The Birth of the Devil

Second Trimester: Quickening

The Truth in the Lie

It was a month ago when Sooyoung left. Taeyeon found the loss bearable because of Miyoung’s presence. The girl would always try to make him laugh. There was no day when Taeyeon won’t go to sleep smiling to himself and he was very thankful he had Miyoung by his side. He felt that he was the luckiest man alive for having such a kind and loving wife with him to share his life with.

The everyday toil he used to have with Soo was now his and Miyoung’s. They would wake up together, eat breakfast together and go to work together—pretty much, they were conjoined in the hips, like two peas in a pod and everything was done with each other. And today was no different than the other.

Miyoung woke up to see a Taeyeon lovingly gazing at her. Her eyes blinked and turned into slits. “You know that’s creepy, right?” They were facing each other and Taeyeon was staring at her.

“I like to wake up seeing you.” Taeyeon brushed the stray hair away from Miyoung’s face. “You’re the most beautiful wife in the world and I want you to know that—every…single…moment…of our…waking…days.” Miyoung’s cheeks became fuller with a hint of pink tinges at its center. “Good morning, beautiful.” He then kissed her forehead. “Let’s have a lovely day.”

Miyoung can’t help but to giggle. She moved forward and gave Taeyeon a soft peck in his cheek. “Good morning to you too, handsome.”

***

“Halmuni, we’re going. We’ll be back tomorrow before noon. Don’t tire yourself, okay?” Miyoung called at the elderly woman. Ever since Sooyoung left, Miyoung filled his shoes and today was their ‘selling day’—the day that they have to cross another village to sell the valuable junks they’ve got.

“Ne, ne. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be just here all day. Taeyeon already bought food. I’ll be fine. You two, take care of yourselves, okay?” Halmuni bid goodbye to her two grandchildren as they took their leave.

The journey to the next village and the transactions they did were supposed to be exhausting. But Taeyeon was more drained by the laughing fit he just had. Miyoung was having difficulties pronouncing some old Korean words when they were selling their stuffs and Taeyeon had a hard time controlling his facial expressions. So when they got out of the buyer’s place, Taeyeon almost rolled on the floor laughing and almost crying at Miyoung’s expense.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m funny. Laugh till you drop.” Miyoung crossed her arms and pouted. She saw how Taeyeon was really having the time of his life chortling and she can’t help but give a small smile. Despite Taeyeon’s claim of being masculine and all, he was but a child, a simpleton who would laugh at the trivial things life offers. Miyoung admired this in him. He was so innocent and so easy to please that happiness comes to him easily.

“Bwahahahahahah…hahaha…haha…ha…I’m sorry, Miyounga. I can’t…hahahhaah.” Taeyeon held his tummy while laughing. He fell on the chair he was sitting to. “I…ahahahha…ha…uhmmm…hhahahah…” He saw Miyoung glaring at him. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop…hmmmpf” He covered his mouth but his eyes were telling her how much he still wanted to laugh.

“Since you’re too busy laughing…I’ll just order some food.” She exhaled sharply and then, called the waiter to order. The man with the apron came and took their orders and told them to wait for it to be cooked and served. Taeyeon nodded and Miyoung said her thank you and the man went on his way.