The Depth of Ocean

Past or Present?

The Past Reappears

Time passed, but nothing changed between Siren and Yuhan. They both knew they had feelings for each other, but neither acted on them. Siren, especially, was caught in a fog of confusion. Her heart felt heavy, still weighed down by the ghosts of her past. Yuhan, ever the playboy, seemed content to let things drift. Yet everything shifted the day Ricky returned.

Siren was on her way to work when her phone buzzed. The notification felt almost out of place, breaking the monotony of her morning. She glanced at the screen and froze. A message. From him.

Siren, I'm sorry for everything. Please forgive me.

Her chest tightened. It had been months since Ricky disappeared without a word, leaving her in a spiral of pain and unanswered questions. She had suffered, long nights spent wondering what she had done wrong. And now, out of nowhere, this message? She locked her phone, refusing to let herself spiral again. She couldn't. Not after all she had been through. But before she could push the thought away completely, the phone buzzed again.

This time, Ricky was calling.

Siren hesitated for a moment, her finger hovering over the screen. She wanted to pick up, wanted to scream at him, demand answers for all the pain he'd caused. But she couldn't give in—not so easily. Not after the months of heartache. With a sharp intake of breath, she declined the call, her fingers trembling slightly.

But Ricky wouldn't back down. He called again. And again. Each time, Siren's resolve weakened, until on the tenth call, she finally gave in.

She swiped the screen angrily. "What do you want, Ricky?" Her voice was sharp, cutting. "Why are you bothering me now, after all this time?"

There was a pause on the other end before Ricky spoke, his voice filled with desperation. "Siren, please, just listen to me."

Siren's heart clenched. "Oh, now you want me to listen? Where was this when you left me with no explanation, no goodbye? You vanished, Ricky! And now you come back, expecting me to just—" Her voice broke, emotion overwhelming her. She hung up abruptly, tears stinging her eyes. How dare he try to come back into her life like this?

But Ricky wasn't done. Another call came in, and despite herself, Siren answered, needing to hear what he had to say, if only for closure.

"Thank God you picked up," Ricky began, his voice shaky. "Siren, I—I've been a wreck without you. I don't know what happened back then, but something inside me just... I don't know. I got distracted, I lost myself. But I've been so empty without you. I've missed the way you cared for me, how you talked to me day and night, even when you annoyed me. You were always there, and I never realized how much that meant until you were gone."

Siren said nothing, her throat tight as she listened.

"I didn't understand how much I needed you until you weren't there," he continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I know I made mistakes, but please, Siren, give me another chance. I can't live without you. If you can't forgive me, I—" He faltered, his voice cracking. "I don't know what I'll do. I might do something bad."

Siren's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't expected this. Ricky had never been this vulnerable, not even during their relationship. She hated him for leaving, for the pain he caused, but hearing him now, so raw and broken, stirred something inside her. Despite everything, she still cared for him.

"I don't know what to say," she whispered after a long silence. "I'll think about it. Just... don't do anything rash, okay?"

They hung up, but the conversation weighed heavily on Siren. That night, as she lay in bed, her thoughts spiraled out of control. Ricky or Yuhan? Could she truly give Ricky another chance, after all the pain he had caused her? And what about Yuhan? Would it be selfish to turn to him, even though she knew deep down he wasn't capable of love?

Yuhan was a playboy. He wasn't serious about her, was he? Yet, whenever they were together, there was an undeniable chemistry, a connection she couldn't ignore. But did he love her? No, she thought. He couldn't.

She was lost in thought when Ricky's call interrupted her again. This time, the conversation was more subdued, more casual.

"So, have you made a decision?" Ricky asked, his voice softer now, filled with uncertainty.

"I—I don't know," Siren admitted, hesitant. "I've been talking to someone else."

"Talking?" Ricky scoffed. "That's not love, Siren. You love me. Only me."

His words hit her like a wave. Maybe he was right. Maybe her feelings for Yuhan were just a distraction, a way to fill the void Ricky had left behind. Ricky was the one she had truly loved, wasn't he?

"Please, come back to me, Siren," Ricky pleaded, his voice cracking again. "I can't live without you."

After what felt like an eternity, Siren sighed. "Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But this is your last chance, Ricky. If you hurt me again, I won't forgive you. Ever."

Relief flooded Ricky's voice. "Thank you. I promise I won't mess this up."

Secrets and Doubts

Despite her decision, Siren kept the rekindling of her relationship with Ricky a secret from Yuhan. She wasn't sure why, but something held her back from telling him. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was confusion.

Time passed, and her conversations with Yuhan continued as they always had. They laughed, flirted, and shared their daily lives, but in the back of Siren's mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. Was she being unfair to Yuhan by keeping Ricky a secret? Or was she only fooling herself by staying with Ricky?

Meanwhile, her relationship with Ricky began to improve. He seemed more present, more attentive, and she found herself falling back into old habits, the comfort of their history drawing her in. But still, a part of her couldn't shake the lingering doubts.

Had she made the right choice?