Not So Much of a Fairy Tale (EPILOGUE)
Three years later…
After the successful art exhibit in Paris which was followed by several equally successful others, Kyuhyun now manages and owns an art gallery. On the other hand, Seohyun, after graduating, is now having a job of being a music teacher specializing in vocal training and piano workshops among children.
After their tiring work at their own respective professions, they still find a way to unwind themselves at Cheonggyecheon, the place where their fairytale story started to unfold. Sometimes, they even do sidelines there; Seohyun as the mascot girl and Kyuhyun as a freelance painter. This time, Kyuhyun no longer needs to sneak and hide just to be able to paint his favorite subject. Of course, it’s no other than Seohyun.
“Kyuhyun-oppa,” Seohyun approached him after her shift finished. “Oppa, let’s go already. We have to be early to avoid traffic.”
Ever since they have been together, they already made a habit of visiting the orphanage at least once a month.
“Noona/Unnie!”
The children called out upon seeing them.
“Seohyun-noona/Seohyun-unnie is here with her prince charming!”
Seohyun, who was embarrassedly blushing, gently grabbed one of the children by the shoulder and covered the mouth.
“Please don’t call him like that. He has a name.”
“Prince Kyuhyun, then.” The child said in a muffled voice. Seohyun gave up and put a palm over her face. Kyuhyun just laughed. Ever since Seohyun introduced him to this family where she grew up, he immediately earned that title. He could still recall the first question that the children asked to him.
“Are you the prince charming?”
“Oppa, stop laughing!” Seohyun when she saw him chuckling at the corner.
“Just let them be, you’re my princess anyway,” he replied making Seohyun blush even more.
Out of the blue, her phone vibrated. It was a call from Yuri.
“Hyunnie, I’m getting married! Yesung proposed to me!” Yuri shrieked and Seohyun could sense that she was giggling on the other line.
Kyuhyun stared at her inquiringly. “Yesung-oppa and Yuri-unnie are now engaged.” Seohyun announced.
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Yesung is now a fast-rising musical actor while Yuri is currently working as an art consultant at an auction house. Their relationship had become stronger although they are still bantering couple. Yesung thought that they had gone far enough for him to propose to her. He has prepared what he would say and everything he had to do to make a formal proposal. However, it came off a little bit unconventional.
“Yuri, you know we have gone this far -“
“Yesung, will you marry me? Because I will.” Yesung watched with an agape expression when she suddenly asked the question before him and not only that, she already gave her answer. Where is the romantic scene there? Where is the man holding the ring bending with his one knee there?
“Can you at least let me propose properly?” Yesung said, kinda irritated because this wasn’t the scene that he imagined in his mind.
“I have enough of your theatrical speeches. Just get to the point.”
“Aish, she’s really something.” Yesung muttered under his breath then he walked out on her.
“Hey don’t you want to get married with me?!” Yuri called out following him. “Give me the ring.”
“You’ve got to chase me.” Yesung turned and stuck his tongue out.
“Aish…” Yuri ran after him and she immediately caught him.
Yesung faced her and hugged her with his one hand. His other hand held the ring in front of her eyes. “Seems like you really wanted this ring so bad.”
“No, I want you more badly. Let’s get married.” Yuri replied and that earned a light kiss on the forehead from Yesung.
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Gyuri continues to work as a fashion designer in South Korea. She is now the most sought-after designer of country’s top celebrities. If there was one thing that was restored between Kyuhyun and Gyuri in Paris, that would be their friendship. At the present time, Kyuhyun even recommended her to be the designer in Yuri and Yesung’s wedding.
Gyuri watched Kyuhyun as he was checking out Seohyun as she fits the gown. Seeing him being happy with Seohyun, she recalled what Kyuhyun’s father told her before.
“If you really love Kyuhyun, you should let him go. Sometimes that’s the only thing you could do to make him happy.”
She did not expect that she would be happier and more peace seeing him with other woman. But that’s what love is. There are times when you have to sacrifice your own feelings for the sake of his happiness.
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The wedding bells rang and the exchange of vows took place and there were Yuri and Yesung walking arm in arm back to the aisle where people were already showering them with white petals. Yuri and Yesung’s moms were all crying tears of happiness while their fathers’ were congratulating each other.
In the reception area, Madame Cho was watching the merriment. Seeing her two grandsons dancing with the girls that they love, she recalled the events that led them to find their own match. It was just like shooting two birds with one stone. She did not intend them to happen. She only aimed for Kyuhyun to release himself from his lonely shell. But fate had bigger plans for them and it came to this. She felt so wonderful.
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“When will our time come? I’m getting older already,” Leeteuk mumbled while watching the couples dance on the floor.
“Hey, don’t count me in!” Victoria said, showing the glittering ring on her hand.
“Where did you get that?” Leeteuk asked, surprised.
“I found a kind-hearted gentleman in China. We fell in love and the rest was history!” Victoria narrated enthusiastically. “So you better hurry up, someone might already be waiting for you.”
Waiting for him… why does it ring a bell to him?
