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She looked at her ring, thinking how things would be if he didn’t join the army. Their life was hard, and for starters, they lived in the slums as a young couple who stood on their own two feet after being kicked out by their parents. Ryeon already got used to celebrating alone, so instead of lamenting the fact that her husband cannot be with her on this special day, she always ensures that she will end the day happy, just as they did 19 years ago.
It's almost 7:00 PM, their reservation time at a fancy restaurant for their 19th wedding anniversary, but her husband is still stationed in the DMZ and will be home in a few days, so her son will be a stand-in for the nth time. He was already there anyway when they got married. She was still dressed nicely, as a captain's wife should be.
"Sweetheart, hurry up! We'll be late for our reservation!"
"I'm tired Mommy!” Her son says, scratching his hair. “Can't you just move the reservation until Dad gets home?"
"Move your a$$ or I'll kill you both! I should still celebrate even though your father is still on duty. Without me, this family would be falling apart!" He didn’t had a choice but to follow and give in on his mother’s demands. She deserves to be happy on that day, and every day, as his father would say.
She missed her husband even more when they went inside their old car. This was one of their few possessions when they started a family, but damn! They need an upgrade. “It would be nice if your dad was here," Ryeon said, but she noticed her son had been restless since he got into the car. "Why do you keep looking at your phone?"
“Nothing!" He quickly hid his phone after sending a text message. "Just some school - related banter."
"Mommy..."
"Hmm???" Ryeon muffles, her eyes fixed on the road.
"Have you ever regretted getting married so young?"
"No," Ryeon replied, smiling. "Your Dad and I already went through a lot and we survived. He may not be around as much, and we may fight quite often, but our love for each other is pure and true," Ryeon continued. "And you, our son, strengthens our ties even more.” She added as she cupped her son's cheeks.
"Reservation for Koo Ryeon." She reserved an anniversary package even though she knew her husband couldn't be there. “My husband is still stationed, so it'll just be me and my son."
"He's your son?" The receptionist was taken aback. She can't believe that the lady in front of her is already the mother of the teenage boy beside her.
It's also something Ryeon is used to but still finds amusing. "We had him young."
The boy cannot resist but to bring up how hilarious the receptionist’s face when his mother, 38, already have a 19-year-old son. “You should be thankful that your Mom looks young.” Ryeon said.
“You had me at 19. That’s why you’re just 38.” Math and kidding aside, she perfectly knows what her son is pointing out, always speaking with double meanings, just like her own mother. Because of that, he earned a pinch on his waist from his youthful mother.
A waiter escorted them to a private area that Ryeon had not reserved. She questioned the waiter about what had occurred. “Sir requested an upgrade." The mother and son locked eyes and dashed inside the room to confirm their confusion. They found the family patriarch still on his military uniform stealing a quick doze before his family arrives.
“Joong-Gil-ah..”
"Thank God he's here!" The son’s agitation was finally relieved, his father has arrived.
"I'm sorry, Darling, I fell asleep.” Joong-Gil stood up and kissed his wife on the lips quickly. "I'm sorry I'm late." Captain Park continued while pulling a chair for his wife to sit. “I tried to go home earlier but the traffic was heavy. Luckily, there's a flower shop nearby, so I was able to get you these." Offering a bouquet of sunflowers Ryeon has adored since they were teenagers.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't be home until the weekends?” Ryeon looked at her husband, surprised, tears were about to fall from her eyes. In response, Joong-Gil huffed and simply smiled. He was relieved to know that after almost two decades of marriage, his wife is still pleased to see him.
“Dad! I really thought you'd bail tonight."
"So you were expecting him? And you didn’t tell your Mother? ” Ryeon questioned her son with piercing eyes.
“It would ruin the surprise if I told you!" Her son replied. He might be with his Mom frequently but when it comes to surprises, his loyalty is always with his Dad. “Goodness! This chair is too high!"
"Oh!" Joong-Gil burst out laughing. "I told the receptionist that our boy is coming with us. They must have thought you were a toddler.” The father joked.
"All right, since I'm not supposed to be here, can I just have a..." The young man extended his palm in front of his father.
“Not a chance, young master. You go ask the waiter for a regular chair and stay with us." Jung-Gil ordered his son, earning a murmur from him. "I'll play battlegrounds with you when we get home. and buy you the most recent PlayStation."
"Wait a minute! I was the one who married you, and my son will be receiving an anniversary gift?!”
"This marriage wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for him."
"That's right! But do you really think I would marry you if you hadn’t knocked me up?"
"Precisely!” Annoying it may be but after years of marriage Ryeon just got used to her husband’s dad jokes.
Joong-Gil gives her a box with a necklace inside. “Happy Anniversary Darling! I love you endlessly.”
Ryeon wished she could freeze time and stay this way. There is an unexplainable happiness she feels just by looking at her boys. The more she looked at them, the more she realized how blended her and Joong-Gil’s features were on their son’s. During that time, her heart felt as though it might burst.
Until she woke up.
It was all just a dream. She’s back in her Jumadeung apartment lying on the sofa with a bottle of sleeping pills and a forgotten glass of gin beside it. The husband who cherishes her in her dream and the man she loves for hundreds of years lives next door but cannot remember her.
And half-half, why is he on that dream? Could it be possible that…
“What have I done?”