Clash of Colors

Déjà vu

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Two years breezed by. Nothing like the blink of an eye, but things had changed. The farm expanded. They got a pair of pigs, a couple that loved to roll around in the grass and laze under the beating sun. Sometimes looked like they were smiling mischievously. She and her father adopted a basset hound, Coco, who did not get along with Sambok. The two of them never in the sight of the other.

They had built a pen for the pigs that the ducks liked invading when not in use. A sheep joined them along with two more cows. That meant more effort was required to take care of them. More health checks from the vets. Need for medical supplies. And funding. Lots of funding.

Namjoo had started going to events to promote the farm. Handing out leaflets, explaining what their farm was about. Her father had recently gotten rights to expand the land on their farm, so that their animals would have more land to roam freely without trespassing on forbidden territories; the birds for example. Especially Coco who liked wandering off. She wouldn't forgive herself if a hunter prowling the forest shot him.

While her father remained on the phone and dealt with paperwork she cared for the animals. The sanctuary was currently closed to visitors, because construction would soon proceed. They wouldn't risk endangering any visitor or their animals during the process.

Namjoo had gotten up early that morning. Had her morning coffee and was now walking around with Sambok. An ordinary day for them. The sun was high. Each animal busy entertaining themselves.

Like she was.

"Bokbok," Namjoo called out.

The rooster clucked, bobbing his head at her side.

"Bokbok," she playfully called again grinning. Striding across the green field. Butterflies flittered past.

Sambok's silky red-green-brown toned hair shone under the light. Clucking loudly.

"Bok..." Namjoo called. This time the bird dashed off urgently clucking. Running the fastest she'd ever seen since the cat chased him.

Her heart shot up her throat. Fearing the worst, but he wasn't running toward the woods. He was running straight for the front gates. Namjoo's pace increased then decreased. Kicking up dirt noisily. Finishing her walk in one, two steps.

Staring beyond the thick tree where the green leaves were swaying in the wake of the wind. The light jingling in unheard decibels through the branches. An ordinary day with the sun shining high above her. Floating above her beloved farm, the animals she loved with her entire heart.

Confident she could not be hallucinating because it had been two years. The last moment when she had woken up in his arms. With her heart crying songs of sorrow when she pulled away, dressed, and left. Gathering her belongings from her mother's and riding the train back to Gimje, where her home was.

Her father had welcomed her back with open arms, warm food waiting for her. Instead of gratefully eating his meal she cried with the first bite and didn't finish the rest. Crying for two long days before telling her father about Hyejoo. Only to discover her mother had miraculously called for the first time in years to fill him in.

Did he know about Sehun? She didn't ask. He didn't say. Never even heard his name. She kept everything buried in her heart. Resumed her life. Naturally falling back into her routine and started breathing more happily. So, the years waned and the days became simple again.

Life was like that.

Namjoo watched him walk past the shade of the only tree in her yard. Carrying nothing but a suitcase. Wearing black pants and a blue dress shirt. The top two buttons left undone. Appearing fresh faced and handsome.