stardust | park seonghwa - Chapter 38: Chapter 38

AFTER parties are what you expect after parties to be―loud, bright, wild and most definitely food. There's a small resort not too far from the beach and that's where it's being held. It is nearing sunset and everybody is looking as lively as ever.
Since the wedding was in the morning and there had been many hours in between to spare, I'd been spending the time hanging out with Seonghwa and his cousins. Least to say, it was fun; I got to know Jongho a little better and it turns out that he will be performing later after dinner, we played a so-called volleyball match on the sand (in our full formal attire) and San ended up with a sore throat after because he was the referee. Seonghwa didn't play though, he preferred standing by the side and sacrificed himself to be the little kids' punching bag.
As I mentioned, hours have passed and we are all at the resort now. We've had a change of clothes ― a somewhat less formal choice but still fit enough for dinner and partying. The summer dress I'm wearing is swishy with the sleeves down to my elbows. It's pale yellow in colour, a happy hue to add to the festivities. I had put my hair up in a loose higher ponytail and Yoonjin had actually helped me style it to spice it up a little bit.
Seonghwa waltzes in with an elaborated stride, showcasing his all white outfit. I frown.
"Hwa, this is all white," I say, thumbing at the material of his dress shirt.
"Yes, I know, I can see," he replies smartly.
My tongue clicks the roof of my mouth. "But there'll be chocolate fountains," I tell him, "don't you have anything else?"
"You're wearing a dress as equally as bright," he points out with a pout.
Sighing, I run my hands down both of his arms before patting them at the elbows. "Then I trust you to not get it stained, yes?"
"Yes ma'am," Seonghwa salutes me before taking my hand and leads me out of the room.
The newlyweds have yet to arrive and next to me, Seonghwa gapes at all the decorations as we walk down the hall to find our seats. He spots the chocolate fountain by the corner and I swear, I could see the hearts in his eyes. Could I expect any less of him though? I suppose not.
Somehow I manage to keep Seonghwa away from the fountain for the remainder of dinner (but that doesn't mean I didn't catch him stare after it like some kind of high school crush). The food was great, like any free foods are and truth be told, if my stomach had any space left, I'd ask for seconds.
Dinner aside, the evening was going smoothly.
Smoothly meaning Seonghwa, in tow with the rest of his cousins, ran up to the cake as soon as it was cut only to be left with temporary disappointment when they make priorities for San because of his leg. I hear Seonghwa's complaint of being injured too and says that he's still bandaged up at the shoulder but from next to me, I hear Yoonjin snicker and mutter something along the lines of how it's his fault he decided to come without his crutches.
Nevertheless, Seonghwa gets his cake after San did. It's amusing to see him stagger back from the front of the room with two paper plates in hand, grinning victoriously at the slices of the said dessert atop it. San, who had been keeping me company, scoffs at his cousin. "He's going to get diabetes at this point," he mumbles quietly but ironically, munches on his second helping.
How do people have big stomachs anyway? I'd like one, because not going to lie, the cake looks very appetising.
"Seonghwa, I told you... I'm full," I say when Seonghwa finally joins us, placing one plate on the table.
At this, Seonghwa smirks knowingly. "I know! That's why I'm getting your share."
"Don't go complaining when you get too full," I warn him, crossing my arms over my chest as I look at him accusingly.
Seonghwa waves his hand nonchalantly and resumes his eating.
My eyes wander around the room ― if I can call it a room. It was more of a half-open space (maybe not even half, three-quarter open space suits it more) than an enclosed room. Thin white drapes wave along with the wind by the entrance and the ceiling is decorated with hanging white leaves and fake crystal dangling every so often. Tangy sea air blows in every now and then as the light outside start to get dimmer and dimmer.
Somewhere I see Jongha and Hana gets ready for their first dance (after having cake? Holy hell, I admire their energy) and they both attract the attention of the attendees. A smile subconsciously makes its way to my face, seeing their faces illuminating in happiness on their special day. The ocean wind is cold but here, it's warm. A soft tingle runs across my back and I clench my fists at the feeling.
We watch quietly as the couple waltz across the dance floor, some orchestral music playing in the background. When I look to my side, I swear I can see San's glassy eyes reflecting the overhead lights. It tugs the edges of my lips upwards.
