“I love you, Cha Eun Sang. And if anyone tries coming between the both of us, we will fight it. Together” Kim tan said, carefully placing his fingers in between hers.

---

Eun Sang sat reminiscing, on the rain-stained benches in the bus stop.

The bus stop stood there for almost twenty years now, the same people passed by.

The forty-something year old man, carrying a bag of fish, the ten year old carrying a piece of candy--he had been a visitor since when he was five.

He usually stopped to speak to Eun Sang. He did today too, but she didn't notice.

She sat on the same bench as everyday, but this time, her eyes fixed on the skies, and no one by her side.

Four years had passed, but everything was still the same.

And this spot never failed to remind her of the beautiful days she had spent, travelling off to places when she was just eighteen.

She had fallen, deeply. And getting back up-- it wasn't something she could do. Even after four years, it wasn't easy.

She was twenty four now, and was in a place that she would've loved to be in, if it was a few years back. Software engineer, working in a big company, and far away from home. Things definitely didn't go exactly as she planned, but they had gone quite well.

She still remembers the time when she received the letter talking about her admission. She had gotten a scholarship in an extremely reputed college in the States. She was ecstatic, but at the same time upset. States meant far away from home. Far from her mother. Far from Kim Tan.

She ran home with the letter clasped in her hand. She immediately showed it to him. His face lit up immediately, but was gradually taken over with realisation. Tears glistened in his eyes. They momentarily slid down to the creases that grief had drawn on his face. He pulled her towards himself, and kissed her cheek. His lips drew a smile and he whispered-- “ Sarang hae yo, Eun Sang”. She smiled, Sarang Hae Yo, Kim Tan. Her tone the same, heart the same.

She headed back to her mother's work, and told her. Everybody was extremely happy, she was happy. She was leaving for her dream place--in two weeks.

Those two weeks, they consisted of  the special moments of her life. Kim Tan and Eun Sang went to different places, almost every day. One day was spent at the amusement park and the other in the old age home by the street.

They also went to her favourite theatre, where they sat and spoke for hours together. Kim Tan had changed the theatre that harboured her worst thoughts into one that contained her best memories.

---

As Eun Sang thought of her days with Kim Tan, she walked to the theatre. The rain played a very effective camouflage. It hid her tears. She made her way to the halls of the theatre and sat down on the seats. She carefully traced her fingers along the lines that the both of them had carved on one of the seats of the theatre. It had a heart that read the both of their names. She grinned and thought of how they were such stupid eighteen year olds. Indifferent to adversities, completely trusting the love they had for eachother. But their love wasn't here to stay.

Two months into staying in the States--Kim Tan couldn't bear the separation. Eun Sang couldn't either, but something in her told her that they'd fight it together. Both of them were twenty, getting their lives together. They would constantly meet new people, find new friends. And not having eachother always-- it was hard.

Eun Sang sat on the theatre seats and thought about the day Kim Tan told her he couldn't do it anymore. He couldn't live without her. And though he promised her that he would fight through it, he couldn't. He told her he had lost the battle. He lost it, and he couldn't hold on anymore. He told her that they weren’t meant to be, and he would just end up ruining her future. They still loved eachother, but he knew that, he was, in some way-- confining her. She had begun a new life, he didn't want her to stop with him. The video call ended with the usual “Sarang Hae Yo, Eun Sang”. Except now, she knew she wasn't going to hear it again.

As she sat in the theatre, thinking about everything that went wrong, she heard a knock on the theatre door. She turned to see who it was, only to find Young Do staring back at her. “How’ve you been. Eun Sang?”. She cleared and wiped the last tear on the edge of her cheek. “I’ve been great! Uhm—How did you know that I’d be here?” She asked, flattening the edge of the skirt she wore. She awkwardly rubbed her hands together. It had been a long time. Young Do smirked at the question.

“I didn’t. And honestly, I was shocked. Didn’t expect you to come all the way to Korea to watch your first love walk away in another’s hands.”

Eun Sang knew he hadn’t changed a bit. She turned away and tried to make her way outside the theatre. Young Do rubbed his chin with his thumb, and looked up. “Eun Sang--“ He raised his right hand. She turned. “I missed you, Eun Sang.” Eun Sang’s expressions immediately changed. She smiled. “Well, I missed Korea”. Young Do let out a mild laugh. She shook hands with him, and both of them made their way outside the theatre.

“So how have things been with your sister?” she asked him.

“My sister?”

“Rachel”

“Oh. Kim Tan’s fiancé? He corrected her.

