Birthday Wish
Plaid Shirts & Lipsticks
Somin stared at the sleeping face before her with a blank expression on her face. Somin was laying beside the sleeping Kim Hyunjoong.
Her hand slowly reached for his face and gently touched his cheeks. She began to trace his features starting with his sharp jaw line. Her finger went over the little bump on his chin that was unnoticeable until looked upon up close. Then she proceeded to his nose. She started from the top and made her way down to the tip. After doing so, Somin began to touch the dark circles that had formed under his eyes from lack of sleep and busy work.
The thoughts of the ring and Hyunjoong ran through her mind as she retreated her hand back. These thoughts had prevented Somin from getting any sleep last night. She was just up all night, laying beside him, thinking and staring at his face.
Her eyes wandered over to the clock and was shocked to find that it was already 10 a.m. Somin slowly got up from the guest bed making sure not to make any noise. She grabbed the jacket she was wearing last night when she picked up Jinho and Hyunjoong at the bar and began walking towards the kitchen.
Today was Ahjumma’s day to come in later than usual and Somin had to get breakfast ready before Eli woke up. He would be in a fuss if there was no breakfast on the table. She made a simple meal of eggs, toast, slices of ham, and rice. Somin set three plates on the table and once satisfied, headed upstairs to wake Eli up.
She opened the door to their room and found that Eli was still snoring soundly. She chuckled at the sight of him and sat down on the bed. She began tapping him to wake him up. After a few good hard taps on the , he woke up.
Eli stretched his arms, legs and let out a big yawn. He looked at her with a drowsy expression. “I had the weirdest dream last night…”
“And what was that?” asked Somin as she stood up to get clothes for him in the dresser.
“We were driving and Daddy and Uncle Jinho was in the back. Daddy was making loud noises while you were telling Uncle Jinho to make him be quiet. Well you said the s word but I won’t say it out loud.”
Somin let out a laugh. “That wasn’t a dream buddy,” She laid out his clothes on the bed. “Get dressed and we’ll head downstairs for breakfast. You’ll see what I’m talking about.”
As soon as Eli finished dressing up, they went downstairs together to eat breakfast.
They ate for a while before Somin heard the guest room door open. They both turned their heads towards the door and saw Hyunjoong drowsily walk towards them. He gave them a small wave.
Hyunjoong walked over to Somin and whispered in her ear, “How did I get here last night?”
She turned to him and whispered back, “You were drunk and neither Jinho or I knew where you lived. Don’t mention the word drunk around Eli.”
Hyunjoong nodded as he backed away from her and faced Eli. “Hey kiddo,”
“Hi Daddy,” said Eli with a mouthful of eggs. “What are you doing here.”
“Uh…” He looked over at Somin for help.
She simply shook her head with a hidden smile as she stared down at her food.
“I…uh…came here…to…” started Hyunjoong as he scratched the back of his neck trying to figure out exactly what to say. “To…give your mother an invitation I got from a friend!” He looked at Somin who looked at him back with a puzzled expression. “It’s actually in my jacket pocket but when I came you both were asleep so I decided to just sleep here too instead of going back all the way home.”
Eli nodded. He had lost interest in Hyunjoong’s reasoning and focused more on his ham.
Somin saw Hyunjoong let out a sigh of relief. “You can sit next to Eli and eat breakfast.”
“Thanks,” Hyunjoong sat next to Eli and immediately leaned on the table with his elbows. He began to rub his head.
Somin shook her head as she bit her toast. He was having a hangover.
Somin kept eyeing him as they ate their breakfast. She wondered if Hyunjoong remembered anything from last night. From the looks of it, he didn’t.
“So, what is this about an invitation?” asked Somin.
Hyunjoong looked up at her. “Maerin’s wedding invitation,”
“Wedding? Already?”
He nodded. “Are you going to go?”
“I thought she hated me,” replied Somin.
Hyunjoong let out a scoff. “You hate her too.”
Somin sighed. “I know…go get that invitation so I can see it.”
Hyunjoong went back to the guest room to retrieve the invitation.
“Is it true what he said?” asked Eli.
Somin shook her head. “It’s a cover up buddy. But don’t say anything. Your dad is pretty proud that he was able to cover it up.”
Eli laughed. “So why did he really come here?”
“To see you!”
Eli shook his head as he leaned back in his seat. “Ey…”
“Just go with it,”
A couple of minutes later Hyunjoong came back into the dining room, holding out the invitation towards Somin. She took it in her hands and began observing it.
“Good morning everyone! You guys are already at the dining table?”
