This story is being told in the point of view of Kim Jung Hwan whose hobby was going for a drive all by himself. Then one day, without realizing himself, he got into a dangerous drive.
I was thirty. After years of trying, I managed to get myself a job. I got accepted as a faculty member of a college, which I dreamed of.
It was finally my first day at work.
"Hello, I'm a new recruit, Kim Jung Hwan. It's nice to meet you."
"Welcome." "We are quite behind, so I hope you'll get adjusted quickly."
"All right."
"Min Jung, please guide him to his seat."
"All right. Please come this way."
"That's your seat."
"Thank you."
"Sure."
"Hello!" "Hello!"
With an excited heart, I greeted everyone and went to my seat.
"What's this?"
There was a pile of work to finish on my desk. It turns our that my predecessor quit his job after being absent without notice. And I had to deal with everything even though I was a total newbie. But I didn't have any other choices.
I had to start with nothing and had to learn the work the hard way. Naturally, I had to work overtime everyday. Though I worked late, my boss only scolded me.
.
"Mr. Kim, when will you earn your keep? How come your draft is still a mess? You always make excuses saying you're still getting adjusted."
"I apologize. I'll work harder."
"Don't just work hard. Do a good job instead. A pro only speaks with results. Got it?"
"Yes, Sir."
Every word he said hit me hard like a dagger to the heart. So I felt really small and depressed. So I went out for a drive to get some fresh air after work. I played music really loud and drove wherever the road led me. That helped me relieve my stress.
After some time, I drove onto a deserted road. From afar, something caught my eye.
"I didn't know there was a place like that here."
Something in the woods was sparkling. For some reason, I felt like I had to go and check it out. And soon, I felt cold air from the tips of my feet and that made me come to my senses. My feet were in the water, and the water reached up to my ankles.
I lifted my head, all flustered. A reservoir unfolded before my eyes. And my car was parked behind me randomly. It looked like I got out of my the car and walked to the reservoir. Strangely, I couldn't remember anything. It felt leery. But strangely, I was rather at ease.
That night, I blankly stared at the reservoir and returned home at dawn. Since that day, I was strangely captivated by that reservoir. Things got much worse that even at night, I'd suddenly get up and head to the reservoir in my PJs. Whenever I had a break at work, I'd head to the reservoir in a hurry. I even skipped meals, didn't sleep, and missed important appointments so I could spend time at the reservoir every day.
After doing so for a few months, I lost about 10 kg. I became a total wreck. But I was just so happy. Just staring at it felt so comfortable and cozy like a mother's embrace that I kept wanting to jump into the reservoir.
Recalling those days, I was obsessed and crazy about the reservoir. At some point I was talking to the reservoir without realizing.
"It's quite cloudy today."
"It looks like it will rain later."
"I wish I could just quit work and live here."
"Wouldn't that be very nice?"
Strangely, I was more at ease, and I couldn't help smiling. I wasn't lonely at all. Then one day, I came to the reservoir at dawn and stayed there until the morning.
'RINGGG RINGGGG'
"Hello?"
"It's your mom. Are you already at work?"
"No, not yet. I'm at the reservoir near the school. What is it?"
I was so annoyed that she interrupted my only happy time of the day.
"Are you having a date early in the morning? I was tactless for calling you. I'll be more careful."
"What are you talking about?"
"I can hear a woman's voice next to you."
"Please, stop with that nonsense."
Every seconds count at the reservoir, so I was upset with my mother for interrupting. I just hung up the phone. Then I went to work.
My colleagues were especially annoying that day. Especially, a female assistant I worked with. She was the worst one.
"Mr. Kim, you will submit the quarterly report by tomorrow morning, right?"
"What report?"
"You said you'd make it by yourself during the meeting yesterday."
"I don't remember saying that."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Everyone, you all heard him during the meeting yesterday, right?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Yes, I remember."
She already plotted with others to dump the work on me, which I don't even remember.
"Look at these guys. They're determined to get in my way so I can't go to the reservoir."
I was exploding with anger.
"PLEASE!!" "Just leave me alone."
I yelled at them and stormed out of the office. My heart was beating so fast and my vision was blurry. It felt like I was about to pass out.
"Everything will be okay once I reach the reservoir, right?"
"That's right. That's the only place."
"It's the safest place."
"The reservoir, I need to go to the reservoir."
That was all that I could think of. I drove like a lunatic and ignored all stop signs and lanes. I heard the other drivers shouting and swearing, but I didn't care and kept driving. Then I finally saw the reservoir.
That's when I finally smiled. I didn't even know I was barefoot, and walked across the muddy ground. I must've stepped on something because my feet were bleeding. But I didn't feel any pain. I was on cloud nine. I kept walking because I wanted to get closer to the reservoir.
That's when a chill ran down my spine, and I came to my senses.
"What? Why am I here?"
When I opened my eyes, I was in the middle of the reservoir. I didn't know what happened. I was startled and terrified. I was looking around.
"Help! Help me!"
The cold water entered my mouth, and I tried my best to save myself.
'I THOUGHT IT WAS YOUR WISH TO LIVE HERE. LIVE WITH ME.'
I heard some woman saying while she kept trying to pull my head under the water by grabbing me from behind.
I was trying to break free, but she was incredibly strong. I was slowly drowning and then....
"Hey! Someone's drowning!"
I barely made it out alive after a passerby spotted me. I was quite sick for the next few days. I was running a high fever. But even then, I was depressed that I couldn't go to the reservoir.