"Jaewook-ah."

His eyes widened. "Sarang!" He exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" He caught her by the arms, question filling his eyes. The soldiers turned their heads to look at the two, their brows arched, faces confused.

"Sehun..." her glazed eyes made him worry. It had been long he hadn't gone to her village. Even though his heart yearned to see her, he knew he couldn't just get out of the barracks with such a reason. "Sehun is not replying to my letters. It's been three weeks now."

"You're finally sending him letters," he smiled faintly. "He might be busy. I can't actually believe you came here all by yourself. The road is not safe, Sarang. Once Hyung knows about this, he'll instantly come back from the city. Do you want that?"

Sarang didn't reply. Jaewook turned to the other soldiers who had been ogling for minutes now. "What's wrong with you all?"

"Is this your girlfriend?" One of them asked with a mocking smile.

"She's so small," another added.

"But so pretty," he heard again.

"She's the Commander's wife," Jaewook sternly stated, shutting all of them up. Their eyes widened, they almost looked like they'd get down on their knees and bow to her. Sarang was only annoyed by such behavior. Jaewook turned back to her, leading her into the building.

"Can you...Can you take me there?" She asked as soon as he made her sit on his bed.

Jaewook raised his brows, "What are you talking about?" He asked, warily.

"Take me to him," she gulped. Her bloodshot eyes stood out in the mundane color of the walls. Jaewook was once again captivated by her features. She looked so much like a grown woman, he found it hard to believe.

"Are you crazy?" He hissed. "There's war going on, Sarang. It's dangerous."

"Jae," she whined, "Please. I need to see him."

"No. This is impossible," He shook his head. Jaewook sat on the bed next to hers, taking in her messy state. "He'll be back, he promised, did he not?"

"I'm worried. I can't sit calmly for a second." Sarang crumpled the sheet underneath her palms, curling them into fists. Her hair was lazily pulled into a ponytail behind the back of her head, hair strands flying everywhere. Yet she managed to look beautiful. Jaewook wondered how she pulled it off. 

"Fine," he mumbled, "I'll go and see him but I'm not taking you along."

  In two weeks, Sehun had done his best to memorize the pattern of the manor. He switched the torch off while bringing out the little hairpin Lee had managed for him. He inserted it into the lock on the office door. It was way past twelve, Sehun was sure he was the only one awake at this hour in the Park Manor. After multiple tries, the door clicked open, he took care while turning the silver knob.

Never had he thought he'd have to do these. With his life on the line, he was afraid he'd get caught. Turning the torch back on, he walked across the wooden table that had the map of the country painted on it. Miniature ships, tanks and troops lay on its sides, indicating the plan that was being pulled out together to seize the remaining country. Sehun stopped short to examine the targets that were pinned against the black board on the right. He could see Namjoon, the other Major General Kim Minhyun. He recognized the Navy Officer of the South. The red crosses across their faces made his blood boil. He wasn't just going to let them kill his comrades.

His first task, as he himself had designed, was to search for any file that stated about the spies that were sent to the South from the North. There had to be spies in the Southern military base. With the torch in his right hand, he pulled the drawers of the study desk out with his left hand. Naval records, Trainee documents, files of the present military cabinet and the past ones. They were labeled accordingly, alphabetically. There were files stating the agreements made between the Communist countries, of trade and defense mechanism. However, when he tried to pull the last drawer on the left, he found it locked. Suspicion rose in his throat as he searched for the hairpin in his trouser pockets.

His eyes widened when he couldn't get a hold of it. Gulping, he wondered where he had dropped it. Wondered what lay ahead if anyone found it. Suspicions would rise and fingers would be pointed at him and Lee. Hoping for the best, he locked the door back, switching his  torch off in case anyone spotted the light. While making his way towards his room, despite stepping slowly, deliberately and carefully, he knocked a ceramic vase. Even though he caught it before it could land on the floor, the sound echoed in the hallway. It was as if his heart rose to his throat when he heard footsteps behind him. 

This is it he thought. His doom was near. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to make the least noise with his breathing. Sehun's heart beat rapidly, almost wanting to come out. He feared his heart beats could be heard. There was no escape anymore. He was done for--

"Mark," the voice was familiar, "I knew it would be you."

Sehun wanted to bury himself six feet under. The job was too risky and at times, too ridiculous. "What are you doing against the wall?" It was Maya. Her voice echoed in the corridor. Sehun looked sideways to find her, for the first times, something else other than large fluffy hanboks.

"T-the vase," He gasped, realizing he had just spoken in Korean. "I tripped on the vase," he corrected himself. "I was afraid it was going to fall and wake you all up."

"Did you just speak my language?" He watched her face brighten. His eyes widened in horror. Sehun gulped wondering how to explain.

"L-last day, the maids were talking about it while cleaning the vase. I just caught the word," His voice shook. "Did I say it correct?"

"You did," She grinned up at him. "You're picking up my language. I'm happy."

