Chapter 28

DONGHAE

when i woke up the next day, i was still wearing the same clothes that i was wearing during the last schedule that we had. i know that suits are not comfortable to sleep in, but i was really tired from all the schedules plus the fact that HyunAe didn't even send a single text message.

i checked my phone again before dragging myself to the bathroom. no new text messages. 

before entering the bathroom, i dialed HyunAe's number and put it on a loud speaker.

i placed it about the hamper so i can hear her [if she answered the call]. it was on an auto-redial function too, so i don't have to bother pushing some buttons.

i guess, i called her 10 times, but still, her phone is off or unattended.

sad and depressed since i can't hear her voice, i took the longest bath of my stay in China. it took me an hour and 45 minutes to finish my bath. the water bill of the hotel would definitely rose up because i was under the shower the whole time.

what's happening?

+++

"Hyung, are you alright?" Ryeowook asked as we sat down in front of an audience.

"Yeah. sure. i'm fine." i told him and smiled to the fans that ws screaming out our names. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing really. its just like you've been down for the last 2 days that we've been here."

yeah. two days without communication with my wife is pure hell. i know i've been acting weird and all lately, but i guess that was just because i was missing HyunAe. There! i said it! honestly, even without all the cameras that was shooting at us, i would even say that.

"It's just that HyunAe wasn't taking my calls and replying to my messages." i told him and let out a heavy sigh.

"Maybe she has an explanation about it." he added, trying to somehow lighten up my spirit.

Maybe. just maybe.

+++

on our last day, the whole SJM team gathered at the biggest room in the hotel, our room. we were sort of, sorting out the gifts. which is for which member. 

all the gifts that i was receiving were mostly shirts, and food from certain regions across China. 

they are all happy from what they've received but i was still down. i know i shouldn't be feeling this since she's not really my wife, but what if something happened to her? what if she's not eating on time? what if she's not getting enough sleep? what if her bosses are mean to her and gives her a lot of projects? What if-.

"Donghae." Manager hyung called to cut my train of thoughts. "She's safe. don't worry." he assured me. "If she's not, the crew will say something to you. don't think too much about it." he said. "Tomorrow night, you'll be going back home to your wife. why don't you buy something for her?" he said. 

i was actually thinking of buying something for her when i stepped out of the plane on our first day, but we don't have the time to do so, and i was really down/depressed and sad to think about it anymore.

+++

She wasn't even home when i came back from China and Mokpo. yes, i went back home to Mokpo as soon as the plane landed to give my gift to my Mom and to visit my dad's grave. 

When i opened the door to our unit, i was expecting to see HyunAe. i was ready to give her my gift. i was ready to hug her and tell her how much i missed her. i was ready to forgive her for not taking my calls and texts. i was ready to do all of those things to her... but she's not home.

"HyunAe-ah... Chagi-ah..." i suddenly said as i sat down to the floor, with my back against the couch. i pulled out the gift that i brought home for her and held it just about my head, to meet my eyes.. it was a rose quart pendant on a white gold necklace. it wasn't from China. it was from Mokpo. from my mom's jewelry box. it was actually a family, sort of, heirloom.