AFTERGLOW |CYJ

47

Joohyun pulled the windows down the moment the car picked up speed. She was his passenger princess and he was driving with a stiff jaw refusing to soften. He steared the wheel into the bright roads with no particular destination in mind. He just needed a drive to clear his mind. The cool air breezed in easing him a bit. The air inside the car was thick with a chemical tang, sharp and synthetic, it was suffocating and often triggered her motion sickness. But she managed ut by leaning close to the window. They passed through all the familiar places in the vicinity of Yongsan and headed to Gangnam.

Gangnam held a lot of memories for both Joohyun and Yeonjun as a couple, it was the place where they first met and began dating in secrecy. It was also the place where she resided as a trainee and after moving to Korea. Visiting Gangnam always made her feel homesick, a sense of longing that she had grown and moved places with her partner. It was the same longing whenever he drove her to Gangnam, unexplainable but evident. If Yeonjun couldn't already tell from the rear view mirror, her expressions had dampened at thought of her sister and Shia.

But he continued despite the heavy feeling. He rode through the places he was still familiar with despite moving away from Gangnam to the next spot, Incheon. Joohyun was familiar with that as well, infact Yeonjun too, because of their stress free professions. He smoothly switched the lanes and passed by the infamous Incheon airport. The roads near the airport are smoother and narrower, restricting the movement of heavy duty vehicles in certain lanes during the night.

The air flocked inside as he pressed the accelerator harder and the car raced to the expressway rapidly overtaking others. Yeonjun was still focused on the road, his pout prominent and his strong arms gripping the steering wheel. She lifted her eyes to the small, blob of yellow  in the night sky and it was undeniable the beautiful moon, in its full form appearing once the tall buildings ducked and became shorter. As they were passing through, the thrill ride continued in silence to Magok.

Joohyun could never really memorise the names of places after Incheon despite travelling beyond Seoul many times for work. She usually read through the signs on the board and located the spot she was in currently. But Magok was mysteriously eerie at the night. It was a mix of urban and semi urban housings and infrastructures. It was specifically known for its contribution to the digital world, especially when a place like magok attracted people for its long lasting electronic solutions.

While the place stayed true to its semi urban roots, Joohyun found a strange sauduade in the pockets of low raised infrastructure, thousands of posters slapped and peeled off of the solid concrete walls; advertisements for vacancies, bars and hospitals and brightly lit pharmacies. It gave her a sense of grounding, on juxtaposing her apartment in Yongsan. how would life be different if she weren't an idol? How different or difficult life would have been for people without a secure job?

Her job as an idol ensured her shelter, food, clothing and transport. She earned respect and security and the only thing that was not secure in her life was her reputation. It was bound to change. One day, she could wake up and be bashed on the internet, the other, praised. Life was harder, but more grounding than working in the sub urbs till old age.

About 40 kilometers leaving Incheon behind, she notices the board sign that directed the travellers to Suji just after Magok. She glanced at Yeonjun and he was still absent mindedly driving within the speed limit. He was careful not to end up with a speeding ticket, and even reminded her to wear her seatbelt (not because he cared for her or whatever) He felt chills down his spine and his fingers plunged to the dashboard and lifted the windows up slightly. His body was giving him signs that his body needed rest, but he continued driving, physically not feeling the need to sleep.

Joohyun too wasn't feeling that sleepy and stayed awake with him as the serendipitious ride gave them a chance to connect with each other in silence. Though in quietude, the two felt closer than ever. He rested his hand down from the gear on the utility space between the two seats. She rested her hand there earlier than him and united with his warmth. She felt a multitude of emotions when their hands touched, and without a word, his hand wrapped around fingers. She turned but didn't question. He lifted her hand in the gear and moved it along with her hand underneath his, a sense of warmth and support through the cold night; his reminder to keep him awake.