fire tests gold

“I can feel you pulling away. And a part of me wants to let you, so you can move on and live life without me. But the other part is praying you’ll never leave.”

Taemin gets too busy. Naeun starts to pull away. It was like the fire that was their relationship had started to burn out and each was holding a pail full of water in their hands. 

He never had time for her anymore.

She has always been patient. She knew he needed it. It was his dream and she couldn't possibly be that person who stops him from achieving all of his goals. She promised she'd wait for him but she couldn't. Not anymore.

"I can't keep doing this," she told him, trying to hold herself together as they sat on the opposite sides of the big couch situated in the living room. Only a few feet apart from each other but felt like miles. 

He didn't respond. He was too embarrassed. Too ashamed that it had come to this point. He wasn't able to keep any of his promises. 

He promised her they'd tell the world about them. He promised they won't live in secret anymore. He promised they'd get married, go honeymooning in Spain, have kids. Everything that she ever wanted to do with him. 

But none of it happened. One album became two then three then the next thing he knew he was barely in Korea as concert tours and appearances frequented. More projects, more appearances, more songs. More time away from her. 

They'd been drifting apart for months. 

Apink had long been inactive, each member venturing on their own endeavors. She loved the group but when the company finally said they could take a break after a little more than ten years, she couldn't deny that she felt relieved. She loved being an idol but she didn't love the consequences. Having to hide most aspects of her life, being the target of hatred were only some of the things she had to endure but she thought all of it would end soon. She was gonna be free to live a happy life with him. Or so she thought.

With her mind set on settling down, she rejected a lot of offers. Dramas, endorsements, appearances. But when she realized the future she'd imagine was farther in his mind than hers, she decided that maybe she also needed to do more. She came back in the limelig