A portrait of the unseen [COMPLETE]

dissappear

As Ryu broached the topic of studying abroad during one of our late-night video calls, I could sense the hesitation and uncertainty in her voice. Despite the excitement of pursuing her dreams, I knew that her decision would come with its own set of challenges – challenges that we would have to face together.

Listening to Ryu express her thoughts and concerns, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the prospect of being separated from her once again. We had only recently gotten back together, and the thought of being apart so soon weighed heavily on my heart.

But amidst the sadness, there was also a sense of determination – a determination to support Ryu in any way I could, no matter what it meant for our relationship. I knew that if we wanted our love to endure, we would have to work harder than ever before, communicating openly and honestly, and finding ways to stay connected despite the distance.

As Ryu shared her plans and aspirations for the future, I made a silent vow to be there for her every step of the way, offering my unwavering support and encouragement. Our love may face challenges and obstacles, but I was confident that together, we could overcome anything that stood in our way.

And so, as we ended our call that night, I made a promise to myself and to Ryu – a promise to stand by her side, no matter where her dreams may take her, and to do everything in my power to ensure that our love remained strong and resilient, even in the face of adversity.

After a month, Ryu finally made her decision. She was going abroad to pursue her passion for photography. I was incredibly supportive, encouraging her to chase her dreams even though it meant we would be apart. We promised to stay in touch, to call and text as often as possible. But as the months passed, the messages and calls from Ryu became less frequent until they stopped altogether.

I tried to focus on my work, hoping it would distract me from the growing worry gnawing at my mind. But the silence from Ryu was becoming unbearable. I started to panic, feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. I needed to see her, to know she was okay.

Finally, when I had some time off, I went to her apartment. The building was eerily quiet, and when I knocked on her door, there was no answer. I tried calling out her name, hoping she would hear me, but the only response was the echo of my own voice. I checked with the building manager, who confirmed my worst fears: Ryu had moved out weeks ago without leaving any forwarding address.

Next, I went to the business Ryu and Jess ran together. It was closed, the windows dark and empty. A sign on the door indicated it had been shut down a few months ago. I felt a wave of dread wash over me as I realized how disconnected I had become from Ryu's life.

Desperate, I decided to find Jess. But when I reached her business, I found it closed as well. The same sense of abandonment filled me as I stood in front of the locked doors. It was as if Ryu and Jess had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only questions and a deepening sense of loss.

I slumped against the wall, trying to collect my thoughts. Where could they have gone? Why hadn't Ryu contacted me? A thousand scenarios ran through my mind, each more distressing than the last. I needed answers, and I needed to find Ryu. But at that moment, I had no idea where to start.

I tried asking Cole and Steve for help, and they promised to contact me if they found anything. Despite their reassurances, I felt increasingly desperate. I even tried reaching out to Ryu's father, but he rarely came to our building, and he had moved to a new house whose location I didn't know. My attempts to find answers seemed to lead nowhere, leaving me with more questions than ever.

How did Ryu disappear so quickly and completely?

Every day, I messaged her, turning our chat box into a diary of sorts. I poured my thoughts and feelings into those messages, hoping against hope that she would read them and respond. I didn't ask her why she disappeared; instead, I wrote as if I were talking to her, sharing my day, my thoughts, my dreams.

"Hey Ryu, today was tough at work, but I managed to get through it. I miss your smile."

"I saw a beautiful sunset today. It made me think of you and how much you loved capturing moments like these."

"Thinking of you always gives me strength. I hope you're doing well, wherever you are."

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but still, there was no response. I felt a void growing inside me, but I clung to the hope that she would one day read my messages and remember our bond.

I refused to believe that she was truly gone. I held on to the belief that our connection was strong enough to withstand any distance, any silence. I just had to keep believing, keep hoping, and keep reaching out.

And so, I continued to write to her, filling the chat box with my words, my hopes, and my love. It was all I could do, and I prayed that it would be enough to bring her back to me someday.

My career was stable, yet my mind was far from it. I tried convincing myself that Ryu was just busy with school, but the silence from her end gnawed at me. Despite my success, there was an emptiness I couldn't shake off.

Months passed, and the longing for her grew unbearable. One day, driven by a need to feel close to her, I decided to revisit the place where we had vacationed with Cole and Steve. I needed to reconnect with those happy memories, to feel her presence even if she wasn't physically there.

The journey to our old vacation spot was bittersweet. The familiar sights brought back a flood of memories: the laughter, the shared moments, the bond we had nurtured. As I walked through the places where we had spent time together, I felt a mix of solace and sadness.

Standing by the lake where we had once watched the sunset, I could almost hear her voice, feel her hand in mine. The memories were so vivid that it felt like she was right there with me.

In my heart, I knew she hadn't forgotten about me. Ryu wasn't the kind of person to break a promise or disappear without reason. I held on to the belief that something beyond her control was keeping her away.

"Ryu, I miss you," I whispered into the wind, hoping somehow she could hear me. "Wherever you are, I hope you're okay."

Returning to those cherished places gave me a sense of peace, reminding me of the love we shared and the promise she had made.

While walking, I stumbled upon a coffee shop that had a strangely familiar vibe. As I set foot inside, my heart skipped a beat—I froze. There, across the room, was someone who looked exactly like Ryu.

I was about to approach her when another girl clung to her arm, calling her "Rae." It felt like a punch to the gut. This girl looked so much like Ryu, yet everything about her was different—the way she dressed, the way she carried herself. It was like seeing a ghost with a new identity.

Rae and the other girl passed by me and left the shop. My mind was racing. She really looked like Ryu. Was she Ryu? Did she ignore me because she didn’t recognize my face? Or was there something more to it?

Questions swirled in my head: Why would she change her name? Why would she be with someone else? Had she truly forgotten about me, or was there a deeper reason for her disappearance?

I stood there, paralyzed by doubt and confusion. The possibility that Ryu might be living a completely different life, under a different name, was both heartbreaking and bewildering.

"Ryu... or Rae... what happened to us?" I whispered to myself, feeling a mix of hope and despair. I needed answers, but for now, all I had were more questions and the haunting image of a familiar face that seemed so distant and different.