The Gift
Days had come and gone.
It was February and near global Valentine's day.
Max and his best friend, Im Seo Hyun were walking in the department store, at the section of musical instruments especially at the guitar section.
Im Seo Hyun was Max/Lee Min Hong's best friend since their school day. But later after finishing university/college, Im Seo Hyun came back to settle in South Korea and got married to Jung Yoona, his crush since college days. They led happy marriage life and now Yoona was 4 months pregnant. Max sometimes complaint that he was jealous of his friend about family life. The Ims had the game shop in the department store they were walking.
Max had not meet Im Seo Hyun for long times, since they both get married. (Max divorce)
"It's good to see you interesting in these things again. It's been too long since we all finished college. And you became really serious..."
Max looked at him.
"I'm really happy to see you this fresh and happy again. . after more than a decade.."
"Did I look really that bad...?"
Max asked.
"Yes" Im Seo Hyun answered "Everytime I see you...u look too old..."
Max laughed at that.
"I'm not young. "
But then Im Seo Hyun was serious even more now.
"I hope you look after Rose well then. I heard she's quite a good woman who's hard to find these days!"
Max did not say anything. But his expression was saying yes. He was smiling all the way. He went into a guitar shop.
"I know now what I will be buying for upcoming Valentine Day..."
He was looking at one beautiful guitar.
"You are giving her a guitar? ...Wow..she can play?"
"Yes, she definitely can!...and I may add one more thing too..I will surprise her then.!"
"Umm, you seem to know a lot about her.. You must have learned a lot..."
Max looked back his friend and one of his eyebrows went up and he said.
"I do!"
And Max bought it.
However, it must be unlucky for Max then he encountered two of his women from the past who were visiting the department store.
The two friends were walking along the department store when Calla Young was also walking past that way.
"Hello...Seo Hyun, Max... good to see you both again...!"
"Nice to meet you!"
The two men greeted her.
"All going well.." Im Seo Hyun asked.
"Well, it's modeling business. and yep interest comes every minute!"
After awhile she continued to say...
"Congrats to you Seo Hyun, for your first child in many years of marriage!"
It was true Im Seo Hyun had married Jung Yoona for many years now, about six years. (Even, Yoona's younger brother, who married later than them got three children already)
"Oh thanks you again Madame...Ms Calla!."
"And congrats to you, Max ...for your new found love!!" She said it as she was joking.
"Thank you Calla....I wish you have good times too.."
It was a brief greetings between Calla and her old friends from college. But with time, they all led different lifestyle.
They departed again for the day then.
Before going back home, the two men went into the bathroom again.
After awhile Max came out from the men's restroom and Mrs Nam was coming out from the room in front, a restroom for ladies.
Max gave out a little sigh.
"Why, you really feel bad to see me again!"
"It's not that!!"
"I see you seem very happy..is this Rose that good? "
She then came near to Max and touched him on the chest.
She tried to touch with her palm slowly and seductively on there.
But then Max moved her away.
"You are changed!"
"It's already so long....!"
"But I'm still not happy. It hurts me to see you are happy.!"
Max did not say anything more and left there as Im Seo Hyun was also coming out.
Tears fell down from Mrs Nam's eyes down her cheeks. But she riped them away quickly.
"I just cannot keep it....Max!" She was telling to herself inside.
********************
It was Valentine's Day morning, Chae Soo Bin was at her home. She was glad today happened to be her day off. She did not have to fly to anywhere. But she would like to go out somewhere. She came downstairs from her room. She looked cute and romantic in pink today.
Her mother and the favourite housekeeper were in the dining room near the living room. Chae Soo Bin could heard something and she had to stopped at hearing the name "Jin".
Mrs Chae was saying ..."Poor old chap...I couldn't believe it. He would not dare to tell it her ...!"
"Why our young lady is friendly ...why wouldn't he able to confess....!"
Mrs Chae then began to cry as well as shaking her head.
