countdown... | Ateez Yunho

3 days remaining...

I tossed and turned all night. Images of Yunho hugging that girl kept replaying in my head. Was that his soulmate? Even if she was, is he really that ruthless to throw me aside just like that? Maybe I was the only one who felt the connection. But, I didn't want things to end like this. Was I really going to leave without a goodbye? I wanted to at least see him in my dreams again. But, things don't always work out the way you want them to. When I woke up, my mind was still heavy about the two. I unfortunately was not graced by his presence. Perhaps he'll just be a distant memory for me now. I'll cherish him for my last few days.

I decided that I was being foolish while waiting around for a boy who I didn't really know. It was time for me to spend some moments with those who actually cared for me. I called my parents to see if they had any free time to meet up. Thankfully, they did. I invited Nari too so I could happily be with the people I needed the most. But, after having brunch with everyone, I still felt empty. Sure, it was all love with them. But, it wasn't love. I didn't get the same feeling I got with Yunho. But, how could I? You can't hold your friends and family and expect to feel a spark. That would just be wrong.

But, if this kind of love was all I was capable of having, I shouldn't complain. I was blessed to be surrounded by good people and it pained me to see them cry when I told them I was dying soon. Was that the right thing to do? Should I have just pretended that everything was okay so we could've enjoyed our moment even more? I guess there really isn't a right way to do these kinds of things.

When we all dispersed, the loneliness I felt became overbearing. It felt like I needed to be with someone at all times or else I'd go crazy. But, I couldn't burden my parents and Nari like that. They still had lives to live. And truthfully, I don't think I'd feel full unless I was with Yunho. He was the only thing I wanted now.

But, he found someone else. And just as the psychic said, I was destined to be alone.

"Aera?" I heard a voice suddenly call out.

"Yunho?" I replied, eagerly. I looked around the street I was on but there was no one around me. Was I just imagining things?

"There you are! I was looking all over for you!"

When I looked straight ahead, Yunho was there, standing right in front of me. How did he just magically appear?

"Yunho? Where did you come from?" I cautiously asked.

"I'm always here when you need me." He smiled.

"You weren't there when I needed you yesterday," I spat.

"I told you to come find me."

"And when I did, you were with another girl."

"What girl?" he questioned. Did I make a mistake? Was that not Yunho yesterday?

"The girl you were hugging."

"I don't know who you're talking about. I was waiting for you all day."

"Well, why do I have to come find you? Why can't we just stay together?"

"You already know why we can't be together."

I didn't understand how Yunho shared everything and nothing at the same time.

"Well, I think I should confess something. I'm not your soulmate. But, I think we both secretly knew that." I looked down at my feet as I said this.

"Well, of course we're not soulmates. But, I thought you deserved to know what it was like to have one."

"It's so hard being loved when you can't tell if it's actual love or not." I began to tear up. He pulled me into his chest and rested his head on top of mine.

"It's whatever you want it to be."

"So, could we call this love?" I looked up at him with tearful eyes.

"Yeah, let's call it love." He smiled down at me.

"Please, don't leave me again." I hugged him tightly. Was I being too burdensome on him too?

"How about I come stay with you then?"

I released the hug and immediately got flustered when he asked.

"That's so sudden. I thought you said we couldn't be together?"

"We can do whatever we want. Nothing matters anymore."

"Are you sure it's okay to live like this?"

"Are you sure you're okay dying like this?" he retaliated.

"I don't understand."

"I'll stay with you, Aera. I won't leave you again."

"I like that a lot then," I shyly agreed. Why was I so trustful of him? Any cautious thoughts I had left my mind and I grabbed his hand so we could walk back home.

"Do you pity me, Yunho?"

"I think you pity yourself," he replied. He was right. I did pity myself.

When we got home, I brought him to my room so I could finally give him the watch I bought.

"Do you like it?" I excitedly asked.

"It's beautiful. But, I can't accept it. You should be the one to wear it."

"I bought it for you!" I argued.

"Just wear it for me, okay?" He wrapped the watch around my wrist carefully. It didn't look nice on me at all. Why did I even buy it?

"I like your new haircut by the way," he complimented.

"I didn't think you'd notice." I started to blush.

"Of course I noticed. I appreciate everything about you."

"Are you dangerous, Yunho?" I suddenly questioned.

"Physically? No," he responded.

"So, mentally, yes?"

"Perhaps."

What was that supposed to mean?

"My friend, Nari, doesn't trust you."

"Well, I hope I meet her someday so I can change her mind."

"But, don't fall in love with her, okay?"

"Okay." He smiled.

"I really wish you were my soulmate," I admitted.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

"How did you know I needed saving?"

"Because you are so desperate for love."

"So, you know I was born without a soulmate?"

"Yes."

"And you know that my birthday is soon?"

"Yes."

"How did you figure it out?"

"Are you afraid to die?" he suddenly asked, disregarding my initial question.

"I was. Until I met you."

"Why's that?"

"Because all I wanted was to be loved and you gave me the chance to feel like I was. I feel like I can die peacefully now."

"You can't die yet. We haven't gone on our date."

"Please make it special then," I teased.

"It'll be perfect."

"But, what will you do when I'm gone? Will you miss me?"

"I'm not sure yet."

My heart sank at his response.

Could you really call any of this love...?