HEART LIES

SIDE DISH

Sa-rang hated these rendezvous. Crossing paths with the woman who stole your husband is one thing. Meeting the woman you sold him to is another.

"Anneyeonghaesyo, Lee Sa-rang Ssi."

Kim In-Soo appeared to have gained confidence, Sa-rang thought as she sat down.

"So why did you need to talk to me? I thought I made it clear we were not to meet."

"Cheseongaeyo [I'm sorry], it was important, here," In-Soo slid a box of seasoned seaweed towards Sa-rang.

Sa rang rolled eyes in front of the offering, "Ha chum, is it what I think it is?"

"I don't need it; my love for In-Sung is genuine."

Mixed feelings welled inside Sa-rang, she was happy and relieved, but something else dwelled, an emotion she did not want.

Regret.

"I feel like we are in a gangster movie," Sa-rang said as she looked into the box where the 20 000 dollars sat.

"I don't want In-Sung to find out."

The professor noticed how the woman fidgeted; In-Soo was afraid.

"He won't if you keep your mouth shut."

With In-Soo, Sa-rang had to be firm, for the woman was weak and needed constant pep talks to follow through with the plan.

"Gomoyo, Kim In-Soo Ssi for loving him. In-Sung is a good man. I trust you to take care of him."

Sa-rang slid the box of seaweed back to In-Soo's side of the table.

"Sa-rang Ssi, I said I don't need it," In-Soo said. Her facial expression showed bewilderment, "it's your money."

"I won't need it where I'm going. Open an account for the little one you are carrying or burn it. I don't care."

Sa-rang got up, put her bag on her shoulder, and turned to leave.

"Waeyo? [why?]"

The doctor stopped; she knew what question tickled In-Soo's tongue. If up till now, In-Soo never asked why the woman contacted her and paid her to seduce her husband. The inquiry seemed more relevant than ever.

"Because it's right," Sa-rang replied without looking back on In-Soo.

In-Soo got up and bowed, "thank you, Lee Sa Rang Ssi. I don't know what I did in life to deserve the gift you are giving for changing my life, but thank you."

Sa-Rang didn't turn. She walked out of the cafe leaving behind the guardian of In-Sung's grief.

A year ago

Sa-rang did not lie to In-Soo; she was convinced of doing the right thing. The memory of the day in the furniture shop when In-Sung's eyes met those of his future mistress still lingered. Sa-rang saw what love, at first sight, looked like. Never had her husband gazed at her the way he did at the saleswoman.

The idea came as Sa-rang took steps to stand next to her husband, whose face bored all the shame of his hidden desire.

In-Soo was the one; she would console In-Sung when she would no longer be of the world.

Sa-rang went back to the shop a week later.

"See you later," In-Soo said as she headed for lunch.

"Kim In-Soo Ssi."

"Nae, oh seomomim [polite manner of speaking to a customer], is there a problem?"

Sa rang looked about before talking, "eh, can I talk to you a moment?"