It’s always been like this. Lisa checked her wrist again, for the fourth time this afternoon. She’s sitting inside her favorite coffee shop, scanning the whole place while running her fingers on her laptop. Biting her lip to the point in where they’re already bleeding. When the taste of metal hit her tongue, she immediately her lips and started typing again but never ignoring her skin.

“When the countdown reached zero, I met your uncle.”

The words of her aunt ringing inside her head. She spent a week in their farm, with her aunt and uncle helping her out on the field. She often see how wonderful it is to see her aunt smiling even if the heat’s draining them out. She would ask questions like how does she seemed happy and her aunt would just point on her wrist. She darted her gaze on her aunt’s wrist and saw nothing but soil after plowing the ground. She would be told off, “You won’t be able to see other’s, honey.” Her aunt would laugh and shake her head whenever Lisa starts an interrogation again. The only answer she got was about meeting her uncle. Ever since coming back from the farm, her head’s a whole mess. She contacted her mother to ask about her countdown and heard “Wedding” as an answer.

“So, it’s just a random event?”

Lisa asked her friend, who’s sitting in front of her holding her phone. She seemed busy browsing and finishing the slice of cake that she ordered a while ago.

“Random event but it’s connected with your soulmate.”

Jennie answered, looking up to meet Lisa’s eyes. Her eyebrows raised when she heard Jennie’s last word in which she got a laugh as a response.

“And you believe in those?”

Lisa asked while Jennie just hummed. The younger woman looked outside the window and saw that the rain has been pouring really hard. She called Jennie’s attention by tapping the woman’s palm and gesturing her to take a look outside. The older one followed and pouted as she saw the puddle just outside the shop.

“It’s raining so hard these past few days. Do you have an umbrella with you?”

Jennie looked over to Lisa again and her friend nodded, still looking at her wrist.

“You’ve been thinking so hard about that. What’s wrong?”

Lisa’s brows met midway and her own thumb met her skin.

“It says 4D|10H.”

“4 days and 10 hours, huh?”

“What do you think, Jen?”

“Hm, how about talk to me and forget about that countdown for a while? You invited me over to ask about that thing on your wrist when I have no idea what that really is.”

“What does it say?”

“What?”

“On your wrist.”

Jennie sighed. She knew she couldn’t stop her friend from asking questions and ended up scanning her own wrist. It was terrifying. She knew nothing about the countdown but she’s anxious. Everyone says that it’s connected to your soulmate. Most of them said that they will meet their soulmates at the specified time their wrist shows. What if that isn’t always the case?

“04D|12H”

“Oh, aren’t we soulmates then?”

Lisa joked and Jennie made a disgusted face.

“Just kidding. But seriously, that’s close to mine.”

“Yeah, so what?”

Jennie smirked and Lisa just pouted.

“So what are you up to tomorrow?”

“Nothing, stressing over work?”

“Let’s watch a movie then.”

“Sure, honey.”

Jennie choked as she heard Lisa’s words. She shook her head after imagining her friend hugging her from behind, calling her names.

…T-96H

“03D|10H.”

Lisa whispered to herself as she saw her wrist again. She saw her own reflection in the mirror in front of her, thinking about what socks to use. She snapped to reality when she heard her phone ringing.

“,”

Was all she could speak when she saw Jennie’s caller id. She rushed down and called a cab.

“Damn it, Lalisa, you’re late.”

Jennie greeted her with a smack on her shoulder. They missed the first show of the movie they’re supposed to watch. Rubbing the affected part, Lisa just laughed and offered to buy her food as an apology. It took 3 minutes before her friend nodded.

“Now we’re going to wait for two hours, let’s go to that shop first.”

Jennie pointed at the perfume stand and started walking. Lisa caught up using her long legs and hovered over the smaller figure in front of her.

“Unnie, this reminds me of you.”

Lisa sprayed some perfume on her wrist.

“3D|9H”

Jennie’s hand found its way around Lisa’s arms. She looked over her older friend and got a thumbs up.

“Oh this is my smell!”

Jennie exclaimed and hurried over the counter. Lisa just watched her as she grabbed her purse from her tiny bag and paid for the perfume. Upon receiving the receipt, she walked back to where Lisa is and asked her why she didn’t buy anything.

“I still have your gift untouched.”

Jennie smiled. It was last month when she gave Lisa a box of different perfumes. Lisa told her not to buy lots for her because she has her own collection but she gladly ignored that and wrapped a box for her dear friend.

“You should try them all.”

Jennie suggested and Lisa just ignored her.

“Still thinking of that countdown, huh?”

