Chapter 1 (1/1)

DARA'S POV"Unnie, I'm here. Where are you?""I'm in the kitchen."I could smell the aroma of baking bread. As I walk towards the kitchen, I stop in front of the dining room and was amazed at how my sister transformed the room. We're celebrating our parents' 30th anniversary today. So my sister, Bom got this idea to recreate a scene from our parents' honeymoon. They went to Italy. So Bom put up a lattice on one wall of the dining room and intertwined greenery and fairy lights on it. Then on the opposite wall, she put up framed photos of Venice and other sights in Italy. "Wow, unnie, this is so pretty. You really outdid yourself.""You think? It feels like I've worked on it for weeks but actually I started it 2 days ago. Seunghyun helped me with the lattice piece."I kinda felt a little envious at the obvious affection my sister had for her husband. They've been married for a year now and yet they still act like newlyweds. Well, they have been dating for 3 years before they got married. Not that I'm alone or anything like that. I do have a boyfriend. His name is Kwon Jiyong. We've been dating for 3 years now. If someone asked me a few months ago if me and Jiyong were truly in love, my answer would have been an absolute yes. But these days, I'm not so sure. Lately I feel like he's drifting apart from me. He's been so busy with his work, cancelling dates, rare phonecalls and whenever we do have time to talk, he's been dodgy with his answers. I think he's tired of me. I don't know if I can survive if he broke up with me.Tears started to form in my eyes, Dara...breathe. I tell myself, willing the tears to go away. I don't want to ruin my parents' anniversary dinner with my unfounded worries. "I really love the small details you've done unnie. The vintage wine bottles, the flowers. Eomma and Appa will be so happy. I just see one problem.""What? What? What's wrong with it? What did I miss?""Well, it looks like you have everything under control. Didn't you ask me to come early to help out?""Yeah, no, I still need you. There's still a lot of stuff to do. The bread is baking and I'm about to get started on the pasta. Can you help set the table for me? Pretty please?""Okay." I start to grab the stuff I need for the table, the placemats and plates and other stuff my sister chose for the special occasion."Hey Dara, did you talk to Chaerin?""Yeah, I did. She had everything ready when I went there this morning. There's a huge gift basket in my car with everything from biscotti to capuccino mixes.""Did you get the tickets and itinerary?""Yes. I got it all. You need to chill. Chaerin is the 2nd most organized person after you.""I just want everything perfect for today." "I understand. Everything is all set. Eomma and Appa are gonna be so surprised. Surprised and happy I hope.""Why wouldn't they be happy? This is a chance to enjoy the perfect honeymoon they missed the last time."Bom smiled. My sister has always been a true romantic."Well, this should be better than the first time they went there. We have everything planned so there'll be no more missed trains, lost luggages...""Don't forget the time somebody stole their money and passports."I smile at the memory of my parents' honeymoon tale. Even though it sounds like a honeymoon from hell, whenever my parents, Hyunsuk and Eunju, retell their experience in Italy, they always laugh and smile as if it was one big adventure. I hope someday I can have that. I wish I can have that someday with Jiyong.My smile fades, it's replaced by sadness I've been feeling lately. Oh Jiyong...I reached in the silverware drawer trying to avoid my sister's gaze."Okay, what is it? I've been noticing those sad eyes since you arrived. What's the problem?""Nothing. I think I'm just tired.""Did Jiyong tire you out last night?" She said, her eyebrows wiggling.I wish that was the reason. Before I could stop them, some tears escaped my eyes and slid down my cheeks. I averted my face so my sister won't see it but I was too late. "Hey what's wrong? Why are you crying?""Nothing. I just... Jiyong didn't do anything to me last night. Actually, we haven't been doing it lately. He's been cancelling dates. He rarely calls. The few times we were together, it felt like his mind was somewhere else. I think he's tired of me. I think he wants to break up with me."I couldn't stop my tears from falling now. I started to cry earnestly. My sister looked shocked."No. That can't be right. It can't be."I wish it wasn't true but this is how I feel. "You know what..." I wipe the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand. "Forget I said anything. I shouldn't be telling you depressing stuff today. After all the preparation you did, I'm sorry to be such a Debby Downer."Bom shakes her head. " No, you know what, take that thought out of your head right now. Jiyong's not gonna break up with you. Anyone can see how he's totally in love with you.""I'm sure you're right." I lied. I wish what my sister was saying was true. But all the evidences say otherwise. What hurts the most, is that lately, the few goodnight kisses we've shared were so tame. I miss those toe curling kisses Jiyong used to give me."I'm serious. Forget those thoughts right now. Trust me. I'm totally sure he's not gonna break up with you. Not Jiyong, He loves you. In fact...""In fact, what?"Bom was avoiding my stare. "In fact...if he was planning on breaking up with you, then why is he out with Seunghyun buying champagne and wine for tonight? If he doesn't want anything to do with our family, then he should've made an excuse not to come tonight."I look at the setting my sister created in the dining room. The special setting my sister slaved over for my parents. I refuse to destroy this special night for my sister and the rest of my family. I'm gonna focus on tonight and forget about my breaking heart."You're right unnie. I've probably misunderstood him. Everything will be just fine. Tonight is for eomma and appa."My sister stared at me some more. Eventhough I can see worry lines on her forehead, I can't help but notice that my sister has this special glow."It is about them, isn't it?" Bom murmured. She reached over me and gave me a hug."Don't worry sis. Everything will be just fine."I really, truly wish I could believe my sister's words. But I can't shake this nagging feeling that I might lose something I hold most dear. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Annyeong, readers! Thank you for reading my stories. Reading your comments and messages just inspire me to write more. Hope you like this short story.