𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚. yeonji

𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞-𝐡𝐮𝐢𝐭

trigger warning: mention of death

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The sound of the waves rolling along the white shore was calming. It was music to Kali's ears, slowly lulling her back to sleep.

But the cold breeze made it hard to do so and it only awakened her further.

Watching the sunrise became Kali's habit as soon as she started living in the countryside. The sound of the waves, which engulfs the silence from its surroundings, gives her a peace of mind.

Kali had always loved the sea.

It always brings out precious memories of her and her mother as they always visit whenever they had time in the past.

That's why, she never regretted her decision to live here.

Kali looked over her shoulder when she heard the squeaking of the sand. Her eyes widen slightly as soon as she saw who it was.

"Chand..."

Hearing her soft voice, Chand nodded his head in acknowledgement. He then sat beside her, leaving just enough space in between them.

Chand didn't dared to look at her and only faced forward. His eyes strained along the glittering reflections that the saltwater makes when the light hits it.

"That night, during the pool party... I was too harsh with my words," Chand started.

"I'm sorry," he continued, his brows furrowing when he remembered the incident.

Kali, who hadn't expected his apology, could only look at the side profile of her ex-lover with a stunned expression.

Truthfully, earning an apology from Chand was as rare as finding a painite.

Chand, to say the least, is almost always never wrong.

Although the two had never really fought with each other before, she knew how prideful of a man Chand is. But she also knew Chand is the type of person who would never hesitate to apologize if he knew he's in the wrong.

"I won't apologize for the things that I said though. I meant everything."

Kali wore a sad smile, nodding her head in understanding when she heard his words.

"It's okay. It's already in the past," Kali smiled. She could feel her heart crumbling once again after realizing that Chand hates her.

A moment of silence cloaked the two before Kali decided to speak, "I'm sorry as well."

"For being so busy that I hardly had any time for you... and for not giving you a valid reason at all," Kali paused, digging her toes unto the sand to bring more warmth to her cold body.

"You guys, except for Phoebe, don't really know this but I used to part-time in a lot of jobs before," she continued. Chand took a sideway glance at her.

Kali working is news to the older boy and not once did it ever crossed his mind.

He had always thought that Kali didn't have any problems with anything at all. Seeing that she looks just too carefree and cheerful most of the time, no one would think that she's actually struggling.

Furthermore, the girl didn't say anything about this to him at all.

"My mother died a few years back and my father—no, I don't have a father. Anyway, I had to support myself in everything hence the jobs," she shared.

Unconsciously, Kali gazes off at the distance as she recalled her life months before she had finally decided to move away from the city.

The girl didn't noticed the look on Chand's face as he faced her. He couldn't seem to give out an appropriate response to her words as they were all new to him.

This was the first time Kali had opened up about her family. And Chand, who's hearing it only now, is feeling quite lost.

"I never had any problems when I was working. My past employers and co-workers were very friendly and open. All of them were good to me."

She paused again.

"Everything was smooth-sailing until that incident happened..." she trailed off, her eyes glazing over as she remembered something unpleasant.

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✏️ note:
painite — rarest gemstone in the world