4 YEARS LATER
Yura fixed last butterfly shaped clip in her long hair, reaching below her armpit. She decorated her long hair with many colorful butterfly clips and saw herself in the mirror of her room.
“If you were here, you’d definitely had complimented me.” She said and smiled mischievously.
She was a woman of 26, turning 27 that year. She stared at her perfectly oval shaped flawless face, with her twinkling eyes, slightly long lashes, perfectly shaped nose; but… her lips……… quiet, pale and dreary.
She touched her rather coarse lips. She smiled. “They miss you too.” She said to herself. She touched her beautiful but thin hair. She sighed.
Kyu Dae, her 4 years old boy, slammed open the door with a loud smacking sound. “UMMA!” He yelled excitedly.
“WHAT?????” She turned and yelled angrily.
A man of 32 entered the room with slow steps. “I am sorry if I disturbed you.” He said while giving Yura a weird look.
She turned to the mirror with a jerk. “Hongbin oppa.” She murmured. She started taking off the clips.
“It is alright Yura, I came to see the sculpture work. We have just a month left for the exhibition.” Hongbin said.
“Oh…. Wel.....l I am embarrassed. I feel childishly stupid.” Yura said.
He giggled. “Everybody’s a bit childish and it looks good on you, but if you say I wont look at you. First show me your work."
“Ne ne….” She pouted.
They went to the painting room upstairs. Hongbin picked up Kyudae.
“Oppa, he can go by himself.” Yura glared at Kyudae.
“Anii…..” Kyudae made a cute face and stared at Hongbin.
“Your umma knows nothing about you, right?” Hongbin asked and smiled.
Kyudae nodded and stuck his tongue out to her mother.
Yura glared back at Kyudae.
They reached the room, she opened the room and they all entered the room.
The man* dressed white, standing in the corner, looked at Yura and something ran through his mind again.
FLASHBACK
They were painting their portions. Taekwoon, while painting, looked at Yura who was striking the brush against the wall in a slow motion.
“We’ll paint afterwards. Come on.” He took away the paint brush from her and placed them back to their boxes. He spread a sheet over the floor and grabbed her hand. “Lay down … here.”
He positioned her head over his arm while lying down on the floor.
“You gotta be stronger cause you’re my star, my star, my star~~~~” He whispered the song’s lyrics in her ears. Her back was touching his chest. He kissed her hair. “Yura, I like long hair.”
She smiled. “I’ll grow ‘em really long.”
He stroked her hair. “Then, I’ll decorate your hair with live butterflies. They love your hair.”
(FLASH BACK ENDS)
“Ummm, so you do all the artwork in this room.” Hongbin said while looking at the ill-painted wall.
“Did you come here to see the room?” She said and frowned at him.
“Show me your work, Mam…”He teased.
“Here.” She pointed at the various sculptures. “Just the mud sculptures are left.” She said.
“Umm.” He nodded while looking at the sculpture. “Awesome, I think this exhibition will be a success.”
“I bet it will be, since your work is more excellent.” She praised him.
He looked back at her. “You are wrong. I am a professional. I learnt all this. Your talent is God-gifted. No matter what I do, I can’t reach your level, since I am horrible at this sculpture work.”
She laughed beautifully.
He smiled and looked away. “You resemble Yuri more now.”
She stopped laughing. “Kyudae, don’t touch that cutter” She reached her son and snatched the cutter. “Do you want to cut your hand?” She scolded.
Kyudae made a sad face.
“Come on Kyudae, ahjussi will take you on a ride.” Hongbin picked him up and his smile reappeared.“Say annyeong to umma.”
“Annyeong….” He waved his umma and umma glared.
“Fine….” She placed her hand on her waist.
“Umma you look weird!” He again stuck his tongue out and laughed. Hongbin also giggled.
Yura felt irritated. “You both always make team. I am so irritated right now.” She said angrily.
“Umma, close the door, we are going out.” Kyudae ignored what she said.
“Why not? But after you come home, be prepared.” She nagged.
Hongbin and Kyudae went out. She removed the clips and tied her hair up in a bun. After that she went to the painting room to complete her remaining mud sculptures.
She worked with wet mud. Her hands were all muddy and dirty. She carved shapes on the wet mud piece.
He* stared at her while she was working and smiled.
Yura stood up with dirty hands. Her hands were slightly away from her body, to prevent any stain on her clothes. She went near Taekwoon's portion. She moved her hand forward to that portion.
He* stood in front of the portion, before her hand could touch that black portion. So, she touched him instead of the wall. Her hand moved in a straight line over his chest. He knew he was dead and she wouldn’t feel him anymore. He saw a tear in her eyes. He felt like she still loved him, hopelessly and unconditionally. Poor thing. He grabbed her from her waist and pulled her towards him, so close that his body touched hers.
She felt a slight jerk. Her mind couldn’t calculate the situation.
Once again, he felt like nobody could separate them. He came closer to her face. It was definite that she couldn’t see him, nor feel him anymore but he still wanted to touch her. He desired to cry but couldn’t without a real body. Souls don’t cry, rather, they can’t.
Her cell rang and she ran to the table away from the wall. They got separated. They went back to the ruthless and merciless reality.
“Ye………….. fine………….. I’ll call you back later…………. Thank you.” She smiled and hung up the call. She turned back and looked his way. She was still confused about what just happened and wasn’t able to comprehend it. There was no one in the room except her. She sighed.
“I wish you were here, I wouldn’t have to fake smiles for these 4 years then.” She mumbled.

