A Remembrance Of Love

[lovelycallalilies]

Michelle: I haven,t seen or talk to Minwoo for a long time now. Even if it,s just a couple of weeks, it feels like a year. I don,t know where he is right now, nor do I know what he,s doing, but I do know that he,s now dating Yu Jin for his brothers had told me. Though Yu Jin and I are friends, she,s now my backstabber. Knowing that my dear beloved is dating my enemy gives me pain through the bone for he may be suffering. However, I know that my friends will not let him suffer and will help me protect him.
Tonight is Shinhwa,s tenth anniversary concert, and my sisters are going to attend it but I,m not going to. Since Minwoo is still angry with me, I decided not go and let him see me. It,ll just discourage him and make him angrier.
After watching my sisters leave to the concert, I turned on my laptop and started writing some poems. Moments later with the quietness that I had, a knock was heard at my door. I got up and went to open it. Yu Jin then stood before me. I was shocked to see her in front of my door.
-“Yu Jin? What are you doing here? Aren,t you supposed to be at the concert?” I asked.
-“I,ve decided not to go.” She answered.
-“Why? I thought you were—”
-“Aren,t you going to let me in? Or are you just going to let me sit out here and talk to you through the door?” She asked impatiently.
-“Oh, I,m sorry. Please come in.” I let her in. As she takes a seat, I went to the kitchen to get some drinks. Then, returning to the living room, I handed her a cup of coffee and took my seat.
-“Are you home alone?” She asked me and then took a sip of the coffee.
-“Yes…” I took a sip from my cup of tea and then set it down. “Tell me. Why are you here?” I asked—getting to the point.
-“Don,t get me wrong. I,m only here to apologize.” She said.
-“Apologize?” I asked.
-“Yes. I,m sorry about what I did to you.” She explained.
‘She,s here to apologize to me?, I thought. ‘I knew that she,d feel guilty afterwards. Since she,s my friend, I must accept her apology.,
-“Yu Jin-ah, it,s okay. You don,t have to apologize.” I said.
-“Aren,t you mad at me?” She asked as I smile.
-“I am mad at you, but I understand why you did it.” She looked at me shockingly as if she had thought that I,d punish her. Then, the phone started ringing. 
-“… Excuse me.” I said and then walked towards it. “Hello?” I answered.
-“Michelle, it,s me.” Tablo answered as siren-like noises were in the background.
-“Hey, are you at the show right now?”
-“No, I,m in front of your flower shop.”
-“Really? Why? Are you looking for me? I,m at home.”
-“… No… I,m glad that you,re okay.”
-“What,s wrong?” I asked curiously.
-“Are you home alone right now?”
-“No, Yu Jin,s with me. She wanted to—”
-“Who? Who,s with you?” Tablo asked with fear.
-“Yu Jin… Why? What happened?” I asked with panic.
-“Michelle, no matter what I say to you this very minute, please don,t panic.” He said—scaring me unconsciously.
-“Okay…” I answered.
-“Yu Jin broke into your shop just now and the cops are still looking for her.”
I froze as I listen to him without turning to look at Yu Jin for she may suspect that I know.
