Chapter 8
As soon as Heena returned home after finishing a bottle of wine with Yohan last night, she fell asleep. She drifted in and out of sleep, catching up on much-needed rest, until the sun began to set.
“This is why I have to clean for a whole month…”
She dampened a cloth and began wiping the wooden floor. No matter how much she cleaned, hair kept appearing. She wanted to gather it all up and stick it back onto her scalp, but it was already dead.
After the floor, she started cleaning the small room where she was staying. Grandfather always kept this room empty, even though it could have been used for storage, so family would have a place to stay when they visited.
She unpacked her winter and spring clothes from her suitcase, hanging her coats and neatly folding t-shirts and pants, filling the drawers one by one.
Next, the bathroom, then the kitchen.
She was still afraid to enter her grandfather’s bedroom. She had a feeling it was filled with things that would break her heart. Besides, if she cleaned that room too, it felt as if his scent, his traces, his time spent there, would all vanish.
So, for days, she’d hesitated at the bedroom door before turning back.
Heena went out to the yard and stretched her back. Once again, the star-filled sky of Jinhong-ri cleansed her heart.
Fresh air, clear sky, clean scent. Jinhong-ri was full of purity.
Suddenly, she heard a rustling sound.
Her eyes widened, and she turned towards the backyard. Rustle.
She cautiously approached, grabbing a shovel from the yard. Hiding behind the wall and taking a deep breath, she saw a long, dark shadow on the ground.
“Who’s, who’s there!”
A scoff echoed. The shadow drew closer.
“S-stay back!”
“Stay back?”
“Yes, don’t come any closer!” she yelled, finally recognizing the familiar voice.
Heena peeked over the wall. The man, backlit by the moon, was not only a familiar voice but also just… familiar.
“Ha… You scared me.”
“Don’t be so easily frightened.”
“But why are you coming from that direction?”
That was the opposite side of the main gate!
Yohan strode over with his long legs, as if flaunting his height, and stood in front of her.
“I hopped the wall.”
Their houses shared a wall, but it was quite high. Heena was puzzled, but then shrugged it off. With his height, I guess he can do that.
“What have you been doing all day, stuck inside?”
“Sleeping.”
“Figures. You still sleep like a log unless I wake you. So high-maintenance.”
“Well, it’s a good thing someone’s checking up on me, making sure I’m alive.”
Feeling awkward, Heena patted Yohan’s shoulder. He suddenly grasped her hand.
“You’ve been subtly touching me since yesterday.”
“Have I?”
“Why? Do you want to keep touching me now that you’ve had the chance?”
“You were the one who asked me to touch you yesterday. And you’re holding my hand now.”
The things he says. Heena chuckled, shaking her head, and led Yohan to the front yard.
“Anyway, why did you climb over the wall?”
“You said you needed house repairs.”
“You remembered. Were you worried I wouldn’t be able to handle living in these conditions?”
“I’m here to make money, so don’t get any ideas. This house is just a job to me.”
Figures. Clicking her tongue, Heena had him sit on the porch and brought him a full glass of sikhye.
“Consider this the down payment.”
“Just sikhye?”
“Just sikhye? That’s a bit rude.”
“Just one glass.”
“I’ll give you two if you finish it. Happy?”
He must have had a tough time in the real world, always making sure he got what he was owed.
Yohan took a sip of the sikhye and looked around.
“You cleaned up, I see.”
His gaze settled on the closed bedroom door.
“Grandfather’s room is… still untouched?”
Heena stretched out her legs, wiggling her toes.
“Yeah. Still… kind of scared.”
“Afraid his ghost might be in there?”
“I hadn’t thought about it, but now that you mention it, it is a little creepy.”
“Want me to open it with you?”
“Not yet. I want to leave it like this for a bit longer.”
She probably wasn’t ready to fully let go of her grandfather.
“Heena. Heena-yah.”
Her grandfather’s voice, calling her name from the hospital room filled with the pungent smell of antiseptic, was still so vivid.
“Yes, Grandfather. I’m here. Do you need anything?”
He simply shook his head, seemingly content with her presence.
“Have you eaten?”
“Don’t worry, I’m eating well. Are you hungry?”
He shook his head again. Her heart ached for him, always concerned about her well-being, even from his sickbed.
“Then what can I do for you? Read you a book?”
Finally, he nodded.
Her grandfather, barely breathing, sustained by machines, cherished the time when Heena read to him. Perhaps he longed for human warmth. Perhaps he felt more at peace with his family, his own flesh and blood, by his side.
“What are you thinking about?”