A MONTH LATER
“Ummmaaa, the exhibition was a success.” Yura told her mother over the phone. She was sitting on a bench in a play ground.
“Good.” Sunhye replied.
“We got some orders as well. Wish me good luck for future.”
“I wish you best luck, dear. Where is Kyudae?” She asked.
“He is playing with oppa. We are in a small playground right now.”
“Oh…”
“They are really close. You know, he lost his child when Jieun unnie died. He loves Kyudae like a son.”
“I know that Yura. So,………. Have you thought of remarrying?”
“Umma…. It’s hard.”
“Yura, you wont cheat on him, if you remarry. His soul would feel burdened, if you keep on avoiding your true need."
“Its not my need to marry!”She said angrily.
“Calm down. It’s not yours, but what about Kyudae?”
“He’s fine.”
“Yura, I talked with Hongbin-ssi a week ago about it.”
“Don’t involve him umma.”
“I asked him to marry you.”
Yura remained silent. She was startled. “Umma, I know you are worried about me, but…. He, himself, is damaged from inside.”
“Don’t you want to hear what he said?” Sunhye asked.
“What?”
“He said you won’t agree.”
“Umma, he’s not the person, who would hurt you by directly saying no….. ummma I have to go now, I’ll talk to you later.” She stood up.
“Ahjussi’s the best umma.” Kyudae said.
“Come here.” Yura embraced his son and picked him up. “You are right. Let’s go home now. Say annyeog to ahjussi.”
Kyudae waved.
“Thank you oppa.” She smiled. “We need to go. Annyeong.” She left in her car.
They reached house.
“I am hungry.” Kyudae said while crying.
“Ok baby, let me change first.” Yura said. After changing, she wore an apron and went to the kitchen. She was making fried fish cakes for her son.
“Ahhhh…. I am so tired but he won’t stop crying.” She said and yawned.
Her mind was still thinking about the possibility her mother presented. “She’s asking me to forget him.” She felt burdened. She took out the pan and poured oil in it.
Meanwhile, someone rang the doorbell. She went to the door and opened it.
“o-oppa….???” She startled.
“Cant I come when I want?” Hongbin asked. “What are you cooking?” He inquired while looking at her apron.
“Fish cake.” She mumbled.
“I guess you are not happy to see me. I better leave.” He turned around.
“No….” She unconsciously grabbed his hand.
He turned back and looked at his grabbed hand.
“Ah…. I am sorry.” She released his hand. “Please come inside.”
He entered the house and sat with Kyudae in the lounge. He handed a shopper to Yura.
“I’ve brought icecream for us. We’ll eat it after meal.” He smiled.
“You are the best.” Kyudae hugged him.
“Kyudae…Stop it now, he is already tired because of the exhibition.” She scolded him and grabbed his arm tightly.
“It’s ok Yura… I am not tired at all.” He hugged Kyudae back. “You are the best too.” He smiled.
Kyudae touch his dimple with his finger. “I want one too.” He said while making a sad face.
“Smile.” Hongbin requested. He did as his ahjussi said. “Wow, you’ve got one too.” Hongbin lied.
“That means I am cool.”
Hongbin laughed. “Who said I am cool?”
He pointed towards Yura.
“I never said that!” She yelled.
They stared at her and remained quiet. She went to the kitchen.
“I think your umma isn’t feeling well today.” Hongbin whispered to Kyudae.
He nodded.
They ate the fish cake and then finished the ice cream. Kyudae felt sleepy. Yura picked him up and he rested his head over her mother’s shoulder while closing his eyes.
“I’ll be back oppa.” Yura said to Hongbin.
Hongbin nodded.
“And I’ll clean the table myself. Don’t bother to do it yourself.”
He nodded again. She left.
She came back and picked up the utensils from the table. She went to kitchen and started washing the dishes. Hongbin entered the kitchen and leaned over the door while staring at her. He folded his arms.
“Yura?”
“Hmmm?” She asked while washing the dishes.
“You are constantly ignoring me.” He asked in a angry voice.
“It’s nothing like that.”
“It’s one of the biggest days for both of us and you’re behaving like nothing great happened, rather you’re acting like my presence annoys you.”
“How can I feel annoyed? You’ve done so much for me; so much that people might misunderstand your intentions.”
He stepped forward. “Stop it now.” He grabbed her arms from behind her and turned her around. “Listen to me.” He looked into her eyes and sighed. “Let’s do what your umma says.”
“What—do you mean?” She stuttered.
“It’s for the good of both of us.”
“How…..huh…. how can you say that!” She removed his hands over her arms. “You might have forgotten Jieun unnie…..but…..but….. I can’t forget him. I won’t cheat him.” She started breathing heavily and tears fell down her cheeks. “I can’t believe you are behaving like all other people.” She covered her mouth with her hand.
“Enough Yura. And how can you conclude that I’ve forgotten her? What do you think? Is it easy for me?” He sighed. “I wished you had acted more mature, like me, over this matter. I’ve been bearing this for a while. Hakyeon, our collegues, your parents, my parents…. All presented this suggestion. I disagreed everytime. I ignored what they said. But I thought you’d agree, Kyudae needs us. I thought you’d agree for the better of Kyudae. Instead…” He bit his lip and tried to hold back his tears. “instead… you misinterpreted my intentions. I am so disappointed in you. I think I should leave before you insult me more.” He turned back.
“Wait!” She grabbed his hand for the second time. Her eyes were teary and she was weeping. “I --- i---- am sorry….. really sorr-yy…..” She hardly spoke up.
He slowly hugged her.
“Yo-u always think…. about others.” She said.
“As you said, I am cool.” He giggled with watery eyes. He separated her and looked into her eyes. “I’ll try to remove your pain and in reward, try to remove mine…. So, will you marry an ill-fated man?”
She looked back into his eyes. She gulped. “I won’t marry the ill-fated man.” She paused. “Cuz you are not ill-fated. I am glad I admired a man this cool.” She smiled.
“Is this another fake smile?” He asked.
She looked at him with a confused look and then smiled. “No, not this one.”
He chuckled again. He leaned and kissed her forehead. He stroked her hair.
“Now, I get it, why Yuri unnie choose you over the other guys. You have a golden heart. I am sorry to misunderstand. You must have gone through a lot, more than me.”