My elbow nudges his stomach. "Don't cry," I tease him. He tears his attention away from the newlyweds on the dance floor, distancing himself in whatever sea of thoughts he was swimming in to meet my eyes.
"What? Who?" he quickly says, eyes wide.
"Come on, you were looking at them right? Didn't know you're soft for these kinds of things."
San rolls his eyes, a splash of rosy colour dusts his cheeks. "I-It's only normal, you know?" he reasons, facing back at the dance floor but lowers his gaze. "Weddings are cute and all but I can't imagine myself having one."
My head tilts to the side. "Hmm? Why's that?"
"Dunno... it's not like I don't want it though. It's just a little out of reach, don't you think?" San sighs. I don't have an answer to that so I stay silent but San doesn't mind me not replying his thought. He continues to watch the couple.
I meet Seonghwa's eyes across the table and he smiles.
"What?" I say when Seonghwa's eyes reflected a string of playfulness.
He gets up from his seat and I stare at his hand which he offers to me with wide eyes. "Hwa?"
"Let's go somewhere?" he suggests, head jerking to the night outside where the breeze is still blowing gently on the overgrown grass in waves that cast back a yellowish glow from the fairy lights.
"But the party..?" I start but take his hand anyway, getting up from my seat cautiously as to not draw attention to myself nor Seonghwa. Luckily, everybody was still focused on Jongha and Hana who have now finished their routine and are bowing to the crowd. In the corner, I see Jongho and his guitar he gets ready for his performance.
The man in front of me crinkles his nose, as if saying whatever. He nods at the back exit once more.
Sighing, I nod and with a widespread grin, Seonghwa leaves his spot and leads the way. With the attendees busy with cheering the married couple, nobody notices us slip out. That is with the exception of San, whom I take a glance at right before I leave.
His gaze was fixed on us and I couldn't really read what he's thinking about but once he notices me, San shifts his eyes away from us. I frown and reach out, about to ask what's wrong but from under the table, I see San flicking his wrist in Seonghwa's direction.
Shoo, is what I imagine him say, go before anyone notices.
Chuckling, I follow Seonghwa out of the room.
There's a picnic table outside, not too far from the open glass doors of the party hall. Seonghwa sits directly on top of the table, legs spread apart on the seats as he looks up at the sky. I pause at the doorway, taking in the view that is him. I hadn't properly taken a good look of his outfit this evening save for the time I commented on his shirt earlier. Now that it's quieter with only the muffled sounds of music from inside, all my attention is on him.
"You know, if you wanted to stare, it would be less creepy if you told me," comes his voice and he tilts his head to look at me.
I blink.
"You ruined the mood, oh my God," I groan and begin to make my way to him, carefully picking my steps across the overgrown grass. "I was having a sentimental moment."
I take a seat next to him. "Why did you want to go outside anyway? It's warmer back in there, you know?"
He shrugs. "Nothing... I just feel like we haven't really gotten time to enjoy today to ourselves."
"To ourselves? Seonghwa this is your uncle's wedding, not ou―"
A strong shade of red creep up the apple of my cheeks. I stop myself before I can embarrass myself more (not that I actually minded the thought, no, but voicing it sounded different) and grimace at my slip of words.
When I sneak a glance at Seonghwa, he's already looking at me, eyes dancing with amusement. He's smirking, leaning back to rest his weight on his hands behind him.
"Not ours, is that what you were going to say?" I can hear the teasing tone in his voice. I face away from Seonghwa, huffing.
"Well it's true, isn't it? We should be focused on them and their happy moment..." I'm glad that it's dark out here. Seonghwa doesn't see the rosiness of my face though I know he probably knows.
He laughs. That one melodious Seonghwa laugh that makes it so easy to welcome you into his company and wrap yourself in his warmth. "We can always have one of our own if you want, I'm sure my mum and yours would be happy... Kyungie would be ecstatic, that's for sure."
"Seonghwa stop..." I groan, burying my face in my hands, "you get my point."
I feel his hand brushing away the hair that had fallen on the side of my face and tugs my shoulder gently so that I'd sit up straight.
"Well... before the wedding, we came here to survey the place. This resort was the last one we looked at that day and it was nearing night time too. I think the reason why they picked this was―look up."
I do as he tells me.
Woah.