Heena jumped, startled by Seo Yohan suddenly appearing in front of her.
“Warn me before you do that.”
“What is this, a drama? You expecting a preview scene?”
“I miss Grandfather.”
“……”
Yohan’s expression hardened at her sudden words. A flicker of sympathy, guilt, a shared sense of loss, crossed his face before vanishing.
“I miss him too.”
Yohan licked his lips and sighed.
“Your grandparents are still alive. Treat them well. Don’t have regrets like me.”
“Why are you talking about regrets? Don’t be so melodramatic.”
“It’s not melodrama. It’s my duty as his granddaughter.”
“Grandfather Jeong wouldn’t have expected that.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I was the closest to him before he passed. We ate every meal together, and he’d call me over whenever he was bored, just to talk.”
His words silenced her. She hadn’t realized he and her grandfather had been so close.
Seeing Heena’s downcast expression, Yohan stood up.
“Come on. Let’s go for a walk.”
“A walk?”
“You’ve been lying around all day. You need to get some fresh air.”
✦⋆🍒.₊ ⊹
Yohan, who had just lectured her about getting some exercise, drove out from his yard.
Even someone who didn’t care about cars would recognize the prestigious emblem of the sedan. She’d never seen this car when they were dating…
Part of her felt a strange sense of pride in him for starting his side hustle and buying a new car since their breakup.
“Who are you trying to impress with this expensive car?”
“Just get in if you don’t want me to tie you to the tires and drive you out to sea.”
“You haven’t given up on making me exercise, I see.”
Heena quickly got into the passenger seat and buckled up. While she trusted Yohan’s driving skills, his personality might have worsened since their breakup, and his driving habits could have declined as well.
Fortunately, he drove smoothly. Heena glanced at his hands on the steering wheel.
Unlike his smooth, flawless face, his hands were rough and calloused. The prominent tendons and veins made him seem more like a man than the boy she once knew.
As they left the village and drove onto the main road, the streetlights passing by illuminated his face. His high, sharp nose cast a shadow on the other side of his face.
Staring at his profile, Heena spoke.
“Did you lose weight?”
“Maybe.”
Yohan checked his reflection in the rearview mirror and rubbed his cheek. Then he gave Heena a cocky glance.
“You have to pay to look at this face. You won’t find another one like it.”
Heena scoffed.
“Oh, please. Who pays to look at someone’s face?”
“You just insulted millions of idol fans.”
“You’re not an idol. Let’s stick to the facts here.”
“There you go with the ‘facts’ again.”
“Just drive.”
The sedan, speeding along the asphalt road, soon reached the coast.
“Get out.”
“You’re not going to leave me here, are you?”
“I’m considering it.”
“I’ll get out after you walk over there.”
Heena was stubborn. After Yohan got out and walked some distance away, she opened the passenger door.
“You’re so distrustful.”
Ignoring his comment, Heena inhaled the salty sea air. The smell reminded her of delicious things: shrimp, squid, clams.
“Stop thinking about food and walk.”
This was why Yohan was both easy and difficult to be around. He knew her too well.
“Did you get certified as a physical therapist while I wasn’t looking? Are you seriously trying to turn this into a workout?”
“Why would I bother making you exercise? Do it yourself.”
“Right.”
Her feet sank into the sand. Although it was the West Sea, known for calmer waves, it was still winter on the coast. Especially at night.
Still, the familiar smell of the sea and the ocean breeze invigorated her. She unconsciously bounced on her heels and took a small skip.
“Don’t skip, walk. You’ll fall.”
Yohan took off his coat and draped it over Heena’s shoulders. The oversized jacket enveloped her, warding off the chill.
“Don’t get any ideas. This is just basic manners.”
“Seo Yohan doesn’t do basic manners.”
“Well, I am now.”
They walked in silence for a while. The silence felt strange, and Heena wanted to speak, but the atmosphere didn’t seem right, so she held back.
“About Grandfather’s passing…”
Yohan spoke first. Heena waited for him to continue.
“You know it wasn’t your fault. Don’t feel guilty.”
“…Okay.”
His simple words unexpectedly made her emotions well up. Heena tilted her head back, trying to hide her tears.
Heena walked along the coast until the sun dipped below the horizon and the wind grew sharp. As she walked, her troubled thoughts seemed to dissipate, leaving her feeling refreshed. Seo Yohan walked silently beside her, offering only his presence.
They were no longer together, but their shared history made his presence a comfort. Grandfather was gone, but Yohan, someone she had grown up with, was still here. The realization brought a new awareness.
