Office Diaries - Chapter 152

“I don’t understand,” Yanee said as she looked at Jisoo quizzically.

“It means that when two people meet, fall in love, and get married, that’s only the prologue. The real story begins after the two get married,” the older lady answered.

A soft smile curved Jisso’s lips as she looked thoughtful. She was probably remembering the past.

“For most people, mine and Yushin’s story seemed like a fairytale come true. A prince and a princess who grew up together ended up married,” she said. “But you know, Yanee, even if two people truly love each other and genuinely want to make each other happy, there will always be a time when doubts enter the hearts. When there is doubt, there will be fear, and there will be desperation. Even if there’s really nothing to worry about, it’s human and it’s normal to think and doubt sometimes most especially when things are always smooth sailing.”

Yanee nodded in understanding. She could get what she meant by that. When there were too many good things happening, sometimes one feared the price he had to pay for it in the end. She now wondered if what seemed to be a very happy marriage between Jisoo and Yushin got rocked by troubles as well.

“I know that look,” Jisoo grinned. “But don’t worry, there’s nothing big. I told you, my story is not so significant and complicated. But, as I said, sometimes constant happiness is only achievable if you both work hard on it. Complacency and negligence are a great disservice to your partner,” she said as she smiled, remembering the funny moment when she learned something important.

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“Hi, I’m Sugar. Hi, I’m Sugar. Hi I’m Sugar…”

A pair of almond eyes stared at another pair of beady eyes. “Say it. Hi, I’m Sugar.”

The small handsome face of the other was so close to the owner of the small beady eyes, making the latter turn away as it shook its light body, ruffling its white feathers as it did.

“Don’t turn away when I’m talking to you,” a baritone snapped as the almond shape orbs turned murky with suppressed irritation and the equally incensed bird lifted itself up to its full height and pecked its owner on the nose before flying away to rest on the part of its perch farthest from him.

“Y-you…” puffing his cheeks, Yushin Park, the owner of the annoying white ċȯċkatoo stood up straight as he let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his nose. He had bought the damn bird as a present for his wife’s birthday since Jisoo, his beautiful raven-haired spouse showed an interest in them when they passed by a pet shop some days ago.

As soon as he saw how his sweet wife smiled upon seeing the white birds in the cage, upon hearing her delighted laughter when the birds spoke, he knew it was the perfect gift for her. So as soon as he had the opportunity, he bought the cutest white ċȯċkatoo, which looked like a bun because it’s plump.

But the blasted bird he bought couldn’t or wouldn’t talk. He had been trying to make it repeat after him for days, often going to work early and coming home real late to do it, but the ċȯċkatoo wouldn’t listen to him nor give him the time of day.

And he’d gotten mad. Yushin didn’t want to give his wife such a defective gift – and a non-speaking ċȯċkatoo was that. Defective.

But it was already too late for that. He had no time to get another bird and train it. Jisoo’s birthday was tomorrow.

“I already had enough of you!” Yushin roared and the bird blinked several times before it hopped off its perch and landed on his table where he placed his framed wedding photo, knocking it flat on the table before hopping on it. With a scowl, he watched the bird walk over it, stopping on his face and to his indignation, the blasted bird wiggled before it pooped right on his smiling lips.

“What the – ” Yushin’s hand shot to snatch his treasured photograph, grabbing tissue as he did. “You damn thing, do you think you’re pretty? I had enough of you. You seem so timid and quiet and – and – and whatever. If you don’t change, even if it’s too late I’m gonna fuċkɨnġ replace you. Do you hear me?” he hissed as he rubbed the frame clean.

“Fucking ugly bun…” he muttered as he glared at the fat bird which looked up at him from the carpeted floor.

Outside his office door, the beautiful raven-haired wife stood frozen, her hand covering her mouth to stifle a gasp while the other held her ċhėst which hurt.

She was worried since her husband hadn’t been coming home early these days, and she was trying to see if he needed help so she came here. She was after all her husband’s former secretary, and she could come handy. Also, it would be her birthday tomorrow, so she was hoping to coerce her husband into going out for lunch today. But then…

Oh God…

Her huge doe eyes filling with tears, Jisoo sniffed as she bit her lip. She was about to enter her husband’s office when she heard him talking angrily. When she tried to see what was going on, she saw Yushin talking to their wedding photo and her heart broke.

“I already had enough of you! You damn thing, do you think you’re pretty? I had enough of you. You seem so timid and quiet and – and – and whatever. If you don’t change, even if it’s too late I’m gonna fuċkɨnġ replace you. Do you hear me?”

She didn’t know her husband was already feeling that way towards her. Yushin had always been the loving and caring kind, and so, she had been comfortable in their relationship.

Was she perhaps too comfortable that she’d become boring? Had she been so timid and quiet that Yushin now found her tiresome?

“Fucking ugly bun…”

Remembering this, Jisoo placed a hand on her crotch. Her woman bun was a little plump and pink and her husband called it a pretty bun before because it has the same color as a flamingo’s that she felt like wailing. “But why do you say it’s ugly now?” she murmured as tears fell from her eyes.

“If you don’t change, even if it’s too late I’m gonna fuċkɨnġ replace you. Do you hear me?”

“Oh no…” To the troubled missus, it sounded like an ultimatum – well it was an ultimatum. “What to do? What to do?” she murmured in panic as she turned around and ran.

“What to do? What to do?” she asked herself over and over as she fished her phone out. She’d call Sohyang for help. Park Jisoo couldn’t lose her husband. She couldn’t – wouldn’t take it if Yushin really left her because she was too boring. But she had no idea what to do or how to change so she’d ask her sister. Her younger sibling knew how to fix these things.

Several minutes later at the table outside the office cafeteria, a young man sat almost eagerly by the table, his hands opening his huge lunch box, taking out the huge sandwich he prepared early in the morning. With a big smile on his face, he was about to take a bite when someone sat next to him, making him pause and turn to the newcomer.

“Jimin, my birdie won’t talk,” Yushin Park, his boss who also happened to be his best buddy stated almost seriously that he forgot he was about to eat, his eyes going down the other’s crotch with a raised brow.

“I’m sure it won’t,” he answered in equal seriousness.

“No, no, no,” the president shook his head. “Not my dɨċk dumdum. I’m talking about the ċȯċkatoo I bought for Jisoo. I’ve been teaching it a sentence but it won’t repeat after me,” he continued, his voice reflecting his frustration as he raked his hair with his fingers.

“Cockatoo?” Jimin asked and Yushin nodded. “Just how long have you had it?” he inquired and waited as his friend silently counted the days.

“Five days,” he answered and Jimin sighed.

“It really won’t talk. It’s too soon,” he said. “It takes weeks for them to be familiar with the sounds so they can mimic them,” he continued and watched as his boss’ face registered wonder.

“Oh, so that’s why it won’t follow,” Yushin said as he nodded. “Okay, I won’t be taking it back to the pet shop after all,” he said as he stood up. “I just wish it would learn how to talk soon,” he added, this time with a smile before he left.

Jimin watched his employer-friend’s retreating back and shook his head. His boss was a smart man, but sometimes when he wanted something, he got impatient. He just hoped Yushin would be more lenient with the new pet or he wouldn’t be surprised if the ċȯċkatoo would refuse to talk.

“Poor birdie,” he murmured as he resumed his lunch.