Recurring Memory

Chapter I

"Have you packed your things?" Her response was far from what he has expected. He was gone for eighteen days. Normally, people concerned will ask you about every detail of those days when you're gone missing. Eon Jin acted otherwise.

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Can you wait for me in the living room?"

Kim Tae Pyung gladly obliged. Son Eon Jin, on the other hand, quickly did her magic. In less than an hour, Apricus was back on its original state, clean and well-arranged. Looking from afar, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by how his wife did things as swift and as neat as possible.

Eon Jin grabbed her things and her car keys. She wanted to drive.

"Are we using your car?"

She nodded. "Yes, you can sleep while I drive." She tiptoed to reach him. She cupped her face to give him a quick peck on his lips. "I love you. You don't know how terrible it was to live those days without you, love."

"That will never happen again, love." Tae Pyung kissed her back. It was a long, deep kiss. It was enough for her to stop worrying. She felt safe with him.

He was sitting and sleeping on the passenger's side. Her eyes were on the road. As to where they were going, she had no concrete plans at all. She just wanted to go somewhere far with him. She'd glance at him from time to time. Each time she'd glance, she couldn't help but smile. She's one lucky woman to have someone faithful and loving in the name of Kim Tae Pyung as her husband.

She turned the music on. Despite the gloomy weather, she was all sunny. She was singing along with the songs in her playlist when her mother, Choi Ma Ri, called for the nth time that day.

Since her husband was back, she no longer had a reason not to answer calls. She swiped right the green button and her mother, on the other side of the call, immediately spoke.

(Thank God, you finally answered my call!)

"What is it, mom?"

(How are you? Are you fine?)

Her brows creased. Why wouldn't she be fine? "Of course, I am."

(Where are you? Are you home? I need to see you, Eon Jin.)

"Oh, I am sorry, mom. I'm out for a drive today."

(For a drive? Are you sure you're in a good state to drive? I mean, I know you've been through so much the past eighteen days...)

"Don't worry. I am all good now. I'm in my most healthy state."

(Where are you going then? I am coming to see you. Your father and I have been very worried of you.)

"Please, mom. I am fine. Please tell my dad that he has nothing to worry about. I got Tae Pyung with me. There's nothing bad that could ever happen when I'm with him. I'm sure you know that."

(Tae Pyung? Your husband?)

"Do you know any other Tae Pyung besides my husband?"

(Honey, please. Don't do this to me. Don't do this to yourself...)

Not wanting to prolong the conversation and not wanting to wake sleeping Tae Pyung, she cut the call and focused her attention on the road. She turned off her phone. It was the very first day that they're back together. She wanted to be unplugged.

The wheels were heading to the countryside. Four-hour drive later, the reached Namwon in Jeonju Province. Eon Jin maximized the use of her Rover's GPS to look for a nice place to stay. There were several five-star hotels around the city. However, Eon Jin wanted a quieter and more serene place where they could spend the night. Trusting her skills as an organized traveller, Tae Pyung allowed her to take the lead.