It was almost the day before I leave.

I laid on my bed staring at the blank ceiling. I, Han Eun-Ju, couldn't wait to see Chang Wook again. He was in the city of Seoul, quite far from Daegu. It was just a few days before I was ready and packed for the train to go. It had been 3 years since I've seen him. It was just like yesterday when he stepped foot onto the train and left. He had told me to wait for him, and when the time was right, that I would be able to go see him again. No, he promised, he would comeback, for me.

We had no contact with each other. I seemed so lonely after he and Seo-Yun left, except I still had Henry. Seo-Yun and Henry were like the best of friends that I knew grewing up and going to school with the two. Then I met Chang Wook just a little after graduating highschool. We've became so close since then. It made me laugh when I remembered the first time I met him. 

He had to left because of me. He'd thought it was the right decision that we needed a break. Of course it hurted to hear him say that. Because I didn't understand if he was breaking up with me or just leaving my side for while. Although this all stirred up because of his mother. All because I was diagnosed with asthma. I was a poor ill girl.

After awhile it made me laugh, though he was my only love, and I couldn't love anyone else. It was hard for me to even breathe when he left. Remebering those first few difficult days alone, I just couldn't imagine how long yet fast it was already, when I made this decision. I smiled looking at the ceiling. "Chang Wook-ah"..I called out his name. My hands held together against my chest. It was quiet. Only the brush of wind coming from the window answered me. "Chang Wook-ah, almost there. Just a few more days..". I whispered quietly to myself.

"Eun-Ju-ah! Eun-Ju!". Henry rushed my way with in which startled me. I sat up and saw in his hands, what looked like an invitation.. 

"Hmm, what is it ?". I curiously asked, nervous to know what it really was. 

"Eun-Ju-ah, ..". Henry made a disappointed face as he continuosly read the invitation.

"Yah, mwoya ?". I questioned the curiosity, the fact that Henry couldn't tell me.

He sighed.."This is kind of heart breaking news. Eun-Ju-ah, could you handle it ? I can garentee, this will have you breathless (aka asthma). Nevermind- nevermind about me bringing it up..".. He said so oddly folding the invitation he just read back into the envelope..

"Yah, Henry. You could just at least let me read the letter or invitation, whatever it is. It's been awhile since I've had asthma. I'm really sure I can handle this one.". I said unconcerned of myself as I grabbed the envelope out of Henry's hand making him gasp.

Pulling out the letter, there was a picture that also came with it. Before even reading, I pulled out the picture... 

My heart completely dropped when I saw it. My face had flustered red, my stomach had turned upside down, and my brain that felt like it annihilated. "What ?..". I whispered too myself. All of sudden I felt my chest tighten. "Ah-.". I pressed my hand against my chest. "Ani-ya, I'm having a shortage of breath." My knees felt to weak to hold me. I had dropped to the ground gasping for air.. "What is this??".. I asked towards the unexpected picture..

"What did I tell you?!". Henry took the envelope away from my hands, then rushed to calm me down..

All of a sudden my eyes had flooded with running tears. My heart had almost stopped pumping. "Chang Wook-ah. Wae?". I asked him myself, balling my hands into a fist. 

"Eun-Ju-ah. I think you should be more cautious of yourself. Anything could happen! What if your heart stops beating for real? You can die!". Henry had stated what the Doctor had stated the last time, when we went to see him. "Where's your emergency inhaler ?". He asked, remembering I had one just incase. 

I pointed at the desk. Henry rushed quickly then back as he handed me my inhaler. I breathed it in once, and I could breathe again. But I couldn't and didn't want to speak for the remaining time..

I then flashed back to the picture when I pulled it out. It was pre-wedding pictures sent from an address from Seoul. 'Please join us, a wedding ceremony, between our 2 love birds, Groom, Ji Chang Wook and Bride, Kim Seo Yun. Thank you.' I remember what it had said. "2 love- birds ? Love birds ? Mwoya, is this some joke ?". I asked myself. The warm liquid from my eyes that fall. I laugh at myself. 

