A Voyage to Lies

Inside the aesthetics of peach and a warm tone of brown and coral confines, with the house plants-sprinkling the freshness of nature. Three mortals, were conferenced in a common space.

The hanging accreditations and framed certificates on the walls, rather identified the room belonging to a psychiatrist.

He designed and renovated his own work space-to symbolize his patients, entering a dimension away from their realities. Which, they were already running a marathon to escape.

The two of his patients, seated by a distance of five feets between them, had the same awkwardness on their faces like the first day he met them. Although, separately.

With a slight smile, the owner of the plaque that pronounced "Dr. Ban Jin Sang" finally broke his silence.

Dr.Ban : Let me start with a brief introduction. Meet Baek Dan Hwa-ssi, a set director. And here's Park Ji-Min-ssi, a celebrity.

Both the awkward bodies, for the first time today, stole brief glances at each other as they greeted with a bow.

Dr.Ban : All right. I dislike uncomfortable gatherings too. But, I have the same favor to ask to the both of you. Hence, I called you together.

Dan Hwa : A favor?

Dr.Ban : Yes. The last time, I had asked you both to free some time around the weekends, if I remember correctly.

Having no enthusiastic responses, the psychiatrist led on the conversation by himself.

Dr.Ban : I will assume, you both have made the time. So, Dan Hwa-ssi, can you drive?

Dan Hwa was taken aback for a split second before she came to the terms to respond to the weird question.

Dan Hwa : Drive? I guess... Yes, I can.

Dr.Ban : Great. How about Ji-Min-ssi?

Ji Min : I do drive as well. But, do I have to?

Dr.Ban : Well, only if I am tired. Or by chance, injure myself.

The bar of fluster was rising for both of his patients.

JM : Pardon me? Are you hiring me as your Chauffeur?

Dr.Ban chuckled at his innocent worry and shook his head, as he cleared the miscommunication.

Dr.Ban : I am not. It is just a preliminary check. Since, we are going to take a trip this weekend. It's always safe to have a few on board, who can drive.

JM : Who are the "we" again?

Dr.Ban : We. The three of us.

Dan Hwa : To a-trip?

Dan Hwa stuttered, seemingly in a grave concern at the sound of it. Being the one with anxiety towards unfamiliar people and places. Fearing an undesired exposure, within a moment, she backed out.

Dan Hwa : You said you want to ask this as a favor, right? I am afraid, I can't provide you the favor, Dr.Ban.

Although, the doctor was well tuned with his patient's infirmities and planned out the trip with the best consideration. He wanted it completely consensual and her decision to be without any kind of manipulation.

Dan Hwa : Also, I am tight on schedule today. So, I will take my leave first.

Dan Hwa, giving no space for anyone to speak through her, greeted the two males and took off in a hurry.

The remaining figures in the room, spared a moment to themselves. In order to, process the occurrence that durated not more than a few seconds.

JM : Do you think I chased her away?

Dr.Ban : We both kind of did. What about you though? Are you down for the favor?

JM : Well... I cleared all my schedules for this weekend already. So, I might as well go to this trip. I need some fresh air too.

The doctor smiled.

Dr.Ban : I appreciate that. Meet you tomorrow morning then.

JM : Morning?

Dr.Ban : Well, it's quite far away. So, I was hoping to begin the journey as early as possible.

JM : "Quite far," I see. All right. See ya tomorrow, doc!

Jimin, very casually, left the cabin and soon outside the hospital, got in the back of his parked van. He asked his manager to wake him up, once they were at his next schedule and that he would be napping until then.

His car, while leaving the hospital premises, crossed the one halted by the side. Dan Hwa, in the driver's seat of that resting car, seemed contemplating over her actions.

Dan Hwa : Should I just have...?

Unconscious of where she was, Dan Hwa dropped her head on the steering wheel. Only to honk on a stray cat, and causing it to jump out from her way.