“Shoot!” Leeteuk exclaimed, slapping his head with his palm. “I’m supposed to pick up Taeyeon at the bus stop! I’m late already. I’m dead! That kid!” He hurried to stand up and scurried outside. “Just tell Madame Cho that I have an emergency and thanks for inviting me!” He bellowed as he stood outside the door and ran off, knocking a girl on the way. He immediately mouthed his apology before scurrying again.
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“Is this the place? Geez… why do I have to attend this alone? That meeting is really wrong timing. Jessica-unnie should have been with me.” Krystal grumbled as she stepped inside the hall trying to spot her Yesung-oppa. She was busy stretching her neck high to spot him when someone bumped into her again. It had been the second time and she was getting irritated. She was about to scream to the guy when she suddenly saw his eyes and that stopped her for a moment, or rather, the moment seemed to stop there.
He was tall and his eyes shot a look of strong flaming charisma. “I’m sorry,” the guy said. “What’s your name?” He asked smiling at her.
“Krystal,” she answered as if she was under a hypnotic trance.
“I’m Minho, by the way. Are you going inside?”
She nodded slowly. Her head was still up in the clouds. “Are you okay?” he asked with a brow raised.
That question snapped her back to her senses. She must have looked so foolish. Ugh, Krystal what the heck are you doing? To tone down the awkwardness, she sheepishly smiled at him and decided to start a conversation as they made their way inside.
“Related to the bride or the groom?”
“The bride. She’s my sunbae. You?
“The groom. He’s my sister’s college friend.”
Minho nodded in acknowledgement. “You know what, I do not expect to stumble upon someone wonderful here,” he said suddenly while glancing at her. Krystal broke the eye contact and looked at the other way, smiling and blushing at the same time.
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“I can see now that you really have that habit of escaping in the middle of social events. You even dare to escape your cousin’s wedding party.” Seohyun said as Kyuhyun dragged her outside the building. The last moment they were still there dancing on the floor and then all of the sudden Kyuhyun turned her to a different direction and they danced their way out of the hall.
“What will they just say when they finally notice that the best man and the maid of honor are both missing in the party?” Seohyun asked as Kyuhyun led her inside the car.
“It’ll be fun plus this is more important than that party.” Kyuhyun replied with a wink.
“What’s more important than your cousin’s wedding?” Seohyun asked again. She knitted her brows when Kyuhyun just smirked at her.
“What’s more important than my cousin’s wedding?” His eyes looked up and he pretended to think.
“Let’s see…Hmmm… Us…”
Us?
Them?
Okay so what’s with that word? Sure that hint did not get her anywhere. Nevertheless, she trusts him and she will go wherever he takes her. So she just sighed at her seat, relenting to Kyuhyun’s secret plan.
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Seohyun stepped out of the car guided by Kyuhyun who opened the door for her. The night’s cold wind brushed against her skin and sent her shivers. Kyuhyun took off his coat and put it over her shoulder. She smiled at his thoughtful act. He held her hand and placed it at the crook of his arm and began walking her inside. She looked up and saw the lone building that flooded light in that dimly lit road.
“The art gallery? Why the art gallery?” Seohyun asked with a wrinkled forehead.
“Well… just because. Is there a problem if I want to have a stroll with my girlfriend?” Kyuhyun slid his had to her hands interlacing their fingers. They both liked that feeling that their hands fit perfectly to each other as they walked around the art gallery.
Every step in the art gallery was like a trip to memory lane of their relationship for once in a while she would see the paintings of her made by Kyuhyun. She could not help but blush at the sight of them. Imagine how many people could see her face that adorned every wall of the gallery.
Honestly, she had seen those paintings for millions of times already so she really had no idea why Kyuhyun brought her there unless there is a new painting that he had finished or a new artwork that had just arrived. Nevertheless, Seohyun followed him and she kept eyeing him suspiciously. There’s really something up his sleeves.
“You’ve shown me all the paintings here already,” Seohyun commented as they reached the last painting.
“There’s still another one. The most special one.” He said ending the statement with a smirk.
They went to another bend, to an almost concealed divider. He pressed a button and the divider parted into two revealing a wooden double door with golden lever-style door handles. Seohyun had been there many times but it’s actually the first time that she discovered such a secret room there.
Kyuhyun pushed down the lever and pushed open the doors. As soon as the doors were ajar, yellow lights automatically lit the room, all focusing on the single painting on the easel covered by the red velvety cloth at the center of the room. Red rose petals sprinkled the shiny marble tiled floor. Aside from the roses that were scattered all over the area, there were also long-stemmed roses placed on tall vases perched along the walls. The blending of the red and white hues gave off a feeling of royalty. Seohyun was greatly astounded not to mention the roses are her favorites.
“I remember you said you liked roses so I decorated this room with lots and lots of roses.” Kyuhyun said.
“Why?”
“Because I dedicated this room to you and that painting over there -“ Kyuhyun pointed at the still clothed board.
“Don’t tell me it’s me again…” Seohyun said and Kyuhyun just replied it with a smile.
