AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 50

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"If you really meant that... if you really want to help... just stop talking and hold me, for five minutes." -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

OUTSIDE AUNTIE JIN'S HOME ...

 

"You're home," Min-Cho announces as he slows the Austin Healey to a smooth stop at the curb in front of Sun-Mi's aunt's house. The Volvo is in the car park, and except for the lamps beside the front door, and a light left on in the entry, the house is dark. Sun-Mi is asleep in the passenger seat, her head resting on Min-Cho's folded suit jacket.

 

"Hey, wake up," he tries again, shaking Sun-Mi's shoulder gently to rouse her.

 

Sun-Mi opens bleary eyes halfway and peers out the car window. "Back already?" she mumbles groggily. "When did I fall asleep?"

 

"You dozed shortly after we started off," he recalls.

 

She opens her eyes wide and sits up straight, irritated. "You just watched me sleep? You should've woken me up instead," she complains. "I didn't want you to see me like this."

 

"Like what... Sleeping Beauty?" he teases.

 

"Just... whatever," she snaps, shooting a cold glare sideways at him.

 

"Look, if it bothers you," he chastises her, "you shouldn't drink so much wine next time."

 

"What next time?" she huffs, ending the conversation abruptly as she reaches for her seatbelt: "I'm going in now... You needn't bother, I'll see myself off..."

 

 

Min-Cho ignores her declaration of independence and gets out of the car. Sun-Mi is still fumbling with the buckle when he opens her car door.

 

"Let me help," he offers, reaching in to easily release the belt.

 

He holds out his hand, and though her eyes signal reluctance, Sun-Mi accepts his assistance to alight from the car. She attempts an unsteady step toward the house, then thinks better of it...

 

"It seems as if I need your help a little, after all," she admits grudgingly, giving him a smile as a peace offering.

 

"Come on, I'll take you up," he amicably replies, taking her arm to steady her.

 

"I'm really sorry if I ruined your evening," she apologizes as they walk slowly to her front door. "I wanted to impress you with my good side, but instead kept showing my bad side."

 

"Is there something you want to talk about?" he encourages.

 

Sun-Mi lets out a long sigh. "I was hoping to exorcise some old memories, by replacing them with new ones," she discloses her intentions, then at his curious expression, elaborates further, "It's about this guy I met, the last time I was in London..."

 

"Oh... So this evening was about having me helping you to feel better?" he quickly deduces. "And I thought you really wanted to go out with me, because you liked me."

 

"Sorry I wasn't more honest with you up front," she apologizes again, "And actually, I was beginning to think you're not that bad a person after all, and perhaps I might even be able to like you."

 

"Thanks for the glowing endorsement," Min-Cho remarks sarcastically. "I'll wear it as a bandage on my wounded heart."

 

"I already apologized. What more do you want?," Sun-Mi testily replies, exasperated that he is making an issue of it. "If it bothers you that much, I won't say any more. I shouldn't have brought you into this... It's my burden to deal with, not yours."

 

She starts searching her purse for the door key, but he takes her hand in his to stop her...

 

"It's okay, I was just a bit disappointed is all," he explains softening his attitude. "Don't worry that you confided in me. Everyone leans on others and burdens them at times."

 

But his attempt to encourage Sun-Mi only reminds her of another saddening memory she'd hoped to put behind her, bringing tears to her eyes...

 

Seeing she is on the verge of crying, Min-Cho thinks he is to blame. "Whatever I just did, I'm sorry," he says contritely. "All I meant was, if you need a friend to listen, you can count on me to help."

 

"If you really meant that... if you really want to help..." she chokes back a sob in her throat, "just stop talking and hold me, for five minutes..."

 

Min-Cho unhesitatingly folds Sun-Mi into his embrace and gently asks, "That's all?"

 

She nods. "That's enough, for now..."

 

In the security of his arms, Sun-Mi tells him gratefully, "Thanks for accepting me, even after seeing my bad sides. Now you know why I make a really terrible girlfriend."

 

"I have a solution for that problem, too," he answers with a grin, "I make a really GREAT boyfriend."

 

Sun-Mi smiles with the joke, but her reply is earnest: "I know that already..."

 

After another minute or so, Sun-Mi lightly pushes away. Min-Cho get the hint and loosens his arms, and she takes a small step back...

 

"My five minutes are up," she notes, then says hopefully, "but do you have another five?"

 

"Sure," he agrees, happy for any excuse to keep her in his arms. "Why do you ask?"

 

She wraps her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. "Because the last five minutes were for me, but these are for you..."