Once in a while, I would remember him and I won’t be a hypocrite and say it doesn’t affect me anymore.

But that is all there is to it—a remembrance.

Sometimes, stories don’t really have to have happy endings.

Work finally stole me away from my reverie. I busied my mind with what is in front of me. The afternoon seemed to pass by like a breeze. I took a final sip from my cup and closed my notebook. I was getting ready to leave.

But suddenly, a voice stopped my movement.

He wasn’t directly speaking to me but it felt like it.

There was this short distance between us and I realised how close we were—he was sitting behind my seat.

I felt my chest throbbed louder as I sat there, perplexed.

I would know that voice everywhere.

I’ve memorised that voice in my head and kept it in one of the secret compartments of my heart. Sitting still, I waited patiently. He was with some men discussing business.

Minutes passed and I still couldn’t make up my mind on what to do. Then I decided to stay and calm myself.

It’s been almost two years… a few months shy of two years.

How time passed.

Time went on; I remained there just listening to his voice… to his laughter. I could just picture him in my head. Silly how I would imagine him when I could just turn and look at him.

After all those times, after all those I went through, and after all those things I led myself to believe in…

After everything else, it would still be that voice that could make my heart flutter that way.

I whispered in my silence, in a way that he can never hear, “I miss you…”

Ad infinitum.

With restless heart, I waited until finally, I heard them say goodbye to each other. Chairs were pulled back as they stood. The voices and the noise can never be as loud as how my heart beats.

Finally, I stood.

By instinct, my body moved as my mind and heart commanded it.

Finally, finally… they both agreed to one understanding.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I gather the courage and as I was about to open my mouth to call out his name, I hear a woman call out instead.

“Yonghwa!” 

Stunned, I stood still.

My heart clen