Swipe Right for Love | WinRina

Chapter 8

The flight back to Seoul was a long one, and Minjeong found herself restless with anticipation and anxiety. For the past two weeks, Minjeong had been away in New York, absorbed in work but constantly thinking of Jimin. Though their texts and calls helped ease the loneliness, it wasn't enough to soothe the ache that came from being apart. Now that she was finally heading home, the excitement and nerves to see Jimin again was palpable, making the hours in the air feel both endless and exhilarating.

As the plane hummed through the sky, Minjeong found herself staring blankly at the in-flight screen, her mind far from the movie playing. Instead, her thoughts circled around Jimin. Even though she was excited to see Jimin, a small part of her wondered if two weeks apart had changed things. She had been so focused on work that she hadn't been as attentive as she should have. What if Jimin felt neglected?

When the plane finally descended and touched down in Seoul, Minjeong felt her heart racing. She had decided not to let Jimin know about her return today in order to surprise her. She planned to go straight to Jimin's campus and catch her off guard. Just the idea of seeing Jimin's reaction in person filled Minjeong with a thrill she hadn't felt in a long time.

After disembarking and collecting her luggage, Minjeong quickly made her way to the airport's exit. She caught a cab, her thoughts already on the campus and the surprise waiting for Jimin. The drive felt both quick and slow as she imagined the look on Jimin's face when she saw her.

Arriving at the campus, Minjeong's nerves mixed with excitement. She navigated her way through the familiar paths, her heart pounding as she approached the café where they had often met. It was late afternoon, and the café was bustling with students winding down their day. She had texted her earlier asking for her whereabouts.

Minjeong took a deep breath as she walked in and as soon as she stepped into the café, her eyes immediately sought out Jimin. She spotted her near the window, head bent over a book, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration. Minjeong's heart skipped a beat, the sight of Jimin so familiar yet somehow different, as if the distance had magnified her beauty in a way Minjeong hadn't noticed before. Her fingers itched to brush away the strand of hair falling over Jimin's eyes, to pull her into an embrace that had been weeks overdue. With slight hesitation, she approached, her footsteps light but purposeful.

Jimin was so absorbed in her reading that she didn't notice Minjeong until she was almost at her side. As Minjeong reached the table, she gently placed a hand on Jimin's shoulder.

The touch startled Jimin into looking up and her eyes widening in shock as they met Minjeong's. "Minjeong?" she breathed, disbelief and joy blending in her expression. Her book slipped from her hands with a thud as she stood up, her face flushed with surprise.

Minjeong smiled, her own eyes bright with happiness. "Surprise. I'm back."

For a moment, Jimin simply stood there, stunned, before finally throwing her arms around Minjeong in an embrace that spoke volumes. The distance that had separated them seemed to dissolve in that single, heartfelt moment. As they pulled back, Jimin's eyes glistened with emotion.

"I didn't expect you to be back today," Jimin said, her voice trembling with happiness. "I missed you so much."

Minjeong took Jimin's hand, squeezing it gently. "I missed you too. I couldn't wait to see you again. Let's make up for the time we lost."

They settled into their usual corner of the café, the comfort of being together in person making everything else fade into the background. The reunion was more than just a pleasant surprise—it was a reaffirmation of the connection they had been nurturing from afar. As they talked and laughed, Minjeong realized just how much she had missed these moments with Jimin, and how glad she was to be home.