Dec 28

North Korean Military Outpost, DMZ

Se-ri

You must be in Seoul now. I patrolled the entire area the whole day yesterday for signs of you, well till late into the night. There was no ruckus, no troops from the South waiting for us, which means you are safe. It was past midnight by the time I reached the barracks. And you thought I was bad with directions- my troop would have laughed at that. So many things you don't know about me.

Do you know all the men from our troop are pretty sad without you around too? And the saddest of them is Pyo Chi Su. Right? Despite his crass words and acting as if didn't like you, he got really attached to you. Not anything like me of course. But to cheer me up, he brought us all clams and Soju. My throat almost welled up Se-ri. To think of a seasoned special forces captain on the verge of tears at a memory. What have you done to me Se-ri?

I did not taste the clams. I couldn't bring myself to. The men too were subdued. I'm sure they miss you badly. Are you back on that fancy Bouillabaisse and Sauvignon? Have you forgotten about me already or do you miss me as much as I'm missing you. I wish I could know. I am fine in case you are worrying about me. Just a bit high on this Soju.

But well, since you won't read this, I'm not really fine. Not at all fine. I'm in pain. And the last time I felt such pain was when I lost my dear brother- that was supposed to be the happiest day of my life and it turned out to be the worst. And now, I've lost you too- someone I barely knew for two weeks, and yet my heart aches for you desperately.

Aching for you,

Jeong-Hyeok