Crushed And Bond

Chapter 15: Unforeseen Reunion

Lalisa sat in her office, surrounded by stacks of paperwork and the soft glow of her computer screen illuminating the dimly lit room. The faint hum of the air conditioner provided a backdrop to her thoughts as she diligently worked through her tasks. Lost in her concentration, she barely noticed the ringing of her phone until it pierced through the silence of her workspace.

Glancing at the caller ID, she noticed it was an unknown number. With a slight furrow of her brow, she debated whether to answer, her curiosity piqued. With a shrug, she decided to pick up, expecting perhaps a telemarketer or a wrong number.

"Hello?" Lalisa's voice was tentative, her attention still divided between the call and her work.

"Lalisa," came a soft voice from the other end, sending a shiver down her spine. It was a voice she hadn't heard in years, yet one she recognized instantly.

"Jennie unnie," Lalisa replied, her voice barely above a whisper, the memories flooding back with startling clarity.

There was a moment of hesitation before Jennie spoke again, her tone laced with remorse. "I... I wanted to apologize, Lalisa. For everything that happened in the past, for not being there for you when you needed me the most."

Lalisa remained silent, the weight of years of unresolved emotions hanging heavy in the air. It had been a long time since she had heard from Jennie, and the wounds of their fractured friendship still lingered.

"I understand if you don't want to talk," Jennie continued, her voice tinged with regret. "But there's something I need to tell you. Can we meet? At our old café?"

Lalisa hesitated, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Part of her wanted to refuse, to shut the door on the past and move on. But another part, a part softened by time and the distance of years, longed for closure.

Finally, she nodded, her resolve firming. "Alright, unnie . I'll meet you there."

With that, they exchanged brief goodbyes, the line going silent once more. Lalisa leaned back in her chair, her mind buzzing with anticipation and trepidation. Meeting Jennie meant revisiting a chapter of her life she had long since tried to forget. But perhaps, she thought, it was time to confront the ghosts of the past and find the closure she had been seeking.

____

After work, Lalisa made her way to the café where she had agreed to meet Jennie. Standing outside the familiar establishment, she peered through the glass door, spotting Jennie seated at a table, engrossed in a case report. Lalisa couldn't help but notice how Jennie looked like she had rushed to meet her, still clad in her black formal attire, her glasses perched on the bridge of her nose as she poured over the documents.

Pushing open the door, Lalisa stepped into the café, the memories of their college days flooding back as she took in the familiar surroundings. Jennie looked up from her report, her eyes meeting Lalisa's as she registered her presence. There was a moment of silent acknowledgment between them before Lalisa approached, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

"Jennie..." Lalisa's voice was barely above a whisper as she closed the distance between them.

Jennie's gaze softened as she looked up, a hint of relief flashing across her features. "Lalisa, it's good to see you," she said warmly, rising from her seat to greet her old friend.

Their embrace was brief but filled with unspoken emotions, a silent reconciliation of sorts after years of distance and misunderstanding.

Taking a seat opposite Jennie, Lalisa couldn't help but feel a surge of nostalgia wash over her. "It's been too long," she remarked, her voice tinged with emotion.