Memoirs of a Young Love (Completed)

Chapter 5 - Peony

'Oppa, I'm here. Are you sure you want to do it here? There are a lot of changes.' I was talking to someone over the phone that rang the first time that day. I figured he was that busy to make time to call me. 

'Yes, definitely. There's no better place than there,' he said on the other line. Seriously?

I shook my head as I was about to protest to him, but he insists it is much better here. I looked at the whole school from where I could see all of it. That was the best vantage point, and yet, the place whom everyone almost never goes to before was also given a major makeover.

Indeed, life gives you so many things, change included. But as the cliche lines goes, 'Change is the only thing permanent in this world' .

It really is.
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The walk home that afternoon was quite different, knowing that I had just given him my yes. He was all smiles, the sadness that was etched earlier on when he fetched me was nowhere to be found. His hold on my hand was tighter, but more gentle. Sometimes, he would even bring me closer to him when the need arises. Especially when we pass by a place were there are a lot of guys looking at us. It just made me smile at least, and indeed my heart was happy likewise.

Such was the joy of a young love. Who would have thought there would be someone who will do this to me?

When we arrived at my doorstep, he looked at me with his lips pressed, smiling. He was holding both of my hands, and I felt that he doesn't want to let go, yet. I shook my head and was amazed at what just happened earlier on. When he was about to say something, my father showed up from work and was shocked to see that someone, a boy at that, was holding his daughter's hand.

I froze for a second, and I yanked Bin's hand away from mine. My father gave me a cold stare before he shifted his gaze to Bin. He immediately bowed to my father and greeted him.

'Good evening, Mr. Son,' he said, bowing ninety degrees in front of him. My father looked at him before turning to me.

'Yejin, get inside now. It's getting cold,' he said as he opened the gates.

Left alone together, I asked Bin to go home. But he was fast enough to catch the worry that struck my face.

'It's gonna be fine, Yej. Trust me,' he said, while holding my hand. I said my goodbye to him and he nodded. 'See you tomorrow, Yej.'

I opened the gates and I was not expecting that my father was waiting for me. I had my head hung low, as I was afraid what his reaction might be. I heard him call my name and asked me to follow him. He led me to our garden, and sat on one of the chairs. I knew that he is going to talk about something important, because this place is his corner of the house. He motioned for me to sit across him.

'Yejin, who is that boy?' he asked directly. I must admit my heart was pounding inside my ribcage like crazy.

'Dad, it's Bin. He's a transferee in our school not too long ago,' I answered, not really knowing how to tell him my relationship with Bin, although it was already obvious.

'And a transferee is holding my daughter's hand in front of my house?' he asked. Something about the way he was talking to me was fairly odd. He was gentle, unlike those fathers I envision to be raging when they learn about their daughter's whereabouts.

I was not able to answer him right away, as I couldn't find the words to say. But I'd rather be honest to my parents, especially my father, than otherwise. There was no use hiding it, he caught me in the first place.

'Dad, he was pursuing me for a few weeks now,' I answered. 'And I just said yes.' 

He fell silent for a moment, before he exhaled. He then said something that I was quite surprised about.

'Yejin. I can't ask you to stay away from him, now that you have said yes. Believe me, I wanted to keep you away from those things, as you are too young and I have so many dreams for you. But I want you to be fairly responsible for the yes you have given. I trust you, and you must have seen something in him that you really like. 

When I was younger, maybe a little over your age, I fell in love too. And we had a relationship, but her father didn't know anything about us until there was someone who told him about it. Of course, as a regular father, he asked me to stay away. It was hard, as I really loved her at that time. I didn't want to let go, but then hearing it from her felt different. She asked me to stay away, and of course it hurt. It took me some time to move on, and when I did, I met your mother. Don't get this wrong, Yejin. I love your mother so much that I married her, and with my former girlfriend, I haven't heard about her anymore. And I don't intend to know it too. Because I am happy now with how my life goes with your mom, your sister and of course you.

I'm telling you this so you would know that saying yes is indeed a commitment and you have to stand up for it.'

I was overwhelmed by what he said. But I also was happy, knowing that he did not oppose to what Bin and I have, even if we are too young. I stood up to hug him

'Thank you, dad,' was all I ever said. He pat my head, I was his little girl and a favorite one at that.

'I would appreciate it if he will come over some time,' he told me. I smiled at him.

School fair was around the corner the following month and everyone was so excited. I was chosen to represent our grade level for the school's beauty contest and I could see Bin being so happy about it. He was one proud boyfriend, as what he calls it. There were endless rehearsals in the afternoon, and at one point I almost gave up because I was so tired already. 

'Why does this contest seem to be so hard. Can't I just strut around that stage like I'm walking normally?' I complained to my friend one time.

They all laughed at me. 'Do you want to lose? It's not like you if you give up so easily,' Yoona answered. They knew how competitive I can get, but just now, I didn't want to be one. Why?

The brats. Ever since Bin and I got together, I have always been wary about them. I just wanted to have some peace, the way I had it before he even came to my life. But then, I know I have him and my Cinderellas to defend me when the time comes.

And Bin. I know he loves me but sometimes, I can catch him being jealous. Eventhough he won't tell me, I know that deep inside he's boiling whenever there are guys who talk to me, even if it's harmless. How would I know? He just shows that famous pout of his and keeps sulking whenever I talk to him. Sometimes, I want to be angry at him, but remembering what my dad said makes me do otherwise. Instead I tease him until he opens up and we can talk about it. Now that I was chosen to do this, wouldn't I even think that he won't be jealous at what could possibly happen? I just hope not.

Bin walked me home like we always do one afternoon, when I didn't have any rehearsals and I could breathe from all of it. But before we got out of the school grounds, he took me somewhere in school that there were a few people who frequent to. The retreat house. There were a lot of plants and flowers in that area, and I wonder why he took me there. He then asked me to stay in one place, then he plucked a flower from one of the pots there, illegally. A peony. 

'I know I don't have enough money yet to give you these kinds of flowers, but I promise you, when the time comes that I do, I will give you, every month,' he said, handing to me the white peony.

'Happy first month,' he continued, while smiling at me. Again and again, his dimples never fail to amaze me everytime they show. But what he did next made me shiver down my spine.

He bent down to kiss me, on my cheek. He then smiled and whispered, 'I love you, Yej.'