 

 

After 2 days, not eating or sleeping, I had packed and had gotten ready for the trip to see Chang Wook again. This time, as an unknown guest. My eyes felt like they were burning. Henry who was worried about my health and thought I shouldn't go, then he followed despite the fact that he had told me he was heart broken when he saw the pic as well. His heart dropped, because he had a long crush on Seo-yun and he loved her. Funny how both our hearts shattered..

Before we left, we went to see the Doctor to be sure I was able to go. The Doctor had gave me a note and talked to me about my serious health issues. He stated that I really had a serious asthma issue and that I didn't have much time before my lungs inflame seriously. It will narrow the airways even more and completely close in. He had wished I would not go on this trip but I told him, it was my wish before anything was going to happen. Henry didn't want me to go either but I told him the same thing I did to the Doctor.

It was a day before the wedding, when me and Henry were asked to help out by an unwanted person. We both didn't know how to answer but we'd agreed since it was best to help support the ones we love. 

Stepping out from the van, I was rushed to where Seo-yun was taken inside the big building, to assist and accompany her. I was confused as I refused to go in and even assist her. "Mwoya, a- ani-ya, no thank you, I'm not the best at assisting, please choose someone else.". I mentioned as the guards had forcefully pushed me inside the building. "Yah! Henry!" ..I called him seeing that he was taken inside to another building to help decorate inside the reserved place. I struggled pulling away. "Yah, I didn't agree with this! Please.."..I begged and begged. 

I was finally arrived in front of a door. I made a gloomy face as I was forcefully pushed into the dorm.. "Ysh!!". I hissed raising my fist then turned around to see Seo-yun for the first time in 3 years. I felt extremly uncomfortable as I looked away from her.

There was a hush of silence as Seo-yun blinked.. "Eun-Ju-ah!". She rushed hugging me so tightly.. "I knew you would come, and I know this must be confusing but Chang Wook doesn't know and I wanted to suprise him.". She seemed hyperly excited..

I was so exhausted and hit with stressed that I had only slightly smiled.. "Tsh, Seo-yun-ah.. Congratulations..". I said with a crack in my voice feeling my eyes were beginning to flood with tears again..

Pulling away from the hug, Seo-yun took a good look at me and held my hands. "Eun-Ju-ah, what are you talking about, look at you. You look so terrible. Did you get thinner, did you eat like I said to before I had left ? Eun-Ju-ah, update me on your asthma, has it gone away ?". Seo-yun asked concerned of my health despite the fact that I was a bit chubbier before than I was now.

"Seo-yun, my asthma, has gone away..I'm alright now.". I smiled so slightly as to lying to her about my health. It wasn't her to be so concerned about my health when tomorrow was a big day for her. "Seo-yun-ah, don't be concerned of my health okay ? Tomorrow is a big day for you, you should be concerned about that." I mentioned in which made her frown. 

"Eun-Ju-ah, that's why I called you here. I don't love Chang Wook. This marriage was arranged without us knowing. I couldn't possibly marry Chang Wook, when I still have someone waiting for me,.. Henry..". Seo-yun whispered Henry's name.. "He's here isn't he ?"..She quickly asked as I nodded. Seo-yun smiled so comforting. "C'mon, Eun-Ju-ah, lets get you ready for a big day tomorrow..".. She tightened her hold on my hand.

"W- what are you talking about. I couldn't possibly be your replacement. Ch- Chang Wook would be angry. He probably lost his love for me after 3 years as to why he decided to make you his bride right ? Everyone would be confused.". I mentioned afraid pulling my hands away from Seo-yuns.

"Eun-Ju-ah, I planned this for you thats why I decided to agree on this arranged marriage. It would work. And I picked out the perfect dress for you.". Seo-yun had seemed to beg me to go with her plan. "He still, loves you, I know it. I asked so many questions about you to him. Please know that he's hurting from not seeing you.". She begged as she held my hands again, then looked into my eyes..

Taking a moment to think, I sighed. "Tshh, as if he does hurt from not seeing me. Ne, arrasseo..". I nodded and agree to go with her plans, not because of my concerns for Chang Wook, but because she had someone who was still waiting for her, who loved her, who wouldn't go off making stupid decisions after 3 years. So I decided to replace her. 

