Haneul got up early, before the sun rose. He had some pending work at the office and he decided to leave before Ash woke up because he was still not ready to talk to her about everything that had happened. When he went to the room to get his clothes, he saw Ash on the bed, with her legs hanging down, she was still wearing the wedding dress, he noticed the marks of tears on her face, they were still wet, which meant that she cried all night. He lowered his gaze, he was ashamed of himself. He was about to walk past her when his eyes fell on her feet, he bit the inside of his mouth when he saw her feet, cold and dried blood near her toe. He gulped as he walked towards her, he was afraid to touch her, afraid that she might wake up, afraid that he'll ruin her slumber. He gently straightened her on the bed and put a blanket on her, making sure she was warm enough.
~
Ash woke up on the sound of her alarm. It was 8 in the morning, she lazily turned the alarm off, turning over for an extra dose but reality dawned upon her and she got straight out of bed and looked around, so she wasn't dreaming, everything that happened yesterday wasn't just a bad dream, it was the reality which she had to face bravely now.
She walked out of her room and the first thing she saw was the folded quilt on the couch, she looked around realizing that she was all alone. She walked to the kitchen and saw a sticky note on the water jug, she took it off and read it, "apply the medicine and don't stay up waiting for me..I'll be late tonight." she read
She peeked inside the shopping bag on the table, there was an antiseptic cream and some band aids.
She looked down at her toe and let out a small laugh.
~
Today was the day when all the staff was going to join the clinic, Ash was there early, ready to welcome them all. She put flowers in the vases and made sure everything was perfect.
She was standing at the door, waiting for them when she saw her parents, Flora, Yoona, Joon and Grandma making their way towards her. She suddenly became nervous, she hugged her mother and everyone else.
"thank you so much for coming.." she said as she showed them around
"oh come on darling! we had to come..we wanted you to know that we're here for you, in your good times and even in your bad ones.." Grandma whispered as she kissed Ash's cheek
Ash bowed, "thank you.." she whispered
"but..I don't see Haneul anywhere!" Yoona exclaimed
"that's what I have been thinking about..Haneul isn't here?" Grandma asked Ash
Ash looked around and scratched her head, she looked at Joon, who understood the problem
"Grandma, Bro was here, he helped Ash-ssi in cleaning the place, but he had to go because there was some important work at the office..you know him.." Joon said
"and how do you know that?" Grandma asked
"well..he called me, to tell me to make sure we reach here in time..so Ash-ssi isn't lonely.." he replied
Grandma smiled, "such a baby..our eldest grandson is.." she joked
Ash mouthed a thank you to Joon, who shook his head.
"darling, I know that your wedding was sudden and without any prior notice, but I hope both of you can take some time off and go enjoy your honeymoon together..also, we're going to have lunch at the restaurant Haneul designed and created, a farewell lunch for your parents, make sure you reach there in time..I'll send the car to pick you up at 1..okay?" Grandma asked
Ash nodded, "I'll be there, you don't have to send the car, I'll come myself, I'll have to change as well.." she explained, Grandma agreed
"Ash, why are you wearing these clothes? what about the hundreds of dresses we gave you? you're still wearing these manly oversized shirts and jeans?" Yoona asked
Flora joined in, "wear something nice for lunch, I don't want to see you in these clothes, please.." she said,
Ash nodded, "okay..okay..I'll wear the dresses..now go! everyone's waiting in the car!" she said waving them goodbye.
~
Sitting on the stairs, Ash thought of ways to make Haneul go with her, but she couldn't make herself call him, there was just an hour left before she had to leave for the lunch. The sound of the clock ticking was getting on her nerves. There was nothing but silence and she could hear the time go by just like that. Tick Tock Tick Tock..she couldn't take it anymore, she got up and took the battery out of the Clock and threw it away. Falling on the couch, not knowing what to do. That's when she heard the door opening, she got up quickly and saw Haneul walking in with a frown on his face
"you're back ear-"
"did you ask Grandma to call me?" he asked, interrupting her
she shook her head, "n-no..I didn't. Grandma called you? why?" she asked
"to make sure I was joining everyone for lunch.." he took his tie off and fell on the couch
Ash lowered her head, "..you don't want to?" she asked in a scared voice
Haneul noticed the quiver in her voice, he tried gulping his anger,
"no..I do..it's just..I- no, I do want to join everyone. Why don't you get dressed up, I'll freshen up as well.." he suggested