Above us is the stretch of an infinite blanket of the night sky, glittered with blinking lights and an arch of cloudy mist in an almost blue-purple shade. The Milky Way. Chills run down my spine at the sight; you do not get this scene back in the city where lights pollute the serene starry night and this small window of Heaven would be outshone. However, that window is opened wide here, tonight.
"Wow," I breathe out, "it's so pretty."
"It is, isn't it?"
And so, it is now me, Seonghwa, the patch of tall grass, the rickety picnic table and a soft kiss shared under the stars.
After party festivities come and go. Guests have gone home and what's left now is only the circle of family close to Jongha and Hana. Some are already going around to bid their farewells, so I think they will go sooner or later.
We helped out with the little bits of packing up, like a quick floor sweep to get rid of any rubbish and tidying up the chairs that needed to be pushed in. There will be a team for the bigger clean up, but one of Seonghwa's great aunts suggested that we help them a little by giving them a head start.
Since it's pretty late into the night, Seonghwa and I will be staying the night here and head back home tomorrow morning since I still have a project to finish. The due date is coming soon as the showcase will be in less than two weeks and Seonghwa thought I should head back as soon as possible so I can finish it.
I room with one of Seonghwa's other cousins (I swear this kid has so many cousins I keep losing their names) but she reminds me that her name is Chaeyoung. She's a sweet girl from what I've seen back when we played volleyball at the beach; outgoing, friendly and an overall packet of lollies. I see that she's pretty close to San by how well they get along, their closeness can probably rival that of Seonghwa's and San's.
Chaeyoung sits on her bed and her hair twisted into her towel from her shower when I walk in through the door. She looks away from the screen of the television, rounding in recognition as I kick my shoes by the door.
"Oh! You're here," she greets me before patting on the bed next to hers, "this is your bed. I hope you don't mind being next to the window."
"No, no that's fine!" I assure her, plopping my bag that I fetched from Seonghwa's car earlier down on top of the sheets. "I'll hop in the shower for a second. I see you have."
Chaeyoung grins, "yeah. I don't feel as disgusting as I did before."
There's something in Chaeyoung's smile that I can't put my finger on but I shrug it off, deciding to gather all my fresh clothes in my arms and enter the bathroom.
Moments later, I'm out of the shower to the hushed tones of a conversation being shared quietly in the room. Scrunching my brows, I find that I recognise the voice being San's. It's a little distorted and crackly but it's San's nonetheless. I figure Chaeyoung's in a phone call with him and I'm proven right when I get back to the room.
She quickly ends the call once she realises that I'm back, saying a rushed 'bye' to San and I hear his cry of protest from the other side of the line before he's cut.
"Was that San?" I ask her, putting away my things and then reach out for a hairbrush from my bag.
"Yeah. Hey, what TV program do you watch?" Chaeyoung says, her tone as if wanting to quickly change the topic.
Huh, weird.
She crawls across her bed to reach for the remote that's abandoned on the floor. Chaeyoung flicks through the TV channels, occasionally stopping to watch a scene of a random foreign soap opera before continuing.
"I watch a lot of cartoons," I simply say, remembering all the Sunday mornings Yeosang and I spend watching re-runs of Spongebob.
"Do you watch this drama?" she asks, pointing the remote at the TV screen. It shows a relatively new show that I've been hearing about for a couple of weeks now. Usually I don't really watch them but from what I've heard, it's a good show.
"No, not really but I don't mind. Go ahead if you want to watch it," and I flop on to the bed, sighing at finally being able to stretch my legs out after a tiring yet amazing day.
I pay no mind to the drama on the TV screen, finding a weird interest on the ceiling all of a sudden. My thoughts run everywhere as my eyes traces every single carving detail on the skies of the room. For some reason, despite how much I thought I was tired, I can't get myself to close my eyes and drift to sleep.
Chaeyoung's drama doesn't have anything to do with it―you know that feeling that there's something you should be doing, something you shouldn't have missed but you did but you don't know what?
My train of thoughts halt when Chaeyoung suddenly rushes to the door, leaving the remote and her phone scattered messily on top of her bed.
"Who is it?" I ask, propping myself on my elbows to lean over for a better look at the guest by the door.
Before Chaeyoung gets any chance to answer, in strides Choi San, in his geometry-shape patterned pyjamas and a pillow dog tucked under his arms. He throws his phone on my bed and jumps on, catching me completely off-guard before shoving me off.