They all looked up and found Ahjumma walking in with a bag of groceries in each hand. Somin immediately stood up and began helping Ahjumma put the groceries away. Once she was done, Somin looked over at Hyunjoong and saw that he was done with his food.
She walked over and leaned on the table with her hand. “Do you need to get home?”
Hyunjoong nodded. “But…where’s my car?”
“The bar has it,” replied Somin. “We can take a taxi over and I’ll drive your car to your house. You still have a hangover you know.”
Hyunjoong thought for a moment before agreeing with Somin’s idea. “It won’t be too much?”
Somin scoffed. “You should have asked that question last night.”
He laughed and got up from the table. “I’ll go change into my clothes.”
Somin couldn’t help but let out a big laugh as she said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
...........................................
Somin and Hyunjoong arrived outside of the bar. Hyunjoong had gone on inside to retrieve the keys while she waited for him.
Somin leaned on the car and crossed her arms. The ride over was quite awkward and very quiet. Somin didn’t mind as the events of last night kept haunting her mind. She kept replaying the scene of her finding the rings. Somin just could not believe he still had them. She thought they were lost in that house. The rings were honestly forgotten by her.
“What are you thinking about?”
Somin looked up and found Hyunjoong standing before her. He was dangling the keys in her face.
Somin quickly snatched it from him. “Let’s go,”
Somin entered through the driver side and once Hyunjoong got in and told her his address they sped off.
As she was driving, Hyunjoong began speaking to her.
“I’m sorry for last night,” He said. “I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
Somin shook her head. “It’s okay, it’s the least I could do.”
“What do you mean?” asked Hyunjoong.
She shrugged. “You were mad at me right?”
He was quiet for a moment before answering, “Yes.”
“It happens,” She replied.
“Nothing crazy happened right?”
“You don’t remember?”
“Not one bit.”
“Then no, nothing happened.”
After Somin had said the last few words, the ride to Hyunjoong’s apartment was silent.
A couple of minutes later, Somin pulled up to a large building. This was where Hyunjoong lived. He instructed her to park inside the parking garage. As Somin got out she handed the keys back to Hyunjoong.
“You’ll be okay finding your way home?” asked Hyunjoong. “I can call a car for you.”
Somin shook her head, turning down his offer. “It’s alright, I’ll just take a taxi. I should be fine.”
He nodded. “Alright,”
As the two parted ways, Somin stopped in her tracks and turned back around. “Are we okay?” She called out.
Hyunjoong turned around and nodded. “We’re okay.”
She smiled. “You’ll be able to make it to Jeju then?”
“Just text me the details.”
“Okay I will.”
He waved at her as she turned around and headed out of the parking garage. Somin waited out front as she waved down a taxi.
Going home wasn’t her location. Instead, she wanted to visit her son’s grandparents. Kim Hyunjoong’s mom and dad.
...........................................
“Mr. and Mrs. Kim should be either in the living room area or one of the sitting rooms, would you like me to tell them that you are here?”
“It’s okay, I can go find them for myself.” replied Somin to the maid.
The maid bowed her head and exited the room.
Somin looked around her as she had forgotten how big the Kim household was. Somin had rarely been inside after Eli had been born. Whenever the company had needed her to be in Seoul or whenever there was an opportunity for a vacation, Somin would bring over Eli to the Kim’s for a day. Ever since the break up, Somin didn’t want Eli to estranged from his grandparents. It wasn’t fair. She wanted Eli to feel comfortable with his paternal grandparents.
But now stepping into the house, was a whole different story. Somin felt awkward as she walked through the long hallways looking through the rooms trying to find Hyunjoong’s mom and dad.
Somin finally stepped into a cream blue room and found Mrs. Kim watering the plants while Mr. Kim was reading the newspaper.
“Hello…”
Both Mrs. Kim and Mr. Kim looked up and from the looks of it were completely surprised to see Somin.
“Somin, what are you doing here?” asked Mrs. Kim as she made her way across the room. She enveloped Somin into a warm hug. “How are you my dear?”
Somin smiled as she hugged Mrs. Kim back. “I’ve been doing good, how about you?”
“I’m good. How’s Eli? How’s he liking Seoul?”
Somin pulled away from her gently. “How do you know we live in Seoul now?”
“It’s not like we don’t read the newspapers,” answered Mr. Kim as he stood up from his seat.
They exchanged greetings. Mrs. Kim invited Somin to sit down on the couch for all them to talk.
“So what brings you here?” asked Mrs. Kim as she ordered one her maids to bring a hot kettle of tea.
She slowly shrugged. “Just wanted to visit. Its been a while.”
