The Goddess Of The Lake(Dinushika) The Goddess of the Lake


Character introduction

Name: Autumn Hines
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Occupation: No permanent occupation, currently work as a part timer in a pizza hut.
Nationality: Half Korean, half Japanese, she was raised in England.
Personality: a tomboy, very messy, a genius (doesn’t show in her personality) kind-hearted, easy going, as lazy as a cat, but will work till death for the poor (as if she lives to help).
Personal info: Lives with her best friend Joo-Eun in a rented house situated in a nice village. She is a vegetarian. Loves nature. Parents live in England and have a younger brother. She hides her true identity for her own safety since her life is in danger. Because of this her Professor and parents changed her original name (Sithu Herath), personal details, and her appearance and sent her to Korea with her friend. Has very long beautiful hair (up to hips) but wears a short haired wig over it (looks like a boy’s hair). She is a huge ‘Shounen-ai’ fan. She easily loses interest in everything (that’s why she can’t stay in one job). She has no interest in love or marriage. Both her parents are world famous scientists.

Name: Lee Shin-Il
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Occupation: Actor
Personality: neat, smart, strict, handsome yet cold hearted.
Personal info: Lives alone in a villa 2hour drive from Seoul. Parents live in Seoul, has a 24 year old brother. Doesn’t have a girlfriend and hates flirty girls (hates love). Likes hanging out with friends.

Name: Park Joo-Eun
Age: 20
Sex: Female
Occupation: Coordinator (of Lee Jung–Su)
Nationality: Korean but was adopted by a British family.
Personality: very tidy, kind, clever, energetic.
Personal info: Her Birth parents were dead in a car accident when she was young and her adopted parents also died in an accident so Sarah’s family took her in as a daughter since she was Sarah’s best friend. She has the ability to become an actress but her applications were rejected so decided to become a coordinator.

Name: Lee Jung –Su
Age: 20
Sex: Female
Occupation: Actress
Nationality: Korean
Personality: Very girly, selfish, nasty
Personal info: has a crush on (Lee Shin-Il), her family is friends with (Lee Shin-Il)’s family so they are childhood friends.

Name: Shin Jun-Suk
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Occupation: Actor/Singer/Model
Nationality: Korean
Personality: Very handsome, kind, smart
Personal info: It’s really hard to find something that he is interested in (almost has interest in nothing). Doesn’t have a girlfriend. Lives alone. He is ‘The Prince of Korea’ (in show biz).



Chapter 1


The rays of the dying sun filtering through the branches pierced the darkness that was swallowing the forest. Shin-Il sauntered along the soft, damp moss of the forest path. The tree’s soft whisper against the breeze was like a lullaby, soothing and warm. Where the path divided into two, one leading through the forest back to his house and the other ending, opening up to a lake; he turned right, toward the path leading to the lake. Even though it was almost autumn the air was still warm. The deafening vibration of cicadas that was ruling over the air was like a buzz bomb descending. Shin-Il trudged along the beach leading toward the dock.

The heart full of gladness started pounding when his dancing eyes met the figure on the dock. As he was getting closer the figure started to disappear. “No, No don’t.”

His light smooth steps turned to rough, ridged stomps on the tough rocky beach. He could no longer hear the tree’s swaying movements with the breeze, or the screech of the cicadas; they were replaced with the hammering of his heart.

He didn’t want to let go again. He shouted as loud as he could
“No…don’t go!”

He sat bolt up right in his bed, eyes flashed open. His body was sweating, his heart was hammering. He touched his face to be assured it was only a dream. He sighed with a sense of relief.

A beam of the morning sun escaping through the curtains pierced through the darkness in his room. Shin-Il turned his exhausted face toward the clock; time was marked as 6:00 am. He got off the bed and slowly stepped away from the bedroom into the bathroom rubbing his heavy-eyed face and raking his fingers through his dark hair.

Splashing water onto his face, he sluggishly looked into the reflection on the mirror. Then he remembered that he only had two weeks left and his heart started throbbing, though he didn’t understand why, at that instant he just wanted to go back to the lake. He rushed back into his room, changed into jogging clothes and ran out of the house through the garden into the forest.

