The cool autumn winds were replaced by the frigid harsh winter gales, your world thrown into white as the bright hues of autumn found themselves buried under the thick layers of snow, only revealing themselves exactly a year from now.

As though cold winter made a home within Hansol, he became colder with each passing day. Phone calls were short and curt, exhaustion evident in his voice. As much as you wanted to have a proper conversation, hearing him sound so exasperated over the phone had made you wonder if you were a burden to him. Messaging never lasted for more than 5 minutes at the time, his replies no longer than a sentence. The whole thing was beginning to wear you down.

One day, you decided to settle the situation once and for all. You stayed up till 2am because he said he was going to call and once again you were met with his cold demeanour.

"Hey."

"Hey Sol."

Then there was static silence for a good 1 minute, both of you waiting for the other to say something.

Finally, you decided you had to be the first one to do it.

"Hey Hansol... I've noticed that things between us are getting colder and I know it's wearing you down too. I get that things are hard for you where you are now but I'm only human too, and I feel like you're just forcing yourself to talk to me most of the time.”

Here comes the hard part.

“Since having these conversations are tough for you and me… would it be better for you to just end this? No more forcing your own self to remember to call me or text me.”

Stoic silence.

Silence means consent.

“Well, have a good rest alright? Goodbye Hansol.”

Clicking off the phone, you threw it to the other end of the sofa, hoping that the black sofa would open up and swallow your phone s