Catalyst, noun.

-a person or thing that precipitates an event or change

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It was the final filming day of ‘We Got Married’. Taemin and Naeun had just wrapped up and were now waiting for their managers to pick them up from the venue. The crew were busy packing up the filming equipment; it was loud, and it was busy.

Taemin and Naeun were silent, trapped in a bubble, that they both believed were going to burst very soon. They sat, shoulders and arms touching, even hips adjoining, but they weren’t looking at each other. Today was different. They weren’t laughing and smiling; weren’t exchanging jokes; weren’t saying the cheesy things that they were used to or falling into the easy rhythm that was being together. Their ‘goodbye’ routine was too hard to go through, because this was it. This was the end. After this, they couldn’t meet each other. After this, would they become like strangers?

Taemin was staring into the distance, eyes dark, and lips slightly pouting. He felt a ripple dash through his eyes. He wasn’t an overly emotional person, especially when it came to crying, but, this girl might actually do it. This girl might make him cry. He longed for her, and even though they gave each other reassurances throughout their virtual marriage, the safety bar of meeting her in the future, on another filming day and falling even further in love, felt like it was finally loosening. The roller coaster was over, but he never wanted to get off. He let out a sigh.

Naeun was especially reserved. Her eyes hurt from the pain of trying to hold back tears. One drop fell onto her skirt, and she quickly brushed it off, trying to seem nonchalant about it. Her mind was in a frenzy: it was like her brain was taunting her with all the beautiful memories that she had created with the man sitting next to her. Yes, she thought of him as a man. She used to think he was cute, but after a while she saw a different side of him. He was charming and he was caring. He made her feel happy and special, like he was only looking at her. Like he said, a sunflower. She knew that he wished for a girl that only looked at him, and she wished for a person who would be her first and eternal love. She believed that she had found it with him. Naeun began to play with her rosary bracelet. She knew that she no longer had a reason to wear it, even though it may be for a religious purpose. It was a reminder of her faith, but it was also a reminder that her husband’s heart was with her and that he was there to protect her even though they may be apart. She let out a sigh.

Both had tried to act as their usual selves during filming. They had developed a strong relationship and were very comfortable with each other, and were openly displaying skinship and their affection towards each other as their virtual marriage progressed. Today was slightly awkward for one reason. Naeun couldn’t sleep that night, and it seems that Taemin was restless as well. She was able to receive his call straight away when he called her a two o’clock in the morning. Taemin was surprised to hear her pick up, but he knew that this was his opportunity.

“Naeun-ah…”

“Ne, oppa.”

“You’re still awake…”

“I couldn’t sleep. You can’t either?”

“Ne. I don’t think I can sleep until I say something to you.”

“What is it?”

There was a long pause. Naeun could hear Taemin taking deep breaths on the line.

“Saranghae, Naeun-ah…Nan neol saranghae.”

Naeun did not say a word. Taemin sighed.

“I know this may be shocking since it’s early in the morning, but it’s true. Everything I did, everything that happened on the show, it’s all sincere. It’s my heart. I don’t expect an answer straight away…you can think about it, okay? Get some sleep. I don’t want you to be tired today during our final day of filming. Sleep well, Naeun-ah…”

The line went dead.

Naeun turned to Taemin, and proceeded to touch him on the cheek. They were oblivious to their surroundings. Taemin didn’t look at her, and kept his eyes on the ground. Naeun put her other hand on his other cheek and gently manoeuvred his head so that she could look into his eyes. She was a little surprised at what she saw. Taemin’s eyes were watery. She used the pad of her thumb to wipe away the tears that were threatening to fall.

“Don’t cry, Oppa. This isn’t the end for us.”

Taemin looked into Naeun’s eyes, and saw the sincerity in them.

“You didn’t let me answer you this morning. I already knew my answer, the moment I felt the phone vibrate. I knew it was you. I always know when it’s you. Trust me when I say that it is you, Oppa. Always. You’re in my heart as well, you know? Nado, saranghae, Oppa…”

Taemin’s disbelief quickly turned into a wide grin. He kissed her on the forehead and breathed in her scent. They saw the cars of their managers pull up.

“We can make this work, Naeun-ah…believe in us.”

She stood up to get into the car, but Taemin grabbed her hand. She smiled at him.

“It’s okay to let go. We may not be physically next to each other but we’re in each other’s hearts right? I’ll see you soon, Oppa. Take care.”

And with that, Taemin slowly let Naeun’s hand slip out of his own. He sent her off with a final wave, as he too, made his way into the company van.

‘We Got Married’ may have ended, he thought, but this was only the beginning of a real relationship with the girl he loves.