c l i m a x

c l i m a x // XXIII [final chap]

Life is all about moments that changed our lives forever.

It is not a series of chances but of choices.

The people you meet, the ones you lost, the meaningless coincidences, the fateful encounters…

They are all a part of life. A destiny.

The prayers uttered, the wishes granted, the tears shed, the smiles worn…

They are all a part of life. A destiny.

The beginning, the climax and the ending…

They are all a part of life. It is written in the heaven among the stars…

It is destiny.

--

“This is real. You are my reality, Dara. You will always be. I love you.”

“I love you more, baby. Forever.”

“Hey, why don’t you go inside, it’s cold in here.” The voice of Bom woke Dara up from her trance. She could still remember every detail, every scence of her and Jiyong’s wedding like it was just yesterday. Dara smiled at Bom and nodded. “Yah, Dara…it’s been six months since…”

“I know,”Dara cut her off, trying to shrug off the sadness washing over her again. “…I know.”

Bom sighed and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go?” Bom asked again and Dara nodded weakly in reply.

Six months. Time sure does fly so fast. But for Dara, it was like time stood still six months ago.

It felt like a lifetime, like forever.

--

She traced the rain drops that trickle down outside her window. Sohee smiled bitterly to herself.

Six months. Six months were all it took for her to realize how horrible of a person she has become.

Everyday Sohee’s been living in misery. Regretting everything, for hurting innocent people and scarring their lives forever.

She has become a monster. A monster locked up in a cage called past.

Dara was right. She let her past eat her up, hurting herself and other in the process. She needs to grow up. She needs to help herself.

“I’m sorry, Jiyong…I’m sorry…” Sohee whispered as burst in tears. Her sobs echoed against the four corners of her ward, breaking the silence. “…forgive me.”

“Sohee?” Youngbae rushed as soon as he saw his cousin crying again. “Sohee…hey, stop crying.” He cooed, rubbing her back when he settled himself beside her.

“I’m sorry…I’m sorry.”

“I know. Please stop crying.” He said, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Sohee hugged him tighter, finding comfort in her family. Her sobs fading as seconds pass.

A month after that fateful night, Sohee was sent in court for a trial. She was not imprisoned because her records showed that she is mentally ill all this time. Thus, sending her to a mental institution instead for rehabilitation before she’ll be transferred to jail after a year of treatment.

Her father was not against it and Sohee was neither. She willingly obliged to stay in the mental institution for treatments.

“Youngbae-ah…”

“Hmmm?”

“Will I ever find happiness?” Sohee asked, biting her lips to stop it from quivering. Youngbae sighed and kissed her hair lightly.