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°˖➴ #𝟬𝟬 - prologue
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In the quiet sanctuary of her room, KIM HANEUL sat on the edge of her bed, cocooned in a world of words. The soft glow of her bedside lamp cast a warm halo around her, illuminating the pages of the book cradled in her hands. With each turn of a page, she dived deeper into the story, her imagination painting vivid landscapes and breathing life into characters that danced across the printed words.
Outside her window, the world buzzed with the symphony of small-town life. Birds chirped their melodies, and the distant hum of passing cars provided a gentle background rhythm. But within the confines of her room, Haneul was lost in a realm of her own creation, where time seemed to stand still and worries faded into insignificance.
The music playing softly from her phone added another layer to the immersive experience, weaving its melodies into the fabric of her thoughts. As she turned another page, a soft knock on her door interrupted her reverie, and her mother's voice floated through the barrier.
"Haneul, could you do me a favour?"
Reluctantly, Haneul tore her gaze away from the book, and with a sigh, marked her place with a makeshift bookmark and set the book aside. Pushing herself up from the bed, she padded over to the door, her mind still lingering on the world she had left behind in the pages of her book.
"Sure, mom. What do you need?" she asked, opening the door to find her mother standing there with a hopeful expression.
"I need a few things from the grocery store. Could you pick them up for me?" her mother requested, holding out a small list.
Haneul nodded, already mentally preparing herself to step out into the bustling reality outside her room. "Of course, what's on the list?"
"We need some milk, bread, eggs, and a few vegetables for dinner tonight." her mother listed, handing her the paper.
"Got it. Anything else?" Haneul inquired, scanning the items before tucking the list into her pocket. Her mother paused, considering for a moment. "Hmm, oh yes, could you also grab some apples? Your father loves them."
With a resigned smile, Haneul agreed, knowing that her father's happiness was worth the extra errand. "Consider it done. I'll head out now."
"Thank you, dear. You're a lifesaver," her mother said gratefully, patting her on the shoulder as she turned to leave.
"No problem, mom. I'll be back soon." Haneul promised, closing the door behind her.
As she made her way downstairs and out into the warm afternoon sunlight, Haneul couldn't help but feel a twinge of reluctance at leaving behind the comfort of her room and the captivating story that awaited her return. As she reached the quaint market nestled in the heart of town, Haneul pushed open the creaking door and stepped into the bustling aisles. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the earthy aroma of fruits and vegetables, enveloping her in a comforting embrace of familiarity.
Lost in her thoughts, Haneul wandered through the aisles, ticking off items from her mother's list with practiced efficiency. Milk, bread, eggs - each item found its place in her basket, a mundane task of her day. But just as she reached for a crisp apple to add to her haul, a voice from behind her made her jump in surprise, nearly dropping the fruit.
"Haneul, is that you?"
Startled, Haneul's heart skipped a beat, as she turned slowly, her eyes widening in astonishment at the figure before her. For a moment, she stood frozen, the weight of the unexpected reunion sinking in.
"Heeseung?" she stammered, her voice betraying her shock as she struggled to find the right words.
Their eyes met, and an awkward silence hung between them, filled with the weight of years gone by and the unspoken questions lingering in the air. Haneul couldn't help but feel a knot of uncertainty tightening in her stomach, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected twist in the story of her day.
