cherish | lee heeseung

°˖➴ #𝟭𝟯

Contemplation

———

LATER THAT EVENING, Haneul found herself at a cozy Italian restaurant with her two closest friends, Chaewon and Sunoo. They were seated at the corner table, enjoying the ambient lighting and the aroma of freshly cooked pasta dishes.

Haneul had ordered her favourite spaghetti carbonara, while Chaewon and Sunoo opted for different pasta dishes. As they twirled their forks in the pasta, catching up on each other's lives, Haneul found herself opening up about the recent event with Minho.

"-and he just started confronting me about Heeseung," Haneul explained, frustration evident in her voice. "He's still insisting that I switch jobs too."

Chaewon's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious? What nerve he had! You don't deserve to be treated like that."

Sunoo snorted, shaking his head. "Typical. Men always get jealous over nothing."

Haneul sighed, nodding in agreement. "I know, right?" He's been acting so different lately. It's driving me crazy."

Chaewon placed a reassuring hand on Haneul's arm. "You don't need to put up with that, Haneul. You deserve someone who trusts you and respects you."

Sunoo leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Exactly. And if he can't do that, then maybe it's time to reconsider things."

Haneul toyed with her fork, her thoughts swirling. She appreciated her friends' support and perspective. "I just don't know what to do," she admitted. "I care about him, but I can't ignore how he's been treating me."

Chaewon squeezed her hand gently. "You'll figure it out, Hana. Just know that we're here for you, no matter what."

Haneul managed a small smile, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sunoo raised an eyebrow, his expression serious. "Girl, have you told him about how you feel?"

Haneul hesitated, thinking back to their argument. "Not really. He was so angry, and I didn't want to escalate things."

Chaewon nodded understandingly. "Maybe give it some time. But remember, your feelings are valid. You shouldn't have to walk on eggshells in your own relationship."

Sunoo rolled his eyes playfully. "And you definitely shouldn't have to deal with being forced to do things you don't want to do. That's not fair at all."

Haneul nodded, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. "I know. It's just so hard. I thought we were doing well, and now this..."

Chaewon reached across the table and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Take your time, Haneul. You don't have to make any decisions right away. Just focus on what's best for you."

Sunoo interrupted, lifting a forkful of pasta. "And what's best for me right now is this pasta."

They laughed, the tension easing as they enjoyed their meal together. Despite the uncertainty in her personal life, being with her friends brought Haneul a sense of comfort and reassurance.

As they finished their meals and paid the bill, Haneul felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. She knew she had a lot to consider, but for now, she was grateful for the support of her friends and the comforting presence of pasta and good company.

They decided to end their evening with a treat. They strolled down the street to their favourite ice cream shop, laughing and chatting along the way.

Inside, they each ordered their favourite flavours and found a cozy corner to sit and enjoy their ice cream. The atmosphere was cheerful, and Haneul felt a sense of relief being surrounded by her supportive friends.

As they savoured their ice cream, they continued their conversation about lighter topics, reminiscing about old memories and making plans for future outings. Haneul appreciated the distraction and the chance to relax after the stressful events of the day. The evening ended on a sweet note, and Haneul felt a renewed sense of camaraderie with her two best friends.

———

Later that night, Haneul lay in her bed. The house was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the air conditioner. She turned on her side, trying to get comfortable, but sleep eluded her. Her mind kept replaying the events of the day, especially the confrontation with Minho and comforting words of her friends.

She sighed, glancing at her phone on the bedside table. The message from Heeseung earlier in the day lingered in her thoughts, and she wondered what he was doing at that moment. The uncertainty of her relationship with Minho weighed heavily on her heart, and the memory of Heeseung's kindness added to her confusion.

As she tossed and turned, Haneul couldn't shake the feeling that she was at a crossroads. The once-clear path of her life now seemed tangled and uncertain. She hugged her pillow tightly, trying to find some semblance of peace in the familiar comfort of her bed.

But despite her best efforts, sleep remained out of reach. The questions and doubts swirled in her mind, keeping her awake long into the night.

Eventually, Haneul gave up on trying to sleep. She slipped out of bed, quietly putting on her sneakers and a light jacket. She tiptoed out of her room and down the stairs, careful not to wake her parents. The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside, and she made her way to the park.

The park was quiet and deserted, the only light coming from the street lamps casting long shadows across the grass. Haneul walked along the familiar path, her thoughts still racing. She found a bench near the small pond and sat down, staring at the reflection of the moon on the water.

The tranquility of the park began to soothe her, and she took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind. The events of the day seemed distant now, and she allowed herself to simply exist in the moment, appreciating the calm and solitude.

Haneul wondered what Heeseung thought about their renewed friendship. Did he feel the same sense of nostalgia and warmth? Did he see her as just an old friend, or was there something more? She thought about how he had helped her in the library, their hands touching briefly, and how he had offered his jacket two nights ago. Small gestures that made her heart flutter.

But then there was Minho. Her boyfriend, who used to be loving and attentive but had changed so much. She felt torn between her past and present, unsure of where her heart truly lay.

As she sat under the night sky, Haneul realised she needed to confront these feelings. She couldn't keep avoiding the truth, whatever it might be. But for now, in the quiet of the park, she allowed herself to simply feel, hoping that clarity would come with the dawn.

———