Lisa nodded. The countdown was still going. If they said that this ticking specifies about their soulmates, she wondered where’s hers. Looking around, she scanned every faces she saw. From the kids, to their guardians holding their hands. She saw a lot of figures doing what she was doing seconds ago. They all have their smiles on their faces as they shoot their gazes upon their own wrists. Must be nice to meet the person they will spend their lives with.

“Lalisa, let’s buy the tickets now.”

Jennie said and slightly pulled Lisa’s coat. They both went to the ticket counter and bought their movie passes. They went the cinema and sat on the upper box. Lisa was already eating the popcorn before the movie starts and Jennie scolded her. She just ignored the older one and finished the food.

After two hours of sitting, they both walked outside and talked about the movie plot, in which they both didn’t like.

“That was cliché.”

Jennie said. She’s never the one who watches romance movies where the characters both had happy endings. She wants a different ending. The one which you cannot predict until the end. The movie was boring for her since it ended like fairytales.

“Yeah, but wouldn’t you want your story to be like that? Happy endings?”

Lisa asked, looking down on Jennie’s exposed shoulder. Wondering if her friend doesn’t feel cold. She took off her coat and put it on Jennie. She knew that the temperature would freeze them once they step outside the mall premises. It’s been raining these past few days and she didn’t want Jennie getting a cold.

“Why does it have to end?”

Jennie answered to her friend’s question.

“Thanks, aren’t you cold?”

“No, I’m fine. You’ll need that.”

“Oh, let’s go to your favorite coffee shop!”

“Great idea.”

Lisa grabbed Jennie’s hand and led the way. As they paced through the sidewalk, the older can’t help but feel her cheeks burning. So it was true, then, Jennie thought. She never admitted anything, but she always felt this kind of happiness whenever she’s with Lisa. Whatever they’re doing, wherever they are, or whenever, Lisa never fails to make her smile. It must be nice if Lisa would be her soulmate. Too bad, their ticktocks are different from each other.

“Here we go. What’s your order? I’ll pay for it.”

“Getting on my good side after being late, I see.”

“Come on, forget that already.”

They sat down and ordered their drinks. It only took 10 minutes until they could finally feel the heat of their mugs. They sat in silence. Jennie browsing from her phone again but constantly looking over Lisa whose thumbing her own wrist again, for 10^th time ever since they got in the shop. She couldn’t say anything, or she was just ignored. Lisa was in her own world. She tried calling her name but Lisa couldn’t hear anything. After a while, Jennie took a book from her bag and started reading. It was now her time to go into her own world.

Lisa, on the other side, was excessively thinking. As she caressed her own skin, she can’t help but imagine what will happen in 3 days and 5 hours. Soulmates? She cannot even believe that those exist in real life. She could only see those in the movies, or while reading a book, but in real life? She shook her head, she didn’t want to ignore other’s experiences. Even her aunt told her that the countdown is real.

She sipped from her mug and shot a glance at Jennie who’s holding a book and busy reading. Her gaze found its way on the other’s fingers, dancing along the pages of the book. Watching her getting trapped in her own imaginary world seemed satisfying for Lisa and she didn’t notice that she got hypnotized herself.

“Stop staring at my fingers, it’s creepy.”

Lisa got flustered and looked away while the other laughed and closed the book. Jennie put it inside her bag again and started combing her hair with her fingers.

“Do you wanna go somewhere else?”

Lisa asked and Jennie could only think of one thing.

…T-72H

“Lisa, wake up.”

Jennie tried everything. She shook Lisa’s body, she tried opening her eyes herself but the girl was still on top of her left arm and it’s already numb. She’s been awake an hour ago but couldn’t stand up because of the sleeping girl beside her. She heard Lisa’s small groan, eyes closed while she held tighter on Jennie’s side.

“Lisa, it’s already 10 o’clock in the morning, we need to eat now. Plus my arm’s numb now, you’re heavy.”

With that, the other slowly opened her eyes and met a pair of another. The sunlight was hitting on Jennie’s face, adding effect to her eyes. Her hair was messy, but she still looked good with a smile on her face.

“Good morning, sleepyhead. Get up, get up.”

“We didn’t finish the movie.”

“I did while you were sleeping, dummy.”

Lisa sat up and looked at the clock on her bedside. It really was 10 o’clock. Jennie’s the one who doesn’t fake the time in order to make her wake up not like her parents. She shrugged and eyed Jennie as she saw her standing up, putting her hair in a messy bun. Her white top reaching almost her upper thigh and her exposed legs were something that Lisa couldn’t stop staring at.

