His fingers brush her cheek, before tenderly pulling her hair back into place.
"Everything will be fine, Seri. Everything will be fine, I promise ..." he said soflty, his voice however strained.
"But ... what if they arrest you? What if they throw you in jail or a forced labor camp. It's all my fault ..."
Her voice broke, and he shook his head firmly.
"It's not your fault, you're not responsible for what happened. Seri, you came into my life like a gift. I didn't realize I was living in the dark until you came and enlightened my world. I'm so grateful, I will never be able to regret loving you. I'm sorry for what I told you .... "
Guilt washed over his face.
“It's okay, I knew you didn't meant it… But Ri Jeong Hyeokssi… Does this really have to be the last time we see each other?” she asked in a sob, her despair evident.
A new call for the passengers to board was made and her hands tightened on his coat.
He closed his eyes, as if suddenly assailed by unbearable pain. She saw him swallow, and when he opened his eyes, they were full of tears.
"You once told me that the wrong train could take you to the right direction... We have to pray that this train will lead us to each other, Seri, let's keep hope and pray..."
Her voice got stuck by the lump in her throat, so she nodded, her lips trembling, her face bathed in tears.
" I love you, Seri, never forget that, you're not alone, I love you... "
" I love you too..."
He crushed her against him as a last call for passengers was made, and the boys were trying to stop the other men from interfering.
His lips found hers, in a soul searing kiss, his brows furrowed as both of them tried to convey to memory the sensation and the taste of the other.
When they parted, out of breath, he took a step back, his hands clutching her face.
"I love you..."
He took another step back, out of reach, and her hands flew to her mouth, trying to silence her heart wrenching sobs.
His face crumbled and he suddenly turned his back and joined the others. One of the men looked unhappy, but Ri Jeong Hyeok ignored him, presenting his passport and disappearing in the direction of the plane without looking back. The boys waved at her, all of them moved to tears, before following their captain.
Never had Seri felt so lonely all of a sudden. And also incomplete. The absence was so sudden and hopeless that she had the feeling that a part of her had just been torn from her.
For the other passengers, they were to appear as a couple separating temporarily, when in fact, the prospect of never was plausible.
You are not alone, I love you ...
That was what he had told her. To hope and pray. Her eyes still fixed on the gate, now empty as the passengers have all hoarded, her sobs still muffled, she felt an arm pass around her shoulders, and her mother's voice trying to comfort her.
She was no longer alone, but she was nevertheless so alone.
*********
Her mother took her back to the hospital, and when, after long hours of tears and sobs, she finally turned in her phone, she felt her heart explode as his name appeared in the screen. She had messages.
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