She didn’t like that but she nodded. It was the truth, she had to face it. And “sister” was just an excuse. Young Do’s dad’s wedding didn’t work out. She knew that, Kim Tan had told her. But she pretended not to know.

“Yeah she’s been fine I guess. She started a jewellery chain of her own. You must’ve heard, it’s pretty famous”

“ Yeah that’s right, I have.”

They walked up to the park they’d often go to, when they were younger. Young Do inserted his hands in his pockets and walked by her side.

‘”So what is staying in America like? Just like those movies?”

“Ha-ha, it’s been the same for me. I don’t find a difference in the way I spend my days. But the place—it sure is different”

“Did you...cope easily?”

“Turns out I didn’t. My first few days there typically consisted of me crying like a baby.”

Both of them laughed. Young Do stopped suddenly.

“Eun Sang” He cleared his throat.

“Are you okay with it, really? I know how much Kim Tan missed you. I’ve stood by him, through it all. But you. You didn’t have anyone by your side. “

Eun Sang smiled.

“Gomo Wayo, Young Do.... But--I’m fine, really. I guess I will be able to go through it. It’s tough, but I will try.”

Young Do put his hand around her shoulder.

“I’m here for you, okay?”

He noticed how Eun Sang got a little uncomfortable.

He stuttered a little.

“Uhm. As a friend” He chuckled.

She laughed too.

Both of them walked down all the streets that they spent most of their lives in. Had some corn dogs on the way.

They passed the dream catcher shops and Eun Sang almost choked on emotion.

Young Do walked her to the house he knew her mother was staying in.

Her mother rushed out of the house and hugged her.

“Eomeoni! You saw me just two months back” She indicated.

“I MISSED YOU. Eun Sang”

Young Do chuckled.

”I’ll see you around, Eun Sang”

“Goodbye, Young Do”

Young Do walked away. On his way home, he kept thinking of Eun Sang—and how he still liked her. But he knew it was impossible. He closed his eyes. And avoided the thought.

Back home, Eun Sang sat and flipped through the album Kim Tan had made for her, before she left Korea. She left it at home, just like their love.

 

She decided to meet Kim Tan the next morning. She knew it was going to be difficult. She still loves him. Four years, and she still did. But she knew he wouldn't feel the same. He had taken over his father's company, along with his brother, ever since his death. He was busy, and pretty famous. He was, what you would call, a “man” now. He had an entire family to handle, now that he was getting married in a month. He stayed alone, with his mother, and probably had already forgotten about Eun Sang.

Eun Sang had mixed emotions. She was excited about meeting him after so long, but she knew that meeting him will only strengthen her feelings for him, but it would leave her hanging. Leave her alone, with nothing but grief and guilt. Guilt, for giving up too soon--and grief, for losing the most precious person in her life. However, she was tired from travel and finally rested her eyes, and her body gave up to her schedule.

The next morning,

The Sun cast its wrath on the gentle creases of her face. She woke up to the smell of pancakes and butter. Her mother knew that, though she's been staying in America for the past four years, it was still her favorite food. She took a long breath, freshened up, and went outside her room, to treat herself with pancakes.

Today was going to be tough, she knew it. She dressed herself in her best. She wore a navy blue dress that had a pearl white lace belt beneath the bosom. Wore her favorite earrings, and necklace--the one he had gifted to her before she left. She left her hair down, and paired her dress with a beautiful pair of lace shoes. She was going to meet him after a long time, and her ego thought that she might as well, portray it like she was having the time of her life. She, in no way, wanted to show that she was dying inside.

She took the 11:30 bus to his house. Once she reached his house, she felt a sudden rush of emotion. She walked into the house that she once worked in. She was going to open the gate, when someone opened it from the other side. She saw Kim Tan. He stood there, he was in shock. He was, -- changed. He wore a black suit and tie, with a white shirt. His hair was nearly combed to the side. He looked at her, his expressions creased with elation.

“Eun Sang!”

He smiled.

“Eun Sang! I didn't think you would come.”

“I had to now, it's one of the most important parts of your life.”

He sighed.

“I guess it is.”

“I missed you so much, Eun Sang.”

“I did too”

She felt her heart flutter. She knew it was wrong.

He was getting married.

“I mean, I did think of you, sometimes”

He looked at her, and smiled.

“Let's go out, for some time? If you don't mind.”

“Okay, I have the day.” “I mean, not that I want to spend the entire day with you” She stuttered.