“I’ll cook something and I’ll call you when it’s done.”

Lisa nodded and the other walked out the room. As she was looking at her reflection, she scanned her wrist again.

02D|10H

She then walked inside her bathroom and took a bath. It only took her 30 minutes and then was called out by Jennie who was patiently waiting in the dining room. She greeted her while drying her hair. Jennie was already sitting and she began offering some pancakes to Lisa in which the younger one accepted.

“I want to go to the park today.”

Jennie blurted out and knowing Lisa, she couldn’t say no to her request. After they finished their food, Jennie asked if she could use her bathroom.

“You still have some clothes in my wardrobe. Remember when you slept here for a week just because you wanted to?”

Lisa reminded Jennie. The older one just laughed and walked into her room again to take a bath.

Park, huh? It’s been years since she went to one and thinking of spending some time with Jennie made her smile.

02D|08H

“Cotton candies! Come on, Lalisa!”

Jennie pulled the other and ran towards the man who’s currently making some pink cotton candies. Lisa loves those and she found it adorable that Jennie also does. They get along really well and that made them bestfriends.

“Two cotton candies, please.”

Jennie told the vendor and he hurriedly made two pieces and gave them to the girls in front of him. The older one took a bite the second she received hers and closed her eyes. She had this satisfying look and she beamed a smile towards Lisa. The other one just laughed and smack her shoulder, told her not to do an aegyo in front of everyone because that would be embarrassing. Jennie pouted and sat down on the bench that was steps away from them. Lisa followed quickly while taking small bites from her food.

Lisa stared at her for a while. She seemed to be enjoying her cotton candy and she smiled after taking a bite.

“I couldn’t believe that you love these too.”

“I love them more than I love you.”

Lisa pouted but Jennie just laughed.

“Just kidding, I loved this cotton candy first but now I love you.”

“Smooth talker.”

“Hey that’s real!”

“So this is a confession then?”

“Probably.”

Jennie simply answered while looking at her food and finishing it. She then looked over at Lisa whose mouth was wide open. She shot her a confused look.

“Why is your face like that?”

“Tell me that was a joke.”

“What if it isn’t? Are you telling me to lie?”

“N-No.”

“Did you just stutter?”

Jennie laughed. She scooted closer to Lisa, closing the gap between their faces. Lisa gulped but was dumbfounded when Jennie bit a piece from her cotton candy.

“Yea, I love you. I’ve been thinking of telling you that for like three months already but you were always so busy.”

“More than a friend?”

“Yes. You don’t have to reciprocate. I understand.”

Jennie looked away, she looked straight into the fountain and saw some kids running around, chasing a butterfly.

“The feeling is mutual.”

Lisa said and finished her food.

“I know.”

Jennie put her head on Lisa’s shoulder and closed her eyes. She could feel the sunlight damping on her face while the breeze felt so relaxing.

“I know, Lisa. I felt it from you.”

Lisa sat in silence. They both did. Nobody talked for minutes. They both looked around the park and enjoying the lovely view. People laughing, talking and some were flying their kites.

It was peaceful.

And Lisa couldn’t think of anything else but Jennie.

“Want to go to the arcade?”

“Your date idea is in an arcade?”

“Yes, so?”

“I love it.”

Jennie stood up, excitedly offered her own hand. Lisa took it and led the way, again.

02D|06H

Lisa bought some tokens and started running towards the first person shooting game. Jennie laughed along with her. They both grabbed their guns and out their feet on the pedal. Before the game started, Lisa made a deal.

“Can I kiss you if I score higher?”

“You at these.”

“Gotta try.”

“Sure. If you can.”

Lisa bit her lip and focused her eyes on the game. After 5 minutes, she saw ‘GAME OVER’ flashing on her screen while Jennie was still shooting. She pouted and waited for the other to finish.

“No kisses for you then.”

“One more.”

“Fine.”

They started another round but Lisa lost for the second time. She let out a groan and found her girlfriend laughing her off beside her.

“How could you be so bad at this game?”

“Same question.”

“Aw, baby, come here.”

Jennie wrapped her arms around Lisa’s body and smiled. They stayed like that for a minute until the younger one saw a claw machine.

“Watch me get you one of those.”

Lisa pointed the panda inside the machine. She inserted tokens and started navigating the claw. After trying seven times, she sighed and walked away.

“It’s fine. Don’t feel so bad.”

“I just want to show off.”

“You don’t have to.”

