Paek Nam-nyong - Friend - A Novel from North Korea

From whence, from whom, for what reason was the wind running, like a fugitive, like someone who has abandoned his family? Who will ever know its point of departure, who will ever know its lonesome fate? It wanders the earth aimlessly, seeking refuge among the trees in the depths of a forest or by a river in an open meadow. It dashes by without looking back, or it lurks around a single spot. At times, it affectionately embraces life, sharing warmth and love with everything near and far. At other times, it bellows with rage and devours everything in sight with a destructive force that makes the earth shudder. It gets soaked in the cold rain and freezes in the icy blizzard. It moans in agony and howls into the lonely night. But then, on a quiet day, it wakes from the warmth of the sun and embarks on its journey yet again, looking forward to the promise of a new day, a new adventure. This is why it can never find a mate and, therefore, lives a most miserable life.

The night grew darker.

Eun Ok had finished washing the dishes and doing the laundry. After tending each vegetable in the greenhouse, she realized how late in the evening it had become.

Even at this hour, Jeong Jin Wu was sitting at his desk with his head buried in books and documents. He consulted the legal texts before raising his pen. After thinking deeply, he began to write.

Eun Ok approached her husband quietly. Jeong Jin Wu put his pen down and began to massage his temples. Eun Ok placed her hands on his shoulders.

Jeong Jin Wu held his wife’s rugged hands and pulled her next to him.

Eun Ok placed her hands on his cheeks and gazed at her fatigued, hardworking husband.

“Are you writing an essay?” she asked softly.

“It’s something like that. I’m trying to submit this article to the Journal of Legal Theory , but something’s not right.”

Eun Ok’s countenance changed from admiration to concern. Jeong Jin Wu noticed this change and smiled brightly.

She picked up Jeong Jin Wu’s article from the desk. More than the content of the article itself, Eun Ok noticed her husband’s tireless research in every word and every sentence and on every page.

“Will you read it over for me?” asked Jeong Jin Wu, half-jokingly.

Eun Ok read through the text with admiration. She read the entire article carefully and then put it down.

“I see that you’re going to use those as well,” said Eun Ok, referring to the other legal documents fanned out on Jeong Jin Wu’s desk.

“I’m not sure yet…” Jeong Jin Wu trailed off. But it was certain that he had much to do.

Eun Ok opened the desk drawer and took out two tickets to the Bongjeol Movie Theater. She smiled with her lips pursed and looked at her husband. Her eyes were those of a young girl—bright and lustrous.

Eun Ok spoke excitedly, “Take Sunday off. We’ll go on a boat ride at the amusement park and then a stroll around the park and the river. In the evening, we can catch this film.”

“You think we’re still in our twenties to go out on a date like this?” Jeong Jin Wu laughed wholeheartedly. “Have you forgotten that we’re in our fifties?”

“What does age have to do with it? We’re still young at heart.”

“You’re right. We’re still young, passionate, and full of life.” Jeong Jin Wu gazed at Eun Ok tenderly. “Thank you very much. However, Sunday is not a good time.”

“Why not?”

“I have to stop by a house in the Gang An District.”

“Is it another divorce case?”

Jeong Jin Wu nodded silently.

Eun Ok did not say anything. She sighed and brushed her disheveled hair behind her ear. She never interfered with his work and never asked about other families’ marital problems. Eun Ok couldn’t handle the very idea of divorce. She knew the sleepless nights and torment he had to endure trying to resolve the agony of marital problems. She realized that she would not be able to help by sympathizing or analyzing the matter with him. She did not want to burden him with more problems, so she did not ask any more questions about it.

Divorce.

The very word cast a dark shadow across her face and changed the atmosphere in the room.

The two sat quietly.

The weekend date that Eun Ok had planned, a rare occurrence for the couple, was postponed. The two sat pensively, worrying over this divorce case as if the divorcing spouses were their closest friends.

Outside the window, the wind shook the branches frantically and bellowed mournfully.

Jeong Jin Wu returned his attention to his article and spoke softly to Eun Ok, “You must be tired from your long journey. Get some rest.”

When there was no reply, Jeong Jin Wu raised his head. “Do you have something to say to me?”

“It must be hard for you to stay home by yourself, right?” asked Eun Ok cautiously.

“What, are you thinking of divorcing me?” Jeong Jin Wu chuckled. Eun Ok did not.

“Don’t you worry about me,” Jeong Jin Wu reassured Eun Ok. “Now, get some rest.”

But Eun Ok could not retire to her room just yet. “You prepare your own breakfast, lunch, and dinner… you take care of the vegetables in the greenhouse… you write your article… It must be very hard for you.”

Jeong Jin Wu knew how Eun Ok expected him to respond. He put down his pen and rested his elbows on his desk.

“It seems as though you’ve read my mind,” said Jeong Jin Wu.

Eun Ok lowered her eyes.

Jeong Jin Wu caressed Eun Ok’s coarse hands. He spoke frankly, “It is difficult at times… and I get angry and frustrated… but it’s been a rewarding life. This is beyond the expectations of our wedding night. I’m very pleased with how our lives are in unison every step of the way. To think of someone frail like you in that harsh terrain… It brings me happiness to see you on that path of pursuing knowledge, persevering through the intolerably cold weather.”

Jeong Jin Wu took a moment before he proceeded, “To be honest with you, a few days ago, I was not too happy. In fact, I was extremely upset. In the early days of our married life, I was more than willing to support your research, but after many years, I felt like I was forced to support you because that is what a husband is supposed to do. I began to envy other families whose wives stayed at home. I wanted that, too, a simple, ordinary, happy family.”

Eun Ok began to caress her husband’s hands, a gesture of regret and apology.

When Jeong Jin Wu saw Eun Ok’s misty eyes, he said, “Why are you crying when I’m trying to compliment you? You’re the one who must be more tired than me. You must be very tired. Look at your hands. I told you to wear gloves. You may not be able to wear gloves when you plant each seed, but after that, please wear them.”

“Yes, I will.”

Eun Ok wiped the tears with her finger.

Jeong Jin Wu continued. “Don’t be discouraged. Look how much your research has advanced since you’ve started. The radishes and cabbages have to be considered a success. Now you have a better idea of what to do with the cucumbers and squash. Yes, indeed. Do you think the villagers at Yeonsudeok will be able to enjoy the cabbages and radishes by next year?”

“Yes, I think they will.” Eun Ok nodded and smiled.

“When were you planning to leave for Yeonsudeok again?”

“If it’s all right with you, I was thinking of leaving on Monday.”

“Monday? Ah, that is why you arranged our date on Sunday.” Jeong Jin Wu nodded as though he had solved a mystery case. Then he sighed. “It’s fine. Go on Monday. And next time, you don’t have to leave notes. I already know what to do. I’m your best research assistant.” Jeong Jin Wu chuckled again.

From outside the window, the wind noticed Jeong Jin Wu and Eun Ok enjoying each other’s company by the single lamp on the desk and respectfully left them in peace.