Timeless | rorasa

Chapter 22: The Discovery and The Dilemma

Minju stood frozen by Eisa’s bedside, her heart pounding as she stared at the girl lying there, so motionless yet hauntingly familiar. The resemblance to Asa was undeniable—the same soft features, the same dark hair framing her face in gentle waves. It was as if Asa herself was lying in that bed. But how could that be? No, it wasn’t a coincidence. Minju knew it now: Eisa was Asa’s reincarnation.

Julie noticed the change in Minju's expression, her tired eyes narrowing in concern. "Minju?" she asked softly. "Are you okay?"

Minju blinked, tearing her gaze away from Eisa’s face. "Yeah, I... I’m fine," she lied, her voice unsteady. But it wasn’t uncertainty she felt—it was the overwhelming weight of the truth. Her mind raced, not with confusion, but with the realization of what this meant. This was it. Eisa was the reincarnation Rora and Asa had been searching for. There was no doubt in her mind.

Julie stood up, stretching her arms as she glanced at her sister's still form. "It's exhausting, you know?" she said quietly, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and frustration. "Waiting every day, hoping she'll wake up. The doctors keep telling me there's no medical explanation, but I refuse to believe that. There has to be a reason she's like this."

Minju swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Julie..." she hesitated, then continued, "do you believe in reincarnation?"

Julie turned, frowning at the odd question. "Reincarnation? I don’t know. I guess I’ve never really thought about it. Why?"

Minju's grip on her emotions tightened. She couldn’t reveal everything—not yet. "I just... I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. About souls, second chances... what if people are tied to something bigger than themselves?"

Julie looked at her curiously. "Are you okay, Minju? You sound like you're talking about more than just my sister's coma."

Minju shook her head, fire building inside her. "Eisa... she's connected to something bigger. I’m sure of it now."

Before Julie could respond, the door creaked open, and a nurse stepped into the room. "Visiting hours will be over soon," she said with a polite smile. "Just letting you know."

Julie sighed, rubbing her temples. "Thanks," she murmured, her weariness evident.

Minju glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was slipping away, and she had to act fast. There was no doubt in her mind anymore—Eisa was the key to saving Asa. The implications of this discovery were staggering. She had to get to Rora, immediately.

"Julie, I need to go," Minju said suddenly, her voice resolute. "There’s something I need to figure out. But trust me... Eisa will wake up. Soon."

Julie frowned but nodded slowly. "Alright. Take care, Minju."

Minju offered her a tight-lipped smile, then turned and left the room, her mind set on her mission. Rora needed to know.

---

Back at Rora’s house, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Rora sat in the same spot on the couch, her hands trembling slightly as she replayed her conversation with Asa in her mind. The weight of their predicament hung over her like a storm cloud, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

Suddenly, there was a sharp knock on the door. Rora’s heart skipped a beat as she stood up, wiping away the last traces of tears from her face. She opened the door to find Minju standing there, her expression urgent and intense.

"Minju?" Rora asked, surprised. "What’s wrong?"

Minju stepped inside, her movements brisk and determined. "I need to talk to you. It’s about Asa. And… someone else."