7 Minutes In Heaven (SUNGHOON)

19: Unspoken Promises

The following week was a blur of anticipation and uncertainty. I could hardly focus on anything but the upcoming meeting between Sunghoon and his father, which would determine how things would unfold for him. I had hoped that this third meeting might finally bring some clarity.

On Saturday morning, I decided to take a walk to clear my mind before the meeting. The city was alive with the usual hustle and bustle, but I found solace in the rhythm of my footsteps against the pavement. The smell of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of coffee from a street café. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

I met Sunghoon at the same café where we had our previous heart-to-heart. The familiar ambiance offered a comforting backdrop, but today, the air felt charged with a different kind of tension. Sunghoon arrived promptly, his face betraying a mix of nervousness and resolve.

"Hey," I greeted, standing as he walked in. "How are you feeling?"

Sunghoon offered a strained smile, trying to mask his anxiety. "Hey. I'm... okay. Just anxious to see how things will go."

We sat down at our usual table, and the comforting aroma of the café's coffee and pastries enveloped us. Sunghoon's demeanor was noticeably tense, his fingers drumming lightly on the table as he waited for the inevitable.

"I hope everything goes well," I said, trying to offer encouragement. "You've been handling everything so well."

Sunghoon glanced at me, his expression softening slightly. "Thanks. I just want to make sure I handle this right."

Our conversation flowed with the usual ease, but the underlying tension was palpable. Sunghoon's eyes occasionally darted to the entrance, as if expecting his father to appear at any moment.

As the minutes ticked by, I noticed Sunghoon growing increasingly restless. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his coffee cup, and he glanced at his watch repeatedly. I could see the anxiety etched on his face, and it only heightened my own unease.

Finally, the door to the café opened, and Sunghoon's father walked in. The air seemed to grow even more charged as Sunghoon stood to greet him. They exchanged a brief but meaningful look before Sunghoon's father sat down across from us.

"Good to see you, Sunghoon," his father said, his tone serious but not unkind.

"Hi, Dad," Sunghoon replied, his voice steady despite his evident nerves. "Thank you for coming."

Sunghoon's father nodded, and the conversation turned to the main topic of their meeting. Sunghoon listened intently, his eyes never leaving his father's face. I sat quietly, feeling like an outsider but unable to tear myself away from the unfolding scene.

After what felt like an eternity, Sunghoon's father finally spoke. "Sunghoon, after careful consideration, I've made my decision."

Sunghoon's breath seemed to catch in his throat. "And...?"

"I believe it's time for you to take control of your own path," his father said, his voice firm but not harsh. "You have my support to make your own choices and navigate your future as you see fit. It's important for you to pursue what you truly want, even if it's not always what I had in mind."

Sunghoon's shoulders visibly relaxed, and a mixture of relief and disbelief crossed his face. "Thank you, Dad. I appreciate your support."

With that, Sunghoon's father stood up, placing a reassuring hand on Sunghoon's shoulder before walking out. The atmosphere seemed to lighten, but Sunghoon's expression was still one of contemplation.

"Well," I said, breaking the silence, "I guess that's a good sign."

Sunghoon nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, it is. It's a huge relief, honestly."

We spent a few more minutes at the café, the weight of the meeting lifting slowly from Sunghoon's shoulders. The conversation drifted to lighter topics, but there was a noticeable shift in the way Sunghoon interacted with me—more relaxed, more open.

As we walked out of the café, the cool breeze felt invigorating. Sunghoon turned to me, his expression thoughtful. "Thank you for being here. It means a lot."

I smiled, feeling a surge of affection for him. "I'm glad I could be here. You've been through a lot, and it's nice to see some clarity."

Sunghoon's gaze lingered on mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down around us. There was a softness in his eyes, a look that made my heart flutter.

"Do you want to take a walk?" Sunghoon asked, his voice gentle. "I'd like to talk more, if that's okay."

"Sure," I agreed, feeling a rush of warmth at his invitation.

We strolled through the nearby park, the path lined with blooming flowers and the scent of fresh grass in the air. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over everything. Sunghoon's hand brushed against mine occasionally, each touch sending a gentle thrill through me.

"Do you remember those seven minutes we spent in the closet?" Sunghoon asked suddenly, his voice soft.

I looked at him, surprised. "Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"

Sunghoon shrugged slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Those minutes felt like a lifetime in their own way. They made me realize how much I care about you."

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to face him fully. "I feel the same way. It's been hard to navigate everything, but I'm glad we've been able to talk and be honest with each other."

Sunghoon's expression grew serious, and he took a deep breath. "I know we've been through a lot, and there's still a lot ahead. But I want you to know that I care about you deeply. Even though things are uncertain right now, I hope we can continue to support each other."

The sincerity in his voice was undeniable, and I felt a rush of emotions. "I'd like that. I want to be here for you, and I hope we can find our way through everything together."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft twilight over the park, we continued our walk in companionable silence. The connection between us felt stronger than ever, and though the future remained uncertain, I felt a renewed sense of hope and possibility.

With each step we took, I knew that while the path ahead might be challenging, we had each other to rely on. And that, in itself, was a source of comfort and strength.