“Mina…”

Chaeyoung’s soft voice called out again.

This must be a dream,

Mina told herself countless of times but still, her eyes couldn’t betray her no more. She missed this kind of feeling; how deafening the screams and shouts of her heart were, how dazed she gets after her name rolls out of those y lips, how fast her world spun with every eye contact they make, how her breaths hitched knowing she’s only inches from her, and, God, how much she still loves her after all those years. To others, Mina’s patience might seem either be stupidity or stubbornness, but she chooses none of the two. It has only been Chaeyoung and will always be Chaeyoung. Maybe it’s just something that could only happen in the fictional world but, even so, it wouldn’t hurt to believe.

The shorter of the two took another step forward and, with the gentlest of touches, grazed Mina’s cheek with her fingertips, as if afraid of breaking the fragile flower that she has once again picked,

“I’m never letting go this time.” She softly said; her voice unstable and her heart bursting as she leaned her forehead on Mina’s.

The crowd around them was aloof of their intimacy; they had created a bubble of their own. The lights were blinding but their feelings glimmered like the thousands of stars in vast night sky of the deserts. The music was clamorous but, nonetheless, the only thing they could hear was their own thunderous heartbeats. The crowd was getting wilder and crazier but as they took another step closer to each other, everything else became distant to them; so far that the surroundings became a blur. In the small corner that they stood, they built the reality of their own world. And now, after a long time that tested their fate, another chapter of their story unfolds.

“I’m sorry, Mina… I really am.” She whispered under her breath and left a soft kiss on her forehead; she fixed her eyes on her and longed to drown in her gaze once more. Chaeyoung stared deep into those orbs and marvelled at how gentle they were, just like before,

“I was scared…” Chaeyoung spoke and tucked a few strands of hair behind her princess’ ear, “I was scared with what I was before… I knew I’d be left behind, seeing and knowing you had a b future ahead, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking that someday, with this weakness of mine… I’d lose you completely. My heart ached so much just even trying to imagine not being with you for the rest of my life. I had no other choice but to trust your feelings for me as I intentionally drove us apart.” She chuckled sadly and brushed her hair with her shaking hand, revealing her eyes that glistened with tears, “I know it sounds petty and ambitious of me but I had to do it; I have to make a description of myself, because all along, all of my life, I have never made anything happen without depending it on others; I never had any goal nor dreams that define who I am. I have always thought that I just had to obey what my parents want and be a doctor; I thought it was who I should be, but that wasn’t it. I thought deeper and saw how pathetically empty I am; how I lack so much that all I could see as I look ahead was pitch black. I’ve been waking up all those years never really knowing who I am. I had to find myself on my own. I forcefully created the distance between us because I know that I’d only be holding you back,”

Tears rolled from Chaeyoung’s eyes as she got to see that Mina was really there and intently listening to every word she says. Mina was only looking at her; she made the broad place seem small like it was only meant for the two of them. She looked so beautiful, every part of her. A shaky smile tugged on the edges of Chaeng’s lips even as a lone tear crossed her cheek, she gazed at Mina, and her heart pounded uncontrollably, wanting her more and more. Even with the other’s silence, she could tell from her eyes that she felt the same way. Mina reached out to touch her cheek and leaned in to kiss her tear away,

“Go on, I’m listening.”

God, she is so perfect.

Chaeyoung nodded and continued, “It was hard, though. But still I left, leaving everything behind me. I decided to move out of our house. I left and searched. This was something I wanted to do alone, maybe even to prove to myself that I was capable of being independent. I got in a university all and immediately realized how troublesome I was to Dahyun and Tzuyu all through those years. They had their own ways but also had to be mindful of mine. I had no idea what to do as I sat alone during my vacant hours. That was how weak I was; how fragile. There were times I felt like giving up, but after picturing you smiling at me, I’d always get back on my feet and remind myself why I’m doing this. I widened my circle… and a lot of good things happened. I discovered things I didn’t know about myself; that I was capable of doing so much... There was this surging feeling in my chest when I pass by someone and they acknowledge me… for the first time, I felt proud. They recognized me not by my family’s name but by my own potential. I took that huge step forward. I did my best from day to night that I never realized three years have passed. And when the whole thing donned unto me, I couldn’t stop and before I knew it, I was in a plane to Japan. My feet led me here, and fate teased me so bad… I saw you alone and so down, staring at a glass… I panicked when you glanced my way. I wasn’t ready that time, so I ran…”

“I didn’t mean to but I wasn’t ready to face you yet…” She scratched her nape and threw an apologetic look to Mina, “When I went back to Korea, I became so restless and so anxious; I wanted to see you again… and to at least touch you. Selfish, huh?” Chaeng ducked her head a bit, “… I joined some more clubs and organization. That was how I busied myself; accepting all kinds of project… I actually had fun. A whole lot praised my works, even the professors. I worked harder…”

She lifted her head up and Mina saw a twinkle in her eyes, something she never saw on the beautiful façade of hers, ”I got some news… they said I was on top of the class, and actually on the top of everything. I was being honored and congratulated. I was… the best. Mina, I was amazing. I felt so happy that I cried, and I couldn’t think of anything else but to tell you that I accomplished a huge thing; that I made it happen. You gave me a reason to find the very best of me.”

They haven’t had any communication for the last five years but it was amazing how, must if they try, but, still, couldn’t forget how it felt to be just there and have each other close. Maybe, against all the odds and distances, they really were meant to be.

“Job offers poured before I could even graduate…” A playful smile fitted her face, “I seriously thought about each one for nights, whether which would be less tricky, you know, which of them all would allow me to see you everyday.”

Her smile was blinding, Mina thought.

She was so happy that Mina was smiling as widely as she is. There was nothing more that she could wish but for this moment to last.

“As I stepped out of the university, I was welcomed by everyone proudly. I don’t know how to explain what I felt… but everything was… different. Or was it just because I’ve grown as a person? Height aside, that is.” They shared a laugh, and hoped to share all of them together from now on.

“I’d really understand if you’re mad or disappointed or… anything at me.” She sighed nervously and began to fiddle her feet.

Mina stared at her with a roguish smile, and then poked her index finger under her pouting lips, “None of anything that you said… I actually feel amazed of how loyal you thought of me.” She chuckled, “Five years, Chaeng. You were really confident that I was so into you, huh?”

“W-well…now that you mentioned it…” Chaeng looked at her with fascination, “I just can’t imagine you with someone else…”

“Other than you?” She cut her off with a smirk.

“Maybe?” A smug smile was Chaeng’s reply, “It never really bothered me that you could have dated someone. I always thought it kinda worked both ways since I also couldn’t see myself with anyone but you.”

Mina’s cheeks were beet red as she heard another indirect confession from her. She couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing.

“It might’ve been the faith that I have in you that kept me away to such negative thoughts.”

That strong string that bonded them together, thus, really was, their own weaved fate sprinkled with all the salts to preserve the whole while.

“Should we walk under stars?” Mina offered her share of reminiscent thoughts.

Though they have only been reunited for five minutes or so, the whole waiting for five years felt such little time. Like in a blink of an eye, you see a rainbow despite the dark skies.

•

“Jo Kwon-ssi…” Mina randomly mentioned as they walked.

“Hmmm?”

“You asked for his help, no