UNSPOKEN DESIRES

The beginning of something new

As I strolled down the familiar streets of Busan, my hometown, a sense of contention washed over me. The day had been long, filled with the hustle and bustle of my part-time job, the world around me seemed to slow down. The sun, not yet fully set, painted the sky with hues of orange and gold, casting a warm, gentle glow over everything it touched. It was the kind of weather that beckoned you to pause and savour the moment, to sit and relax. Busan was always enchanting, but it was during moments like these when the city seemed to pause and take a breath, that its true beauty shone through. So, with a contented heart, I made my way to the beach to meet my best friend. The gentle breeze carried the scent of the sea, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore was a soothing symphony that beckoned me.
As I approached the sandy shores, I spotted my best friend, Sarah, sitting on a weathered driftwood log. Her smile, as radiant as ever, lit up her face as she waved at me. I quickened my pace to join her, feeling the sand squish beneath my sneakers.

"Hey there!" she greeted me with a cheerful wave. "You made it!"

I returned her smile, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for moments like these. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied.

We settled down on the beach, our feet buried in the soft, cool sand. The sound of gentle waves lapping at the shore provided the background music for our evening. We shared stories, dreams, and laughter, as the fading sun painted the sky with ever-deepening shades of orange and purple.

Suddenly her phone buzzed and I glanced over to see my best friend, Sarah, engrossed in a text conversation. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "You're again texting that jerk?" I quipped a hint of exasperation in my voice.

Jake had started as a charming gentleman when they first started dating, but over time, he had morphed into a rude scumbag who seemed to relish in making Sarah's life miserable.

She lowered her phone and gazed at me, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and uncertainty. "Yuna" she sighed, "you don't understand. He's just having a bad day." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How many "bad days" could one person have before it became clear that something was seriously wrong? "Sarah, this has been going on for weeks," I said, my voice pleading. "You deserve so much better than this. You need to leave him." She rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated huff. "And you're again working your ass overtime," She pointed out, changing the topic abruptly. Sarah's lips curled into a half-hearted smile, her eyes finally leaving her phone screen. "You're changing the topic," I said, echoing my earlier words.

She sighed, realizing that I was right. It was impossible to ignore the glaring issue at hand. "Look, Sarah," I began, my tone softer now, "I just hate to see you like this. You deserve to be with someone who treats you with respect and kindness, not someone who makes you question yourself all the time."

"Don't give me that lecture, and you do realize that your phone has been ringing for the past 10 minutes," Sarah said pointing to my phone. "It's from an unknown number, I don't think I should answer it." Sarah then proposed, "Considering you recently applied to colleges, it might be related to that."

I nodded as I  tapped the screen to accept the call. "Yeah, it's possible. I've been waiting for updates on my application status, so this could be it."

The phone call connected, and a voice on the other end spoke, "Hello, is this Yuna?"

I replied, "Yes, this is she. Who's calling, please?"

The voice introduced itself as a representative from the college admissions office. Sarah leaned in closer, curiosity piqued, as my expression transitioned from uncertainty to hope.

The admissions officer continued, "I'm calling to inform you that your application has been reviewed, and we'd like to offer you admission to our university! Congratulations!"
The admissions officer's words sent an electrifying jolt of excitement through me. My eyes lit up like fireworks on the Fourth of July as I  exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, Sarah! It's happening! They're offering me admission to the university!"

Sarah's jaw dropped in amazement. "No way! Yuna that's incredible!" She couldn't help but squeal with delight.

I was practically bubbling with joy, and continued, "I can't believe it! All those late-night study sessions were worth it!"

Sarah hugged me tightly. "You worked so hard for this, and you deserve it!"

I beamed back at her, my voice brimming with happiness. "Thank you, Sarah! I couldn't have done it without your support and encouragement."

Sarah wiped away a happy tear and teased, "Well, you know, I always believed in you. Now, we are going to have the most amazing college adventure!"

I nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! This is just the beginning of a fantastic journey."