get along. She never wants to see me or answer the phone— she confessed again. —My siblings are closer to her, but I prefer being with my dad.— Ryujin laughed at how ironic life could be.

—She doesn't want to see her daughter, and I would give my life just to hug mine again— Ryujin responded sincerely. —Or at least to say goodbye. I'd give anything— Yeji sighed.

—The difference between my mom and you is that you're a good mother— Yeji said, seeing how Ryujin was covering her hand as if wanting to protect her, but from what? —She didn't come to my wedding— Yeji confessed. —Though I guess it was for the best since I got stood up— she laughed a little, making Ryujin chuckle.