As he was coming closer to the lake he slowed down and stopped at the dock. With a trembling hope deep within his heart he rushed along the dock leading far into the water; his heart was beating faster than his footsteps. When he reached the end he knew that she wouldn’t be coming today.

He stretched his arm to grasp the spring breeze with a fading smile. While the heavy breath he took filled his lungs with cold air, gladness, pain and disappointment crammed his heart.

As he closed his eyes to recall the event from last evening a soft smile took over his handsome face.

The last few rays of the disappearing sun turned the lake water into gold. Shin-Il was walking along the lake beach toward the dock enjoying the spring breeze. His heart skipped a beat as he looked at the end of the lake deck. He had never seen anything like that before. The long light brown hair falling down the hips was like a waterfall; the beautiful lavender dress that seemed out of the human world; the eyes, they glowed with the depth of universal love, casting off stardust as a diamond casts fire, and they smouldered like embers of a fire in a desert night, glancing upwards they reflected the heavens above; they truly were a corridor to another world. It was hard to distinguish between her crimson red lips and rose petals; you could feel the softness of the snow white skin just by looking. A flawless complexion.

‘A goddess?’ he thought.

She spoke to him with a warm smile; “Shin-Il, I have being waiting for you. It is a pleasure to meet you; I’m the person that looks after this lake.”

Even her voice sounded like a heavenly melody to him, warm, comforting and relaxing.

“The Goddess of the Lake?”

The soft smile that she gave made his heart skip a beat again.

“Now that you’ve decided to sell this lake that means I’ll have to leave, but before I take my leave there is something that I want to show you.”
He stared at her beautiful face as she was stepping toward him. He couldn’t believe it; he thought he was dreaming for sure, she was too beautiful to be real.

“Please don’t worry, just follow me.”

She pressed his neck hard with two fingers and they jumped into the lake together. Surprisingly he could breathe in water. She dived to the bottom of the lake holding his hand. The rays of the fading sun pierced through the darkness beneath the lake and revealed a whole new world that is invisible to the outside world. He understood that fish are not the simple creature that we make them out to be. Many of the creatures looked alien but supremely beautiful colours and patterns that he had never seen. It was a delightful look at a world rarely seen by humans. It was hard to believe that such an amazing world was there beneath that deep water. The feeling of freedom from gravity, fizzing of the bubbles, and the cold yet warm feeling from water filled his heart with overwhelming joy and peace. All he wanted was to live in that lake forever with her. As he slowly looked at her face which seemed peaceful yet painful, his heart filled with stabbing pain.

While smiling at him she started swimming back to the surface. She took him near to the quay.

“I will be here as long as this lake belongs to you. But if you ever tell anyone about my existence you’ll never be able to see me again.”

Before he could even say something she disappeared into the lake.

Out of nowhere a heavy rain started falling. He started running toward his house. He was soaking wet when he reached his house and his body was shivering.

“Shin-Il where have you been? Oh my god you’re all wet.”

“I went jogging and suddenly it started raining.”

“Are you crazy? Don’t you watch the weather forecast? It says it’s raining today.”

He replied with a smile and quickly opened the door. “I’ll be back after a quick shower so make your self at home.”

“Hurry up okay?”

Coming over to Shin-Il’s place has become a habit to Jung–Su. She always comes early to see him if she has a shooting to go to.

“Hey dry your hair properly otherwise you’ll catch a cold.”

He replied with a smile, “You’re so early today, it’s just 7.30. Do you have a shooting?”

“Yeah, I’ve to be there before 10:00. What about you, how is your schedule today? Can I meet you at lunch?”

That reminded him that he had to call his lawyer. “Sorry Jung-Su I can’t meet you today, I’ve to do something important. Actually I need to talk to Wan Kym right now. Excuse me.”

Jung-Su’s brother Wan Kym is Shin-Il’s friend and his lawyer. They have been together since they were kids. He took the phone and immediately called Wan Kym.

“Hello Wan Kym, it’s regarding the lake.”

“Ya, don’t worry about that they will pay the money in two weeks.”

“No, it’s not about the money.”

“Eh…“

“I don’t want to sell the lake”.

“Ehhhhh... Why…?”

“I want to keep it.”

“But that will be a problem since you’ve already signed the contracts and everything.”

“Ya please, help me.”