Not a moment apart, she lifted her head back up with no second thoughts intruding her peace of mind.

Dan Hwa : I don't care. I already said no, and that's it.

Dan Hwa drove out as well in the next moment and was heading to her office.

Mid way through, she received a call from a colleague in her department on the car display. Feeling it might be something urgent, Dan Hwa accepted the call.

Dan Hwa : Yes, Lee Jun Designer-nim?

Mr.Lee : Baek Team Jang-nim, where are you right now?

Dan Hwa : On my way to EunHaSu. Why?

Mr.Lee : All right, let's talk once you are here.

Dan Hwa : Hey, don't end the call like that. You are getting me on edge. What's the matter?

Mr.Lee : That...

He sighed before keeping his worry in her sight.

Mr.Lee : Well, I know you had taken this weekend off. And it's my fault, totally forgetting to tell you about the Sokcho project.

Dan Hwa : Sokcho project?

Mr.Lee : Yeah. There's a four day long festival next week. And the stage production was originally assigned to a different team. But, due to unseen issues, the festival organizers need us to deal with it.

Dan Hwa : And that is because?

Mr.Lee : Because... we might've recommended that team for this project(?)

Dan Hwa : I guess, that's not "we". It was you, who put up a rookie group for that big thing. At least, you should have accompanied them to guide the process.

Mr.Lee : Okay, in my defence- first, they have to learn from projects like these. It's big but easy. And second, we were too occupied with the Drama sets.

He took a brief moment to test if Dan Hwa retorted back before continuing.

Mr.Lee : Anyway! We have to go to Sokcho tomorrow. If lucky, we wouldn't have to stay overnight. So, Dan Hwa, please, we are friends, right? Save me this one time.

Dan Hwa : Fine.

Mr.Lee : That's it? You'll go?

He sounded rather confused at her quick agreement.

Dan Hwa : Hey, although it was your call, I am the one to be attacked. So, I am saving myself. The director is me, I should take the responsibility.

Mr.Lee grinned over the call in a relief.

Mr.Lee : Thanks so much for letting it slide. I will buy you dinner.

Dan Hwa : Forget it. Send me a draft of the entire thing.

Mr.Lee : I kinda did already.

Dan Hwa : You-

She sighed.

Dan Hwa : I don't wanna do it. Hang up.

Dan Hwa ended the call on him, speeding her way. And designer Lee didn't ring her back, since he was confident that she will do it anyway.

That was how loyal she had been to her duties, all her work life. Her admirable resolution to make the best stages and sets, has been her only motto. So that, the artists standing on them could only worry about their performances.

In doing that, however, Dan Hwa has gained herself a bad reputation-despite being one of the best designers of her company.

Henceforth, with her leadership skills, Dan Hwa was conferred the Team Leader/Director position, not long ago. Although, she still has her inputs on designs and themes, Dan Hwa holds the director title for her own team.

Designer Lee Jun and Dan Hwa, nevertheless have a little secret of their own. They used to be the designer duos back in the days, with the same age and amazing team work. After her promotion, which was partly possible because of designer Lee, they still work as a secret team.

Until now, they have run pretty smooth and are errorless in their relationship. With occasional disputes and frequent bickers by the side.

The entire evening, with her team, they discussed over the designing error with the Sokcho stage. Although, it was done with a decent job like every year, the wind condition this time, seemed to have caused the supposed issue. Making the wings and cables, wobble around more than it was safe. Which, in her words, gave the impression of a "fluttering stage".

She further explained the rectification, the stage would need and her sketch on it. The team, convinced and on board with her solution, concluded the meeting very smooth.

The same dusk as Dan Hwa was packing up for the day, designer Lee joined a hand to help Dan Hwa.

Mr.Lee : You were cool today.

He remarked a compliment with his thumbs held up high and was never more impressed.

Dan Hwa : I was about to rest this weekend. Your coaxing won't replace the fact that I am not.