They made small talk for a while over tea. Mr. Kim kept asking her about the company and Somin was happy to answer his questions while Mrs. Kim kept asking about Eli which Somin was equally as happy to answer them.
“How about Hyunjoong, have you seen him lately? The day after he came back from America he came here to see us and we sort of…argued. He was begging me to give him information about you.” Mrs. Kim said. “Since then, we haven’t really talked.”
“What do you mean you guys argued?”
“You really don’t know?” said Mrs. Kim a bit taken aback. “He wanted to know where he can find you. He went to Jeju Island, didn’t you see him?”
“No…I didn’t.”
“Well,” said Mrs. Kim as she sipped her tea. “That’s what he did. I figured you two would have met in Jeju Island or have you two been talking since you’ve come back to Seoul?”
“We have, a lot has happened since.” answered Somin. “He’s gotten to know Eli and he’s caring for him surprisingly well. He’s making up for the lost years.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Mr. Kim sat up in his chair. “I’m glad that you two are in good terms.”
“We are,” said Somin nodding. “We’re at a friendly stage.”
“That’s better than no relationship at all.” Mr. Kim poured himself a cup of tea as he asked. “And how’s your father?”
“He’s doing well. I‘m sorry, but I should be heading home soon. Eli is waiting for me.”
With that, the Kim’s and Somin made their way to the front door. Mr. Kim had ordered his driver to bring Somin over to her home. They bid their goodbyes and Somin was off.
During the car ride over, Somin took out her cell phone and decided to give her mother a call. A couple of rings and her mom answered.
“Hey mom, how are you? Just wanted to check up on you, it’s been a while since I’ve called.”
“It has! Your father is in physical therapy right now so we can talk for a bit. How are you? How’s Eli? I need to come home soon and pick up some clothes.”
Somin chuckled. “Eli’s fine. We’re all fine. Would you like me to send some clothes over instead?”
“That’s alright, I’d like to see my house too you know. Oh, has Hyunjoong talked to you lately?”
“Hyunjoong?” asked Somin in shock. “Why?”
“Well the funniest thing,” started her mom. “Hyunjoong came to the hospital in dad’s room a week and a half ago asking to pursue you again. Of course I wasn’t completely buying it but your dad is convinced. I’m wondering if he’s done anything to you yet?”
“I really don’t understand what you’re saying mom.”
“He wants to get back together with you! I want to know if you’ve accepted him yet.”
“Uh…mom, I’m going to go. I’ll call you another time?”
“Sure honey, be safe!”
Somin hung up and let her cell phone fall on her lap as she bit her lip. She was trying so hard not to cry.
Everything that Hyunjoong’s done. Every time he tried to talk to her about them, Somin had pushed him away.
Maybe she was the problem between them. Her heart was so guarded, so protected that she was so blind to see Hyunjoong’s own heart.
This time, Somin really didn’t know what to do anymore.
Switch~...//...//...
Hyunjoong was rolling his small luggage into Gimpo International Airport, staring down at his phone, and reading the instructions Somin had given him the night before.
She had texted him the details of their flight to the exact period. Their flight was at 7 a.m. and Somin wanted him at the airport at 5 a.m.
It was now 5:30 a.m. and he knew he was in for a big scolding.
Hyunjoong turned around a corner and found Somin and Eli standing at a waiting area looking for him. He waved at them and as soon as he got closer, he could the see the evident scowl on Somin’s face.
“Sorry…I woke up late,” said Hyunjoong as he parked his luggage at his feet. Somin didn’t budge. “Oh come on! You know how I can’t wake up in the mornings! Besides, our flight is at 7 a.m. It’s no big deal!”
Somin threw her hands up at him. “Fine,” She turned around and grabbed something. “Here for you.”
Hyunjoong took the coffee from her and thanked her. They all sat down together in the waiting area.
They spent the next two hours sitting and waiting for their flight to be ready to board passengers. Eli had fallen asleep in Hyunjoong’s lap. He looked down at his little boy and his hair. He looked over at Somin who was texting on her cell phone.
“Who are you talking to?”
“My assistant,” answered Somin. “I need her to know what needs to get done while I’m gone. Why aren’t you talking to your secretaries?”
“Unlike you, I actually gave them all my plans yesterday,” said Hyunjoong as he smirked.
Somin rolled her eyes. “Well, unlike you, I’m fairly new at this running a business thing so shush.”
Hyunjoong laughed to himself as he went back to caring for Eli.
“He’s really happy, you know, that you’re here.”
Hyunjoong nodded. “I know. It’s the least I can do for him.”
“Now boarding Flight 1017 to Jeju Island. Now boarding all passengers on Flight 1017.”