Jennie quickly kissed Lisa’s left cheek and ran away. The other one felt her now burning face and started following her girlfriend who’s now hiding behind the other claw machines. They spent two hours roaming the arcade, not bothering on stopping even when they were the subject of the strangers’ eyes. After sweating a lot, she decided to buy ice cream for themselves.

Lisa remembered her wrist and looked at it.

“02D|04H”

She’s confused. Her hand was on Jennie’s lap and she squeezed them slowly. Jennie looked at her and asked her what’s wrong.

“I don’t get it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are we having in 3 days and 4 hours?”

Jennie smacked Lisa after she heard her. She shook her head and told her to be quiet since there’s some kids around them.

“It’s still ticking.”

“Ignore it.”

“Am I gonna marry you soon?”

“Do you have a ring?”

Lisa shook her head as an answer.

“Don’t mind that.”

“What’s yours?”

“02D|10H”

“And you don’t find that weird?”

“Why should I?”

Jennie yawned. She finished her ice cream and waited for Lisa to finish hers.

“Let’s go home.”

…T-48H

“Jennie-ah.”

“Hmm?”

“I love you.”

They were sitting inside a cat café. Some kittens are on Jennie’s lap while Lisa was rubbing another kitten’s back.

“I love you too, Lisa.”

They both smiled at each other and cuddled with the other cats. Jennie requested to go here after they finished eating their breakfast earlier. Lisa was also eager to see some adorable animals so she ran so fast in the bathroom and took a bath.

“I want to buy a kitten.”

“Let’s buy you one then!”

“Yay! Let’s go. Bye kitties!!”

Lisa slowly stood up and waved farewell to the kittens and the owner of the café. Jennie followed her outside. There’s a pet shop just beside where they were relaxing earlier. They immediately walked in and saw different pets waiting to be bought.

“Oh look, that one is so cute.”

Lisa pointed at one kitten and she bent her knees just to spectate it clearly. She rubbed its head and the kitten meowed.

“I want this.”

Jennie nodded and agreed. They didn’t bother looking at other kittens because their current one was so adorable.

“What should we name it?”

“Leo!”

Jennie faked a roar sound and Lisa just laughed at her for trying.

“Let’s go buy some stuff for our new baby.”

Lisa requested and they called a cab. After an hour of walking back and forth between isles, they finished shopping and went home immediately.

“So cute!”

Jennie was now playing with Leo. She found it interesting to make it follow the toys and Lisa watched in satisfaction. It was too cute not to take a photo with.

“You’re both adorable.”

Jennie just smiled and continued playing. Lisa joined and she cuddled Leo into her arms.

They spent the whole day just playing around with their new pet and Jennie cooking Kimchi fried rice and bragging about her skills. Lisa couldn’t disagree since she’s bad at this and just enjoyed the food.

01D|01H

Lisa looked at her wrist. She’s still wondering what will happen in two days but was interrupted when she heard a phone ringing.

“Hello, this is Jennie Kim.”

Her girlfriend spoke to her device. She just watched as her lips moved, words escaping and smiling. After the four minute call, Jennie jumped and hugged Lisa.

“Guess what?”

“What?”

“I said guess.”

“Uh, about work?”

“Yes!”

“Oh, what is it?”

“I will be covering this huge article all by myself!”

Lisa smiled widely and lifted Jennie and spun. Jennie laughed as her feet touched the ground again.

“That’s so great! What is it about?”

“Fashion, it’s in Hong Kong though.”

“When’s your flight then?”

“Tomorrow, apparently.”

Lisa pouted. She kissed Jennie and hugged her tight.

“I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll be back soon after, dummy.”

…T-24H

Jennie was pacing back and forth. Lisa had to wake up earlier than usual to get ready and drive Jennie to the airport. As they stepped in, Lisa couldn’t help but frown. She admitted being a kid. Her girlfriend’s just going to be away for like only a day.

“I am so excited, this is going to be big!”

Jennie exclaimed, her hands together.

“Make sure to make me proud, okay? Also buy me clothes.”

Lisa said and Jennie smacked her but also nodded. She leaned on her and whispered sweet things into her ear.

“Shut up, you’re going to make me sad.”

“Then that’ll make you anticipate for my return.”

Jennie spoke. Soon, the announcement was made and Jennie stood up. Lisa followed and hugged her girl from behind.

“I’ll definitely miss you.”

“I know. I’ll miss you too, let’s chitchat over the phone!”

Jennie rushed towards the plane while sending flying kisses to Lisa. The other bid her farewell too and went on her way home. It was slow. The day was slow. Maybe it was because of her being alone without a hand to hold. She’s overthinking and overreacting.