"Well! It's because they were too friendly. He is sure that she could not like him more than a friend or brother..Yep he's too gentleman....but he tell his mother he could never love anyone apart from Soo Bin...."
"Such a fine young man. Very suitable for young miss... hope she won't refuse him or else she's cruel!"
Chae Soo Bin heard that..
Was that true? Kim Seokjin was in love with Chae Soo Bin but did not dare to reveal.
"Ummm...I will have to do something to test him..I am not cruel."
....
It was no surprise that Kim Seokjin was tricked in the same manner.
"Poor Soo Bin" Mrs Kim was saying to her favourite maid in the living room. Seokjin came into the kitchen to find something to eat. Living room was near kitchen.
"Why? What happened to Young Miss Soo Bin?" The maid asked. Mrs Kim cried out a little..
"Well I heard from Mrs Chae that Soo Bin had been love sick for a long time because she was in love with our Jin. Jin was so cruel...He ignore. Everytime She tried to show her feelings through eyes he turned away and he had been clearly acting that he could never fall for her...".
"Being love sick is tormenting...some might even joke her because she is in love with a man who could not reciprocate her feelings. " The maid said.
"Yeah.. yea... Love is such a cruel thing...!"
Seokjin could hear everything.
"Am I that cruel?"
But then it was the first time he realised that sweetly she smiled at him before and how affectionate she was. Such a lovely lady she was. "Well, Jin Jin..if you don't reciprocate her feelings, you definitely is an evil man indeed!"
************
Max and Rose were spending their Valentine date in a park in late afternoon. They were walking a long the little beautiful pathway in the garden when suddenly a young boy about 8 came up to Rose and gave her a single beautiful rose flower.
"Happy Valentine's Day and please share it with your beloved"
Rose took the rose and smelled it.
"It's smell so sweet, thank you mister.."Rose told the little boy. He then said goodbye and turned away. There were group of boys and girls his age giving off roses to some people.
Max did not get one his woman already got it.
"Umm ..I forgot about Valentine gift.... you forget it too right!" She told her boyfriend.
"I don't forget it ..I already sent it to your apartment.....and if you don't mind..may I have the rose on your fair hands as a gift from you...?"
Rose looked at and the rose.
"Okay..."She said as she handed him the rose.
Max bent down and smelled it from her hands..
"Yes it's very sweet...A rose means love then. ..and it's from you ...I will keep it forever!"
**********
At Rose's apartment,. she did get the big package. It was a brand new guitar.
Max knew she could play guitar!!
And there also a postcard with picture if red roses and a CD.
On postcard, she read..
"Rose...I know that I'm not that kind of perfect man for you ...but I just wanted to say I love you and want you to be my side or me at your side forever...this song is everything my heart tells ...I wrote it myself. .it is only for you..."
Rose played the CD on her desktop computer. And the song came .
Love in the Ice.
Your small cold hands and trembling lips
Able to carry on as nothing has happened
Are you afraid of remembering someone?
Struggling to swallow the words bubbling up to your lips.
Your back is like falling white snow, melting bit by bit
Just like the star that doesn't leave the dark night sky
We will carry this dream forever together with love and trust
If I were that person
Once again, I'd hug you hardened heart
Tightly in arms forever
Against the wall of reality (even the coldest of hearts)
At the end of the. flowing tears
The fuzzy stream of light (shines brightly in the darkness)
Passing through that time.
Able to feel each other body's heat
In the heart that stops breathing
Everyone has scar and heavy sigh
I'm trying to find that space in time
When I can draw you in my arms
I can't believe how just whispering to you
make me nervous
Till we can be together in my world
Alone in the end of time (I'll let you know my love)
I'll protect you because I love you
(You know I will let you know my love)
Just like the star that doesn't leave the dark night sky
We will carry this dream forever together with love and trust
If I were that person
Once again, I'd hug you hardened heart
Tightly in arms forever
A song by DBSK, TVXQ
written by Max, Shim Changmin