Hyunjoong gently carried Eli in his arms as he stood up. Somin, seeing that his hands were full, took all the luggage’s and led the way to the terminal. She presented their tickets and they entered the air plane.
They found their seat and all comfortably sat down in first class. Hyunjoong reached over and tilted Eli’s chair back for more comfort. He caught eyes with Somin who was watching him carefully. He mouthed the words, “What?” to her.
She shook her head at him, leaned back in his chair, and plugged in ear phones from her I-pod.
Hyunjoong chuckled as he leaned back in his chair and prepared himself for the two hour flight.
...........................................
“Welcome to Jeju Island!”
Eli began running outside of the airport while Hyunjoong and Somin were running to catch up with him.
“We’re home!” yelled Eli. He turned back to the two of them with a smile. “We’re finally home.”
Hyunjoong watched Somin run and catch Eli into her arms. He smiled at the scene before him.
“I’ll go get a taxi,” shouted Hyunjoong as he gathered all their belongings.
A taxi arrived for them and Somin told the address to the driver while Hyunjoong placed their things in the trunk. He sat in the front and watched out the window as Jeju scenery drove by him.
The last time he had seen this was when he was looking for Somin. The weather was clear and bright. Perfect for Eli’s birthday in two days.
Fifteen minutes, the three of them arrived outside of Somin’s house. Eli immediately swung the taxi door open and ran towards the house. Hyunjoong and Somin looked at each other with a smile. Eli was just so excited and incredibly happy. He paid the taxi driver and began taking out their luggage and what not from the trunk.
“I’m going to go and unlock the door for him,” said Somin. “He’ll want to run around inside as well.”
“Dad!” Eli came running back towards Hyunjoong. He took a hold of his hand and began tugging him towards the house. “I want to show you my room!”
After a tour of the house, lunch, hours of playing with Eli, the introduction of Eli’s fiend Sunmi, dinner, and another hour of playing time with Eli, Somin led Hyunjoong to the room that he would be staying in.
“If you need anything,” Somin said as she stood at the doorway of his room. “Let me know.”
Hyunjoong nodded. “You don’t need me to clean or anything? Maybe help Eli get to bed?”
She shook her head with a smile. “He’ll understand if you don’t come and tuck him in. He knows that he’s worn you out today.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Just get some rest. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
He laughed. “I’ve been awake since 5 a.m. I’m about to die Somin.”
She shook her head as she began to close the door. “Just go to sleep.”
Once the door clicked close, Hyunjoong began to unpack his things and put it in the bureau. He took out sleeping clothes and laid it on the bed for him to dress in.
Hyunjoong stood in front of the bureau mirror and began to undress. He looked at himself in the mirror and stared at the silver chain that held two rings in it. He picked up the rings in the palm of his hand and stared down at it.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
Hyunjoong quickly put on his shirt and turned around. “Come in,”
Eli’s head popped through and smiled at him. “I don’t care what mommy says, but I really want you to tuck me in.”
Hyunjoong smiled back. “Sure buddy,”
Switch~...//...//...
Jung Somin was running around the house holding two trays of freshly cooked food to be placed at the buffet table in the backyard. She had no time to waste for today was Eli’s birthday and birthday party. She looked over at the clock and realized that his friends were going to arrive soon.
As she set down the two trays, Somin spotted Hyunjoong further out in in their backyard with Eli setting up the goal post to play soccer. She smiled at the two of them.
“Where do I put these balloons?”
Somin looked up to find Ahjumma holding a bunch of navy blue balloons. She walked up to her and grabbed some. “We’ll just…sporadically place them around the house and backyard.”
Ahjumma had come to Jeju Island the day before to help with the party preparations today.
“How much more food needs to be cooked?” asked Somin.
“I have a few pots still going but we should be done soon,” replied Ahjumma.
“Good,”
The two of them made their way into the kitchen and resumed the cooking.
Soon enough, the backyard began to be filled with Eli’s school friends and the living room had become a gathering for his friends moms. Somin set down appetizers for the moms and let Hyunjoong handle Eli’s friends.
The party was in full speed as the moms had all relocated outside to the beautiful weather of Jeju Island. To Somin, the island never seemed to change seasons. It had one forecast, sunny.
As the kids were having fun, Somin had gathered with the moms to have a chat. She wanted to be caught up with the latest island gossip.
“Forget what’s going on with the island,” spoke up one of the moms. “What we all want to know is, is that gorgeous man over there Eli’s dad?”
Somin’s cheeks began to blush a deep red. “Yes, he is.”
“Well bring him over!” exclaimed another mom. “Introduce him to us Somin!”