If he’s going to show her his new painting, why did he choose this date? He could have used another time. Why did he need to enclose it inside this room and exert so much effort in beautifying the room when he did not usually do it before? Seohyun thought. That must be really special. Curiosity and excitement suddenly flowed through her veins, eagerly anticipating what Kyuhyun had in store for her.
“Ready?”
She nodded.
Kyuhyun unveiled the painting, or rather what seemed to be a painting. For when Kyuhyun got rid of the cover, there was no portrait of her or a landscape of beautiful scenery. Instead there were four words written in glittering paint on the canvas.
WILL YOU MARRY ME?
“As you can see, I’m really not a talkative person so I just say it in a painting. And I really wanted it to be unique,” Kyuhyun said scratching the back of his head.
Seohyun was floored. She did not expect it to happen at that moment. Everyone including her had their mindset on the current merriment that was happening. It did not pass her mind that Kyuhyun would be proposing to her tonight. It caught her off guard and she was greatly overwhelmed that she could not even react to it.
“I’m really waiting for an answer. Don’t just stand there. Say something.” Kyuhyun urged her when he saw her just standing there staring at him with wide eyes.
“Haven’t you heard of the saying, ‘Silence means yes.’” Seohyun said as her eyes started getting watery. “YES! YES! I will!”
“WOAH!!!!” Kyuhyun jumped with immense joy and approached Seohyun, hugged her around the waist and lifted her off the ground and spin her around. When he brought her back to the ground, he gently pecked her lips and then put the ring on her finger.
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It’s amazing how time travels fast. It seems just like yesterday when Seohyun exchanged her “I do’s” with Kyuhyun. She could still remember how Yuri was having a second thought to be her matron of honor because she was conscious of how she would look like in her gown because she was already six months pregnant at that time. However, there were no worries because Gyuri really did a great job in designing the gowns. She really was thankful that Gyuri volunteered to do it. It was also the first time that she saw Yesung singing off the musical stage. His voice was really wonderful. Of course she could not forget the kids from the orphanage and their cute number during the reception. She could also recall how happy she were when Yonghwa and Shin Ye were the ones who got the garter and bouquet.
However, the most memorable of that moment was the happy fact that both of Kyuhyun’s parents were there. Seohyun could not help but be touched when Kyuhyun gladly received his mother’s embrace. No more grudges. No more bitterness. She could see that he really missed her. The day before their honeymoon, the three of them went to the Piano Room and had a momentary bonding moment as they settled their own family affair.
So many things have happened and now, she was already a mother to a pretty and intelligent child Hyun Mi.
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“…and they lived happily ever after… The End…” the 13 year old girl said as she closed the book and placed it on her bedside table.
“So you still love reading that…” Hearing this, the girl turned toward the source of the voice and found her mother standing by the door of her bedroom. She has been standing there for quite a long time already but she decided not to bother the girl who is too engrossed in her reading to notice her.
“Umma!!! How long have you been there?”
“Just a while… I do not want to disturb your bedtime reading. I guess you really love that fairy tale.” the woman asked as she approached the foot of the girl’s bed.
“Of course, it’s yours and appa’s love story. How can I not love it?” She said with a smile that greatly resembled her father’s. “And he illustrated it very well…” She said flailing the little story book in front of her. “Except for the last page though. I think it’s better if appa have done it.” She opened the last page and showed her the stick drawings of the prince and princess and beneath the scribbled words of: And they live happily ever after.
“You’re so mean. That’s your umma’s work of art! You’re really like your appa,” Seohyun pouted. She still recalled the time when she showed it to Kyuhyun and he broke into a fit of laughter saying that it was so kindergarten. Hyun Mi chuckled. “But don’t worry I inherited your princess beauty.”
Seohyun just smiled and ruffled her daughter’s hair.
“Mother… when shall I find my prince charming?” the girl asked suddenly, changing the topic.
“You are still too young for that,” Seohyun answered with a laugh. She was quite surprised by the question asked by the young girl in front of her.
“There is no need to rush… Someday for sure you will find your prince charming. You just have to be patient. Sometimes there are things that need not be searched such as love… for those things will just come in their own time. Always remember that, okay?”
“But how will I know if I have already found my prince charming?” Hyun Mi asked again.
Seohyun laughed at her question again. “You will feel it when it happens.”
“Eh?” the girl answered with a puzzled look in her face.
“Through the years, you will get what I mean. But for now, it is time for you to sleep,” Seohyun said giving an end to their conversation.
“I agree to that.” Kyuhyun suddenly butted in.
“Appa!” Hyun Mi jumped out of her bed and hugged her father.
“My sweet princess, can I have your queen umma back?” Kyuhyun asked. Hyun Mi nodded.
“Good night Appa and Umma!” Hyun Mi said as she blew her parents a kiss. Seohyun and Kyuhyun kissed their only child’s forehead and tucked her to sleep.
“Good night and sweet dreams…” After saying this, they turned off the light and left the room. The only light left was from a small lampshade which illuminates the girl’s sweet face while she is in her peaceful slumber.
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Love is not so much of a fairy tale but everyone can have their own fairy tale love story as long as the two hearts believe in it and work hard to achieve it despite the challenges and difficulties that come their way.