Jiyong’s POV

I woke up to the sunlight streaming through my curtain-less bedroom window. I rubbed my eyes before my eyes started wandering around my room. As my eyes roamed the room, something caught my attention.

I read the paper hanging on my wall and I realized that it was already January 1. Yes, another year without Jina.

A single tear fell from my eye and I felt it roll down my cheek. I raised my hand and wiped my cheeks before I shook my head.

I let out a deep sigh as I sat up on my bed.

I stood up and walked towards the window. I opened it, letting the cool breeze touch my face. I smiled for I was pleased to see the sun in this weather. Then, I looked over and saw the streets getting more and more crowded.

That was when I realized… the world doesn’t revolve around her. Yes, she left me a year ago. A year had passed... and it’s time…to move on.

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I was walking around the city, trying to find something interesting to do, when I suddenly heard my stomach grumble. I went inside the nearest restaurant to grab a bite. I ordered a big sandwich and a coke in can before I took a seat on the farthest side of the restaurant.

I was about to take a bit bite from my sandwich when my eyes started looking around the restaurant. Since I was sitting on the farthest side, I could see everyone. I realized that everyone seem to be with their partners. The restaurant was full of happy couples that it was starting to make me feel depressed…and alone.

So, I wrapped my sandwich and grabbed the can before I went out of the restaurant. I walked through the thick crowd while wondering where I would go and eat my food.

I saw the park and despite the fact that it was still cold to eat outside this time of the year, I decided to eat there. Freezing was way better than torturing myself for staring at the happy couples in that restaurant.

I sat on the swing on the playground and opened my drink. I heard it hiss as I pushed the ring down. I brought the can to my lips and poured its contents on my mouth. I brought the can away before I winced as the liquid burn my throat.

I put the can on the snow-covered ground, I unwrapped my sandwich. But, from a distance I saw an old beggar, looking so weak. I stared at the now-unwrapped sandwich and I felt my stomach complain once again. I my lips and wiped the drool on the side of mouth before I stood up and walked towards the beggar.

I saw the beggar looked up as the distance between us was getting shorter and shorter. I noticed that a smile appeared on her face as I handed her the sandwich.

“I’m sorry if the sandwich is cold already.” I said as I realized that I let the cool air blow against the sandwich.

“Beggars are not choosers my dear, so thank you for this.” She said. Honestly, I was surprised because I never thought beggars could have that kind of wisdom. But, I just shrugged it off and turned around to leave and buy some food.

But as I was walking away from her, I felt a hand tugging my coat. I turned around and saw the beggar.

“Nothing is free in this world now dear. As payment, I’ll give you three wishes. But remember, nothing’s free anymore.” She said. I just nodded, unsure what to say next. It’s already the 21st century and in the 21 years of my life, I knew that genies and magic doesn’t exist. So, I made a conclusion that this beggar is out of her mind.

I walked away from her almost immediately after I made that conclusion. I was not aware that a woman was standing on my way and so I bumped into her and we fell on the ground. I stood up and extended my hand to help her up while saying sorry over and over again.

She grabbed my hand, and despite the hindrance called gloves separating our hands, I felt something like electric shot. It was like magnet and I automatically pulled her up. But I think I pulled her too much that we almost stumbled again.

“Sorry.” I said again.

“Dara.” She said.

“What?” I said; confused on what she had said.

“You keep on saying ‘sorry’ over and over again. I’d rather be called by name and it’s Dara.” She joked before she combed her hair with her fingers. 

I grinned as I realized that she just cracked a joke.

“Nice to meet you Dara, my name is Jiyong.” I said, trying to make a conversation.

I can’t help but check her out. She was like a wing-less angel who fell from the heavens. Her smile was so bright that it could melt the snow. Her eyes were like a book that could tell stories. She was beautiful. And how I wished I would fall for her.

But I suddenly remembered what the beggar said.

3 wishes.

‘I won’t lose anything if I try right?’ I said to myself.

I took a deep breath before I whispered to the wind my wish. “I wish I would fall in love with Dara.”