-“I want you to lie to her.” Tablo demanded.
-“What?”
-“Lie to her! Just get out of the place! That,s all you need to do, but you must not be suspicious.”
-“Okay…” I said nervously.
-“The cops and I are on our way right now to your place, okay?” He said as car doors were heard in the background.
-“Okay.”
-“Please be careful.”
-“Okay… You too.” I answered.
I then hung up the phone and turned to look at Yu Jin, who was not sitting on the couch anymore. My eyes glanced around the living room—searching for her as I panic. Noticing the door opening, I figured that she,s left. I quickly walk towards the door to close it, but as soon as I reached the door, my body slammed against it with force. I felt pain through my bones as I turn around to see who,ve pushed me.
However, I was soon pulled by the hair, and fell on the floor. By the time I know it; Yu Jin was already standing over me and grabbing me by the neck. I wasn,t able to breathe nor was I able to defend myself. I began choking as she continued strangling me. ‘Oh my goodness, I can,t breathe… I can,t feel my body either… Am I going to die?, I thought with fear.
Within the speed of light, she,d let go of me by force. I finally gained some air and tried taking normal breaths. Suddenly, Tablo was next to me asking me if I was okay, while the cops were handcuffing Yu Jin and taking her away.
About an hour later, the detectives and cops were getting ready to leave as Tablo and I were sitting on the couch taking care of my wounds.
-“Thank you so much for the help.” Tablo thanked one of the cops.
-“No problem. Take care now, all right?” The cop answered.
-“Yes, you too.”
The cop gave Tablo a nod and soon all of the cops and detectives were gone. For my security, Tablo decided to stay with me until my sisters come home.
-“Thank you.” I said to Tablo as I touch the bandage on my neck for it was making me uncomfortable.
-“It,s okay. No need to thank me.” He answered.
-“How did you know that Yu Jin broke into my shop?” I asked for an explanation.
-“Earlier, Dongwan told me that you weren,t going to the concert. I thought you might be working at your shop, and I wanted to help you finish up. However, when I got there, Yu Jin was filling up a black bag with your money.” He explained.
-“… How did she get in?”
-“I don,t know. I thought she broke into your place, but after the cops check the shop, there wasn,t any scratches found.”
-“Oh… That,s right! Yu Jin also has a spare key. I,ve forgot to ask her to give it back to me.” I said excitedly as I,ve figured out the reason.
-“If so, then we must change the lock.”
-“Yes.” I answered without hesitations.
-“Just for future safety.” He gave me a smile.
-“Yes, I understand.” I said. “… So… what happened to my shop? Is it still unlocked?”
-“Uh…” Tablo thought. “Oh no… The cops are probably still investigating…”
-“We must go lock it up then!” I panicked and got up as Tablo did too for he,s agreed with me. Suddenly, his cell phone rang as we lock the apartment.
-“Hello?” Tablo answered. “… Yes, yes, yes. We,re coming right now. We,ll come lock it up… Okay… Okay, wait till we get there.”
Tablo then hung up the phone as we reach his car.

