Day #2, 16/06/2024
Working during summer is definitely not my favorite thing. All that heat makes me dizzy and gives me headaches. I know I'm sensitive to that kind of weather so during summer, I prefer to work with breaks. Small evening breaks are suitable for a quick shower and, of course, a nap. I took a painkiller and threw my tired body on the couch. I set my alarm clock and before I even left my phone to the coffee table, I was asleep.
The sweet summer breeze woke me up. I streched my body with a groan, but something pierced my skin, making me frown. I rubbed the spot I was stung and opened my eyes slowly. The sun made it hard for me to focus on my suroundings. One thing was for sure, I was moving. Moving? I then rubbed my eyes vigorously and looked around me. I was on a carriage? How? A carriage foul of hay. And I was sitting on top of it. Honey bees were flying around me. The sound of the hourse's petals was echoing in my ears. I looked down on my body. I was wearing old, dirty clothes. Brown in color, and a white apron. My shoes were nowhere to be found and my bare feet were also dirty and wounded, but I was not in any kind of pain. The only pain I could feel was the bee sting, as I later assumed. The road was an old, rocky path. The green leaves on the trees and the refreshing chilly breeze made me think that it was the beginning of the summer, maybe mid June. What a nice scenery.
I tried to stand up but I fell back down with a thud. The carriage rider then shouted at me "Don't move or you'll fall". His voice was deep and hoarse. He sounded like an old man. "Where are we going?" I mumbled. He halted the carriage and the horse neighed. His angry stare pierced my soul. "You asked me to deliver you to the general's house, didn't you? Are you wasting my time, my lady?". His face was full of wrinkles. His long, messy, gray beard was tangled with of hay. "No, I mean. It was a sleep talk. Please, keep going" he groaned and the carriage moved again. Who's mr. general? My memory was foggy. I couldn't bother about it, I was going to meet him soon anyways.
After a while, we finally arrived to a small village. That place had an overall quaint feel to it, and I felt as though I would like to spend a lot of time there. Such a cozy feeling. We rode the carriage in the narrow streets. The old man was greeting people who were at the sides. Some of them were greeting me too, while some others were looking at me like I'm a ghost. "Please, don't mind them, my lady" the old man said, like he could read my thoughts. "They will stop looking at you like that when you marry him". My jaw dropped. Not only I'm going to a stranger's house, I was also going to marry a stranger on top of all. But where is my memory? How can I not remember a thing? The old man halted the carriage and I looked to the side iof the road. Nestled in a lush, green valley, the charming stone cottage emanates a sense of tranquility. Its ivy-clad walls, thatched roof, and quaint wooden doors seem lifted straight from a fairy-tale. It was until then I recalled.
We were in the 19th century! That explains the carriage and the apron dress I was wearing. I was a farm girl, working as a maid in General's house and he demanded to get married. That's why everybody was giving me the looks. They were looking down on me. A forced marriage? How did my parents allow that? I sighed. I almost forgot it was the 19th century. I walked close to the window and my reflection appeared on the glass. My messy braid was landing on my shoulder and the midi, brown dress was hugging my body. "My shoes?" I said and I turned around to face the old man but he was already gone. Damn it! I need to find a pair of shoes. Before I could make any step, the main door opened and a man poked his head out.
"Mr.Jang is waiting for you, my lady" he said and disappeared behind the door. I tentatively walked closer to the house. I pulled the door knob and before I could make a step inside, I bumped onto something. Or someone. I looked up and it was him. "Kiyong.."I stuttered. He was standing there, wearing his military uniform, smiling bright at me. He then opened his arms and nodded, inviting me for a hug. I placed my head on his chest as he closed his arms around me. "Welcome back" he whispered in my ear. His hug felt warm and cozy, not threating at all. I wrapped my arms around him and my eyes got watery. He and I decided to call it a forced marriage. It was the only way the villagers would accept me as his wife. We had to pretend like we don't care for each other while our hearts were burning. The sudden realization gave me goosebumps.
He let go of me and cupped my face. "I'm so sorry I have to leave you behind" he said and his eyes filled with tears. "What do you mean? But I just came back from the farm" I panicked. He wiped my tears away with his thumbs. "I promise I'll be back. And I will try to send you letters. Things are not that bad at the battlefield" he forced a smile. I nodded and held his hands. He leaned in for a kiss on my forehead before leaving, closing the door behind. My chest felt heavy and tears were rolling down on my face. I couldn't move or breathe. I standed still, crying helplessly.
The door opened again, and before I could move my weak body away from the entrance, his arms wrapped around me. I looked at him and without hesitation, he placed his lips on mine. Tears were rolling between our lips, making the kiss sweet. He tighened his arms around me and deepened the kiss. I couldn't let go. I didn't want this to end.
My alarm clock wouldn't stop ringing. It was just an evening nap, but it felt like I was sleeping for ages. My whole body was protesting when I decided to stand up. Maybe it was not a good idea to take a nap at the couch. I had to get ready to go back to work but my body was not ready. I slowly walked until the bathroom to freshen up. I looked myself at the mirror before washing my face. My lips were swollen and red. I brushed my fingers on top of them. They were burning. Then I remembered, the kiss!