“Still the same” He whispered under his breath.

She heard him, but decided to ignore what he said.

“You look….different.”

“I know, I'm a woman now” she giggled and said in a somewhat proud manner.

They walked through the streets. They walked together, he wore his cardigan over the clothes that he changed into. They walked to the nearest restaurant they could. He offered to buy her the khimchi they sold there.

“No problem. I earn now, remember?” She giggled and said.

He laughed. They had a nice lunch which was primarily consumed by silence due to a complete lack of conversation for the past few years. He broke the silence.

“I don't really love her, you know?”

Eun Sang looked up, in shock.

“What?”

“I don't love Rachel. I was left with no choice.”

“I don't see why that's something I should know”

“Eun Sang”

“Hmm?”

She continued drinking her coffee.

“Eun Sang” he called out more assertively.

“I didn't call you to Korea so you can watch me get married. I would've just sent out an invitation then.”

Eun Sang didn't say anything. She simply continued eating like everything was normal.

“I called you because”

He cleared his throat and let out a tiny cough.

“Eun Sang. I want to escape. And I know it's still not late. It's been four years since I spoke to you, but I've been asking your mother all about you. So many days, and not one has passed without thinking of you”

Eun Sang continued eating like she heard nothing.

“Sarang Hae Yo, Eun Sang"

Nothing had changed. She gripped onto her spoon. Tears glistened in her eyes. She looked down at her plate. She was too scared to look up. What if all this was a dream? Like the one she had been dreaming of, for so long?

He spoke as if all this needed no effort, like it was planned. Like he intended to do it. Like he called her a month earlier, only so he could give them a chance. Like the wedding was just an excuse to meet her.

“I want to spend today with you. And I know you might not agree, but today is all I ask for. Let's catch up. Let's love like we wanted to. Not as teenagers, but as adults. Let's make this story possible, Eun Sang”

Eun Sang gulped down the last bit of khimchi left on her plate.

“Kim Tan. I don't want to come in between Rachel and you--again. I've done that enough. Rachel is a woman too. She deserves to be loved. She deserves every bit of attention any other woman does.” She said, as she placed the money for the lunch on the table.

At this Kim Tan grabbed Eun Sang’s hand. He walked out with her, and without stopping, went to the house they had bought together, years back. She was shocked to see how well maintained it was, even from outside. She had always imagined it to be uninhabited and wrecked, now that both of them weren't together. He opened the door and walked inside. Inside--where Eun Sang saw the most beautiful yet shocking sight ever. He had framed each photograph they had with eachother. From their time in school, to their video calls once she reached America. It had pictures of her, from the very beginning. He had even framed the letters they wrote to eachother, the stories they told eachother.

“Rachel deserves to be loved. And that's why I've already told her that I'm not the one to love her. Even if we get married, I'm not going to be happy. She's not going to be happy. Rachel loves another man, Eun Sang. She loved Lee Woo Min. She met him during one of her promotional events for her jewellery line.”

Eun Sang walked around the room, and placed her fingers to feel each photograph, as every memory came to life.

“Eun Sang” he said, as he walked towards her.

She turned to tell him, how she thinks it's all wrong.

She turned, only to find him standing right in front of her.

“Eun Sang” he said tucking her hair behind her right ear. She looked down, and closed her eyes.

She sighed.

“This isn't right, Kim Tan. We aren't meant to be. You told me about how much you thought of me but…” She started sobbing. “...do you know about how many sleepless nights I have spent thinking about how you are?” “It's never as easy as this, Kim Tan. Sometimes, you need to let go.”

“Isn't life as easy as we make it out to be? Life in itself, it isn't hard. We make it hard, sometimes. And it's in our hands, what is easy and what is not.” “Rachel is with us, Eun Sang. This is all because of her mother and my step mother. They still think they can control us. They think they can do, what they did to Hyung. They just think that if they can exercise control over us this one time, they can do so throughout. If Rachel gets married to me, it would give rights to her mother. That would only allow her to share power with my step mother.”

Eun Sang stared intently. She never understood the complexities of living in such powerful clan-families.

“This is why they want us married. Rachel and I--we don't love each other. And the only woman I've ever loved is you. Can you give me one more chance, Eun Sang? The truth is, if I know that you love me too, I can fight this. You're the only one I want to get married to.”

Eun Sang felt like she was going to fall down. All this was planned. She didn't know what to do. She knew that it was completely in her power to give them one more chance.

“But after this, I have to return to the States. What if it happens again? What if I lose you again?”

