Memoirs of a Young Love (Completed)

Chapter 24 - Return to Seoul

As soon as I sat down on my office table, my phone rang. It was an international call from the New York Institute of Photography. Since Jeju, when I opened the letter, I tried not to think about it. It would only ruin my otherwise life that has already put in place, one by one. 

I didn't know it was this hard to choose between two good things. 

They invited me to be one of their instructors, and I had to stay for a year if ever I accept it. Sure enough this is something that photographers like me truly dream to do, but something in me likewise did not want to leave the life that I am living now. Certainly, I won't. Not now.

I decided to answer it anyway out of courtesy. I declined, but they gave me time to think. I told them I have a big project by the start of next year, and they told me the offer stands until March. 

I figured I can still talk to Yejin about this. Whatever she says, I will follow her. Not that I want her to decide for me, but I just wanted to let her know.

Unless, I want what happened before to happen again. And that's something I can't afford.

Getting through the day with meetings, I felt exhausted. For some reason, I wanted to go back to Jeju and stay there again for a few days. But I know that my life is here. Suddenly I remembered my dad told me that he needs to meet me. I called him up.

'Dad, how are you? I'm back in Seoul,' I said to my old man.

'Ah Tae Pyung, good to know. I am fine,' he replied.

'You said you wanted to see me when I come back. What is it all about dad?'

'Yes. Can you come over tomorrow for lunch? Meet me here in the office,' he said.

I agreed. It's still a wonder to me who wanted to see me, but I'm willing to oblige. My phone rang once more. It was hyung.

'Hyung, how are you?'

'I'm good. How about you?' He asked.

'Never better, hyung. Listen, the shoot didn't actually pursue. Did you hear about it?'

Silence. 'Yes, Joon Suh told me the other day. I'm sorry for dragging you and Yejin into that.'

I chuckled. 'But I have to thank you for that, hyung.'

'Something good happened?' He asked.

My smile grew even wider, and if he could only see me now, he would smack me. 

'Yejin and I got together again, hyung.'

He was happy hearing the news. He knew everything about our story, from both sides. He wanted to stand in between, but I asked him not to. If I could get back with Yejin, I wanted it to be between us.

But then he is also stubborn. His stubbornness paid off though.

'So am I hearing wedding bells soon?' He asked.

'Isn't it too early, hyung?'

'After all this time, you still want to wait?'

Then it struck me. I wanted to come back to her, but after that what?

'If you pursued her, make sure you bring her to the altar,' he said.

'I will, hyung. This time, I will.'

As I fetched Yejin later that night, it felt so surreal. Her walking towards me, while I was waiting for her gave me a lot of things in mind. Would it be like this if we are going to get married? I just smiled while looking at her, while she returned her smile to me.