Divorce Contract C28

Chapter 28

Go Igyeol was in the middle of exploring the market with Shin Eunsuk. Having only been to supermarkets and department stores before, he was completely mesmerized by the open-air market that sold everything under the sun. Items he hadn’t intended to buy somehow ended up in his hands after a brief explanation from the vendor.

“Is it fun? Worth coming out?”

“It’s really fun. It’s so amazing.”

“Still, didn’t you buy way too much useless stuff?”

Shin Eunsuk glanced at the bags in both their hands and laughed. Go Igyeol insisted he could find uses for everything as he moved on. After wandering since morning, hunger finally caught up with him.

“Auntie, I’m hungry.”

“See that canopy over there? Let’s get noodles and pajeon from there.”

“That sounds perfect.”

They sat in a shaded spot, ordered noodles and pajeon, and chatted while they ate, catching their breath. Shin Eunsuk said they hadn’t finished looking around yet, and as Go Igyeol looked up, he noticed a man who seemed out of place. Black sunglasses, a black cap, a black T-shirt, black work boots that reached his calves, an old camera that didn’t fit at all—everything about him kept appearing in Go Igyeol’s peripheral vision and made him nervous.

“Ugh, it’s so hot.”

“…Yeah. It’s hot.”

“Let’s just buy meat from that butcher, then walk down and look around, then head back.”

“Auntie, I think my belly’s starting to ache from walking so much…”

Hearing that, Shin Eunsuk, who was getting up, looked surprised and asked if he needed to go to the hospital. She scolded herself for pushing him too hard in a worried voice.

“Maybe sit and rest for a while.”

“Okay. Want me to go to the car first and turn on the air so it’s cool?”

“No, I’ll just wait here. Go ahead.”

“The butcher’s just up ahead, so I’ll be right back, okay?”

Her worried gaze scanned his face. Go Igyeol held her hand without thinking; she bent forward in surprise at the sudden clinginess. He hugged himself tighter as she drew near.

“Thanks, Auntie.”

“Oh, what’s this—you’re just turning on the charm so I’ll carry everything for you, right?”

“It’ll be fine.”

“…Hmm?”

She peered at him closely when he murmured that, and her discovery was approving: his cheeks had filled out from being well fed and the color in his face looked pleasant.

“Igyeol?”

“Go on, hurry back.”

“…Okay, I’ll be quick. Don’t go anywhere, alright?”

Go Igyeol only nodded. He waited until Shin Eunsuk disappeared into the butcher’s before standing slowly. Everything was so peaceful here that he almost forgot Seo Dohyeon might try to find him.

He left the canopy and walked toward the far side of the parking area, concentrating on the sounds behind him: steady footsteps, the scrape of a throat followed by a spit, a clamorous bell, swaggering voices—all intruding on his ears. He paused at a fruit stall, pretending to look at the fragrant Korean melons, and glanced sideways. The man stood a little way off.

“How much is this?”

“Seven thousand won a basket.”

“Are they sweet?”

“Very sweet.”

Go Igyeol handed over a rumpled ten-thousand-won bill, took the black bag of melons, and kept walking into the crowd with the bag dangling from his wrist. He knew it might be impossible to shake someone whose job was finding people, but he kept hoping. Every time he checked behind him while pretending to be engrossed in the market, the man drew closer. He lingered by a popped-rice stall, munched the snack the vendor handed him, and moved on. When the light for the crosswalk started blinking green, Go Igyeol gathered every ounce of strength and ran.

The man—who had been trailing at a small distance—swore and hurried after him through the throng. Go Igyeol clutched his belly and jumped into a waiting taxi.

“Driver, quickly! Just go—please start!”

“Huh?”

“Start! Now!”

A man who had almost finished crossing the road ripped off his sunglasses and ran at them with murderous eyes. Trembling, Go Igyeol begged the driver to go; the driver hesitated but flipped on the meter and pulled away. When Go Igyeol looked back, the man was stamping his foot and dialing someone.

“Forest Pension1. Do you know where that is?”

“The one at the foot of the mountain?”

“Yes, that one. Please hurry—no, not there.”

“Not Forest Pension? Where to then?”

The curt question made Go Igyeol mutter, “Just a moment.” If they went in that direction they’d get caught. He clamped his face with his hands and pounded the floor with his feet. He had money, but not much. After roaming for about thirty minutes without a plan, he got out in an area lined with shabby motels.

“Stop here. Goodbye.”

Go Igyeol pocketed the change, looping the bag of melons over his wrist, and walked out. It was quiet in the daytime. He shoved his brimmed hat low and headed for the most secluded unmanned motel.

He kept glancing back, jaw tight with fear, as he ducked into the lobby with its kiosk machine. He took off his hat and, without hesitation, counted the cash in his pocket. He picked an empty room, fed the money into the machine, and the key dropped out. He had worried about an ID check, but the old machine didn’t care.

He rode the elevator from the first floor to the third and walked down the narrow corridor. Even though he knew he’d shaken off whoever followed him, his heart pounded painfully. Finding the room, inserting the key, fumbling as his hands shook—after several clumsy tries he finally opened the door.

With a click he latched the chain, locked every bolt, and collapsed onto the floor. Sweat soaked him through.

“Huh, huh… huff…”

There was no reason anyone here should know Shin Eunsuk. Except for his parents, nobody knew her. So surely it had to be coincidence. Still—what if someone had come here knowing? The thought made him tremble.

His body wouldn’t calm. He hugged his face with shaking hands and sobbed quietly. After composing himself a little, he rummaged in his pocket and spread out the wad of bills he’d crumpled into his bag.

“This will last a few days.”

It wasn’t much, but at least he’d brought cash. He’d meant to spend it on treats at the market and to buy lots of good food to share with Shin Eunsuk.

“…Ah…”

He was sure Shin Eunsuk would be looking for him by now. He closed his eyes and straightened up. He read the instructions taped to the room phone, dialed the eleven-digit number he’d memorized for her, and the line connected quickly. A frantic voice answered.

“—Hello?!”

“……”

“Is that you, Igyeol? Hello? Can you hear me?”

“…Auntie, it’s me.”

“My God… my God…”

Her voice trembled. Go Igyeol let the tears fall and fought to steady his breathing.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you.”

“Do you know how worried I was when you disappeared? I thought something had happened—”

“…I’m sorry.”

“So where are you? Why did you leave without saying anything? Where did you go?”

She sniffled as she spoke.

“Igyeol.”

“…I’m sorry, Auntie. I called because I was worried you’d freak out.”

“Wait, what? Igyeol, wait. You have to tell me at least why.”

He wiped his eyes with his palms, trying to stop the sobs from spilling out.

“I can’t contact you for a while. Don’t worry and take care.”

“Igyeol! Wait—if you hang up like that I’ll be terrified. Can’t you at least tell me where you are?”

“…If any man comes asking about me, please say you don’t know anything. I’m begging you.”

He heard his name spoken tenderly across the line and then placed the phone down. He couldn’t stay long. He might not even make it through the night. He wondered how far the cash he’d brought could carry him.

“…I have to go somewhere.”

Tomorrow at first light he would catch a bus and get as far away as possible.

 

Note

1 숲속 펜션 (Forest Pension), it means:

A small, cozy countryside guesthouse/lodge located in the forest.