[lovelycallalilies]

Minwoo: The concert is almost over. We are now singing our song, “Yol Byung (Crazy)”, which is the fourth track in our seventh album, “Brand New”.
Tonight we sung most beautifully. The screams from our fans were louder than ever, which gave us support. Our friends, Sunny and Mickey, were sitting in the front row watching us perform—giving us encouragement. The night was also filled with bright stars. ‘Tonight is a perfect night to have a concert., I praised.
Finally, we,ve finished the song. The next one was “Neul Naega Wonha Nun Guh Suh (What I,ve Always Wanted)”, one of my favorite Shinhwa songs. The beautiful music began playing peacefully as our voices sang smoothly.
Then, I began to see visions, which caused me to stop singing.
Flashback:
I handed a bouquet of three red tulips to Michelle as we stood in front of her shop.
-“Each tulip on that bouquet is an obligation I must fulfill. The first one has already been done.” I said.
-“What was the first one?” She asked.
-“For us to be friends.” I answered as she smiled shyly to herself.
… … …
Michelle and I were then having dinner at a restaurant. We sat in silence as our tears fell.
… … …
Michelle and I were taking a walk at a park on a beautiful autumn morning.
… … …
I called Michelle as I got out of work.
-“Hello?” She answered.
-“Michelle… I,m off now. Where are you at?” I asked.
-“I,m still at work.”
-“Oh… I,ll be there in a minute then.”
-“No, no, no. I,m not going to get off until late because I,m redecorating the shop.”
-“Do you want me to help? I,ll be there.”
-“No, no, no, no. I,ve got Sunny and Mickey,s help already.”
-“Ah, I can still help though.”
-“No, Sunny and Mickey insisted to do all the work. They,ve been feeling guilty for not helping lately.”
-“Really?”
-“Really… Oppa, I,ll give you a call later, okay? I need to go tell Sunny and Mickey where to put things.”
-“Okay. Be careful then.” I worried.
-“Okay, you too.”
-“I,ll talk to you later.”
-“Okay, bye.”
We then hung up the phone. I smiled as I,ve finished talking to her. ‘Even if I don,t see her tonight, at least I get to hear her voice., I thought.
… … …
I was walking on a path at a park. I looked up and saw Michelle walking towards me. We soon hugged each other tightly as we cry.
-“… Happy birthday.” She whispered.
-“… Thank you.” I whispered back and then pulled her close to me.
She then gave me a present as we sat on the bench. I opened it up and saw a pair of glasses. I turned to look at her with my teary eyes.
-“Your old glasses gave you stress to your eyes every time you wore them, so I specially ordered in these glasses for you. Now you won,t have to worry about your glasses harming your eyes anymore.” She smiled and put the glasses on me. Thankful tears ran down my cheeks as I look at her. She then wiped away my tears. I couldn,t help it but grabbed her hand and gently kissed it. Then, we hugged each other tightly.
-“I love you.” I softly whispered to her.
-“I love you too.” She whispered back.
… … …
My brothers and I were rehearsing for our concert in the dance room as Michelle, Sunny, and Mickey were sitting at the tables and watching us practice.
… … …
At our concert, I turned to look at Michelle—sitting next to Sunny, during each song for encouragement. After our song, “Only One”, we began singing the song, “Neul Naega Wonha Nun Guh Suh (What I,ve Always Wanted)”. My brothers and I sang happily. Then, I felt dizzy and couldn,t see well. I turned to look at Michelle for I was afraid.
I looked around and noticed that I was still at our tenth anniversary concert. Dongwan hugged me for I,ve begun crying and was unable to sing my part.
-“I,m sorry.” I apologized to the audience as I look down, for my tears kept shedding. Then, I turned to look at the seat next to Sunny for I,ve remembered that my dear beloved Michelle used to sit there during our previous concert.
My face became wetter as memories flashed through my mind like a long movie. ‘My dear beloved Michelle…, I felt ashamed. ‘I,m so sorry for all of that I,ve done., I said as if she could hear me. I then looked up at the stars in the sky. ‘I,m really sorry… If only I knew earlier… I,m so sorry… I,m so sorry…, I continued.
The concert was soon over. My brothers and I were then changing in the dressing room as Sunny and Mickey were waiting outside for us.
-“Yah, Minwoo-ah, what happened?” Hye Sung asked. “Were you really that touched from the song?”
-“Mm-hmm…” I nodded.
-“Hyung, is everything all right? You were crying like a baby out there.” Jun Jin said.
-“Hey, I bet you were crying because you remembered someone, right?” Eric guessed. I stayed silent and just looked down. “Did you?” Eric asked for confirmation. I looked up at Eric with my teary eyes for he was correct.
-“Hyung, let me guess! … You remember Michelle now?” Andy said. They all turned to look at me curiously. I then slightly nodded my head as they cheered for joy. My tears kept on running, as my brothers were happy. Sunny and Mickey then barged in the room.
-“What? Minwoo remembers Michelle now?” Mickey asked.
-“Yes, he remembers!” My brothers screamed. They all laughed and jumped and cheered for happiness.

[lovelycallalilies]

