HEARTBEATS [2KIM AU]

twenty-two

"Unnie..." Chaewon's eyes flattered open. The room is embraced with darkness with the curtains preventing the sunlight from coming in. Her eyes was staring blankly at the ceiling, processing the dream she had. She felt her eyes are swollen, she must be crying on her sleep while she dreamed of that. She remembered that Minju fell asleep last night after saying her favorite line, "I love you."

Chaewon smiled, excited to start the day. She sat down rubbing her eyes but the second she gained her vision back, she froze. She could see the scattered things on the ground, her room is a mess as if a kid throws a tantrum a few minutes ago. She immediately reached for her phone. She saw her messages that was sent to Minju's number until last night. She spammed the number but it was left unseen.

I acted like it's just a bad dream. Why did I have to wake up if everything that had happened is part of the reality?

Tears starts running down her cheeks, as if she wasn't crying the past few days, especially yesterday. Minju's burial occurred yesterday, it was in the late afternoon. The whole evening before she fell asleep, she was only crying, refusing to accept the reality. There seem to be no end on the tears, as if she wasn't getting tired of it.

She heard a knock on the door which is replied by silence, Chaewon wiped her tears hurriedly as if her red eyes wouldn't give way. "Chaewon-ah. I know that it's still hard for you. Minju's parents are coming in an hour because they want to hand something to you. I hope you'll be ready by then." Chaewon kept her mouth shut, her eyes staring blankly at the door where the voice was heard from.

"Just know that your mother and I are always here for you, okay? Minju wouldn't want you not taking care of yourself. Take your time until you feel a little better." After hearing her father's last sentence, she heard footsteps walking away from her room.

'Will there be a moment better than when I'm with her?'

She once again looked around the messy room, she must've been so mad that she made such mess last night. Even she doesn't feel like getting up from her bed, she started picking up the things on the floor. There are clothes, some are the stuffs that are placed on her study table. She just placed them where they should be not having the feel to organize it. She chose whatever clothes her hands pick walking with heavy footsteps on her way to the bathroom.

______________________________

Chaewon took a deep breathe forcing a smile on her face as she made her way to their dining area. She was greeted by her parents and Minju's parents. She bowed and greeted them as they invited her to sit with them to eat.

The sadness is visible on their tired restless eyes, the smiles they show as they converse with her parents are obviously a forced one as well, seeing no visible smile line on their face. Chaewon knew better that even how heartbroken she is, them, as Minju's parents, are feeling more terrible than her. So the whole lunch, she did her best to display a smile on her face.

After lunch, to have some dessert, they sat at the living room. The sound from the turned on television serves as a background music to their conversation. Chaewon opens her mouth to politely reply once in a while when her name is being called. Finally, as her parents have this conversation with Minju's father, Minju's mother who's seated beside her faced her. She reached and pulled the box and paper bags closer to her to hand it to Chaewon who's now confused.

"We believe Minju left these for you." Chaewon saw the resemblance of the gentle smile from Minju's mother. She missed her more because of this, with the box on her lap, she hugged her from the side which Minju's mother patted her head.