Farewell Waltz

Chapter 2: When Different Worlds Collide

Chorong: Cho-rong

Woohyun: Wuhyon

She loved reading, literature generally. Whenever she held a book in her hands, she felt she could close out reality, and live in a second life, going through everything the characters had gone through. Feeling the happiness they did, sharing the nurturing love, wounded by the overflowing pain, and finally meeting a happy ending. Chorong Park knew that reality had no happy ending, thus, she'd rather feel one in a book.

Of course, Chorong knew not all endings were happy, and she complied with that fact. She'd ask for too much, with Hamlet having his happily ever after with Ophelia, for Madame Bovary to return to her ever-so-loving husband, for Casanova to settle down, and live a normal life. No. Some works needed no happy ending, to make them majestic, for them to stand out, and Chorong knew that.

The fading aroma of coffee reminded her that she was in a coffee shop, and that she had her beverage untouched. Setting the rising author's, Woohyun Nam's latest novel, entitled Love on a Battlefield aside, she gracefully took her cup of caramel macchiato, and took a few sips. Although cold, it was delicious.

In contrast with the sweetness lingering in her mouth, her heart was bitter, her soul sugarless. A sigh escaped from her plump lips, and she gazed out the window. To her right, night already took over the city. Its lights were lively and marvelous, like tiny bulbs of hope breaking through the aching autumn night. Her own heart throbbed painfully. Her lover was being late again..

Her eyes caught a young woman's frame reflected in the glass. Her round face was pale, her expression blank. Her hazel eyes wore no sparkle, and the light brown curls falling over her shoulders seemed ugly. She wore a light brown blouse, and a pair of black leggings. The way she dressed might've seemed plain, save for her red high-heeled ankle boots, and red, rose-shaped earrings. She looked mature for her age, but at the same time elegant, and confident, if not for the fact that her heart was aching over her lover's recent behavior.

“Hi.” Someone spoke, and slid in the seat facing hers.

Chorong wordlessly looked his way, while trying her best to close out the hurt his actions caused her.

“Hi.” She replied icily to her lover.

“Reading, again?” He made a face, when noticing the book from the table.

Apparently, he had no intention of apologizing about arriving late, but instead, he'd acted like a jerk. Between Chorong and him, the differences were like between earth and the sky, and yet, she tried her best to keep that love alive. He hated reading, literature generally, and he always made fun of Chorong, for always doing so. He couldn't appreciate the classics, for him the word fun consisted of clubbing, drinking and getting wasted. But he meant a lot for Chorong, and they lasted for five years. Such differences wouldn't push them apart; right?

 “What do you want to drink?” She chose to ignore his smartass remark, trying to change the subject instead.

“I'll keep this short.”

His words only proved Chorong's suspicions that something was up. Something not necessarily good.

“Look..” He began, looking at his fidgeting hands over the table; a crease between his thick brows.

Chorong's heart began to beat faster, and she was all of a sudden unable to breathe. Bad news. He was going to give her one of those.

“For the past five years, I stood by your side. No, I went out with you in the first place because I thought you were cute, and no one ever told me otherwise.” He seemed troubled, and his fidgeting only proved Chorong right; unfortunately. “And yes, you are cute, nice, and the prettiest girl I've ever met.” Eventually, he looked up to her, and Chorong had a short indrawn of air.

Uh-oh. Him being this serious turned from bad to worse.

“But you're too engrossed in reading. You know I don't like reading, and, just as you understood this part of mine, I tried understanding your passion for books. I tried to accept it, but life is far from a pretty fairy-tale. And you have to grow up. I can't overlook it anymore, the fact that you seem to live in an imaginary world. I'm sorry.” His eyes were telling how sorry he was; her eyes knew, but her heart didn't.

Silence. One filled with tension. And hurt.

Chorong was troubled, taking in his words, when they seemed so surreal. No, rather than not understanding, she chose to close and eyes to it, because she knew what he meant, knew it oh-so well. She could read between the lines. And he was telling her to choose between him and her books.

“So..” When she spoke, her voice dry, of strength, of life, of everything. “Are you tired of me?” Her eyes found her laced fingers from her lap fascinating, as she couldn't look at him.

She was afraid, looking into his eyes, and proving how right she was. Chorong hated being right.

A loud sigh echoed through the awkward silence, coming from him. The man ran a hand through his hair, messing up his dark locks.

“Yes, Chorong. I'm tired of it all. I met someone. Someone who's perfect for me. Let's break up.”

She felt a sharp pain explode through her chest, like a dagger plunged through her heart. So this was it. Their five year relationship came to this. He met someone perfect for him, so he decided to break up, just like that. What's more, at a public place. Did he do that, so she wouldn't claw at his face? Or because he wanted to embarrass her to no end?

All Chorong could feel, it was a strong headache, and everything spun around her. Her ears were buzzing. A tear threatened to fall, but if one did, more would follow. And she wouldn't be able to stop them later, if she began to cry. She knew that separation would eventually come; she was aware of it. Lately, he'd been cold to her, putting up distance between them. She knew it'd happen, sooner or later, and, as much as she tried to keep things the way they used to be, she knew what a useless thing it was. Then, what was she supposed to do?

“So.. this is goodbye.” The man said curtly, got up and left, without saying another word.

Things suddenly took a turn from worse to worst.

Chorong felt her cheeks burn, underneath the curtain of hazel locks, her eyes stung, and her chest hurt. She also heard whispers around her, felt curious eyes on her. Was she strong enough to walk out with dignity, keeping her head up? Could se fight back the tears, at least until she was back in her warm home?

She had no idea, but, she grabbed her purse, coat and her book, and stormed out of the coffee shop, keeping her face low.

Accidentally, she pushed a woman, who was giddily holding a red rose, and was giggling, accompanied by a man with black sunglasses.