Lia, a young woman with a heart full of suppressed desires, and Ryujin, a free-spirited soul, had been inseparable since their high school days. From the moment they met, a profound connection blossomed between them, transcending the bounds of mere friendship. They shared countless laughs, wiped away each other's tears, and formed a bond that defied all expectations. Their connection was so powerful that people often mistook them for a couple.
Yet, despite the deep affection they held for one another, Lia's family held narrow-minded views that constrained her heart. Fearful of her family's judgment and the potential consequences, Lia buried her true feelings for Ryujin, opting to keep their relationship in the realm of friendship. But within the sanctuary of their shared moments, whispers of longing and unspoken desires danced between them.
As senior year approached, Lia's anxiety grew. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Ryujin or seeing her relationship with Ryujin jeopardized. In an attempt to divert suspicion, Lia decided to date Chris, a boy from their school. It was a bittersweet decision, as she knew it would shield her from her family's judgment but also meant hiding her true desires. Little did she know that her choice would inflict pain on Ryujin.
Late one summer evening, as the sun cast a warm golden glow over the world, Lia and Ryujin found themselves lying side by side on a blanket beneath a sky ablaze with stars. The air crackled with anticipation as they shared their dreams, secrets, and the weight of their hidden emotions.
Gazing at the constellations above, Ryujin mustered the courage to speak her heart. "Lia, you know how important you are to me, right?" she asked, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
Lia, her heart racing, nodded. "Of course, Ryujin. You're my best friend. You mean the world to me. I'd trade anyone for you."
"Even your boyfriend?"
Ryujin turned her head, her eyes searching Lia's face.
"Anyone.."
Their words hung in the air, vibrant and charged with possibility. In that fleeting moment, the universe seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the love they both yearned to acknowledge.
A flicker of sadness passed through Ryujin's eyes before she quickly masked it with a smile. "I'm kidding, Chris is great."
Unbeknownst to Lia, Ryujin's words held a deeper meaning. Ryujin had been in love with her best friend for years, but the fear of rejection and the potential damage to their friendship kept her from confessing her true feelings. And so, she silently suffered, watching as Lia grew closer to Chris while keeping her emotions hidden.
As their senior year ended, Lia's desire to live her life authentically grew stronger. She could no longer bear the weight of deception and the suffocating expectations placed upon her. Summoning courage from the depths of her soul, Lia made the difficult decision to confront her family and break free from the facade she had constructed.
She gathered her resolve and mustered the strength to end her relationship with Chris, the boyfriend she had used as a shield to deflect suspicion. The act of breaking his heart tore at her own, for she had grown fond of him in their time together. But she knew her heart belonged to someone else, someone who had been by her side all along.
With trembling hands, Lia dialed Ryujin's number, eager to share her newfound courage and confess everything. However, as the phone rang and rang, no familiar voice answered. Panic clutched at Lia's heart as she later found out —Ryujin had left, without a word.
Ryujin's heart wasn't the only thing in turmoil, plagued by her father's violence and the constant fear it brought. To protect herself and her mother, Ryujin made the agonizing decision to flee, leaving no trace behind, not even for the one she loved most—Lia. Ryujin carried the weight of her family's problem, unable to burden Lia with the harsh realities she faced.
Devastation consumed Lia. She had summoned the strength to confront her family and break free from the chains of expectation, only to discover that the one
person who held her heart had slipped away in silence. The echoes of their unspoken desires haunted her, filling her nights with bittersweet dreams of what could have been.
Music became Lia's refuge. Years passed, and life took its course. Lia followed her passion and achieved success as a renowned singer. Her talent attracted the attention of filmmakers, and one day she received a special offer—an opportunity to record a song for a movie soundtrack.
Curiosity piqued, Lia delved into the details of the project. To her astonishment, she discovered that the film revolved around a poignant story—a girl who had been deeply in love with her best friend but had never found the courage to confess her feelings. The narrative struck a chord within Lia's soul, resonating with her own experiences with Ryujin.
Lost in thought, Lia skimmed through the movie script and the lyrics of the song she was to record. The words seemed eerily familiar, as if they were ripped from her own heart. It was then she noticed the name of the author—the writer of the book that had inspired the film was none other than Ryujin.
Tears welled in Lia's eyes as she realized the depth of Ryujin's feelings, the love that had permeated the pages of the book and touched her own soul. It was a love letter written in ink, dedicated to their shared story of missed opportunities and silent yearning.
Filled with a mix of emotions—nostalgia, regret, and a profound sense of loss—Lia's heart yearned to see Ryujin once again.
Determined to reconnect with Ryujin, Lia embarked on a journey to find her. But as she arrived at Ryujin's last known address, she was met with heartbreaking news.
Fate, ever fickle, had already stolen her chance.
Ryujin had succumbed to lung cancer a year earlier, leaving only memories and a book filled with the unspoken melodies of their hearts.
The weight of Lia's unspoken feelings and missed opportunities pressed heavily upon her heart.
Grief-stricken and filled with remorse, Lia made her way to Ryujin's final resting place, a serene cemetery surrounded by beautiful cherry blossom trees. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she knelt before Ryujin's grave, clutching a bouquet of vibrant flowers.
"I'm so sorry, Ryujin," Lia whispered through sobs. "I was such a coward. You deserved so much more. I still love you, even after all these years."
Silence enveloped the cemetery, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves and Lia's agonized words. In that moment, she vowed to carry Ryujin's memory in her heart forever, to live her life authentically, and to never again shy away from love.
As Lia rose to her feet, a gentle breeze swirled around her, carrying with it a sense of solace and forgiveness. It was as if Ryujin's spirit had embraced her, granting her the absolution she sought.
And so, with tears streaming down her face, Lia bid her final farewell to her beloved friend, her one true love. As she turned to leave, the cherry blossoms above her began to fall, filling the air with their delicate petals, as if nature itself was bidding Ryujin's soul a peaceful journey.
In that quiet moment, as the sun set and painted the sky in hues of gold and orange, Lia made a solemn promise. If fate ever granted them a second chance in another life, she would choose Ryujin without hesitation. Their love, though unspoken and lost in this lifetime, would forever resonate within the echoes of their souls.
😭
