Turning Pages

Silent Sanctuary

Hi ! It's me. Just a simple update. Hope you like It! Hengsho!

XOXO

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'That insolent guy! Aist!' Jiyong said to himself. They didn't expect for the guy to kiss and hug Dara when they sent him out. To say the girl was shocked is an understatement; she was rather dumbfounded, immobile even... He literally shoved her on the passenger's seat because of that. He is intrigued as to what their relationship before is. It seems like the ajumma knows him very well. Throughout their meeting, Jiyong can't help but notice how intense Kim Soo Hyun's stare is on the girl while the ajumma obviously is trying to avoid it. Good thing Ilwoo kept the conversation flowing avoiding to directly involve Dara on the conversation. The rigid ajumma was only taking notes while occasionally drinking her water which is by the way more than 3 pitcher of water already. She's perspiring as the conversation progresses especially when Kim Soo Hyun requested for her to be the architect but Ilwoo said she cannot oversee a project yet because she's an intern. The girl discreetly sighed a breath of relief when Ilwoo helped her with that but since Ilwoo is the architect; she will still be working with him.

Jiyong and Dara are now on their way to his pad when Dara's phone blinked. She's looking at her phone as if it's the first time she saw a mobile device, she's still out of it.

"Are you going to just stare at your phone?" Dara remained silent so he reached out for the phone and answered it instead. "Yoboseyo. This is Jiyong speaking, who's this?" the person on the line became silent. "Nuguseyo?" he asked impatiently.

"Is this Sandara Park's mobile?"

"Yes."

"Is she with you right now?"

"Yes. Wait. Who's this?"

"Soohyun."

"Kim Soo Hyun?" he asked. He glanced at her and her eyes are bulging and as big as saucers.

" May I speak with her?" he asked.

"Speak?" I looked at her and she pretended to be sleeping.

"Sorry Soo Hyun-ssi she's sleeping right now. " He lied.

"Really. That's okay. Please tell her that I called. Thank you." He said.

Jiyong hanged-up the phone. He faced the girl while the girl is fiddling the hem of her shirt.

"Tell me, what is this about? Why did you turn out like a lunatic earlier? I mean, you are pretty much lunatic on your own rights, but it was a different level of lunacy. What's up with that?" he inquired bashfully.

" You know what Jiyong? Can your smart mouth shut up even just for a minute? You're not helping. At. All." she sighed. She's been tensed the whole time. She doesn't know how to act around Kim Soo Hyun. She knows that this is not the last time they will see each other. She just doesn't know how to deal with it.

" Sorry." He murmured as he sensed she's tensed.

"It's fine." She said dejectedly.

" If I ask you what's the matter, will you share? I mean, I'm a good listener if you need one." He said with seriousness and sincerity in his tone.

Dara glanced on Jiyong who is unusually focused on the road. She needs to take it out now, take a leap.

"Soo Hyun. He's my college boyfriend. We've been together for more than 2 years. I broke up with him before we graduate. I found out that he was about to make a graduation proposal for marriage. I was scared shitless and too guilty. I broke up with him and he was beyond devastated. And I am still guilty until now. I don't know how to face him". She said with complete honesty.

Jiyong was exceptionally quiet while she speaks...as if waiting for her to proceed and tell him what's the deeper reason behind and for some unexplainable universal force, she's suddenly so open and feels comfortable to be out in the open with him "...you see, I was burned before him... I lost the greatest love of my life. My star-crossed love. My beautiful fallen angel." She said without noticing her eyes starting to water. Jiyong stole a quick glance at her and saw her extremely sad.. She's quivering and it's painful to look at. He focused his eyes on the road and ears on the girl beside him.

"Have you ever been hurt Jiyong? That kind of pain it hurts so much you taste it in your mouth? Have you been hurt so deep you feel it in your skin? That kind of pain it makes you bite your tongue? That kind of pain that haunts you in your sleep and paralyses you when you're awake? The pain that drains your blood and suck the life out of you? That pain that begs you to kill yourself? I did." She whispered quietly however, no matter how quiet it is, everything was so clear to him. The pain he hears is so raw, so fresh. You wouldn't think the person talking is someone with full of life and vigor. So feisty and strong. "I was ashamed of myself." She continued " so ashamed causing pain to others because of my selfishness. I hurt Soo Hyun so bad. He is a wonderful man with only love and loyalty and care. I made him fall without any intention of catching him. I used him to ease my pain. To feel alive but I was wrong. Dead wrong. I cared for him but not enough to love him. I thought he can make me love him but I was so full of myself. It was too late when I realized the pain I caused. He was so good to me but I was not. I am selfish." She self loathed.

Jiyong parked the car on the sides of the Yanghwa Bridge. He went out of the car and opened Dara's side. The girl is still sobbing when Jiyong grasp for her hand and lead her out of the car. He quietly led her to the bridge's railings. "Shout it out Dara... shout out all your frustrations and pain... It will help you at least lessen the pain...Go ahead..." he gently rubbed her back and urged her to shout.

Dara did what she was told to and for the longest time ever, she felt lighter. She felt comfortable and felt safe. The man beside her who was nothing but a pain in the ass, the person she least expected made her feel light and she's beyond thankful. She's thankful for the ears who listened patiently and for the silent pat in back. It gave her sense of peace and tranquility. It's more effective than the pills she took back in the day.

They both are staring at the glittering skyscrapers of Seoul from a far. The only sound they can hear is the noise of the car passing the bridge. They are bathe in silence. Dara rested her head on Jiyong's shoulder. He draped his arms on her shoulder and rubbed it again gently.

"I was so young when I lost my parents. I was in grade school. I was sad but I didn't understand it until I was in 4th grade. When I only have my Aunt Young Ae for PTA or Family Day. when sometimes I see my classmates coming out with their moms or dads in the car. The food my friends have that are cooked by their moms. I love Imo but she was also busy. She has responsibilities on top of taking care of me. She has company to run. She has people who depends on her. Who am I to be greedy for her attention when she has given me the world? I shifted my sadness to taking pictures. I love taking pictures of people around me. I feel like taking pictures can defy gravity and the study of relativity. It freezes time. It makes you stand still and it will make you wonder 'what's next?'...'what's the next move?' 'what's she/he thinking?' It fascinates me. It helps me. It is my sanctuary. Do you have a sanctuary Dara?" he asked thoughtfully.

"I do. It's a place. I have not visited the place for a very long time now. It's my happiness and sadness."

"Do you want to visit the place? Tonight?" he asked. Dara looked up to him but his gaze is still fixed on the starless sky.

"It's a bit far and we have work tomorrow."

"Did you forget that I am THE BOSS? I make the call." He said proudly.

"Sorry Your Majesty, I almost forgot. Jerk." She elbowed him. The mood was suddenly shifted to a lighter and playful atmosphere.

"Thank you Jiyong." She then said solemnly.

"You're welcome." He said smiling. "Where to then?" he inquired.

"Busan". She whispered.