BIRTHDAY
UNTOUCHABLE (KRYBER)"Mrs. Jung. A pleasure to see you here. Your daughter just came by."
Krystal's mom bowed to Commander Sunny and Amber. "I was in the room in the other wing, with her husband. I came here when I heard the news."
"Did Krystal tell you about it?" asked Commander Sunny.
"No. The assigned nurse in Jihoon's room told us."
"I see." Commander Sunny looked at Amber and went back to Krystal's mom. "I suppose I'll leave you guys to talk for a bit."
Amber wanted to ask Commander Sunny not to leave but she saw the older lady bowed her head. "Thank you, Commander."
When Commander Sunny finally left the room, Amber's head is full of questions as to what Krystal's mom motive is. As far as she can remember, this woman never liked her.
"How are you feeling?" asked the older lady, her voice with a hint of concern.
"F-fine. Thanks for asking. How's he?"
"He's recovering. It may take him a bit of time because he's got several fractured ribs. But yes, he's doing fine."
"That's nice to know. And, uh, Katie?"
"She's in our house right now with her nanny. Krystal will pick her up later after her shift to visit Jihoon."
Amber pressed her lips together. Nodding slowly.
"I haven't thanked you yet for what you did," said Krystal's mom.
Amber looked at the woman in the eyes and saw sincerity. "There's no need to thank me. It is my duty, ma'am."
"I know. But still, thanks for not giving up on Katie and Jihoon. I am forever grateful for that." The woman touched Amber's arm with both her hands.
Amber felt something different with that touch. She couldn't speak.
"And I'm sorry..." said the woman, on the verge of crying this time. "I'm so sorry for everything..."
"M-ma'am... please... don't cry..." Seeing Krystal's mom cry like that melts down all the anger Amber felt for the older lady before.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry for hurting you..." said the older lady, wiping her nose. "Krystal never cheated on you. It was me who asked Jihoon to keep calling her that night. I did that because I couldn't bear seeing her sad and missing you all the time. I'm sorry if I hurt you..."
Amber bit her lower lip, trying to compose herself. It doesn't matter to her if Krystal's mom had something to do with what happened. What broke her heart that night is when Krystal admitted that she likes the doctor.
"Ma'am, it's all in the past now. You don't need to worry about it anymore."
"You still love her, don't you? You wouldn't go that far in saving her child and husband if you didn't."
Amber wanted to say no but she knows the woman can read it all over her face. "Her happiness is my priority, ma'am. I know she's moved on and contented now with her family. As long as she's happy, I'll be able to have a peaceful sleep at night."
The older woman looked down, wiping her tears and nose with the tissue. "She was lifeless for months after your break up. Took her about a year to finally accept things. Jihoon waited patiently until she came around. That’s the reason she didn’t have second thoughts when he proposed to her even they’ve only dated for a short time. But after all that has happened, I am certain of one thing: she never forgot you."
Amber looked at the door, remembering Krystal's expression earlier.
"She may not admit it to me, but I know she has never forgotten you," continued the older woman. "She may be happy with Katie and Jihoon but that didn't stop her from watching the AEF channel daily for any updates from SAU, from you."
"Ma'am... I... I don't know what to say..."
The older lady smiled. "You don't need to say anything. I just thought you ought to know that. Again, I'm sorry for everything I have done to you."
"You are forgiven, ma'am," said Amber, smiling a little.
"Thank you." The woman smiled warmly at Amber for the first time. "Oh, by the way. It's Katie's birthday in three days. I know you never expect to hear this from me, but you and your troop are invited to come."
"We'd love to, ma'am. But --"
"Katie is expecting all of you to come, especially you. Please don't disappoint her," insisted the older lady. "Jihoon's still confined here in the hospital by that time so the morning celebration will be here. We're expecting you to join us for a little dinner celebration. Jihoon's sister already agreed to look for him that night so we're really hoping you'd come."
"Does she know about this?"
"Krystal? Yes. Katie's been begging her to invite you to our house since yesterday."
Amber smiled, remembering Katrien's cute face. "Okay, ma'am. I'll talk to the troop about it."
