THE RESTLESS AUTUMN (completed) (a full-length novel)

Cell No. 68

Chapter 6

“And my parents never saw my twin brother again after they fled the camp.” The cab driver finished his story before telling his passenger they had already reached the destination. He pulled over and accepted the bills handed to him. Profusely he thanked his passenger when she told him to keep the change. Jang In-ri got off with her traveling bag and looked at the house. She remembered her conversation with Ji-heon a day before she flew in from Singapore. It was hard to trace a lie in her voice when she said she couldn’t come sooner because of the convention she had to attend. But the truth was, she could barely contain her excitement for she had meant to surprise Ji-heon with her unannounced arrival in Seoul. She pressed the doorbell once, twice and peeked through the small gap but no one came to the door. The passing wind brought loose strands of hair to her face. Instinctively, she brushed it away, tucking them behind her ears. She attempted to peek again but the gate suddenly opened. In-ri, stupefied with the image of Euna in front of her, gathered her breath in disbelief. It was a long silence with no movement from both sides. Euna who was just as surprised as the visitor finally made the first move and bowed. “Annyeong.”

In-ri managed to recover from her shock. “Annyeong. I’m looking for Lee Ji-heon.”

“He hasn’t come home yet.”

“Can I wait inside?”

“Please come in.” She stepped aside and allowed In-ri in. From the back view, Euna could see In-ri’s auburn hair flowing freely just below her shoulders, her tailored-cut suit on her slim body emphasizing a commanding presence but still with a touch of femininity. No doubt the lady looked perfect from every angle. Intimidation as well as a rush of envy grew when Euna recognized who the visitor was.

She immediately served hot tea and offered tteok, something she had been preparing before In-ri arrived. In some instances she would glance and notice the uneasiness on In-ri’s face, the constant shifting of her crossed legs, the small gestures of her hands flipping through her hair. Euna smiled awkwardly to lighten up the atmosphere but she was too intimidated to start a conversation. When the silence grew a bit too long, she moved to the kitchen to finish her chores.

In-ri knew it was improper to stare but questions were piling up in her mind. She held the cup in her hands and tilted it to her lips, watching Euna discreetly over the rim. She recalled meeting the woman in the school auditorium, looking every inch a fair maiden with flawless white skin and long silky black hair. Now the object of her envy bore only traces of that image, as if another person had taken over Euna’s identity. Even the eyes had ceased to glow as she had remembered them to be. After consuming half the cup, In-ri thought of calling Ji-heon on her mobile phone. After a few rings he picked up and asked about the schedule of her arrival. Again she lied and repeated the time and flight number without buckling. After reminding her to have a safe flight, he informed her he was on his way home. In-ri quickly said her good-bye when she saw Euna approaching her again.

“How long have you been here?” In-ri asked, her eyes studying Euna all over as the latter poured more tea into the teapot.

“Three days.”

There was another pause. In-ri couldn’t think of a better way to ask without sounding too inquisitive. She tried again. “Are you…”

“I won’t be staying long.” Euna cut her short.

“He never told me you’re staying with him.”

Euna was silenced with In-ri’s disclosure.

“He’s supposed to tell his girlfriend when he’s having a houseguest, right?” In-ri said.

It felt like a jab to Euna, hearing another woman claiming the man she loved.

“I’m a household help,” she clarified, her head tilted low.