“Ya you can’t keep changing your mind like that you know. Well, fine then I’ll try talking to them but you might have to go through some trouble.”

“I don’t care just do something please.”

“Okay then I’ll talk to them today and let you know what happens.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Well then talk to you later. Good bye.”

“Bye.”

He sighed with a relief as he put the receiver down. Jung–Su was staring at him.

“What is wrong Jung-Su?”

“Are you an idiot? What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you want to keep that stupid lake? You even had such a good deal for something like that.”

The lake reminded him of ‘the goddess of the lake’ and the beautiful world that she showed him, and Jung-Su saying it was worthless made him angry. “No way in hell I’ll ever sell it.”

That took her by surprise. She knew he was angry, but he had never shouted at her like that. “Shin-Il… what happened to you?”

“Jung-Su please leave for today, I’ll call you later, I’m not feeling well.”

She left with a painful look in her face.

***

Joo-Eun walked into Autumn’s room with a cup of boiled medicine. Her face was trembling with anger.

“Achoo...”

“Ya, what the hell were you thinking? How many times have I told you to stop doing these stupid things? Do you really think you can save that stupid lake? What is it to you anyway?”

With a smile on her face Autumn sat up on the bed.

“You know that I really like that lake, it’s really quiet down there and hardly anyone goes there. If it is sold that peaceful atmosphere will no longer be there and I’ll no longer be able to take my afternoon naps there.”

“You know that Shin-Il is not an idiot. He’ll never believe that ‘the Goddess of the Lake’ is real; after all he is an actor so he’ll figure out your act.”

“Nah… you don’t have to worry about that. He will never believe that humans can breathe in water. Well would you?”

“Of course not, not if I didn’t know about Uncle’s findings.”

Autumn gazed at Joo-Eun with a proud smile. “I’m really proud of my parents, even though I can no longer see them or talk about them in public.”

Seeing Autumn’s teary eyes Joo-Eun moved toward her and hugged her warmly.
“That is for your own safety you know, besides you have me as your family.”

“I’m glad you became my sis.”

“Anyway, I never thought Yong Sook could be fooled so easily.”

They both laughed through tears.

“Man you should have seen his face; it was like a little kid who just saw a fairy from those tales.”

“You should stop this act before you are found out. Give me that dress, I’ll go wash it. It’s really expensive you know, you should treasure it since Aunt brought it for you.”

“Well mum just paid for it, I’m the one who ordered everything.”

“Aish… this girl.”

She pinched Autumn’s cheek and went away with the lavender dress in her hands. Autumn liked the bitterness of the medicine as it gave her a mixed feeling of liking and hating it.

Joo-Eun came back with Autumn’s breakfast.

“Hey eat this before you fall asleep again. It’ll make you feel better and it’s your favourite soup.”

Autumn sat up with a smile and started eating.

“I’ve to leave early today and I might be a bit late. There is some food in the fridge so eat it for lunch. I’ll buy something for dinner okay?”

“Why so early? Where are you going today?”

“Jung–Su has a shooting early today in Seoul so I’ve to be there at 9:00. I’ve to take the 8.15 train.”

“You know, it’s already 8.00 am.”

“Oh my god, I’m leaving otherwise I’ll be late.”

“Okay Unni.”

“Make sure you stay home today, don’t go outside, it’ll make your cold worse, got it?”

“Yeah yeah I got it, leave quickly otherwise you’ll miss the train.”

"Okay then I’m leaving, see you later” Joo-Eun took her hand bag and rushed out of the house.

“Have a safe trip and buy me some cake on your way back.”

Since Autumn had decided to end her act on the full moon day which was in two days, she had to get better soon, so she decided to sleep for the whole day.

She was half asleep when the phone rang. She reached it with a sense of annoyance.

“Hello…” Joo-Eun knew right away that Autumn was angry.

“Sorry if I woke you up, I forgot to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“There will be a parcel for me today from aunt; the post man comes around 9:00 so make sure to answer the door okay?”

Autumn looked at the clock; time was shown as 8:40.

“Why the hell did you wake me up now, there is still 20 minutes left, and I can’t go back to sleep now. I’m hanging up.”

“Hey don’t be angry, aunt said she sent a pack of ‘Ferrero Rocher’ chocolates, you can eat it in 20 minutes you know.”