"What the hell, San!?"
"I have an 'extremely important talk' to talk about with Chae, so shoo-shoo!"
From the floor which I landed on, I frown at San, who grins down at me knowingly (what is wrong with all of Seonghwa's cousins, honestly?) He doesn't seem to be showing any signs of guilt. So I scowl at him, picking my phone off the bedside table and march out the room.
Although the emotion in his eyes shifts slightly when I walk out, it never crossed my mind to stop and ask what he's up to. All I'm focused on is getting out there and figuring out how to ruin San's breakfast the next morning.
There's only one other option as to where I could go. Strangely enough, the mark on the back of my shoulder feels prickly with chills. (Maybe I should call Yeosang and ask what it means when that happens because I've been feeling it a lot recently.) But I get to room 532 and knock on the door.
"Your beloved cousin shooed me out of my room," I say, marching into the room as soon as Seonghwa opens the door and without letting him speak.
"O-oh?"
"He literally pushed me off the bed and said he needs to have a 'very important talk' with Chaeyoung―which one's your bed?" Seonghwa points to the one further from the window, so I jump on the one on the other side. "Yeah anyways, so I have no other place to go but here."
"What were you up to?" I ask, seeing his open laptop on his bed.
Seonghwa shrugs. "Last minute checks for the showcase," he tells me, "my professor says some of my works for Aldebaran should be in my showcase portfolio too, so I'm adding them into the file."
"Oooh! Speaking of the showcase, I've only got to do my final details for the last painting I did, varnish that and we're all good!" I join Seonghwa on his bed, letting my head rest on his thigh as he moves the MP3 files to another folder.
"When are you gonna let me see the paintings?" Seonghwa asks with a small pout.
"Later, when they're all done," I grin and Seonghwa lets out a disappointed hum.
"Anyways, did you enjoy today?" he asks as he finishes up on his work, shutting the lid of his laptop before sliding it on top of the bedside tables.
"Yeah, it was fun. The food was great too. Your cousins are all fun, although there seem to be a lot of it," I laugh along with Seonghwa. "Overall, yeah, I really enjoyed today. Thanks for inviting me." With a little stretch upwards, I plant a small kiss on Seonghwa's lips.
The man holds me close as he leans on the headboard, stroking my arm gently. Seonghwa smiles; a soft tight lipped smile where all of his emotions are reflected in his eyes. "Thanks for coming," now he grins, nuzzling his nose with mine. I squeal, wriggling further from him but Seonghwa hugs me tight.
My heart quickens its pace when the same cold prickly sensation dances across my back. The next thing I know, Seonghwa inches closer and closer before his lips are on mine again. I can tell he's smiling, pouring all his heartfelt feelings into the exchange and I return the same.
The world spins away. It's always like this, just like the first time; whenever Seonghwa kisses me, my mind is filled with nothing but the thoughts of him. Tonight is just the same but for some reason, I feel the need to put more.  Suddenly, I forget about asking him about the marks on the back of our shoulders and I find myself not caring if Seonghwa is the one or not. They all fade away, pushed somewhere at the back of my mind. Maybe it's the wedding fever that I've been carrying for the whole day; busy daydreaming what it would be like if I were to have my own someday. In all my thoughts, it was Seonghwa at that altar, the one whom I will dance with... the one I'll spend the rest of my life with because I don't see it with anyone else. Or that maybe, I've only come to realise how much he means to me. How much more he is to the 'like' he was when we first got together, how much I've put my trust in him.
That realisation hits me harder.
As Seonghwa begins to hover above me, eyes looking into mine with so much fire and warmth and intensity and passion and his breath fanning gently on my lips, he slides his hands into mine and grips them tightly. I can feel my breath hitching at my throat, never it had crossed my mind that my heart could speed up any faster―but it does.
He rests his forehead on mine. "Hyeshin."
"Hmm?"
Seonghwa pecks my lips. "I love you."
The prickly sensation on my back intensifies before it washes away in a feeling I can't describe. Was it cold? Was it warm? I can't tell―I'm too distracted to. Thoughts race into my head all at once and I want to tell Seonghwa so many things but all I can say is...
"I love you."
For the rest of the night, I find myself lost in Seonghwa, his butterfly touches, his pretty words... his galaxy.