"Now, why are you out of bed so late at night, miss?" Sehun went back to his regular laid back tone now that the issue was cleared. "You're not wearing a hanbok," Sehun didn't know why he pointed that out but he just did. 

"I could ask you the same," She chuckled, "You're looking at me. Finally."

Sehun let out an awkward chuckle. He wanted to shout out loud that he had a wife and he was very much in love with her. "I couldn't sleep. Thought I could use a walk."

"Yeah?" Sehun nodded. "I thought maybe you'd be awake."

"You should go back to bed," He suggested, "Bye now. I'll see you in the morning." Maya watched him almost run to his room. He didn't look back no matter how many times she thought he would. With a sigh, she turned her back to the vase, starting towards her room. Her brows arched when something hard and cold came in contact with her bare foot. Bending down she picked the object up. It turned out to be one of her own hairpins. Maya arched her brows, wondering how the pin ended up by her father's office door.

It had been almost a week that Jaewook had left yet no news came. Sarang prepared more letters for Sehun, determined that he will come back, or pass a reply to Jaewook. 

 I now know what it feels to not receive a reply.

She jotted on her notebook, looking ahead at the sky once she was done. The mustard flowers surrounded her, standing tall, saving her from any possible disrupters. She liked the place too. Sarang could guarantee Sehun hadn't felt half of what she was experiencing at the moment. Sarang was utterly anxious, desperate for a word from him. She didn't know what such a feeling was called.

Omoni is not doing well. I wish you'll come back to me; to us.

She felt lonely. It was too unfair. With Seokjin's deployment, his family was moving closer to the capital, leaving their old house behind. Sarang didn't know what to expect anymore. A word from him would bring her mind to peace. She was a girl, not yet a woman who could take care of his ill mother. Most times, she didn't know what to do and had to knock on Jinhye's door to fetch some help. In some days, Jinhye would be gone too. It was strange how everyone was leaving her. 

I wish you were here.

Sarang wondered if the rest of her life would be just like this, living in fear, in insecurity. If her father had chosen a life for her, it had to be the best for her. She reached out to brush her hair from her face and realized she was crying. The tear drops were cold to her skin. They were mocking her weak heart.

He made falling in love so easy. It was as if it came naturally with him. And now that she had fallen he was gone, thousand kilometers lying between them. Would it hurt to write even two words on a piece of paper and send it to her?

 I'm always waiting for your letter, just so you know.

"Make sure this passes through as well," Sehun passed him the letter he had carefully tucked into the envelope. "This is important, Lee." His earnest eyes were rare. Lee was quite astounded to find those staring right into his. "I trust you."

"Don't worry, Commander Oh," Lee responded, "Your wife will receive it. Safe and sound. Leave it in my hands." He placed the letter in the folder that contained the other coded messages. Sehun's worried eyes shone with hope.

He nodded at Lee, "Thank you so much." He left soon after. Lee never stayed long. And as always, he left the door open. Sehun never really bothered closing it either. Placing his personal documents inside the drawer on the left of his desk, he locked it in place. A sigh left his lips as he stood up. Something caught his eyes. He turned to look back at the door and found Maya.

He smiled at her, asking her to come in. Her wide eyes confused him. She looked just as if she'd seen a ghost. "Maya, what's wrong?"

"Y-you..." she pointed a finger at him, still standing by the door frame. Sehun arched his brows, wondering what she was trying to say. "You're m-married?" Her lips quivered and Sehun realized she had heard his and Lee's conversation. His heart started its irregular beats against his ribs while he tried to stay calm.

"Maya--"

"You're married," she said, loudly. clutching onto the knob of the door. Sehun clicked his tongue, making his way towards her. Maya stood her ground, looking up at him with eyes filled with hurt. "You lied to me. You married that girl in secret? Behind your father's back? I thought you only liked her—"

"Let me explain," He caught her hand, pulling her into the room. Maya yanked her hand out of his. "Look--"

'You lied to me, Mark!" Maya exclaimed, her glazed eyes stared dead into his. "Liar," she muttered under her breath. "Who do you think you are?! You led me on!"

"Maya," Sehun sighed, trying to calm her down by intertwining their fingers. She kept ranting, accusing him of things he had no idea about. She only ever stopped when her eyes met his cold ones. "You are annoying me," he muttered in that calm tone that had fire hidden behind. "I never led you on. I cleared the fact that you liking me is nothing of my concern."

"I still can't believe this. You're married." Maya had her hair down that evening. Looking like a medieval princess from the Mongol myths. The disappointed expression on her face didn't go with the vibrant colors of her hanbok. "You love her that much..." Her shoulders slumped, her glazed eyes met his. Sehun frowned, biting his lips because he didn't know what to do. "What's her name?"

Sehun gulped. The calm on the outside hid the panic he was going through at the moment. "Sarang," he finally muttered. He wondered if he really had to play the game hide-ans-seek before Maya. He could trust her with her secret but what if word got out? He had to return no matter what after all.