12:30, at night, Yura found herself in front of the stairs. She was bear-footed. She slowly stepped on the stairs. The stairs led her to the painting room. The surroundings of the room were looking a bit change. She frightened a bit. She proceeded towards the room and opened the door. She saw Leo standing in front of the portion he painted. He was resting against the wall. The painting was complete. It was the same as Hongbin’s original work.
“You--- you completed this?” She asked him while walking towards him.
Leo said nothing while staring at her. She reached him.
“Why don’t you tell me?” She asked.
He grabbed her from her waist and pulled her towards him, so close that his body touched hers.
“Why-why did you leave me? She again asked.
He never replied. He leaned closer. Before her lips could touch hers, she woke up from the dream. She was sweating and panting. She stood up leaving her son alone on the bed and ran to the stairs. She went upstairs and opened the door. She excitingly looked at the portion but found no one there.
“Why are you still bothering me?” She yelled. “Why didn’t you keep your promise of living together for eternity? Why did you call me liar, when you yourself are one?” She kept on questioning, but he* couldn’t answer her. His lips were sealed. She kept on crying the whole night.

1 WEEK LATER
Yura stepped inside the painting room. She looked around the room. She stared carefully at each thing in that space. She touched the painted wall. A smile lingered on her face. It was the most beautiful sight for her. The colors on the wall, the scratched newspapers on the wall beside it, the other wall with the large window pane, her drawing tools and instruments, her guitar placed in that room, some sculpture and sketches; she loved each and everything.
She went to the window and leaned on it with her back.
“I am sorry, Leo. I know you are listening to me. I can feel your strong presence here.” She smiled. “I am sorry but I guess, you left me no other choice, except marrying your friend and my oppa. It crushes my heart,.....” She placed her hand over her chest. “that you are no more here to look how long my hair grew. I wish you could praise my work.” She sniffed. “And don’t worry. He is not ill-fated. I admired him because we were meant to be together, may be that was the reason and, he can’t be more ill-fated than me, I lost you, and that is the most ill-fated thing.” She licked her lollipop and tear left her eye onto her cheek. She placed the lollipop into her mouth. “I am going to leave this house. I won’t come back ever, in order to forget you. So, I am sorry. And you know, I think your son doesn’t like maths, he hates to learn numbers.” She giggled. “He asks me about you and I tell him you loved numbers, so, he should love numbers as well. Then he makes a cute sad face and agrees. He loves you too, but he loves oppa……. More than you. So, I am marrying him.” She sat on the floor and took out the lollipop. “I wanted a daughter like me, because you wanted it. But…I couldn’t.” She looked around on the floor. “I am sorry. I am sorry, cuz you lost your life because of me.” She started weeping.
He* listened to each word she uttered. He moved forward towards her and sat in front of her. He moved his hand to caress her hair but before he could do, Hongbin came and grabbed her.
“Yura… stand up.” He helped Yura stand up. Her lollipop fell on the floor. He wiped her tears with his hands. “Stop crying, Kyudae is worried.” He pointed towards her son, who was standing beside her.
She sat down and hugged her son. “Umma is alright.” She smiled. She stood up. “I want all these things left here. I don’t want to take these things with us in your house.”
“Sure. Come on …. Lets go.” Hongbin said.
He* stared at them, as they moved out of the room and locked it.

Notes

i will right an about the story after this last chapter. thank you for reading and subscribing and voting. :)