A Travel Documentary [On Hold]

[ cats ]

. . . 

The distance between the mighty, calloused mountains and the glittering town is only a ride away. Even better, Jin suggested they rent a tandem bicycle to contribute in reducing harmful gases affecting the environment. He thinks such offer is more amusing than sitting in a vehicle. 

They can be healthier and more active rather than just walking around. 

Who knows whether there's a traffic jam whilst on the way?

MiYeon was hesitant at the idea. Something was bothering her and it isn't just one factor. Those overlapping issues weren't easy to dissect. She had to find the problem first. She needed to find the loose end of a thread on a tangled knot. She can't stop worrying, that's for sure. 

"I will lead and you will help me with your strong legs!"Jin ventures for his wife's approval. She wants to accept his offer without stalling. It's strange for MiYeon to overthink this matter. It's true how she sometimes oversees daily matters. 

Certainly, they can ride up towards the mountain with effort. 

MiYeon tilts her head and parts her lips open into a small circle. 

"I just hope ... that we don't cycle in reverse." 

Jin makes sure whether she fully agrees once more. He understands that she can see the polar lights from their window, but he felt daring. He opts to reach closer to the sky. Even when they reach the top of the mountain, which probably may be halfway, the zephyr is colder. 

For a brief moment, MiYeon wanted to stay back to watch web toons. She isn't excited to peddle up a mile or two to the mountain. She's scared and doubtful at the same time. This, Jin observes for a bit and makes another choice. 

His wife's accident happened at a mountain too. She fell into the heavy currents of the ocean and almost passed out to death. Her trauma's took months to conquer. Every small matter, whether it's water or rocks or the dark frightened her. 

She was almost admitted to physical therapy. It lasted for a week before Jin pulled MiYeon out of her misery. 

"Actually ... I forgot to say that I'm afraid of heights, ya know. We can still watch the polar lights from our window, right?" Jin fondles her head and waits for her response. Her chest burns in guilt and ache. She wants this to be memorable. 

"Sorry ... Jin." MiYeon lowers her head in defeat. She is eager to overcome her past, but it isn't easy to forget about it. The nightmares are consistent in random orders. It surprises her at the least expected timing. 

Jin grabs for her hand and kisses her palm.

"That is something you do not have to apologise for. I just want you to have fun with me. I don't want you to be more stressed, okay?" 

She nods her head hides her face with the napkin. 

"Why? Why are you hiding your face with a napkin?"

She forgot that they were sitting in a well crowded cafe, of which mostly consists students and the elderlies. Withdrawing the napkin away, she grasps the mug with her right hand to cover up the embarrassment building up on her cheeks. 

They were planning to rent bicycles to tour around town. It's been such a long time since they could ride bicycles with each other. They rode for hours until exhaustion succumbed their system. It was a method to release any unnecessary stress that built up from their workplace. 

However, the wife isn't up for the idea just yet. 

Jin takes out a small notepad and a pen. It is designed with Mario characters. The design he brought was simple, yet amusing. This is her first time seeing the item, as her mouth forms a small circle at the adorable sight. 

MiYeon pokes the notepad in awe. 

"When did you get this? How come I've never seen you use it before?" 

She tilts her head and tries to remember any memories that involved Jin with stationaries. MiYeon has done journaling before. The hobby lasted for a week. She didn't have time back then to decorate the pages with stickers, tapes and the likes. She hopes to find some time to continue once they return from their tiring journey. 

"This? It's quite an old gift from my cousin. She told me her room had too much notepads and other stationaries. I even scolded her for buying too much when she's not using them."

MiYeon scoops up a small portion of the vanilla mousse. Her gaze remains on the notepad. A brief memory spurns up. There was a notepad in her drawer too. It had flowers and constellations as the prime design. 

"Not entirely true, Jin. Sometimes you buy things without even realizing it. You buy it not for the worth, but for your hobby, no? Anyway, how's she doing with her studies?"

"Maybe, if that's want you'd call it for a university student. You may buy things unconsciously, but then again saving money is important too ... I don't know. She hasn't said much about her classes." Jin shrugs and jots down some stuff on the piece of paper. 

"Oh! What did your parents say about the photoshoot last time?" 

MiYeon pulls out her phone and abruptly starts scrolling through her messages. Unfortunately, no one has replied just yet. 

"They thought I came from England or something." 

They ordered some cakes for takeout before walking back to the inn hand-in-hand. The weather was cold, but it doesn't entirely affect the way that they're walking leisurely. Jin hums to himself. He manages to interlock their arms together whenever he can. She didn't have any gloves, so the solution for sharing heat is to use each other's coat pockets. 

Crossing pass the empty streets and shops, they made several stops to capture more pictures. Most of them would be kept personally whilst other quantities were perhaps to be sent to families, friends and the social media platform. 

"Wow, Jin. You look like a professional model even though you've never taken any related classes before."

She surveys the outcomes with Jin leading the wife pass the docks. He makes sure not to get close to the water. She's already terrified of flying, yet tolerates the fear. MiYeon gawks at a certain image. Her heart is still attached to the prince-like appearance of Jin.  

"Well, what can I say? My parents have bestowed me such a handsome face and life and a beautiful wife. I am content to be able to pose naturally without making it awkward. Who knows, I may become a model instead of a CEO."

"Alright, alright, enough with the boasting." She waves it off and almost squeals in excitement when a cat approaches her. 

Truthfully, she doesn't want Jin to become a model. She'd rather be selfish, have him remain as a CEO managing hotels instead of women glazing their attention all to him. She does feel jealous and possessive, but that's one reason why she worries so much. MiYeon is always concerned with matters that haven't happened yet. 

Both the couple crouch down towards the cat, three of them apparently and share their affections. 

"Now that I think about it, how is your cat back in your parents' home? I know it's always attached to you wherever you go around in the house ... but now that we're here ..." Jin gently rubs his fingers on the cat's head. 

"He passed away two nights ago." She directly replies and he swiftly cranes his head to his wife. 

Her expression is placid. Had he heard her correctly? 

Jin is in a brief state of shock, until she turns around to face with him her tongue out. 

"Just kidding, it has kittens so I doubt he's that attached to me."

. . .