Upon arriving in her place, she received a notification coming from Jennie.

“I miss you already. The clouds are beautiful but you still look the greatest for me.”

Lisa couldn’t help but smile. She then forgot about her sadness and cheered on her girlfriend. Sending her lots of supportive messages.

The day passed by quickly and she spent her hours reading a book.

She looked at her wrist that says, “22H”

“Only a day left.”

Lisa whispered to herself and closed the book. Her phone rang and she answered quickly. It was Jennie.

“Hi, babe!”

Jennie waved on the camera. Lisa smiled and was hypnotized by her girl’s beauty. She looked so good even after she touched down.

“So you see, this will only be quick, the show’s starting in about 12 hours. And I need to go to this one meeting where they will discuss some regulations in an hour.”

“That’s tiring, are you going to be alright?”

“I’ll get to sleep, so it’s fine.”

Lisa nodded. She listed down things for Jennie to follow. One of them was to drink lots of water, and Jennie laughed it off.

“Are you my mom now?”

“No, but will be your wife so take care of yourself.”

“I will. Ah, I need to get ready.”

“When are you flying back to South Korea?”

“7 hours after the show. So wait for me. Oh, and get some sleep. I love you!”

Jennie sent some flying kisses for Lisa to catch and she did. But before hanging up, Jennie sang a song for Lisa, told her that it will help her sleep. Lisa smiled as she listened to her voice. After a while, Lisa started yawning and Jennie did a finger heart.

…7 hours left

Lisa woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. It was Jennie.

“Good morning!”

“Hi, how was it?”

“It was great, I’m currently writing it here at the airport. I can’t wait to see you again.”

“Me too, baby.”

“Wait, did I wake you up?”

“It’s fine, I needed to wake up too. I need to do work while I’m waiting for you.”

“Aight, I’ll see you later then.”

It was just a quick call but Lisa felt like her day’s complete. She’ll see her favorite princess in hours. She stood up and took a bath before eating breakfast that she awfully made for herself.

Opening her window, and her laptop, she started typing and writing another world. She’s a fiction writer while Jennie’s a news writer. They met when there was a huge event for authors and Jennie was the one who interviewed her. It took them an hour, they were both joking and laughing along with each other that it didn’t feel like an interview. That’s when they became bestfriends. Jennie would always promote Lisa on her blog and Lisa would do the same. Their chemistry is nothing like the others and being reminded of it, Lisa can’t help but smile. Jennie is really the love of her life.

“3H”

Lisa woke up after 5 hours of heavy sleep. She stood up and fixed her hair, when she saw her wrist.

The countdown disappeared.

After a second, she remembered Jennie.

“Wait , where is Jennie? She should be here by now.”

She grabbed her phone and was shook when she found out that there were 50 missed calls from her friends, her mom, and Jennie’s mom.

“She didn’t call me.”

Lisa dialed Jennie’s mom and was about to ask her but she was left speechless when the person on the other line was crying.

She rushed outside and called a cab.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. .”

She told the driver the location and told him to drive as fast as he could.

Upon arriving, she ran in the hallway, looking for a familiar face and she saw her sitting in front of the emergency room.

Lisa hugged her and cried with her.

It hurts.

Jennie.

.

The doctor walked out from the door and Lisa grabbed his coat.

“Tell me she’s okay.”

To no avail, the doctor took off his mask and slowly shook his head.

“Sorry, we tried everything in our power but the damage was too much.”

“No!”

Jennie’s mom who was crying beside her earlier yelled.

“No! She’s alive. She’s inside. She’ll be okay!”

“I’m so sorry, Ma’am. We tried everything. The damage on her head was more than we expected. We couldn’t do everything. I’m sorry.”

Lisa didn’t want to hear any of those.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.”

.

She felt her knees too weak that she slumped down on the floor, tears rolling down from her eyes. She couldn’t help but blame herself.

“She arrived safely in South Korea. It was the car crash that---“

“It’s my fault.”

“Lisa.”

“Chaeyoung, if I was the one who drove for her, she should be here with us. With me. Right beside me! I’m so ing stupid.”

“Lisa, calm down.”

“This ing countdown was a ing lie.”

“It wasn’t…”

Chaeyoung spoke slowly. Lisa sat down again and was gritting her teeth.

“The countdown… It wasn’t always a happy ending.”

“What?”

“My dad was part of a rescue team when my mom’s countdown disappeared.”

“Just get to the point, damn it.”

“I’m saying that it is connected to your soulmates, most of them are the time they will meet theirs’s, but the remaining percentage, it was the time their soulmates would die.”