I couldn't think anymore but tried to contradict my anger for Chang Wook. How could he possibly love me anymore, and I waited so long, then this happened. Why do I feel so unhappy about this. Becoming Seo-yun's replacement felt wrong, because Chang Wook hated when things went wrong. 

I kept thinking to myself, contradicting with myself as Seo-yun helped pick out the right jewlrys, how I wanted my nails done and how I wanted my hair done. This felt wrong. I was afraid of what everyone was going to say, what Chang Wook was gonna say about this. And all awhile my mind has been thinking over and over, had Chang Wook even thought about marrying me truly.

"Eun-Ju-ah, I have prepared your vows already. You don't have to worry about remembering them, because the speaker will have you repeat it okay ?". Seo-yun gave me a relief. 

"Okay..". I gave her a worried look through the mirror as she sighed..

"Tonight, the bride and the groom are supposed to sleep together but I didn't want that so I've also requested seperate rooms. I'm sure Chang Wook would have respected that as well. But tonight I have something else planned..". She spoked as if she had other bigger plans tomorrow. 

"W- what do you mean ?". I hesitated to ask, but did so.

Seo-yun smiled at me then glanced away. "I've made plans tomorrow for me and Henry. Later when the security guards are going to take you and Henry back to a reserved hotel, I'm going to replace you, and you're going to replace me. I will explain everything to Henry.". Seo-yun explained.

I felt happy for her. It seemed like everything was going all planned like she wanted. I saw her in eyes, great happiness. I didn't know if I was part of her happiness as well, because it was a matter of time that my health issues were gonna come to stop, and that day, there would be not of me to exist anymore. 

"How is that going to work, with you replacing me ? Wouldn't it be obvious ?." I asked gazing down unsettled.

Seo-yun turned the chair I sat on, to face her. "Easy,".. She looked me in the eyes. "We both just need to wear hats, big sunglasses and dust masks. Which I've already have here prepared. All we need to do is just change clothes, our voices sound almost alike, I doubt anyone would notice."..She seemed confident in what she said. 

Hesitating I wasn't so sure. "Seo-yun-ah, but, our hair colors are different, our scent. The way we act..".. I stated nervous about the idea.

She took both my hands into her hands. "Eun-Ju-ah, I promise you very much that this will work, nobody will know. Except until when Chang Wook opens the veil that you'll be wearing. I'm sure he'll recognize you.."..She wasn't sure how Chang Wook would of thought too, but it was not something she was so concerned about. "If Chang Wook asks about the hair tonight, just tell him you dyed it and if he asks about the dusk mask, just tell him, you don't want to be sick before the big day tomorrow okay ? I will be there for the wedding, and when he flips the veil over your head, I will explain. So don't worry Eun-Ju-ah, I will make sure to come tomorrow morning into this dorm."..She explained some more as she took out 2 black hats, 2 black dusk masks, and 2 black sunglasses with 2 card ID's so that she was able to get in tomorrow.

"Hmm, you really do have this all planned out..".. I slightly laughed..

 

After spending ours with Seo-yun and her talkative plan, it was time to go. The security guards took her away so roughly, and as the tough girl she is, she shouted good luck to me. I was excited for her. I sat down thinking how tomorrow was gonna go. I was so nervous to meet Chang Wook again, the fact that I wasn't sure if I should be meeting him again. The door beginned to unlock of somesort as I jumped out of the chair and grabbed my dusk mask. 

"Seo-yun-ah.."..Sounded as if it was Chang Wook as I then rushed to the bathroom and locked the door. "Seo-yun-ah, are you ok ?". Chang Wook asked concerned. He shutted the door behind him and walked towards the locked bathroom door. "Yah, my mother is unhappy that we have seperate rooms, so she made me come in here. Mianhae, I barged in so suddenly.". He said apologetically..

I felt so heart broken hearing his voice so close after 3 years. My back slid against the door as I held my hands together covering my mouth. My heart raced, my face turned red. My chest tightened once again. "Ah-.". I pressed my hand against my chest.

