Silent Conversations | Jeon Wonwoo

3

Wonwoo's POV

In a world where billions of people live, there is that unique shared characteristic or experience with someone you have never or will never meet.

This shows the undeniable interconnectedness of one another.

They say, one of the few ways to connect with people is to have a high level of empathy or to have lived a similar life as the other.

I'd typically be glad that in at least one in a billion, there stood a person who can understand me.

But here I am in that exact situation, nowhere close to feeling ecstatic.

How? How can you feel such positive emotions when you know someone is struggling?

How can I feel relief upon catching sight of a lonely, lost soul?

~ TEXT CONVERSATION ~

Texting Stranger

I'm sorry.

I was drunk out of my mind. I called you at such an inappropriate time, you should have not picked up. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Wonwoo

Will all our conversations play out like this?

Texting Stranger

What?

Wonwoo

You apologizing despite not doing anything wrong.

Texting Stranger

I called you. I'm a stranger.

Wonwoo

I don't mind.

Texting Stranger

It's still wrong. I'm sorry. I'll refrain myself next time. There's something about alcohol that alters my brain chemistry.

Wonwoo

If it helps you to message the number, then it will never be a bother.

~ A FEW DAYS LATER ~

Wonwoo's POV

It was 2 am and I was just about to go to bed when my phone suddenly rang.

"Texting Stranger," appeared on the screen.

I looked at it with wide eyes, expecting a call from her soon but definitely not this soon.

I cleared my throat before picking up, "Love..." said the other end with a drunken voice.

"P-please, come back. I'm sorry, love. I miss you, please."

In a situation like this, no amount of words can comfort a person. In fact, there were no right words.

So I did what I seemed to have been doing best.

I hummed her a lullaby.

It went on.. 

And on... 

And on...

Until slurred words turned into murmurs.

Until murmurs turned into quiet snores.

Similar to the other night, I waited.

I waited with the moon.

I waited until the quiet snores stabilized.

I waited until the sun rose.

I too was falling asleep but how could I leave?

When the person at the end of the line had put up with sleepless nights.

What was a little waiting, right?