Mr.Lee : Ay, don't be like that. I will buy you Steak. And Wine too! We would have just the perfect dinner.

Dan Hwa : You have it. And I hope you get constipation.

With those as her final words, Dan Hwa left the room, wearing her sass proudly. And designer Lee, following her out, expressed the pain of constipation and how harsh it was of her to say that.

While the stage production team started an early morning shift, to install the rectifications in Sokcho. The psychiatrist and the celebrity, had driven two hours of straight roads.

With the scenic views, coming to their sights as they traveled further, Jimin noticed the pretty embellishments around the city. His eyes had glitters of appeasement, as he commented out restfully.

JM : Ah, it's the time for the Sokcho festival. The city looks decked up.

Dr.Ban : Oh yes, you must be right. I didn't even realize it was that time of the year.

Jimin, then, looked over to the doctor with a curiosity bubbling inside his head.

JM : But, where are we heading to, exactly?

Dr.Ban : The beach here. It's one of my very adored places in Korea. So, I roughly visit Sokcho every year, whenever I have some time.

JM : Then, shouldn't you be coming here with your friends?

Dr.Ban : I don't have any.

JM : What?! You don't have friends?

The singer dramatically gasped at his doctor's unsocial life.

JM : Are you Goblin? Goblin, the lonely and the great god? Except that you are a doctor. How about your family, then?

Dr.Ban : Ay, I am not lonely. At least, not that lonely. People don't really get along with me. Well, except for my patients. Which is why, you are on a trip with me.

JM : Eh, so this was it.

Jimin sounded more displeased and toned his sentence rather in an assertion.

Dr.Ban Why, why? What did you think it was about?

JM : I mean, I thought this trip was some... you know... those psychology sessions. For a change, out in the nature and away from Seoul. Kinda disappointed and conned, nonetheless.

Dr.Ban : Hey, don't say that. You also wanted some fresh air and you do like it here...

Dr.Ban quickly examining Jimin's unamusement, added an adjective to his words.

Dr.Ban : ...lowkey.

JM : Doctor Ban, you do know, this is against your work ethics, don't you? "No personal relationships are allowed between a patient and a physician, at least until the time you are treating them." I know it's hard, but we cannot be friends, Doctor. The society wouldn't accept us.

The doctor chuckled witnessing a remotely new side of Jimin.

Dr.Ban : You are so dramatic. Who said, we are friends?

JM : Right. You find it funny. So, are you going to explain the meaning of this? It's not a friends trip, not for treatment either. What ulterior motives do you have?

Dr.Ban : Oh, look! We found the Hotel.

He eyed along the surrounding to spot the parking area as he kept his remarks on the cue.

Dr.Ban : I was starting to get sore from all the driving. Good that we are finally here.

Within a few blinks, he managed to drive the car through the wide entrance of the basement and ticketed a safe location.

Dr.Ban : ...And we are done. Let's get off.

Jimin was flummoxed and sighed defenceless, watching his doctor undo his seatbelt and already getting off the carriage. The psychiatrist, not sensing any movements from the other, looked back inside the car.

Dr.Ban : Come on, out. And I don't have any ulterior motives. So, rest assured.

Dr.Ban, still grinning to himself, casually walked towards the trunk to get their stuff. Jimin, still watching Dr.Ban from the wing mirror, sighed again.

Soon enough, being the kind to help everyone, Jimin piled out of the car to give the doctor a hand.

Within a few hours, the two males were seen sporting along the beach. The younger persistently bickered about his doctor's unprofessionalism.
Meanwhile, Dan Hwa and her team, with the evening corals slowly blending into a night sky, successfully redressed the minor issues of the stage as was entailed.

Enjoying a few festive rehearsals as a sense to revitalize, Dan Hwa and her squad decided to finally take off. The originally assigned team, on a schedule to be present throughout the entire festival, stayed back to volunteer.

Inside her four wheelers, however, as Dan Hwa clutched on the steering, her mind traveled back to the trip.