---
"Did you ever imagine before that you'd be buying gifts for your ex-girlfriend's daughter?"
"Shut up, Taeyeon," said Amber, deadpan. She's currently looking at a cute green turtle plush toy. "We've been invited to her birthday party, might as well give her a gift, right? Plus, it's Katie we're talking about. You know how adorable she is."
"Of course, she's adorable. She's the replica of her mom, ayt?" said Taeyeon, nudging Amber. Amber turned to her with a death glare.
"Taeyeon, what the hell is that?" asked Tiffany who just came back from the other aisle. "Are you seriously giving Katie toy guns?"
"Excuse me, this isn't just toy guns. There's also a toy radio and a retractable toy knife. Any kid will be thrilled to have this," said Taeyeon proudly.
Tiffany rolled her eyes. "Did it ever occur to you that Katie may not be interested in those?"
"It's worth a try, Tiffany. Who knows, she may be interested in being part of SAU when she grows up."
"I hope there will be no need for new SAU recruits by that time. Otherwise, it means we failed," said Yuri, picking up a cooking set from the shelf. "You think this is good, Tiffany?"
"Yes, Yuri. Far better than what Taeyeon got."
Taeyeon hugged the toy to her chest. "Nothing's wrong with my gift!"
"Will you two stop bickering?" said Amber, turning to them. "If you keep doing that I'm going to think that you two like each other."
Taeyeon and Tiffany looked away, both blushing. Yuri silently chuckled.
"How about you, bud? Happy with that?" asked Yuri.
"Yeah, I'm good with this." Amber smiled at the turtle, staring at its big round eyes. "I have a feeling she'll love this. C'mon, let's pay."
While walking to the cashier, Yuri walked closer to Amber. "Have you decided on where to go this vacation? You're suspended, right?"
"Yeah. Sadly. But everyone's right. I need it. I just haven't decided where to go yet."
"You're always welcome in my place. I'm sure someone will be thrilled to see you."
Amber smiled. "To be honest, I've kind of missed her too. It's just that there are some distractions."
"Totally understand. Maybe you two need to talk..."
Amber raised an eyebrow. "Talk with Krystal, later?"
Yuri nodded. "Yeah. You haven't got a real talk after your break up, right? You didn't get the chance too in the hospital. Maybe tonight is the time that you two can sort of catch up..."
"And what am I suppose to expect from this catch-up?"
"I don't know... maybe closure?"
"Is her having her own family not a sign for me to accept that everything is over?"
"Well, it doesn't seem to me, since you're still thinking about her."
Amber exhaled. "I'm not sure if that's gonna happen. I'm not even sure if doing that will help me or put me into more agony."
Yuri tapped Amber's shoulder. "Either way, it'll help you move on. It's about time you talk. It's been seven years. A little chat won't do harm."
Amber took another deep breath. "I just hope you're right, Yuri."
---
"Captain, are you alright?"
Amber turned to Tiffany who's sitting beside her at the back seat of the car. Taeyeon and Yuri were in front, the latter driving.
"I'm fine, Tiffany. Just a bit... cold..."
Tiffany turned to the two people in front. “Taeyeon turn down the AC a bit? Captain's feeling cold."
Taeyeon whipped her head at them. "Feeling cold? Why? Nervous?"
"Have you forgotten that she suffered a minor injury?" asked Tiffany, annoyed. "Just lower it now, will you?"
"Aye! Aye! You're scarier than Captain!"
Amber just laughed at Tiffany and Taeyeon. She saw Yuri looking at her through the rearview mirror with teasing eyes. Amber just rolled her eyes and looked out the window.
Taeyeon's right. She's nervous. Freaking nervous.
Can't blame her. Katrien's party isn't held in their family house in Jeoswa. The celebration is taking place in Jung's house, the same place where Amber used to spend her vacations before.
The same place where she and Krystal shared a lot of memories together.
She hasn't been around this area for years now. Although a lot has changed, there are still some parts that are still the same. She remembered how she and Krystal used to walk in that street before. The tree where they relax for a while. The see-saw where they spent a lot of time chatting.
And... the house.
"We're here," said Yuri, pulling over to the side.
