The Secret Code Ring 5

A LOVE THAT IS FOREVER LOST


It was a lovely Sunday night and she's more than happy to tire herself out in order to prepare the favorite dishes of her two stars, one she's keeping near and the other she's completely letting go.

She and Yunho attended church in the morning, they had brunch with a few friends before he went off to attend to his schedules with a promise that he'll be back before the appointed time so he can help her a little in the preparations. Tonight, the three of them will sit together and share a nice dinner, talk about the weather and life in general, and she's hoping that in the end, she, Yunho and Hyun Joong will all part ways as good friends. Oh, just to make it clear, the parting-ways-phrase is not applicable to her and her man as she plans to have her forever with him.

She spent the afternoon creating a small feast, at least the best that she can come up with, as well as fixing her hub to make it as comfortable as possible to her guests. She and Yunho are as good as living together but as someone else was coming, she wants to make him at home and at ease with their company. She cleared and kept all things couple-y that is usually found in the living room so as not to make him feel like he is a third wheel or something. She wanted everything to be perfect, a quiet and simple dinner without any hassles.

She was in the process of steaming Kimchi Dumplings, one of her boyfriend's fave, when the doorbell rang, she looked at the clock hanging by the wall, an hour before eight, common sense told her that it must be her significant other as it was too early for their guest to have arrive. Well, common sense just like instincts are not fool-proof, as the person behind the door was none other Kim Hyun Joong.

She stood by the door, a mixture of happiness, nervousness, anxiousness, awkwardness and giddiness, she was the one who begged for a meeting with him but she never expected it to be just with him, her alone with him.

"Annyeonghaseyo," he bowed, seemingly unsure of what to do or say next.

She bobbed her head, an assurance that she heard him though she remained silent.

"I know that I am an hour early, I was in the area," he started to explain. "I just finished filming a CF and driving back to Gangnam-gu with my staff at this hour will make it impossible for me to make it on time later so I decided to come here straight from filming," he said in details. "Is it okay? I don't wanna intrude upon you."

After a minute of self-realization, she gave him one of her sweetest smile and ushered him in, she asked him to sit, by himself, on the couch. "Make yourself at home. What would you like to drink, do you still have a preference for cola?"

He nodded, flashing a timid smile.

"Hyun Joong-sshi, you don't have to be so stiff, I won't bite," she teased. "Just relax, I'll go and get you something to drink," she said as she made her way back to the kitchen.

He stared at her retreating back, transfixed, after two years of not seeing each other, without any communication whatsoever, she still treats him like a close acquaintance. After those years, she is still as beautiful as ever, the captures of her, in stills and in films, doesn't give her exquisiteness justice, not at all. And after those years of taming his heart, it still beats without a care, by just the mere sight of her eyes, of her face, of her smile; and the moment she uttered his name, he felt like he was given a taste of heaven. And though he knows that his time with her is but passing, he can't help but feel that after a long journey, he had finally found his way home.

Truth be told, the TVXQ leader had a hard time persuading him to join them for dinner. He wouldn't dare to lie that the idea of seeing her again doesn't appeal to him, it's just that he was unsure whether the risk and the pain is all worth it. And the man was not a bit of help either, as he kept on dodging the real reason behind the meeting, saying that Hye Jung just wanna cook something delicious for the both of them, as if he will buy that. He looks more than healthy to him so the chances of her cooking for him everyday is huge (and visibly prominent) so him as the deadwood is the only unusual piece in the puzzle. But, he was not strong enough to decline till the end, who is he to deprive himself at least a little bit of pleasure, the mere thought of seeing her again after a long time sent ripples of delight to his exhausted body; and, still, the thought of it being his last chance to see her upfront and that close, his last chance to hear her talk or to hear her laugh, hopefully at his jokes, his last chance to see if her fierce eyes still turns all-caring and gentle when it is cast upon him, his last chance to sample her cooking, his last chance to be fed and serve by her, he just couldn't let his last chance pass him by.