The director quickly slid her phone's lock, to view the last message from the psychiatrist. Which, she had already seen, but haven't reacted on-being engrossed with the stage.

"Just incase you wonder, where the trip was aimed at. It's Sokcho. We will be staying at Hotel Maple Inn, near the Sokcho beach. If you change your mind, you will be very much welcome here.
-Dr.Ban"

Dan Hwa : Ah, I don't care! I wanna go home and sleep.

She tossed the cellphone on the passenger's seat and roared out her way from the terminal, without further introspection. And after a short ride of quarter an hour through those dark roads, Dan Hwa's car was seen advancing slower than her usual speed.

The internet connection-fluttering, and the GPS -not giving her a clear direction, Dan Hwa wondered if she was actually heading to somewhere.

Dan Hwa : Is it the right roa-

She was stopped from completing her sentence, as she briefly caught a faint glowing light coming from a hotel.

Moving a little more towards it, Dan Hwa restrained the car instantly. Now, coming to a good view of the Maple Inn beach hotel, she reflected on her conflicting views about the trip.

Dan Hwa : This is not a good idea. I should just retur-

However, before she acted on her words, Dan Hwa was cut off by a voice, coming from outside. She whipped her gaze to her left, only to find a man with a black mask and a hat, covering his features.

"Dan Hwa-ssi? Is that you?" asked the unidentified man at her window.

Dan Hwa : Who...?

Realizing about his cover, he pulled down the mask to his chin. "It's Jimin. We met in the Doc's cabin yesterday."

Dan Hwa slid down the glass of her window as she greeted him, awkwardly.

JM : You actually changed your mind.

He projected a friendly smile at her right after his comment.

Dan Hwa : Oh, it's not that. I was here for work. And I kinda lost my way.

JM : Ah, you lost the route back to Seoul.

Less a question, his words were more a sarcastic wonderment. If only, she could catch it. Since, Dan Hwa had deliberately taken the road, completely opposite to Seoul.

JM : Okay. But, since you are here, you should atleast say Hi to the doc, before you leave. You know, courtesy.

Maybe she wanted to take that excuse, Dan Hwa-who was completely resilient to even drive here-now readily complied. Although, showed a little hesitation in her actions, to match with her words.

Funnily enough, she was leading the way inside and Jimin quietly followed her in amusement. But, when the clueless director headed to a completely wrong direction, Jimin had to speak.

JM : It's this way though.

Dan Hwa coughed dry, masking the embarassment.

Dan Hwa : Ah, is it? Lead the way then.

Jimin, nodding along, walked a step ahead of her as they marched side by side.

JM : Do you often lose your way?

.

.

•In the hotel lobby•

Dr.Ban : Oh, you came!

Dan Hwa : Before you get the wrong idea. I was here for work in the Sokcho festival. I drove here with my own car. And I might've taken the wrong turn while returning alone.

Dr.Ban : Ah, that's what happened. Anyways, you can rest here for awhile before you leave then.

Noticing the color of the sky with his peripheral vision, the doctor further added an offer.

Dr.Ban : Actually, I suggest you spend the night here. It's pretty late to travel back to Seoul alone too.

Dan Hwa : No, no. It's fine. I don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable because of me.

Dr.Ban : Ah, don't worry about rooms. Although, the hotel is packed, I still had your room reserved hoping that you might come. If you didn't by tonight, I was going to cancel it. So, you still have your place.

Dan Hwa : Ah, I don't know if I should...

Dr.Ban : Don't think about it so much. You can leave by tomorrow morning. Just because you stayed for tonight, wouldn't mean I will force you to stay with us for the rest of the trip.

Dan Hwa : Well, all right. I will just stay here for tonight then.

Dr.Ban : Sure. Oh, and here's the key. It's on third floor, to the right.

Dr.Ban handed her the keys to her room and Dan Hwa, reluctantly-but rather comfortably-marched towards the elevator.