"Wow. Looks like a rich family," said Taeyeon, staring up at the 3-story house.
"Her dad was a doctor and Krystal's an only child so..." Yuri unbuckled her seatbelt. She turned to Tiffany and Amber at the back. "You two ready?"
The four of them walked over to the house and rang the doorbell. It was Krystal who opened the door for them.
"Hi, Yuri!" said Krystal, looking really pretty in her blue dress. "Hello Taeyeon, Tiffany... and Amber. I'm glad you guys made it here."
Amber felt her heart beating fast with that short eye-contact with Krystal.
"Thank you for inviting us, Ms. Krystal," said Tiffany formally.
"Yeah, it's our pleasure to be here, Ms. Krystal!" said Taeyeon lively.
"No need to call me miss. We're about the same age, you know," said Krystal, slightly embarrassed. "Come in here now."
As all of them stepped inside, running footsteps descending the stairs were heard. From the hallway, Katrien appeared, wearing a cute blue dress too with a blue headband.
"Aaammbeeer!" said Katrien, running towards Amber and hugging her legs. "You hewe!"
"We're also here, Katie," said Taeyeon, trying to get the kid's attention.
"Move aside, Taeyeon. You're going to scare her again," said Tiffany, stepping forward. "Happy birthday, baby!"
"Thank you," said Katrien, smiling sweetly while she hugs Amber's leg.
Yuri crouched to level the kid's eyes. "Happy birthday, you sweet little thing."
Katrien moved forward to kiss Yuri on the cheek and went back to hugging Amber's leg.
"What about me, Katie? Can I get a kiss too?" asked Taeyeon.
Katrien shook her head no and everyone laughed.
Amber, overwhelmed by the kid's cuteness, couldn't help herself. She carried the kid and kissed her temple. "Hmm. You smell nice. How's the birthday girl?"
"I'm fine," said Katrien, busy touching Amber's white polo shirt. "No holes?"
"Haha. Nah. I don't have pockets now, sweetie."
"It's okay." Katrien smiled then turned to her mom. "Mommy, Amber," she said, hugging Amber's neck.
Amber felt her face warming up. She awkwardly looked at Krystal, who's got the same expression on her face, and turned back to Katrien. "Your mommy and I already know each other, sweetie..."
"Mmm-mmm. Mommy and I always watch TV to see SAU and Amber..."
Krystal looked embarrassed. "Err..."
"Krys, what's for dinner?" asked Yuri. "We're excited to get a taste of your cooking!"
Krystal recovered and looked at Yuri. "Dinner's waiting for us. Let's dig in!"
---
"...happy birthday, dear Katrien... happy birthday to you..."
Everyone in the table clapped after Katrien blew out her candle.
"What's your wish, sweetie?" asked Krystal.
Katrien hugged the turtle plush toy gift from Amber against her chest. "Mmm. I wish... I wish daddy can go home soon..."
"Don't worry, sweetie. Daddy's gonna be home in few days and we'll all be together again," said Krystal, kissing her daughter's cheek.
Amber looked down at her plate, trying to let go of the jealous feeling that's starting to build up in her chest.
It's weird. She both enjoys and hates being in that place right now. Seeing Krystal again after seven long years still gives her this giddy feeling. She missed seeing those smiles. She missed hearing Krystal's voice and her laughs. She enjoys watching how Krystal moves and interacts with people. Although she noticed that Krystal avoids eye contact with her, she still missed the mere presence of this woman near her.
However, the more she stays in this place the more she is reminded that Krystal is already happily married to a man and has a kid with him. It hurts to think that she's no longer part of her happiness, unlike before. The longer she stays there, the more she feels Krystal being away.
Maybe it's time to accept things now.
Maybe this is the closure Yuri was talking about.
Amber knows it deep inside, whatever happened between them in the past, no matter how beautiful it is, it's over.
And it will never happen again.
"...and I also wish that Amber won't cwy anymowe..."
Amber lifted her head after hearing Katrien mention her name. Whatever the kid said didn't register in her brain. But the stares aimed at her right now makes her feel that something's not right.
Krystal's mom cleared . "Who's ready for dessert?"
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