As her name escaped my lips, I felt my heart started pounding madly. I stared at her, she cringed her nose before she ran away.

I turned around and saw a small dog barking. I chuckled when I realized that she was afraid of dogs. I stared at her and I realized that she was already in the middle of the road. My eyes widened as I saw a speeding car going towards her.

Without thinking, I ran towards her. But, it was too late. I felt my tears stream down my face as I watched her lying on a pool of her own blood.

With my shaking hands, I dialed 119. 
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I sighed as I watch the doctor go out of the room. He broke the news about Dara’s situation.

Dara woke up earlier and she couldn’t remember anything. She panicked and the doctor gave her a shot of something and she fell asleep. I asked the doctor of what’s wrong and then… he said it.

AMNESIA.

I sat on a chair beside Dara’s bed as I held her hand. I realized that her other hand was balled into a fist. I uncurled her fingers and I noticed that she was holding a strip of paper.

Weird. Why would she be holding a strip of paper?

I took the paper from her hand and I realized that something was written on it. 

Her memory

I paled while reading it. I remembered what the old beggar said.

“…I’ll give you three wishes. But remember, nothing’s free anymore.”

‘Could it be…this is what she meant? In exchange for the fulfillment of my wish is…her memory? No, this is just pure coincidence.’ I said as I try to convince myself that this is just coincidence.
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100 days had passed and Dara still can’t remember anything. I helped her in any way I could but I often find myself asking if this is worth the effort. I helped her because I love her, and she seems to treat me as a friend.

She was standing in the balcony as the night spring breeze blew against her face. Her hair and white dress danced with the breeze. The sky was full of stars and our only source of illumination was the moon. It would have been a perfect moment for two lovers to kiss under the night sky. But then, she didn’t love me.

I sighed as I muttered a wish.

“I wish… Dara would love me too.”

I chuckled at myself for being stupid to believe in it.

“Ji.” I heard her softly speaking my name.

“Yes?” I asked as I walked towards her.

“Thank you for everything.” She said.

“No. You shouldn’t say thank you. I haven’t done enough.” I said.

She smiled before she pulled me into a hug.

“Ji, did you know that I love you?” She whispered on my ear.

‘What?’ I think my ear is deceiving me. Did she just say she loves me?

She shook me gently before she said something.

“Aren’t you going to say something? I just confessed to you!”

I let go of her and stared into her eyes.

“YAH! Are you just going to stare at me the…” She said but she wasn’t able to finish it because I crushed my lips on hers.
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Days…weeks…months… had passed and there was no sign of the consequence of my wish. With that, I conclude that it was a mere coincidence. So, I learned to ignore it.

It was New Year’s Eve and we decided to spend it together.

On the rooftop of my apartment, I placed a picnic blanket in the middle. On top of it was a basket full of food. Beside the basket was bucket full of ice with a bottle of wine inside. 

I held Dara’s hand and led her towards the blanket. I helped her sit on the blanket and after seeing she’s all set, I sat beside her.

“Ji. I never thought you’re so romantic.” She said before she gave me a peck on my lips.

“Well…I try.” I replied before I leaned and kissed her again.

Then, I heard my phone beep and it means only one thing--- 10 seconds left.

“10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…0! Happy New Year!” We said in unison before I captured her lips with my own. 
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We were walking in the park while I told her the tale of our first meeting a year ago.

We were swinging side by side when she suddenly complained that she’s thirsty.

Being good boyfriend, I went and look for a vending machine.

While I saw trying to decide what to get, I suddenly had a bad feeling. I looked up and saw a strip of paper falling from the sky. I grabbed and I paled as I read it.

Her life.

When I was near the playground, I heard her screaming. I bumped to a guy wearing black jacket and sunglasses. He fell on the ground and he dropped a blood covered knife and a woman’s bag. My eyes widened as I realized that it was Dara’s bag.

But, instead of calling the police and report the guy, I ran towards Dara. She was lying on the ground, barely breathing.

“Dara! I’ll call 119 okay? Just don’t close your eyes.” I said as I scooped her into my right arm. Using the other hand, I grabbed my phone and called 119.