“Really? Well since you woke me up you only get a quarter of the chocolates.”

“That’s what always happens anyway,” said Joo-Eun with a laugh.

“I’m hanging up then.”

“Are you still on the train?”

“Yeah, I’ll get to Seoul station in about 5 minutes.”

“Okay then take care sis.”

“You too.”

Even though her parents don’t contact her they still send presents for the girls.

Autumn was bored. There was nothing interesting to do. She hated reading and watching TV. She was indolently walking around the house when she heard a knocking on the door. She ran toward the door, as she opened it the postman was standing there.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“There is a parcel for Miss Joo-Eun.”

“Yeah that’s my sis.”

“Can you please sign here?”

“Sure.”

“There you go.”

“Thank you Mr. Post man and have a very nice day.”

“You too, young lady” said the man with a smile and left.

She slammed the door, ran into the living room and ripped off the cover of the parcel. With an overwhelming joy she took the chocolate box and opened it. Something suddenly came across her mind. She wrote a note while eating the chocolates and tied it on to an arrow. She climbed up to the roof top and shot the arrow aiming to the mail box in Shin-Il’s house. She had great archery skills. She hardly ever missed her target. She climbed down the roof with a smile as she hit the target successfully.


****


As Shin-Il had decided, he went to meet his lawyer at lunch time hoping to talk things over and somehow to cancel the contract for selling the lake. His lawyer had already spoken with the other party and was waiting for Shin-Il with the results.

“Excuse me.”

“Hey, how are you doing? Come’ on in.”

“I’m doing ok I guess. Did you talk to them? What happened? Did they agree? Can we cancel the contract?”

“Ya why are you in such a hurry? Ask one question at a time. Yes I talked to them.”

“And…?” Shin-Il asked with an anxious face.

“And they said they will not cancel it, and that if you wouldn’t agree to sell it they would go to the court, but after I argued and explained the law regarding the contract they agreed to cancel it. Man you have no idea how much trouble I went through. You always keep changing your mind at the last minute. I don’t think I want to be your lawyer anymore.”

“Ya come’ on we have been friends for a long time, so don’t say that, it hurts my heart you know. I’ll never be able to find a lawyer as good as you even if I search through the whole of Korea,” said Shin-Il while he was hugging his friend.

“Ya get off me, I’m not a girl it’s disgusting.”

Shin-Il released him with a smile. “Did you have lunch?”

“No I came here straight after my shooting; I didn’t have time for lunch.”

“Ya what is wrong with you? Why do you want to keep that lake so badly? You are the one who wanted to sell it in the first place.”

He replied with a smile. “Come let’s go. I’ll treat you to lunch since you helped me to keep my lake.”

“Ya that is so nice, okay then let me get my coat.”

“What do you want to eat, French, Chinese?”

“Let’s go for French.”

“Okay.”

“Ya your car is so cool, let me borrow it for few days.”

“Sure, I’ll take your car then.”

“Yeah, thanks man.”

“How is aunt and uncle?”

“They are fine; I went to visit them last week. They want Jung–Su to come back home but she refused, she says she wants to be more independent. Well she is a college student now.”

“Yeah she never listens to other people. Well there is nothing much to worry about anyway, the security in the building is good and we both go to the same college so I can keep an eye on her.”

“Yeah I also said the same thing to my parents. They must be lonely since we are both living away from them.”

“Yeah that must be it.”

“Ya forget that; tell me why did you change your mind? Why did you want to keep that lake?”

“Well if I sell it the area will be too noisy” he replied with a smile.

Wan Kym knew Shin-Il since they were kids so he knew that Shin-Il is not someone who would change his mind for such a lame reason, and he also knew that Shin-Il would only lie to him if he really had no other choice, so Wan Kym pretended to believe him.

Since it was a Saturday, Shin-Il didn’t have college so he came straight home after dropping Wan Kym after lunch.

As he got off the car to open the gate the arrow on his mail box caught his attention. A sense of fear surrounded his mind. After seeing the note his fear faded away a little bit. He picked up the note and read it.

‘I’ll be waiting for you at the lake on the night of the full moon day.’

The sensation of his heart trembling with different feelings drew a smile on his face without even him realising it. He has been longing to meet her again since that evening.

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