Love in the Halls [Lee Donghyuck]

Chapter 45: Maldives Part 3

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The past week in the Maldives had been nothing short of a dream. Every morning, Narae woke up to the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the soft rustling of palm leaves. Her days were filled with the kind of serenity she had longed for—a peacefulness that wrapped around her like the warm sun that kissed her skin each day. The ocean was a clear blue, and every glance out of her room's window was a painting of turquoise water meeting the sky.

Narae had spent her mornings with her mom, taking long walks along the beach, their bare feet sinking into the cool, wet sand as the waves playfully lapped at their ankles. They collected seashells, their fingers brushing over the smooth surfaces, giggling like schoolgirls when they found particularly unique ones. They'd linger by the shore, letting the sun dry the saltwater on their skin as they talked about everything and nothing.

The nights were equally captivating. Narae and her mom would sit on the balcony of their resort suite, sipping on cold drinks that tasted like mangoes and pineapples. They would look up at the night sky, a blanket of stars stretching infinitely above them. Occasionally, a shooting star would dash across the sky, and they'd make silent wishes—Narae never said hers out loud, preferring to keep them nestled close to her heart.

But today felt different. It was the kind of day where the sun was too bright and the air too still, and even the ocean seemed to have calmed to a gentle, barely-there ripple. Narae spent the morning floating lazily in the water, the salty sea cradling her body. Her mom splashed around nearby, trying to coax her into a game of water tag, but Narae just smiled and shook her head, preferring to drift in the serenity.

Later in the afternoon, back in their suite, she lounged on the bed, her hair still wet from the ocean. The breeze from the open window rustled the light curtains, carrying the scent of salt and coconut. Narae reached for her phone, scrolling through pictures she had taken: her mom laughing, the sunsets, endless shots of the ocean. She hadn't felt the need to check her messages until she saw a notification from Mark.

___________⋆˚࿔ Mark⋆˚࿔ ___________

Mark: enjoying paradise?

Narae rolled her eyes as she propped herself up on her elbows, typing out a quick reply.

Narae: It's nice here

Mark: bet you miss me tho

Narae: yeah right

Narae: why are you even texting me? 

Narae: don't you have other friends to annoy?

Mark: ouch

Mark: can't I check up on my favorite friend in the Maldives?

Narae: favorite? 

Narae: you hardly know me

Mark: trying to fix that 

Mark: actually

Mark: let's call right now

Mark: I wanna hear ur voice

Narae hesitated. Calling Mark wasn't something she had planned, but her days had become routine, a rhythm of sun and sea, and maybe she didn't mind a change in tempo. Before she could second-guess herself, she sent a quick reply.

Narae: fine. 

She tapped the call button, and after a couple of rings, Mark's voice filled her ear, slightly crackling through the bad connection. "Narae! How's life in paradise?"

Narae smiled at his enthusiasm, lying back on the bed. "It's fine. Hot, though. What's up?"

Mark's laughter came through the line, warm and contagious. "Nothing much. Just thought I'd see what it's like to talk to someone who's actually on vacation while I'm stuck here with these idiots."

"I thought you were having fun at Chenle's place?" Narae countered, raising an eyebrow even though he couldn't see it.

"Yeah, but it's not the Maldives," Mark replied. "Tell me about your day. What's it like over there?"

Narae closed her eyes, letting the sound of the waves filter into her thoughts. "I spent the morning in the water. My mom tried to get me to play water tag, but I just floated around. It's quiet here. Like the world stops spinning for a while."

"I wish I could be there with you," Mark said softly. "Just laying back, looking at the sky. Sounds perfect."

Narae could hear the genuine longing in his voice, and for a moment, she felt a pang of guilt. Here she was, in this beautiful place, while others were back home, probably wishing for a break. She pushed the thought away. "Yeah, it's nice," she replied.

There was a pause on the line before Mark's voice took on a teasing tone. "So, tell me, Narae. Have you found a hot island guy to keep you company? Someone to fan you with palm leaves?"

"Are you flirting with me, Mark?" Narae asked, her voice deadpan.

"Maybe. Is it working?" he shot back, not missing a beat.

Narae snorted. "No. I'm here with my mom, remember?"

"Moms like palm leaves too," Mark joked, making Narae laugh despite herself.

They talked for a little while longer, Mark mostly teasing and Narae responding with dry sarcasm. It was easy, light, and exactly what she needed. When they hung up, Narae felt a small smile linger on her lips. Mark's flirtation was harmless, and though she didn't take it seriously, it was nice to have someone to chat with, to bring a piece of home to her vacation.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Narae and her mom went out for dinner at a local restaurant, trying out dishes bursting with exotic flavors. They laughed over a seafood platter that was too big for just the two of them and shared stories about the most memorable meals they had back home. Narae snapped a few pictures of their food, the candlelit table, and the twinkling fairy lights strung above their heads, capturing the moment to look back on later.

As they walked back to their resort, the night air warm and fragrant with the scent of hibiscus, Narae felt content. Her mom wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "You've been smiling more these days," she said softly.

Narae leaned into her, nodding. "It's nice here. It feels like everything's okay, even if it's just for now."

Her mom squeezed her shoulder. "And that's all that matters, sweetheart. You deserve to feel happy."

They stayed up late again that night, sitting by the beach. The water shimmered under the moonlight, and the sky was a canvas of stars. They laughed and talked, their voices mingling with the soft sound of the ocean. And for a while, Narae forgot about everything—school, friends, and the unspoken things hanging in the air. She let herself exist in the moment, embraced by the warmth of the Maldives and the comfort of her mother's presence.

But as the waves whispered against the shore and the stars blinked down from above, one thought lingered in the back of her mind: Haechan. She wondered what he was doing, if he was okay. But before the thought could solidify, she let it drift away like a message in a bottle, carried out to sea.

And with that, Narae found herself closing her eyes, ready to surrender to the peace that only the Maldives could offer.

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1158 words