AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 18

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2016

 

"You seem nice, Sun-Mi, like your name. Can we be friends? It seems I have no one else." -- Huh Young-Mi

 

 

RURAL KANGWON-DO ...

 

"Some fishermen saw Anna -- I mean, Announcer Huh -- walk into the lake, and rescued her," the elderly nun recounts the incident to Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi as they stroll together along a wooded path on the orphanage's lush, green grounds.

 

"Fortunately, she was only under water for a few minutes, so there appears to be no permanent damage to her mental faculties, just significant memory losses."

 

"What does she remember?" Hyung-Chul asks.

 

"So far, mainly her childhood years and her parents," the nun replies. "We'll see if she recalls either of you."

 

Young-Mi is playing with children in a grassy area. She notices the nun approaching with Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul, but shows no sign of recognition as she stands to greet them.

 

"Anna, you have visitors from Seoul," the nun informs Young-Mi.

 

But Sun-Mi can't restrain herself to wait for introductions. Running forward, she embraces Young-Mi tightly.

 

"Young-Mi, we've been looking so hard for you!" she blurts out. "You don't know how worried I've been!"

 

Young-Mi looks puzzled. "You called me ‘Young-Mi'? … Do you know me?"

 

Sun-Mi blinks through watery eyes. "We've known each other for years. I'm Jin Sun-Mi, don't you remember me?"

 

"Jin... Sun... Mi?" Young-Mi repeats slowly as she searches her memory, then shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I can't recall that name."

 

"Our years together in the university, or working at MBS... nothing?"

 

Young-Mi shakes her head again. "It's all so confusing."

 

But Sun-Mi persists: "You really don't remember me? Or Daddy and Ms Song? Or... or even Woo-Jin?"

 

"I'm sorry," Young-Mi answers.

 

"Oh my... Young-Mi...." Sun-Mi's tears flow freely as she cries on Young-Mi's shoulder.

 

"Why don't we give them some time?" Hyung-Chul tells the nun. "Can you explain more about your work with the children?'

 

"Our convent operates a school and hospital for the orphans," the nun begins. "Shall we take a tour?"

 

 

After Hyung-Chul leaves with the nun, Sun-Mi and Young-Mi sit down on a bench beside the walking path, in the shade of some trees.

 

"Tell me about Kim Woo-Jin," Young-Mi requests. "Is he someone who liked me?

 

"Woo-Jin loved you so much! You don't remember him... at all?"

 

Young-Mi takes a wallet out and shows Sun-Mi a photo. "I wondered why I had this. It's Kim Woo-Jin, right?"

 

Sun-Mi nods.

 

"Kim Woo-Jin... Kim Woo-Jin...," Young-Mi repeats. "The name seems to feel right. But, did he... die?"

 

Sun-Mi's eyes widen as she asks: "You remember?"

 

"No." Young-Mi replies. "I just always had this sad feeling when I looked at his picture."

 

"You really loved Woo-Jin," Sun-Mi concludes eagerly. "I knew you did... I always knew it. You just didn't know it yourself."

 

Young-Mi appears confused. "You're saying I loved someone but didn't know it? What kind of person is that? What was I really like, Sun-Mi?"

 

"You were the smartest and the most talented in our class, and had very strong pride and ambition," Sun-Mi recounts. "You wanted to become the best announcer at MBS, and would have been, too. Everyone envied you, because you were so good."

 

Young-Mi looks hesitantly at Sun-Mi. "Did... you? Envy me, too, I mean."

 

Sun-Mi recalls: "Yes... we were always competing, trying to grab for the same things in life. We had hard feelings, and angry words. At times I even... hated you." She sighs with regret. "Now, that all seems so petty. I'm so sorry."

 

"You needn't be sorry," Sun-Mi," Young-Mi smiles. "All that is in the past. Whatever happened, I don't just not remember, I don't care."

 

Sun-Mi grasps Young-Mi's hand warmly: "The last time we met, we finally came to understand each other. I think if we'd had the chance, we could have become friends."

 

"You seem nice, Sun-Mi, like your name," Young-Mi reflects. "Can we become friends now? It seems I have no one else."

 

"Friends? I'd like that," Sun-Mi readily agrees, as fresh tears wet her cheeks. "It's what I'd really, always hoped for..."