Frozen Memories➔ps.ff

Chapter 18

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The next morning, the consequences of their night out hit hard. Sarang woke up with a pounding headache, the alarm blaring in her ears. She had set it early to pick up Dohwa from the airport, who would arrive in an hour.

Sophia, also hungover, groaned as she reluctantly got out of bed. They hadn't even packed yet, but Sarang rushed to get ready, skipping breakfast in her haste.

She was about to head out when her phone rang—it was her Uber driver, informing her that he'd be late due to a flat tire. Frustrated, she ran out to hail a taxi, but none were in sight.

Just as she was about to lose hope, a car pulled up beside her. Confused, she hesitated until the window rolled down, revealing Eunseok.

"Good morning. Looks like you need a ride," he said with a teasing smile.

Sarang smiled back, "Oh, it's no problem. A taxi will come soon, don't worry. Thanks, though."

Eunseok raised an eyebrow. "I don't think any taxis will show up unless you walk down the street. Come on, get in—I'll take you."

Realizing she had no other choice, Sarang sighed and got into the passenger seat. "Thanks, I'm heading to the airport. My brother is arriving soon."

"Oh, I'm going to the airport too. A friend of mine is coming in," Eunseok replied. It was a total coincidence that they had the same destination.

The drive was quiet, the radio filling the silence. Sarang couldn't help but notice how much Eunseok resembled Sunghoon. It made her stomach churn. The way he talked, smiled—everything was so similar, yet it wasn't him. She had to remind herself of that.

They arrived just in time for her brother's flight departure. Sarang thanked Eunseok, and they parted ways, heading to different gates.

As she waited for Dohwa, she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone, noticing a message from Eunseok from the previous night. It was a simple, "Hey, it's me, Eunseok. Did you get home safe?" She mentally kicked herself for not seeing it earlier. She had been too tired to check her phone before crashing last night and had left in such a rush this morning.

Her self-reproach was interrupted by a sharp flick on the forehead. Startled, she looked up to see Dohwa standing there, a grin spreading across his face.

"You didn't think I'd just let you stand there without saying hi, did you?" he teased, pulling her into a tight hug.

Sarang couldn't help but laugh, wrapping her arms around him. "I missed you, Dohwa. It's been forever!"

"Missed you too, Sarang. You look tired, though. Didn't sleep much?" he asked, pulling back to get a better look at her.

"Only had about two hours," she admitted, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Finals were brutal, and then there was a goodbye party last night. But I'm done now, so it's all good."

Dohwa raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "A party? You? Did I hear that right?"

"Yeah, I know," she laughed, rolling her eyes. "It was a rare occasion, okay?"

As they made their way to the baggage claim, Dohwa filled her in on the latest back home—how their parents were doing, and the little things she'd missed out on. His voice was like a warm blanket, grounding her as they navigated the bustling airport and then to where taxis were waiting.

The drive to their grandmother's house was filled with easy conversation, mostly Dohwa teasing her about old times and sharing funny anecdotes. Sarang had always been close to her brother; though they always fought growing up, and despite the years apart, their bond remained as strong as ever.

When they finally pulled up to their grandmother's house, Sarang felt a familiar warmth settle in her chest. The house, a quaint two-story nestled in a quiet neighborhood, had been her sanctuary for the past few years.

The garden, meticulously cared for by her grandmother, was in full bloom, adding bursts of color to the front yard. As they walked up the stone path to the front door, Sarang couldn't help but smile. This place had so many memories, and she was going to miss it deeply.

The door swung open before they could knock, and her grandmother stood there, beaming with joy.

"There they are, my two favorite troublemakers," she said, her voice full of affection as she pulled them both into a hug.

"Halmeoni, we're here!" Sarang greeted, hugging her back tightly.

Dohwa leaned down to plant a kiss on their grandmother's cheek. "You look as beautiful as ever, Halmeoni."

"Oh, you charmer," their grandmother chuckled, leading them inside. The house smelled of freshly baked cookies and something savory cooking in the kitchen.

It was as if she had known they were coming all along.

"Come in, come in. I've made lunch, so you two must be starving after the flight and exams."

They settled in the cozy living room, the familiar surroundings instantly putting Sarang at ease. The walls were adorned with family photos, and the furniture, though slightly worn, was comfortable and inviting. As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly, with Dohwa and their grandmother catching up as if no time had passed.

After lunch, Sarang excused herself to start packing, but her grandmother stopped her. "Leave that for later, dear. You're not leaving until tomorrow, right? Let's enjoy the time we have."

Sarang smiled, feeling the weight of the past few weeks lift off her shoulders. "Okay, Halmeoni. I'll pack later."

The afternoon was spent in the garden, sipping tea and sharing stories. Dohwa and their grandmother reminisced about the old days, and Sarang soaked in every word, laughing at their playful banter. It was a peaceful day, a stark contrast to the hectic life she had led recently.

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