The Light After The Storm | SUNSUN

Past

The city streets were still shrouded in darkness as Sunoo stumbled forward, each step heavy with the weight of his distress. His breath came out in ragged bursts, the cold air biting at his cheeks, but the chill was nothing compared to the turmoil seething within him. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with the rain that had begun to fall, though he barely noticed. His mind was consumed with a single, overwhelming thought: how would he face this new reality?

At seventeen, the world seemed impossibly vast and unforgiving, especially now. Sunoo had never imagined that he would find himself in such a predicament—pregnant, and with no clear path forward. The weight of the unborn child inside him was both a literal and metaphorical burden, pressing down on his shoulders with each passing second. The whispers of judgment he feared from his family, the uncertainty of his future, and the overwhelming sense of isolation were all-consuming.

His feet carried him almost on autopilot to his boyfriend’s condo, a place that had once been his sanctuary. The luxurious building, with its polished marble floors and imposing glass facade, now seemed like a beacon of hope in the midst of his personal storm. As he approached the entrance, his heart pounded with a mixture of anxiety and desperation. He knew he had to find solace here, even though the thought of facing his boyfriend in such a state made him feel vulnerable and exposed.

The doorman at the building's entrance greeted him with a nod of recognition, his warm smile a stark contrast to Sunoo’s own frigid demeanor. He offered no words of comfort, perhaps sensing the gravity of Sunoo’s situation, but his silent acknowledgment was a small, comforting gesture. As Sunoo entered, he noticed that the familiar lobby, with its plush seating and soft lighting, seemed almost alien to him today.

The elevator ride to his boyfriend’s floor felt interminable. Sunoo’s hands trembled as he pressed the button for the correct floor, his mind racing with a million thoughts and fears. The ding of the elevator doors opening felt hollow, and the usually reassuring sound of his footsteps in the hallway now seemed to echo his growing sense of dread.

When he finally reached his boyfriend's door, Sunoo’s resolve wavered. The idea of confronting his boyfriend with this news, of showing him the raw and painful reality he faced, was daunting. His hand hovered over the doorbell, the cold metal pressing into his skin as he gathered the courage to ring it. With a deep breath, he finally pressed the button, the sound echoing through the corridor.

The minutes ticked by slowly, each one stretching into an eternity. Sunoo’s tears had begun to dry on his cheeks, leaving streaks of salt and pain. Just as he was about to turn away, feeling a crushing sense of defeat, the door creaked open.

Jake, his boyfriend. Stood in the doorway, looking disheveled and surprised. The sight of Sunoo, drenched and tear-streaked, made his heart skip a beat. He took in Sunoo’s appearance, his concern quickly overshadowing his initial confusion. Without a word, he stepped aside, silently inviting Sunoo into the warmth and safety of his home.

As Sunoo stepped inside, the familiar scent of Jake’s condo—a mix of fresh coffee, cedar, and a hint of something uniquely of his boyfriend—enveloped him. It was a comforting reminder of better times, and for a brief moment, he felt a pang of nostalgia. The cozy ambiance of the condo, with its soft lighting and warm colors, contrasted sharply with his inner turmoil.

Jake guided Sunoo to the kitchen, his movements quick and purposeful as he tried to make sense of the situation. Sunoo sank into a chair at the kitchen table, feeling utterly drained. Jake, always so composed, was now visibly rattled. He looked at Sunoo with a mixture of concern and confusion.

“Sunoo, what’s going on?” Jake asked, his voice a blend of worry and confusion. “Are you... Are you crying? Is something wrong?"

Sunoo could only respond with more tears, his body shaking as he struggled to find the words. The weight of the moment was too heavy, too overwhelming. He found himself unable to articulate his fears, his pain, or his uncertainty. The kitchen, once a place of simple comforts, felt like a stage for an emotional confrontation.