AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 8

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

"If there isn't trust, is there a true relationship?" -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

With the elusive red cap clutched in his hand, Hyung-Chul wearily trudges back up the mountain trail to where Sun-Mi waits, resting on a bench in the shade of the tree she had pointed out before.

 

"Told you I'd get here first!" she boasts, laughing.

 

"Next time, I'll wear the cap, and we'll see about that!" he grumbles good-naturedly.

 

Hyung-Chul pushes the cap down onto her head; and she looks up at him with a wide, happy smile. "Senior, I knew I could count on you," she tells him appreciatively. "Thank you."

 

A picture he'd taken before flashes in his memory, of the same pleased smile on her face the day in Cambridge he'd bought this cap for her. That smile alone is worth all his exertions to retrieve the cap for her.

 

"It really wasn't an accident it came off?" he tries to get her to admit the trick she played.

 

Sun-Mi looks back innocently, deftly redirecting the question, "Why do you think I'd chance losing my favorite cap?"

 

"Because you knew you could count on me?" he suggests, recycling her argument.

 

"Would you rather I didn't?"she pouts, ending his fishing expedition. "If there isn't trust, is there a true relationship?"

 

 

Sun-Mi holds out one of the water bottles and a snack that she packed in her backpack. "Here, for you..."

 

They linger there, looking out over the expansive vista, sipping cool, refreshing water and cutting the edge off their appetite. Some other hikers gather nearby, pointing out landmarks in the distance before starting back down the path.

 

"So beautiful," Sun-Mi murmurs, awestruck.

 

She glances at Hyung-Chul when she thinks he isn't looking, but quickly looks away as his head starts to turn toward her -– but not before he catches her eye. Her cheeks are tinged pink, but whether from the brisk breeze coming down the slope, or from being caught looking, Hyung-Chul can't tell.

 

"I'm so glad you came today, Senior. Really I am," she tells him earnestly, a complete reversal of her earlier attitude.

 

"Shall we continue?" he prompts. "We can still eat the picnic lunch Ms. Song prepared at the top."

 

She nods and smiles. "I'd like that."

 

After they walk a few steps, Hyung-Chul tentatively takes Sun-Mi's left hand, half expecting she will refuse him -- as it is a public space with others present -- but instead she squeezes back tighter in affirmation.

 

Walking hand-in-hand, their progress is slower. He enjoys the warm softness of her fingers entwined comfortably with his, thinking... Soon... very soon... this hand will be wearing his ring. With his free hand, he checks again the small, beribboned ring box tucked securely into the pocket of his windbreaker.

 

 

The path cuts through a wooded area, where trees press closely on both sides, forming a natural canopy overhead. Sun-Mi stops and peers into the undergrowth on one side, concentrating, as if trying to identify something from memory.

 

"It's somewhere around here, I'm sure of it." she says aloud, as if trying to remind herself. Then a light of recognition comes to her eyes.

 

She smiles and announces: "This way, Senior."

 

Sun-MI points to a barely discernible footpath that leads downhill into the woods. Releasing Hyung-Chul's hand, she starts off immediately on the narrow trail.

 

After a few steps she stops and looks back impatiently. "What are you waiting for, Senior?"

 

"Okay, I'm right behind you," he chuckles. "Where are we going?"

 

"You'll find out," she calls back cryptically as she forges ahead.

 

Sun-Mi nimbly moves along the rough, rocky trail, but Hyung-Chul moves slower, picking his way along, wary of twisting an ankle.

 

Well ahead now, Sun-Mi disappears into a dense stand of bright yellow leafed poplars.

 

 

When he comes through on the other side, Hyung-Chul discovers a small clearing. On his right, a rock outcrop rises vertically over his head. On his left, the slope falls off steeply to a ragged line of trees below.

 

Sun-Mi is nowhere to be seen. He takes a few steps out into the bright sunlight and looks around, calling out: "Sun-Mi? ... Sun-Mi!"

 

He feels something brush against his hair. He swipes at it, thinking it is some kind of insect. A moment later, another ‘insect' alights on his shoulder. This time he grasps what turns out to be a small twig.

 

"Senior! Up here!" Sun-Mi's laughter glitters in the crisp, clear air.

 

He looks up to see Sun-Mi seated on a ledge of the outcrop, backpack deposited at her side. She holds out a piece of kimbap from the lunchbox and takes a bite.

 

"Mmmm… tasty!" she teases, smacking her lips together. "Come up quickly, or it'll all be gone!"