Love Aint Always Pretty

Sarang (사랑)

- (n.) love; lit. "I wish to be with you until death."

Origin: Korean

46

NICK'S POV

EIGHT YEARS AGO

I parked the car and we got back home to where we should be. This was our home, temporarily, but we'll find a place to call our own when we have the money. Maybe just an apartment or stuff like that. The party wasn't what we exactly expected it to be.

"I'm sorry." Catherine speaks to me.

I opened the front door for her and we got inside the house. I placed the car keys down and starts unbuttoning my jeans.

"You don't have to be sorry." I say.

All of a sudden she hugged me from behind. "I'm sorry about what my father said to you. He just went too far."

I exhale.

"Why didn't you tell me about Hans? You're still together?" I asked her

I feel her arms slightly pulling away from me. I know she's guilty of what I found out. I don't know if they were still together or not but I'm so jealous. I'm so mad. I'm not mad at Catherine but I'm mad at myself cos I'm not good enough for her. Mr. Forster was right, I could never top that guy cos he looked almost perfect.

"Nick I don't love him. My parents just wants me to be with him for business."

I turned around to face her. Her beautiful blue eyes was looking at me eagerly, as if they were speaking to me too. I know she's telling the truth. I know she loves me.

"I just feel so small of myself after I saw him. I'm not.... I'm not good enough for you. Did you see the way he looks?" I asked.

"I don't care if his wallet is bulging with money or has plenty of credit cards. I don't need that. I don't need money. I need you."

I kissed her forehead and slightly hugged her. "Let's go to sleep Catherine. I'm tired and I'm sure you are too."

We headed to the bedroom and started sleeping in our underwear. I let Catherine sleep over my bare chest, while my mind was still thinking about Hans. I couldn't sleep. I look at Catherine and her face makes me feel I don't belong on her world and she clearly doesn't belong in mine. What if her father was right? What if I can't no longer support Catherine financially in the upcoming days? I need to have a job. Even though it's part time, that'll be enough for me and her. I need to make a living for the two of us.

•••••

"Shall we go buy fruits?" She asked.

I look at her while she was cooking lunch for us. I love watching her cook and help her. I do the slicing of spices mostly.

"Sure." I say.

We had lunch together and we acted as if nothing happened last night. I acted as if I wasn't bothered about Hans. I acted as if her own father didn't offer me money so I could stay away from her. I didn't tell Catherine about it cos I don't want her to hate her father because of me. Eloping together is already sinfully wrong. I don't know why they're not doing anything yet to find her or us so as long as we still have time, we'll spend it together cos we're not sure about tomorrow.

We went out and walked around town to buy fruits. Catherine loves fruits, most especially orange. No wonder she's an orange lover and now I'm starting to love orange because of her too. She bought a few apples and bananas and more orange.

"You'll turn orange on that." I joked.

She laughs while putting the orange back to the shelf. "I'm kidding love. Put that back here." I say.

cheap fruit basket too then she wanted to buy curtains but I know she's too allergic to dust that's why I told her we don't need curtains. My money is almost running out and hers as well. I

placed them over the fruit basket. It was placed on top of our dining table and Catherine looked so happy when she placed it there. I love it when Catherine is

think we need curtains."

"No. I don't want you

She laughs.

I'm a lazy washer. So no."

laughs again. "I'll help

We don't need new

me. "We're clearly

I nod.

as I have you, I'll be okay."

as you're here, my life is already complete." I

for a while we were standing. Feeling Catherine's warmth in my mouth when we kiss like this is the best thing that I could always feel. I won't get tired kissing her lips. I won't get tired even if I'm tired cos my day didn't turn out great.

hear a rushing sound of knock from the front door that got us surprised. Both of us quickly rushed to it, only

man?"

holding up a hand to tell

Alec?" Catherine

Alec speaks while

"What

by a

Catherine gasped.

what Alec just said. It's unbelievable. I don't want

gotta go come

to the hospital where my mom has been taken. My tears are filling my eyes as I sit on the backseat with Catherine. She's rubbing my back. She's telling me everything's gonna be okay. She tells me I need

we arrived at the hospital, we rushed to the emergency room. My hands are cold and my heart is beating even faster. Tracy ran towards me when she saw me. She was crying hard. She was crying

I ask

still inside."

Tracy's forehead and suddenly I see a doctor and a nurse exciting the

doctor gazes at

No.

NO.

NO!!

and

It's not my mom.

No.

pulled his head up and looked to us. "Relatives

pounding with pain as I take a grip tight on Catherine's hand. I see her crying too and I don't think I'm ready to hear what I have to hear. The four of us went closer to be doctor and I'm getting

But she didn't make it. We did

want to see my mom!! She's not dead! It's too soon!

But I'm crying even more. Catherine is giving me strength. Tracy is crying too while Alec was holding her. My mom. My mother. She's gone. She's dead. I fell

"No.... Mom!" I cried.

so sorry. We tried to revive her back but she was already dead on arrival.

I don't know what to do. Were still young.

shaking but Catherine is holding it. My body is shivering in fear and anger but Catherine is hugging me close to her and telling me she

Don't worry. I won't leave you." Catherine whispers to

mom." I repeat over and

here. Don't worry."

•••••

haven't talked much since yesterday. I'm still trying to sink it in that my mother is gone. Catherine holds my hand while we walk inside the station. My heart is thumping on my chest cos I don't know if I'm ready to hear what the detectives and policemen would tell me. Everything that happened yesterday was too fast and now they