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“Did Uju go camping with Mone and her appa?” Her voice broke the serene sound of a campfire crackling.
“Mmhm” Ikjun nodded with a smile and sipped his beer. “Mr Jang sure knows how to entertain them. Last week, they played a character quiz game.”
Songhwa chuckled at that last detail, imagining little Uju and Mone yelling out character names in less than 3 seconds while sitting around the campfire.
“I want to tag along.”
“Eo, let’s tag along next time.”
The two doctors’ laughter died down and relished in the quiet that emerged, one that was no longer awkward. In its place, happiness. Ikjun was the first to speak again.
“Aren’t you due for a medical exam soon?” He was referring to the cancer scare that Songhwa had some time back. Back when Ikjun was too worried to let the woman he loves face getting the results alone.
Tilting her head slightly, Songhwa replied “yep, it’s next week.”
“And your mom’s neurology appointment?”
“In two weeks.”
Glancing at his girlfriend’s face momentarily before looking straight ahead was what the man did, but he realised something in those few seconds. His eyes wandered back to find hers. Moving his body to face hers, he could help the slight smirk that formed as he said “You’re sleepy, aren’t you?”
Songhwa paused briefly before smiling sheepishly at his words. He caught her. “Eo, I’m about to fall asleep sitting here.” The woman pointed at her forehead, slightly drunk, and giggled. Ikjun chuckled at her antics.
Placing her hand on his upper arm and rubbing gently, Songhwa told Ikjun goodnight and headed for the tent. The latter nodded his head, acknowledging her intent to go to sleep. As he heard her unzip the tent, Ikjun gazed into the fire, lost in his thoughts. The last time we were here…
Not knowing how much time passed, Ikjun sipped his beer and smiled as he came out of his bubble. Looking at the beautiful night sky and the B-104 sign, he placed his can of beer down and headed towards their tent.
Their tent. Oh how far they’ve come…
Ikjun crawled into the tent as quietly as he could, with hopes of not waking the sleeping beauty. Turns out, Songhwa was doing some thinking of her own and snapped out of it when she felt his presence. She immediately scooted close to her boyfriend, seeking his warmth and comforting embrace. She didn’t understand why she put off dating him for so long if it meant getting to fall asleep and wake up next to him.
“Finally you’re here. I was starting to think that you fell asleep outside.” The whisper fell from her lips as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to his chest.
“And leave me with the bears? No way! Who would protect you otherwise?” Ikjun retaliated and ended up receiving an elbow to his stomach.
The pair laid like that for what seemed like forever, until Songhwa turned to face him. “Ikjun ah”
“Hm?”
“Thank you” she opened her eyes to see his brown ones full of confusion. “Thank you for not giving up on me. On us. Thank you for waiting 22 years.”
Ikjun’s heart melted at her words. He knew how hard it was for her to vocalize her feelings.
Instead of using words, Ikjun leaned down and captured Songhwa’s lips in a gentle kiss. This kiss, unlike their first, meant something simpler. Thank you too.
Breaking apart, it was her who first uttered those words. Followed by him.
사랑해