“It won't happen. Our company functions in America too. When I was twenty, I had no power over the company, Eun Sang. But now, I can plan it with Hyung, and work from there. With you. I can handle the branches in America”.

Eun Sang suddenly felt like her life was finally coming together. She was so happy, but at the same time, scared. She knew she'd have to go against so many people to fight it. Again. She'd have to go through it all again.

Kim Tan held her by the waist.

“We can do this”

Eun Sang pushed away his hand and walked a few spaces away.

“Let's go to that….what is it called?” She pondered and said “Aah! The Hilltop” “ I heard that it's a new concept that's come up. Supposedly with flowers and firecrackers and all that” She gestured childishly.

Kim Tan smiled. She hadn't changed a bit.

“Okay”

They headed outside. It was evening. The skies had hidden the Sun behind its clouds.

“It's getting late” Kim Tan said.

“Why! Firecrackers are the most beautiful in the night sky” She said, smiling.

She wanted to try. Once. She knew how much she loved him. She knew how she scrolled through his photographs in her laptop, every day, before she went to sleep. She knew how, everyday, she wrote in her diary, and how every single entry spoke of her encounters with him. She knew it all, but still wasn't ready to tell him. That would make her vulnerable.

She tied her hair into a neat pony, smoothened her dress, and got ready. She started walking when, suddenly, she felt something tugging at her hair.

Before he knew it, Kim Tan had removed the pony and her hair grazed along her shoulders.

“It looks better when you let it down” he said, smiling.

“You haven't changed one bit. You used to do this all the time” she shouted at him.

He laughed. He knew he was going to get the old Eun Sang back.

They walked together to The Hilltop. The place was truly, extremely beautiful. It was a cliff, placed on top of a somewhat elevated hill. It was studded with flowers of different colours, and types. They also had rocks with tiny sonnets embedded into them, probably by the broken hearts or by the hearts that had fallen. Onto one of the rocks, was the letter Eun Sang had written when she met Kim Tan for the first time, in America. Kim Tan had come here earlier.

She felt the letter, and immediately looked at him. He was red. He didn't think she would find it.

“I used to come here almost everyday. This was one of my lamest attempt to forget you. It didn't work. Only made me come back here--everyday”

She almost choked on her tears. She smiled and held his hand. They walked together, to the edge. She sat down there, and he followed. The firecrackers had begun. They were truly beautiful. She gasped at the sight of the first one itself. While she watched the night sky, and the firecrackers, Kim Tan watched her. He hadn't seen her in so long. She had developed a new scar, at the side of her cheek. The skin near her eyes creased more when she smiled. She had lost some weight. Her hair was longer, now reaching the center of her spine. But she still laughed and loved the same way. She turned to tell him about America, and everything, when she saw him looking at her. He did that very often. She turned away awkwardly. He pulled her towards himself, and kissed her.

“It's been a long time, and I'm not letting you go now.”

She smiled. “Fighting” she said, raising her fist in the air.

He raised his hand too. “Fighting”.

They spent the rest of the night watching as the sky lit up with fire crackers. They rest in the limp grass, and spent the entire night, talking about everything they missed out on.

He then dropped her home, and promised to pick her from home after a few hours.

Weeks passed, and they loved eachother like they always did.

----

A month had passed. Kim Tan broke the news to the step mother. Rachel and Kim Tan walked in together and told her about how they loved other people. She was, as expected, very angry about it. The news gained a lot of publicity. Eun Sang was branded as a lover who returned, only because Kim Tan had gained partial ownership over the company. He walked with her, hand in hand, in front of people, in front of cameras. He announced that he loved her too. She walked with him, through everything. And just like everything else, the news died down. Gradually, it was replaced by some other petty "scoop" that the media thought was important.

On the day that the wedding was supposed to happen, Kim Tan took Eun Sang back to “their” house. Only, this time, it looked a lot different. They entered, and the walls were studded with lights, and lilies-her favourite flowers. There were three people, that looked like musicians, standing on one corner. The moment she entered, they started playing her favourite song. She still didn't know what was going on, but it brought a smile on her face. She turned, only to find Kim Tan kneeling down. He pulled out a tiny box from his pocket, opened it, and said “Eun Sang. Will you marry me?”

She felt tears running down her cheeks. “Yes I will, Kim Tan” she said, still crying.

She stretched her hand out while he slid the ring through her finger. He then got up, wiped her tears, and kissed her. The music in the background faded away, while she imagined her forever, with him.