Later, we all drove to Sunny, Michelle, and Mickey,s apartment, for that was where Michelle was. We then reached the place and Sunny unlocked the door. We rushed in the apartment and started looking for Michelle. After searching the quiet place, we came back to the living room and wondered where she,d gone. Sunny then spotted a note next to the fruit bowl on the living room table.
-“Off with Tablo to lock up the shop. There,s been a crime. I,ll explain to you guys later. Don,t panic and don,t worry. Just relax from Shinhwa,s wonderful concert. Be back soon. Michelle.” Sunny read the note.
-“A crime?” Mickey asked shockingly.
-“There,s been a crime?” Jun Jin asked.
-“Oh my goodness, I hope she,s okay.” Dongwan panicked.
-“Don,t worry, she,s with Tablo. He won,t let anything happen to her.” Hye Sung said with confidence.
-“I wonder who committed the crime.” Eric thought.
-“I don,t know.” Andy sighed.
-“Maybe there,s been a burglar at her shop that,s why they,re going to go lock it up.” Jun Jin said.
-“Maybe… Why didn,t she call us though?” Sunny thought.
-“Sunny, she never does. If we,re enjoying our time, then she won,t even bother us even if she,s in trouble.” Mickey said.
-“… Yu Jin probably caused the crime.” Hye Sung said which shocked everyone unconsciously, including me. “Michelle tried to explain to Minwoo that Yu Jin was trying to steal her money once … It could be her…”
The sound of a car braking was soon heard outside. Car doors were then slammed. All of us quickly ran out of the apartment and towards Michelle and Tablo, for they,ve returned.
Michelle and Tablo then quickly walked towards us. We friends noticed her bandages on her neck. ‘How did she get that? How could this happen to such a person like her?, I questioned myself.
-“Hey you guys! How was the concert? It went well, didn,t it?” Michelle,s beautiful voice that I,ve once heard asked us friends excitedly. My eyes became watery as I look at her bright smile that once gave me tickles in my stomach. Without knowing, I walked towards her slowly. She then stared at me with fear, for she,s not aware that I,ve remembered her already.
Flashback:
My brothers and I walked towards a food vender and saw Michelle, Sunny, and Mickey sitting at a table. We then walked towards them.
-“Minwoo oppa looks at me as a different person… He looks at me as if he doesn,t know me. What am I supposed to do? … How am I supposed to talk to him? … He doesn,t love me… He doesn,t love me…” She said crying sadly to Sunny and Mickey.
… … …
-“Michelle-ah…” I called her name while helping her up.
-“Minwoo oppa… Oppa, is it really you…?” She sadly asked. “Oppa, you remember me now?” She stared at me curiously and then pushed me away, and held onto the table for she was losing her balance. “You,re not him… You,re not my dear beloved Minwoo.” She said with anger.
-“I am Minwoo!” I said innocently while all of our friends watch and listen.
-“No… you,re not him… My Minwoo is not you…” She said. “My Minwoo would never dash his hand against my cheek… He would never take someone else,s words over mines… He would never make me shed tears out of anger…” She began sobbing. “… He would listen to me… wipe away my tears… and hold me tight in his arms… and tell me how much he loves me…” She continued crying. “… You,re not my Minwoo… You,re nothing like him…”
-“Michelle, what are you saying?” I asked confusingly.
-“I hate you!” She admitted. “I hate you more than anything. I hate you!” She cried harder and started to lose her balance again as she tries to get away from me.
-“Michelle…” I said while pulling her into my arms—trying to help her hold her balance. Though, she forcefully pushed me away.
-“Don,t touch me!” She demanded. “You,re not my Minwoo! My Minwoo left me already… He left me without saying a word… You,re not him… You,re not him at all...” She covered her mouth while crying and ran out of the bar without looking back.
-“Minwoo-shi…” She said my name with fear. “… How was the concert…?” She asked nervously. I looked at her as my tears fall, and slightly touched the bandage on her neck. Then, I gently touched her left cheek—the one that I,d hit with my right hand. Her eyes became watery as I slightly rub it and then place my left hand on her other cheek.
-“Michelle…” I whispered—causing her tears to fall. “Michelle-ah…” I continued. “… How,ve you been?” I asked. “How,ve you been doing, my dear Michelle…?” She then held onto my hands tightly and began crying.
-“Minwoo oppa…” She called me—like how she used to, about two years ago. “Oppa… you remember me now…?” She asked me as I nodded. “… You… you remember me now?” She stammered her words as she cries harder.
-“Yes…” I nodded. We stared at each other with every emotion. I then pulled her into my arms once again. She sobbed in my chest—like before, as I comfort her.
-“Oppa… Oppa…” She whispered.
-“Michelle-ah, it,s me… I,m here now…” I whispered back.
-“I,ve missed you so much…” She whispered.
-“I,ve missed you too…” We then held each other tightly once again and shed many tears like we,ve never done before.

Michelle: ‘He remembers me now…, I thanked the one who created remembrance. ‘He remembers me now… I,ve missed him more than anything… My dear Minwoo… My dear beloved Minwoo came back to me. All of this happened because of “a remembrance of love”…, I concluded.



The End.