Recurring Memory

Chapter II

"Let me take a photo of us two" She said.

"No, I don't look good in photos. I'd like to take a photo of you instead," Tae Pyung offered. But Eon Jin was persistent. She wouldn't let that moment pass without having a photo of them.

"Please, give me your sweetest smile," she said.

He awkwardly grinned his teeth. It was the best smile he could offer. He was not used to smiling for the camera. He hasn't pose for a magazine showing his teeth. Poker face was his forte. Well, that's acceptable since he was no model although he would actually be qualified to be one.

"And another one, love in 3, 2 and..." To Eon Jin's surprise, he kissed her cheek. The reaction was pretty candid and luckily, the phone camera was able to capture the look on Eon Jin's face. Kissing wasn't something new to them. What made her jolt was the idea that he got some extra share of romance in his pocket that day.

"Let's have that framed, baby." He then kissed her again, but this time, on her temples.

"Sure... I would love to relive this moment over and over, like a recurring memory." She landed a peck on his lips. "I'd like to post the photo on SNS but data isn't available in this area. Can you check your phone whether you have signal?"

"I left my phone at home," He said. "That means, we should stay next to each other. We can't leave each other's side. Would that be fine?"

He has never left his phone. For a busy man like Tae Pyung, his phone was an extension of his persona. Eon Jin knew about that, but didn't care less. He must have intentionally left it at home.

"Of course. But just in case we'll get lost, how are we supposed to find each other?" It was nice that she asked. It's always better to be prepared for worst-case scenarios.

From his bag, he took out a yellow scarf and tie a knot on one of the branches of the tree near them.

"We'll meet here. This yellow scarf will be our landmark. Understood?"

She nodded. "But please don't ever leave. I am scared to be alone in this forest."

With the trees so high, she looked extra petite standing in the middle of the woods. Tae Pyung cupped her face so their eyes would meet.

"I will follow you wherever you go. If not my body, my heart and soul will always be with you." It was the kind of reassurance she needed the most. Tae Pyung was sensitive enough to understand her anxieties. "Shall we take a walk again, love?"

They trailed up once again. Eon Jin was busy telling stories to him. He listened in silence as she continued to blabber about every single things that came into her mind. She was a storyteller after all. Her imagination was wild and limitless. Her memory was sharper than he could ever imagine. She was good with dates. She had the ability to remember details although sometimes, she could mix up the make-believes in her story with her reality. She told him about the depths of her writings; that every character she wrote was a slice of her individuality.

That's what made her successful, perhaps. She was putting her heart on every book that she writes.

-

Hyo Jin soothed Mrs. Son's back. The old woman caressed her chest, thinking of what Eon Jin could have done.

"Please calm down, Auntie. I am sure that Eon Jin is doing fine," Knowing the Son's more than half of her life, Hyo Jin was pretty much close with her best friend's parents. Mrs. Son was at ease with Hyo Jin around.