“Ji, I want to sleep.” She said as she touched my face with her blood-soaked hand.

“Dara, just wait. The ambulance is coming okay? Open your eyes!” I said in panic.

“Ji, I’m so tired.” She said with a trembling voice.

“Dara. Stop saying that… just wait a little more.” I said while staring at her.

“Ji, just remember… I love you.” She said before she closed her eyes.

“No. Dar, wake up. Wake up.” I screamed as I shook her.

But, she didn’t open her eyes.

“I wish… I wish… Dara is still alive.” I said over and over again.
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I woke up to the sunlight streaming through my curtain-less bedroom window. I rubbed my eyes before my eyes started wandering around my room. As my eyes roamed the room, something caught my attention.

I read the paper hanging on my wall and I realized that it was only January 1. Last night, I had a nightmare and I lost the girl I loved.

A single tear fell from my eye and I felt it roll down my cheek. I raised my hand and wiped my cheeks before I shook my head.

I let out a deep sigh as I sat up on my bed.

I stood up and walked towards the window. I opened it, letting the cool breeze touch my face. I smiled for I was pleased to see the sun in this weather. Then, I looked over and saw the streets getting more and more crowded.

I let out a deep sigh once again.

‘Ji, it was just a dream.’

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I was walking around the city, trying to find something interesting to do, when I suddenly heard my stomach grumble. I went inside the nearest restaurant to grab a bite. I ordered a big sandwich and a coke in can before I took a seat on the farthest side of the restaurant.

I was about to take a bit bite from my sandwich when my eyes started looking around the restaurant. Since I was sitting on the farthest side, I could see everyone. I realized that everyone seem to be with their partners. The restaurant was full of happy couples that it was starting to make me feel depressed…and alone.

So, I wrapped my sandwich and grabbed the can before I went out of the restaurant. I walked through the thick crowd while wondering where I would go and eat my food.

I saw the park and despite the fact that it was still cold to eat outside this time of the year, I decided to eat there. Freezing was way better than torturing myself for staring at the happy couples in that restaurant.

I sat on the swing on the playground and opened my drink. I heard it hiss as I pushed the ring down. I brought the can to my lips and poured its contents on my mouth. I brought the can away before I winced as the liquid burn my throat.

I put the can on the snow-covered ground, I unwrapped my sandwich. But, from a distance I saw an old beggar, looking so weak. I stared at the now-unwrapped sandwich and I felt my stomach complain once again. I my lips and wiped the drool on the side of mouth before I stood up and walked towards the beggar.

I saw the beggar looked up as the distance between us was getting shorter and shorter. I noticed that a smile appeared on her face as I handed her the sandwich.

“I’m sorry if the sandwich is cold already.” I said as I realized that I let the cool air blow against the sandwich.

“Beggars are not choosers my dear, so thank you for this.” She said. Honestly, I was surprised because I never thought beggars could have that kind of wisdom. But, I just shrugged it off and turned around to leave and buy some food.

But as I was walking away from her, I felt a hand tugging my coat. I turned around and saw the beggar.

“No more wishes left dear. But remember, nothing’s free. You must give up whatever the paper says…or grave consequences will result.” She said. I just nodded, unsure what to say next and I turned around and walked away.

I was not aware that a woman was standing on my way and so I bumped into her and we fell on the ground. I stood up and I was about extended my hand to help her up when I saw a strip of paper falling from the sky.

“Ouch.” I heard the girl say. She cleared her face which was covered by her hair and I almost cried when I saw her.

Dara. My Dara. The Girl from my dream.

I was about to hug her when I remembered the strip of paper.

My eyes widened before tears fell from it. With my shaking legs, I walked away from her.

I heard her mutter curses because I didn’t help her, but I remembered what the old beggar said.

“…You must give up whatever the paper says …or grave consequences will result.”

I hid behind the tree watched Dara from afar. And I can’t believe that my whole life I will be doing this--- loving her from afar. I’d rather love her like this… than not see her again.

The consequence…

YOUR RELATIONSHIP.

I read the paper for the last time before I finally convinced myself that...it wasn't a dream.
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The end.