Both the males casually watched her vanish into the lift and Jimin closed the space, stepping towards Dr.Ban.

JM : Did she really lose her way?

The psychiatrist looked over at the young man with an enigmatic smile and proceeded with his best advice for the hour.

Dr.Ban : Let's believe her story if she wants us to.

.

.

.

Dan Hwa : It's been~. . .

Dan Hwa scoffed.

Dan Hwa : I don't even remember the last time I visited a sea with someone. Although, I roughly recall playing with my Uncle and cousin at the beach. Mom was there too.

With her words, faint little glitters of reminiscence shimmered in the ocean of her memories and a dewy smile visited her lips.

The three guests, resting along the palisade of the hotel's open air restaurant, had their views stretched out to the beautiful and calm water body. It was serene and tranquil. The waves, nevertheless, whirred otherwise as they crashed onto the shores and retrieved back in periods.

Dan Hwa : Those are just a memory now.

Dr.Ban : Memories. Remembrance.

In the clear and hushed existence, Dr.Ban amusingly wondered about the shenanigans, memories play in a human's life.

Dr.Ban : Do you want to know something interesting about them?

JM : Something interesting? Well, let's hear it out.

Having piqued their curiosity, the psychiatrist started off with a gentle smile.

Dr.Ban : You see, there are a few dimensions to memories. One, that we don't remember or do it very faint. The second, that we do very vividly. And the last...

Dan Hwa : There's a third after these?

Dr.Ban : Yes. Interestingly, the third is, an altered memory.

JM : Altered, you say?

Jimin's expressions, in lieu of someone curious, were rather impassive and empty now. The psychiatrist, as if speaking something very oridinary, guided them farther into the folds of the human psyche.

Dr.Ban : It could be because of various factors. Could be a trauma; could be something very hurtful or causing severe confusion and/or guilt.

Both his patients attained a certain quietude, after the disclosure of this new and unbeknown approach to something so common and simple.

Dr.Ban : The brain either erases those completely or alters them to make it seem trivial. And we remember the altered ones quite well. It's just that, you wouldn't call it a memory anymore. We reconstruct the occurrence with incorrect informations-or should I say-the information we want it to be. Making it all distorted.

Dan Hwa's entire childhood played in front of her eyes. The words spoken, the things that happened. Now, realizing that all the resent and remorse which she had pired her whole life, could be a lie. The past she remembered, could all be nothing but, distorted memories.

The one truth-Dan Hwa hurts from inexplicably and comforts herself at the same time-could be the one, she remembers entirely different.

Jimin, watching those soothing sea waves, experienced a certain something, water his numb areas alive.
A sparkle of realization flickered in him. That, he might be liking something just because he insisted on liking it. And that, with time, might've become his only reality.

Their hearts now beat with a fear. Fear of the unknown past. Or more appropriately-forgotten pieces of bygone.

.

.

.

"What is this sense of betrayal I feel towards myself?
I thought I was in pain because I believed it was the truth. Only to realize, belief and truth don't always correspond."

"If the comfortable lie hurts this bad, I wonder what a wound the stinging truth would be."

"I wish I had no sense of judgment between reality and fantasy. 'Cause reality is unfair and the fantasy to know that I killed her, is much easier to accept."

.

____

Join these three in the journey of rebuilding and finding themselves from their own ashes of lies and betrayals.
Whether they avoid their truths.
Or
Face them boldly.

And the Psychiatrist's true intention behind this trip.
Whether, they were destined to meet.
Or
It was all a mere coincidence.

▪︎♧▪︎♧▪︎

Wonder who said which, among the quoted figures?
Why not read to find out?

:)

Very important (P.S) : If you haven't checked out the "Theory of Parallel Universe" in the Cast/Teaser chapter. Please do.
My writing style is, evidently, different from the conventional way.

However, my intention is never to offend any reader. ♡
Therefore, I only hope you understand my methods and showcase a positive attitude towards it.
Thank you.

-MJ