He watched her brows quirk. Sehun knew what confusion was on her mind. "Doesn't sound Chinese," she said, fists gripping the sides of her dress.

"She's not," Sehun answered. A sigh escaped his lips as he turned to walk back to his study. Neither am I. It almost came out in a whisper but Sehun was sure she wouldn't have heard it.

"What do you mean she's not? You mean, she's from my country?" Her wide eyes followed his figure. She watched him nod. A soft gasp escaped her lips. "I thought you were visiting for the first time?"

"She's from the South," Sehun muttered, loud enough for her to hear. As he reached down to his drawer under his study desk, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of her. Sehun didn't want to make a fool out of Maya. He wanted to tell her everything because he saw a friend in her. Nothing else.

"Excuse me?" she folded her arms, releasing a huff, "Let me remind you, you're planning against the South, Mark."

"Doesn't matter," Sehun shrugged, looking back at the coded materials that were sent to him from the South. "I'm sorry, Maya."

"You should be," The dark cloud over her face made him feel the guilt inside. But he had absolutely nothing to do. There could only be one woman in his life. He wanted to leave these cruel lands without leaving behind anything that would make him regret. With glistening eyes, she bit her lips, slowly making her way out of his room. When the door slammed shut, he could hear her loud sobs from the other side.

Dear Sehun...

He had so much to tell her, he realized as he took hold of one of the letters from Sarang that he had brought with him to the North. He traced her little letters with the pads of his fingers. There was an ache that came and went, always returning in quiet moments. Those days that he knew he was walking on thin ice and wanted to flee immediately to her arms. 

How are you?

In despair, he had replied. A sigh escaped his lips as he wished Sarang would somehow appear, like she did back in the barracks. He wanted so much to complain and someone to listen to him. 

Omoni and I are doing just fine. Don't worry. 

Sehun wished the letter was a little bit longer. But her attempt made his heart bloom with warmth. He wondered how many times she had thought before putting each word in. Maybe it would be next week, or next month that he'd get to see her again. Perhaps it would be tomorrow too. Fate just had its way of playing with hearts.

She found her bed to be cold and lonely. She missed his muscular arm that she dreamed was wrapped around her as much as she missed the scent of him. She could pretend he was still there, keeping her in bed for five more minutes. But what good would that be? In the end, she'd still be left with that void in her heart. She knew something was wrong.

A thud resonated from the other room, pulling her out of her daze. Sarang jolted up from the bed, throwing the warm blanket away as she pushed her feet into her slippers. "Omoni?" She ran for the door that led to the other room. Her brows arched as her pace slowed. She spotted her mother-in-law on the bed, looking paler than ever. Her hand hung by the bed, her ceramic glass on the floor, shattered to pieces.

Sarang hurriedly walked over to her, placing a hand on her wrinkly cheek. A gasp escaped her lips as she withdrew her hand. The old lady trembled with the high fever, almost senseless. Sarang's face contorted, eyes filled with concern for the mother. "Omoni," her voice cracked as she clutched the cold hand with hers. "You can hear me, right?" Sarang didn't know what to do, hoped she had been taught. Helplessly, she stared at the pale face, shaking her mother-in-law by the shoulders. "Open your eyes. Please."

How would she answer Sehun if anything happened to his mother? That was only part of her worry. She had to cure the lady because Sarang only had her to grasp onto. She still had so much to learn, so much to grow. "Omoni," Sarang didn't know when she had started crying, sobbing with her nose running. Her warm palms rubbed the wrinkly hands one after another.

She finally opened her eyes. Her brows arched weakly, taking in Sarang's disheveled state. The loose strands of her hair stuck to her cheeks, spilling out of her braid but she didn't look as if she cared. "Sa...rang."

"Omoni," Tears continued streaming down her face. Sarang didn't bother to wipe them. Instead, she held the old woman's hand tightly in the two of hers.

Sehun's mother lightly clicked her tongue, a small smile on her face, "What are you crying for?" Sarang was near to having hiccups, placing the back of her hand by her lips to control the sound. Only if she could. "Silly girl. Now help me up."

"You're burning with fever," Sarang said in the stern voice she could muster, "You're not going anywhere today."

"It's fine," She replied weakly, "Just give me your hand." With much reluctance, Sarang offered her her hand, assuming she'd easily get up. But Sarang was wrong. Her mother-in-law could barely move a muscle. With bewildered eyes, she watched as the woman struggled. Groans of pain escaped her lips as she tightly clasped onto to Sarang's hand, desperately trying to get up. Sarang placed a hand under her armpit to make her sit and that's when she realized, Sehun's mother was getting old. It was as if she had aged ten more years in only a month and a half. 

"Stay in bed for the day," Sarang kept her tender her hand on her shoulder. "I promise I'll do my best. I'll clean the yard, feed the chickens, do the cooking and wash the clothes."

She chuckled, to Sarang's dismay, "Looks like age is getting to me, huh?" She still had the strength to smile. Sarang pressed a hand