Another truth, he was more than anxious about their meeting, the minute he said yes, his mind had already started rolling out scenarios of what ifs and what could be; he had unconsciously listed every little thing that should be done before the actual day, the clothes he will wear, the present that he will bring, the work and appointments that he had to rush; he even thought of an appropriate greeting and of a proper way to act in front of them, heck, he even practiced his poker face. And pathetic as it may sound, he was happily anticipating the day that he'll see her again, his days seemed so much brighter, his workload seemed a bit lighter and life seemed to be treating him better, and if anyone else noticed any difference in his actions and outlook, no one bothered to voice it out, they could all just be glad that his mood had picked up or they could all be wondering what he had eaten or smoked, but they all prefer him that way. Isn't it a wonder, how her charm and her littlest of ways can affect people.

Finally, the awaited day, the day that he will have the privilege to see her, again, after years of deep longing; the time to hear her voice as she talks to or about him is near and he can't help but feel joyful and blessed. His loads of work for the day was done in a hitch, he felt like he's floating and the sometimes acrid taste of his hard and grueling work as an artist was none.

Two hours before the appointed time, he was already getting ready, good thing that their location shoot was in her apartment's area and the building where they had filming have all the utilities he needed. He took a long shower, hoping to look fresh and untired; he wore one of those MVIO sponsored clothing - black slacks, gray long sleeves and a classic gray vest, he opted for the casual-semi formal look as he's not exactly sure what kind of event they will have, he's not exactly sure what the agenda of the get-together is but he had his thoughts, he can actually sense what he will go through that night; his hair was styled carelessly, showing an out-of-the-shower look, sealing his flower boy appeal.

A few minutes before the clock strikes seven, he was already at her building's lobby, debating with himself whether he should go up and impose upon her or wait in some nearby cafe giving fans and paparazzi an opportunity to take pictures and spread rumors, the practical and logical side of him won over and so he's there, sitting on her sofa, staring at the abyss, an hour before the set time.

"Hyun Joong-sshi!" He heard his name being called, he felt someone's hand on her shoulder, a tap and another, "Hyun Joong-sshi, come out of it."

"Oh," he smiled apologetically. "Mianhe, I might have traveled to another world while you're getting that glass of cola, don't worry I'm back now."

She chuckled, she can't help it, he's still as 4D as ever, who would give a statement such as, only Kim Hyun Joong. "I have to leave you again as I am not done cooking yet, are you sure you're okay on your own?"

He gave her one of his rare, real smile, the ones that reach his eyes, "I'll be, just be sure to wake me up if and when I doze off," he playfully told her, sure that he won't fall asleep even if he is paid to do so, he wouldn't waste his few precious moments in her company.

"Arasso," she conceded, he is still the same man she had been partnered with two years ago, still witty, still charming.

Her voice was playing an enchanting music in his mind, he would have been totally lost if not for the noise from the bouquet of gerberas and wild lilies that was laid on his side, almost ruined by his hand. "Aigoo, I forgot about the flowers, but don't you think that the way they were saved from being crush added to their charm?"

She reached for the flowers, grinning as she was, he really has a weird way of looking at things but it's always refreshing, "They are pretty, komapta. I'll put this in a vase and I'll finish off cooking, I'll see you in a while, okay? Oh yeah, loosen up and relax, I don't wanna find you frozen when I come back," she kidded.

He smiled and watched her sashayed her way into the kitchen, how can anyone be so beautiful in a loose house dress and food-smeared apron.

Hye Jung busied herself in the kitchen, keen on clinching her chore, she actually made it through without much obstacles, she's almost done, with enough time to fix herself and change into something more decent or more appropriate and to set the table before dinnertime. She, actually, still have a few minutes to spare to think and discern what, exactly, is she feeling at the moment.

She had known for a week that they will meet today, her man did everything he can to convince their guest to show up as a way of giving out on her whim. She had been busy preparing these past few days, in between her schedule, she did research about his food preference aside from the ones she already knew from their WGM heydays, shopping for the best ingredients and learning a few more cooking techniques. She may not admit it but she was mentally preparing herself - on how to deal, how to act, what to expect. She may not had given ample thought on her wardrobe but as she is always conscious of her appearance, looking good is already a given, she may not be shaking with dread but her insides were all fuzzy and her tail feathers were rumpled, she may not look queasy outside but she was, she is.

