define 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 -
⋆⭒˚.⋆. 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 (𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦) 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺
| 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵
two childhood best friends find their way back to each other, healing old wounds and falling in love - again.
enhypen lee...
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Reflection
———
After the DISAPPOINTING date, Haneul eventually walked home, her mind swirling with thoughts about her relationship. Each step felt heavy, weighed down by the evening's events and Minho's dismissive attitude. She replayed their conversations in her head, trying to make sense of his harsh words and critical demeanour.
Lost in her reflections, Haneul barely noticed her surroundings. The city streets blurred together as she wandered aimlessly, her thoughts consuming her. She was so absorbed in her inner turmoil that she didn't realise where her legs were taking her until she suddenly found herself standing in the park. The familiar sight of tall trees and winding paths pulled her back to the present.
The evening air was cool against her skin, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above. The distant sounds of the city created a quiet hum in the background, contrasting sharply with the storm of emotions churning within her. She took a deep breath, savouring the crisp, clean scent of the park, a brief respite from the heaviness she felt.
Haneul sank onto a nearby bench, its cold surface grounding her as she tried to sort through her feelings. The park, usually a place of tranquility and joy, now felt like a sanctuary, offering her a moment of peace amid the chaos of her thoughts. She gazed at the dimly lit path ahead, the soft glow of the street lamps casting long shadows on the ground.
As she sat there, her mind continued to race with thoughts of her boyfriend. She remembered how different he used to be. When they first started dating, he was kind, supportive, and attentive. He made her laugh and always seemed genuinely interested in her thoughts and feelings.
She recalled their early days together, the long walks and late-night conversations where they shared their dreams and fears. Back then, he was her confidant and best friend, someone she could count on for encouragement and love. But, gradually, things began to change. The warmth and understanding that once defined their relationship started to fade, replaced by criticism and impatience.
Haneul's heart ached as she thought about how Minho had changed. His once-gentle demeanour had given way to a harshness that she didn't recognise. He no longer listened with the same interest or cared about her opinions. The playful banter they used to enjoy had turned into arguments and dismissive comments.
She wondered what caused this transformation. Was it stress from his job, unmet expectations, or simply growing apart? Whatever the reason, the person who sat across from her at dinner tonight felt like a stranger, not the man she fell in love with.
The realisation hit her hard: the relationship that once brought her joy now brought more pain and frustration. She longed for the days when they were truly happy, but she was beginning to accept that those days might be in the past.
While contemplating her next steps, Haneul continued to savour the soothing ambiance of the park. Soft music playing in the background, the notes were delicate and melodic as it weaved through the night air like a comforting embrace.
Wait, soft music?
Turning her head to take a closer look at her surroundings, she noticed someone sitting on the grass patch not too far away from her. The figure appeared relaxed, sitting cross-legged with a guitar resting on their lap. The soft glow on the street lamps casted a gentle light on the scene, highlighting the musician's serene expression as they played.
As Haneul watched the figure, she couldn't help but notice how familiar the person looked. She squinted her eyes, trying to get a clearer view, and then it hit her.
"Heeseung?" her voice carried softly across the park.
The musician paused mid-strum, his fingers freezing on the guitar strings as he turned to look in her direction. His eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of shock crossing his features before being replaced by a warm smile. "Haneul, what are you doing here?" he breathed out.
"I could ask you the same thing," Haneul replied, with a nervous laugh, feeling a sudden pang of self-consciousness. "I was just taking a walk."
As they exchanged awkward smiles, the air between them changed with uncertainty. Haneul wondered if she was intruding on a private moment, if Heeseung would have preferred to be left alone. But before she could dwell on her doubts, Heeseung gestured for her to join him on the grass.
As she settled on the ground, Heeseung's gaze flickered over her, taking in her appearance. He couldn't help but notice how dressed up she was, a stark contrast to the casual atmosphere of the park.
"Haneul," he began, his voice tinged with confusion, "you look.... different."
"Oh," she stammered, tugging at the hem of her dress nervously. "I, uh, went out for dinner earlier. I know it's not very.... presentable."
Heeseung's voice softened with sincerity as he responds, "What do you mean? I think you look beautiful."
Haneul's cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and gratitude at his unexpected compliment. His words washed over her like a warm embrace, banishing her self-doubt and uncertainty in an instant.
"Thank you," she murmured, a shy smile grazing her lips.
"You don't have to thank me, I'm just being honest." Heeseung gently added.
His words carried a sincerity that resonated deeply with Haneul, filling her with a warmth she hadn't realise she'd been craving. "Well, thank you for being honest," she replied, her smile widening.
In Heeseung's simple gesture of kindness and honesty, Haneul found a renewed sense of comfort and reassurance. It was as if his words had lifted a weight from her shoulders, reminding her that she was worthy of acceptance and appreciation just as she is.
