Lost Connection

Chapter 15: Further Apart, The Closer That We Are

As Haerin looked up at the woman who inadvertently became her momentary anchor, she couldn't help but voice her confusion. "Who are you?" she questioned. The girl sighed, revealing the unexpected truth, "I'm Minji's girlfriend."

The revelation hit Haerin like a sudden gust of wind, prompting her to immediately rip the hands off her waist, a reflex of realization and a hint of discomfort. "Oh," Haerin uttered, the weight of the revelation settling in. The girl scoffed and, with a determined gesture, demanded, "Take these off," as she tugged Haerin's headphones from her head. Sound flooded Haerin's ears like a freight train, leaving her momentarily disoriented.

The girl didn't stop there; she spun Haerin around and gently pushed her forward. Haerin, still in a state of confusion, opened her mouth to speak, but the girl simply said, "Somewhere only you know." With those words, everything seemed to click into place. Haerin reached into her pocket, pulling out the paper with coordinates. It all made sense, and without hesitation, she began running.

Past the town square market, the zebra crossing where Minji tied her shoes, past the bustling market, until finally, she arrived at the beach. There, emerging from the shadows, was Minji. Her silhouette was illuminated by the gentle glow of surrounding lights. Haerin's expression shifted from confusion to realization, a soft smile playing on her lips.

In her hands, Minji held Haerin's phone, raising an eyebrow in playful challenge. "Admit it," she teased, echoing the words from the note.

Haerin chuckled, her guard dropping. "Okay, okay, I admit it," she said with a grin. The tension from their past encounters seemed to dissipate, replaced by a shared understanding.

With a sly smile, Minji handed over the phone. "It's good to see you, Haerin," she said, the words carrying a sincerity that resonated in the quiet beach. The complexities of their journey had led them to this moment, where the threads of connection and the echoes of the past converged on the shores of understanding.

In the quiet aftermath of their kiss, Haerin found herself at a loss for words. "I...I'm so sorry," she finally managed to utter, the weight of past misunderstandings hanging in the air. Minji nodded, her expression holding a mix of understanding and acceptance. "I am too," Minji replied.

In an unexpected turn, Minji's lips held a perpetual smile as she gently tilted Haerin's chin up, closing the distance between them. Fireworks burst above them, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that mirrored the complex emotions between the two. Yet, Haerin abruptly broke the kiss, a question lingering in her mind. "What about your girlfriend?" she inquired, a note of concern in her voice.

Minji's smile remained, a subtle warmth in her gaze. "We broke up. Hanni and I were... looking for different things," she explained. "I guess you could say, right person, wrong time," Minji concluded, a dedication to honesty evident in her eyes. Cupping Haerin's face, she continued, "It was always you."

A sense of guilt swept over Haerin as Minji held her waist. "I always thought about you, no matter how hard I tried not to," Haerin confessed. Minji nodded, an unspoken acknowledgment of the invisible thread that bound them together, no matter the physical distance.

"It was hard not to fall for you over and over again; I gave you all my heart," Minji shared, her words hanging in the air. However, the reality of their situation crept in. "But now, you're not going anywhere," she said, a hopeful chuckle accompanying the words.

Haerin, her emotions a whirlwind, spoke up. "I have to leave, tomorrow night," she admitted. Minji's face slowly fell, the visible heartbreak casting a shadow over her features. In a moment of desperation, Haerin blurted out, "Come with me." The words hung in the air, an unexpected plea that carried the weight of possibility and uncertainty.

Bags in hand, Haerin bid farewell to her tearful family. Her grandma, wearing a knowing look, exchanged a smile with Haerin. Holding her phone as a signal to call, Haerin smiled, and her grandma mouthed, "You better." With a final smile, Haerin left the house.

Minji came into view, and Haerin greeted her with a smile. "Ready," Minji echoed, and together they walked to the train station. Waiting on the platform for the train, with three minutes until it arrived, a familiar voice shouted, "Wait!" Haerin turned around to see Danielle rushing towards them. "Dani!" Haerin exclaimed, hugging her tightly.

"Trying to leave without saying goodbye?" Danielle teased, returning the hug. Haerin laughed softly, "Wouldn't be the first time." Minji, observing the interaction, introduced herself. "So this is the infamous Danielle Marsh. I've heard a lot about you." Danielle, wide-eyed, made a shocked face, realizing, "This is the phone girl?" Haerin blushed as Minji chuckled. "I suppose I am," Minji confirmed skeptically, glancing at Haerin, who hid behind her hands.

As the train arrived, Danielle frowned. "Well, I guess this is goodbye," she said. Haerin corrected her, "Not goodbye. It's a see you later." Danielle welled up with tears, hugging them both tightly before letting them enter the train. Waving until the train departed, Danielle wiped a tear.

And so, as Haerin and Minji embarked on their journey together, leaving behind the echoes of the past and embracing the possibilities of the future, the train carried them towards new horizons. The heartfelt farewell with Danielle marked not an end but a transition, as life continued to unfold with unexpected twists and turns.

The train's rhythmic hum and the gentle sway became a backdrop to the unfolding story of Haerin and Minji, a story shaped by love, timing, and the undeniable connection that persisted against all odds. The journey ahead was uncertain, yet the two always found each other in the end.

As the train disappeared into the distance, carrying the duo toward their next chapter, one thing remained certain — the thread of connection between Haerin and Minji, woven through the tapestry of their shared experiences, would endure. And so, the story of Haerin and Minji continued, a tale of love, growth, and the ever-present possibility of new beginnings.

"That was...actually kind of sweet," a voice behind Danielle commented. She turned around, asking, "Oh, I'm sorry, who are you?" The girl, holding a phone loosely between her fingers, introduced herself as Hanni. "And I believe this is yours," she said charmingly, presenting Danielle's phone. Smiling, Danielle reached for it, but Hanni lifted it, teasing, "Uh uh uh, not until you do something for me." Danielle furrowed her brows, questioning, "What?" Hanni smiled,

"Go on a date with me."

The End

Dear readers,

Thank you for joining me on this emotional journey with Haerin and Minji. Their story is one of love, growth, and the complex dance of timing and connection. As say goodbye to them on that train, let's imagine the unwritten chapters that await them.

I think that life is a series of moments, and sometimes, love finds its way back to us when we least expect it. May Haerin and Minji's story remind us to cherish the connections that linger in our hearts, even across time and distance.

Wishing you all your own beautiful stories filled with love and unexpected twists.

With gratitude,
Petra Kolapo

P.S: Sequel?