It has been two years, their last taping as a married couple, she remembers Jeju Island clearly, the words that were and were not spoken, the actions that were and were not done, what they had or might have had reached its end on that place. The last time they work together was at the 2008 MBC Awards where they won the best couple award, if their story ended in Mt. Halla, their book was completely close and was stock in the back shelf never to be open again in the awards night, it was a sealed fate by then. They randomly saw each other in between that time to present, but they stay out of each others way as much as possible, the lesser the interaction, the lesser the repercussions.

But now, they are here, the two of them together again, breathing the same air, standing on the same ground, what should she expect? She may not have been a physical part of Yunho and Hyun Joong's unwritten contract or treaty but as she is the central character, she still feel deeply indebted to him, he doesn't have to do it but he did. And to show him her gratitude, she wonder how.

She came back to the living room all pretty and composed, ready to face him, ready to answer inquiries, ready to pacify ill feelings, ready to pay her debts, she was ready to take on Kim Hyun Joong, but she wasn't prepared to see him sleeping soundly on her couch, as if he had been doing it his entire life, "He sleeps like a kid."

She angled one of the single settee so she can watch him sleep, she doesn't have anything more to do but to set the table and with her boyfriend still at work and their visitor in dreamland, she don't think dinner preps is a priority. At least a quarter of an hour had passed before they were both awaken, she from her reverie, he from his slumber, by the sudden ringing of the phone.

"Yoboseoyo!"

"Yunho-ah why aren't you here yet? You even promised to help me but as it is you are running really late. Hmmp..."

"Mianhe, I think I'll be an hour late, there were some technical problems here in the studio so the recording was delayed, I am really sorry."

"As if I can do anything than wait, but you better think of something to console my wounded pride or else," she half-joked.

"Saranghae, saranghae, saranghae Hye Jung-ah!"

"And you think that will work, you better pump up your game Mr. Jung," she tease.

Unbeknownst to them, one unfortunate soul is dying of envy, he thought he was prepared, he thought he was ready, but the wrenching feeling just made him realized that he's not, and it was not even on full impact yet.

"Hyun Joong-sshi is..." he trailed off.

"Here already, patiently waiting for the host to come, or should I think of you as a guest of honor?"

"Hmm... a guest of honor sounds important, I'll pick that."

"Ha-ha-ha, we shall eat before the honorable guest comes then, we're not keen on being patient tonight."

"Hye Jung-ah... Hye Hung-ah... how can a queen start a banquet without her king," he whined.

"The king is pissing the queen off so..." she purposely let her sentence hung.

"Arasso, arasso, the king will force the world to move in fast forward so as to get on the queen's good side," he laughingly remarked.

"Come home quickly, we'll wait for you," she lovingly end the call.

He sat through the whole conversation, blocking all that he could, to spare himself from hurting even more. He was thankful though, someone up there might have taken pity on him and gave him an hour more to spend with her, without the presence of the lucky bastard that owns her heart.

"Hyun Joong-sshi, Yunho will be hold up for an hour more, is it okay to wait for him, so we can all dine together?"

"No biggie," he muttered, 'we can sans dinner altogether and just stay here, only the two of us, just like the old times.'

It was the shortest but the sweetest one hour of his life, it was like a dream come true. They talked and they bantered like there were no two years of non-correspondence, they laughed and they joked like a day had not passed in between their relationship, they looked and treat each other like the world had turned backwards and they were back to what and who they were before; it was an hour of bliss and ecstasy for Kim Hyun Joong.

He would have given anything, he would have done everything in his power to extend his time with her, but what can he do, the universe conspire to grant him the opposite of what he wish for.

The doorbell rang, the king had arrived to take his place beside his queen, Hwangbo Hye Jung ushered Jung Yunho in, Kim Hyun Joong stood and took his place behind, he was afterall, just the gallant knight.