"Seo-yun-ah, gwaenchanayo ?".. Chang Wook asked once again as he knocked. 

Toughing it up I decided to speak.. "Ne, gwaenchana .".. I said as he became quiet. He must've been surprised, despite his quietness and the silence he replied with briefly.

"S- Seo-yun-ah, if you want me to leave I can.".. He said willing to..

"Chang Wook-ah, a- aniya, stay here for a little longer. I want to know how you feel about all this ".. I hesitated to ask yet I felt that my eyes were trying to become flooded with tears as I held them back..

"You sound a bit different, are you ok ?".. He asked uncompletely sure. He tried to turn the door knob and see if it would open but again it was locked. "Seo-yun-ah, please open, I will tell you if you would just come out. I will get out as soon as we finish talking.".. Chang Wook seemed to have wanted to talk face to face. 

I was unsure if he found out, I was afraid he did. I wanted to know what he looked like after 3 years, but that didn't stop me from not wanting to open the door. He didn't answer my first question, so I'll ask another until he answers.. "Chang Wook-ah, what about Eun-Ju-ah ? What will she think about this ? Did you even think about marrying her ?".. I asked 

"That's none of your business.".. He stood quiet after saying.. "If I had known about this, I would've married her before coming here, but its too late. She had probably forgotten about me, after having to wait so long for me.".. He stated in which had broken my heart into pieces.

I covered my mouth once again from breathing so hard that my tears had dripped. It was so hard to breathe and yet again I had to continue speaking with him.. "W- what if she was still waiting ?"..I asked once more..

"That doesn't matter anymore..".. Chang Wook said as he unlocked the door..

I gasped wiping all the tears, I quickly wore the mask and stood with my back faced him.. "Seo-yun-ah, you're crying ?".. He asked seemingly shocked. 

"Yes, mianhae..". I said trying to act like Seo-yun. It was more difficult than said because I forgot to ask how Seo-yun acts around Chang Wook. All I remember is when she talked about how much she would ask about me to him. 

"Seo-yun-ah ?". He asked for her as in me. He reached out to touch me when suddenly it gave me the chills as if his energy had shocked me. It startled me.

I jumped alittle and moved away from him, but I still couldn't face him. "A- ani-ya, don't look at me..". I said him.

"Why were you crying ? Is there a dusk mask on your face ? Seo-yun-ah, are really okay ?". He asked really concerned as he tried to reach out and touch me again. Although it felt like I knew he was reaching for me, so I quickly moved alittle further from him. He sighed it sounded like then stepped away.

"I'm fine, and yes, because I don't want to get sick before tomorrow.".. I explained to him..

Chang Wook sighed again, "You changed your hair style ? Wae ?".. He asked somewhat unhappy about it...

"Yes, I did, because I thought it might be appealing. I'd thought trying it out would make you feel more comfortable marrying me,- cuz you know, Eun-Ju-ah-".. I had said but said just a bit too much when Chang Wook interupted me..

"Seo-yun-ah, stop being like that, that's not you. What has gotten into you ?".. Chang Wook asked gripping my shoulder. Turning me around to face him, he then hugged me. Something we haven't done for years. It diffinetly brought my tears out, but I try real hard to keep it in, because crying sometimes brought me asthma.

Inhaling his scent. It seemed so different. "We'll make it through tomorrow. Hopefully."..Chang Wook said in hopes. As if he thought he knew what I was thinking. It wasn't helping me at all. He may had good high hopes, but mine were all unbelievably false.

Pulling away from the hug, I kept my gaze down,.."Gomawa, that helped alot. I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow too. You can leave now. Don't worry about me, we have alot to be worried about tomorrow. Goodnight.". I finished off saying then walked out of the bathroom door to lay on the bed. I wrapped myself with the blanket and tried making myself comfortable.

"That mask of yours, you should take it off, you can suffocate from it. Goodnight.". He said the last few words after an awkward night, then walked out of the dorm. 

"Chang Wook-ah..". I whispered after he had left. I couldn't explain how much it had pierced my heart. My tears that fell so quietly, then soaked into the pillow.. "Mianhae.."..