December 18, 2065. My father will be laid to rest in the mountains facing Mt. Bukhan. He will be given the recognition a man who has served his country with utmost loyalty deserves.
I don't understand why he chose to be buried there and not beside my mother's in Pyongyang. But I, Sam Suk, his daughter, will respect the last wish of a hero, the best and most loving father and husband.
I was sorting through his belongings as a soldier that he will take with him in his final resting place when I saw it. A book of some sort so ordinary I wouldn't have noticed it except that it stood out from the rest as the only thing I haven't seen of my father's.
I finally saw it for what it is. My father, a man of few words, has kept a journal.
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One 🌞 day, October 2020
I saw her first in the forest when she was on top of the tree trunk, Pyo Chi Su's shouts and mine for her not to go over the border, drowned out by the distance separating us. I didn't get a clear picture of what she looked like then. I am only sure of two things: (1) She can run faster than Pyo Chi Su and (2) She knows how to steer clear of mines better than Capt. Ri. 👏👏
Those skills were pretty admirable. Impressive even.😍😍
I thought that was the first and last day I'll see her free. That the next time I'll see her, if even that was possible, will be of her behind bars being interrogated by Lieutenant Commander Cho Cheol Gang and the State Security Department. I feared for her life. I silently offered a prayer for her safety.
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One 😲😳 day, October 2020
The lady is alive! I saw her at close-range when we first entered Capt. Ri's house. A lady with alabaster skin it was obvious she is not from the north.
By now, the captain must have told her where she is and what will happen to her if her presence is discovered. For a lady who is not supposed to be where she is now, she showed no sign of fear or docility.
She was standing there alongside Pyo Chi Su, arms crossed, blabbering this and that as if she was not just running for dear life a day before. 🤨
Either she is stupid or utterly courageous. She cannot be both.
She didn't notice me though. I am 5'11", almost as tall as the captain, but she didn't notice me, much more talk to me. She talked to everyone but me. 😥
