Twenty Five Twenty One : An Alternate Ending

As she walked away from that tunnel with her diary in tow and a smile on her face, she rode her car and started the engine. She was meaning to go home but suddenly like her impulsive youth, she knew she had to be somewhere. She drove off swiftly.

She arrived at the lobby of a building. She asked the receptionist, “Excuse me, is Mr. Baek Yi-jin here?”

He was surprised at the call of a guest downstairs. As he approached the lobby, he woman whose body is turned away from him. He felt a familiar air of someone he knew from the past.

“Na Hee Do?”, he said.

The woman turned and faced him.

“Hi Baek Yi-jin.”, she answered.

They started a conversation.

NHD : I’m sorry for coming here without prior notice. Are you busy?

BYJ: I have to start preparing for the live news in one hour. But I have some time to spare. What brings you here?

Na Hee Do scrummaged through her bag and brought out the red diary.

NHD : I only got this today and thought I should thank you personally.

BYJ: Wait, I left it at the comic book store. You mean the owner only gave it to you now?

NHD : Yes, I guess he forgot.

BYJ: Really? He’s so forgetful.

Then he started chuckling.

NHD : What is funny?

BYJ: It’s funny because just awhile ago I had to recover a password and wrote your name as the answer.

NHD : What? (looking puzzled)

BYJ: Never mind. It’s good you finally got your diary back. I got it in the mail because my ID was on it. Thank you too for the things you wrote on it. It gave me peace before I went back to the US.

NHD : I was wondering, why didn’t you return it personally?

BYJ: I didn’t want us to fight again. Seeing you might have made it harder for me to go back to New York. But here I am again. I did not expect your mom would suggest me as her replacement.

NHD : She really believed you were a good reporter.

BYJ: I am honored. Please send her my regards. I got to thank her personally when I saw her last in the company party with other past employees. (There was a few seconds of silence). I asked her about you and learned you were divorced. I’m sorry to hear that.

NHD : Why are you sorry, it’s not your fault. It was tough but at least I have my daughter. She is now living with mom at the moment.

BYJ: Really? Your mom still leaves at the same house, am I right?

NHD : Yes the same house.

BYJ: So many memories at that house.

(There was an awkward silence)

NHD : Ah, that was too long ago. We moved on – I got more golds and got married then divorced. You are now a successful reporter. How come you never married?

BYJ: I am married… to my job. (He chuckled) It’s so hard to date with this job.

NHD : I know I remembered.

BYJ: I thought you didn’t want to bring up the past?

NHD : Well here I am to thank you for a longtime diary entry. (She paused) It is nice to see you again.

BYJ: Same here. I meant all I wrote in that diary. I wished I did some things differently.

NHD: Wow, you’re different. You are more honest and open.

BYJ: My therapist told me I should not let my emotions be bottled up inside me.

NHD : It is good you really went to a therapist. Like I said before, I understood and supported you. I too had my regrets like rushing getting married. I thought it would solve all my problems and live happily ever after. But he was a busy businessman who barely had time for family.

BYJ: Men always put providing for the family first before their personal lives.

NHD : Yes, I understand that now better.

BYJ: (Touched Heedo’s hair) You are really grown up now.

NHD : Hey, what do you mean? Stop teasing me. I am already 42 years old.

BYJ : (Laughs) I know. I am an old man myself. I found the success in my career and in bringing my parents back together. But now I have no one to share my success with so I am thinking of retiring in a few years.

NHD : Success is subjective. I won many gold medals but I did not get so lucky in love. I guess love is different than fencing. Giving your best does not always equate to winning.

BYJ: Don’t be so quick to give up on love. You coming here today means it’s the perfect time…

NHD : What? (looked with shyness and disbelief)

BYJ: The perfect time for us to become friends again. (He smiled then asked.) I don’t have work tomorrow. May I invite you for coffee?

(Na Hee Do was silent and was thinking. Finally she answered.)

NHD : Yes. I think I have some spare time tomorrow for coffee.

BYJ: Ok, let me get your number. (He hands her his phone and Hee Do types her number).

I will see you tomorrow, Hee Do. Drive safely.

(As Hee Do walks away, she suddenly smiled. The diary she unexpectedly received today made her go to this place and thank Yijin. He was different yet the same. Tomorrow is a new beginning. She was looking forward to it.)