Somin slowly turned her head towards Hyunjoong’s direction. He was drinking a soda while watching the kids play soccer. Somin caught eyes with him and waved him over.
Hyunjoong made his way over and stopped at their little group. He charmingly smiled at them. Somin could see the women’s hearts melt. She rolled her eyes to herself. They were all married and with kids.
“This is Kim Hyunjoong,” said Somin introducing him through gritted teeth. “Eli’s dad.”
Hyunjoong gave a slight nod to each one of them with a smile. Every single one of them inched their way closer to him asking him questions and obviously flirting with him.
Somin looked over at Hyunjoong who was soaking all the attention in. She began walking away and towards Ahjumma.
“I’m going to take a walk,” She said.
Ahjumma looked at her with concern. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” replied Somin. “I just want to walk around for a bit.”
“Come back in time for the cake okay?”
She nodded. “I will. Don’t worry, it’ll be short.”
Somin went inside the house and grabbed a sweater from the closet hook and began walking outside. She wrapped the sweater around her as she walked down the road towards the grassy fields.
The fields were a place where Somin used to go when Eli was just born. She would go there to think, to do work, to read, and to play with Eli. The fields were her way of relaxing at her worst.
Somin climbed up the hill and arrived on top. The fields overlooked Jeju Island and as she starred at it, a million thoughts ran through her mind.
“You’re missing out on a great party.”
Shivers ran through Somin’s spine as she turned around to find Hyunjoong standing a couple of feet away from her. “I just needed a walk. You can go back to your new friends.”
Hyunjoong smirked at her. “Are you mad? No wait, are you jealous?”
Somin rolled her eyes. “I’m not jealous.”
“Oh come on Somin,” teased Hyunjoong. “Just admit it, you were jealous back there.”
“I am not jealous.”
“Yes you are.”
“I’m not jealous!”
“If you’re not jealous, then why are you here?” asked Hyunjoong. “Are you mad at me? I thought we were okay.”
“Yes we are okay!” yelled Somin. “We’re just okay! But I am angry at you! I’m mad at you! I want to yell and scream at you at the top of my lungs!”
Hyunjoong looked at her, surprised. “Somin…”
“I know that you went down on your knees begging your mom for my whereabouts. I know that you went to my parents asking their permission to try to get back together with me,” said Somin as she fought back tears. “And I know about the rings Hyunjoong.”
“The rings…The engagement rings?” His hand touched his neck.
“Yes the rings! How could you keep those rings for so many years?!”
“I wanted to keep them!”
“Then how about my parents?! What gives you the right to talk to them about our relationship?!”
“What do you mean what gives them the right?! They have the right to know everything about us!”
“But there is nothing between us!” yelled back Somin. “Nothing!”
“You really need to stop saying that!” countered Hyunjoong.
“Why?!”
“Because there is something between us Somin. There will always be something between us whether you like it or not.” replied Hyunjoong.
“Why…why do you do things that make me want to fall in love with you all over again?!” The held back tears had finally escaped Somin’s eyes. “You know what Eli asked me last night? He asked me if his birthday wish could be that you and me get back together. I couldn’t give him an answer!”
“This is why I get upset Somin. You’re so indifferent towards me that it’s suffocating! I hate that we’re not together! I hate how I can’t call you mine. I hate that whenever we are together it’s strictly about Eli. For once in these five years, do something for yourself!”
Somin glared at him with angry eyes. “I’ve done all that I can for myself. I’ve been raising Eli alone for the past five years! It’s no longer about me anymore Hyunjoong. I have a little boy who relies on me!”
Hyunjoong threw his hands up in the air. “This is your problem! You can’t let go of the past! Whatever I say or do doesn’t matter because in your eyes I’m still that stupid guy who knocked you up and left you when you needed me the most. I apologize for that! I’ve been apologizing. You don’t know how hard it’s been for me. The first year you were gone from my life I could barely breathe. I could barely live. I looked for you! I hired private investigators but you had my mom on your side. I didn’t give up Somin. I never gave up. I simply decided that you had moved on and that I should do the same too.”
“Did you think it was easy for me?” asked Somin as her voice trembled.
“Of course not! Not once have I thought you had it easier than me. We suffered these five years apart from each other equally. The only difference is you had Eli to hold and I had these rings to remember. The woman I met at the bar five years ago, the woman whom I’ve gotten to know through chance, the mother of my child is the woman that I am deeply in love with. I love you Jung Somin. I’ve always have and I always will. There is no woman out there who can get so under my skin like this. There is no one else.”
Somin couldn’t hold her emotions in any longer as she walked towards Hyunjoong and kissed him, the man that she too had always been in love with.
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