FATE

chapter 4

Yn's pov

The morning sun was bright and warm as Durva and I strolled through one of Seoul’s local parks, the sounds of children laughing and the scent of blooming flowers in the air.

Durva ran ahead, skipping along the path with a burst of energy that made me smile. It was good to see him so happy, settling into this new life with such excitement and ease.

His resilience gave me strength, reminding me that we were both capable of moving forward.

I was adjusting to the differences here, the rhythms and the routines.

The language was still challenging, and there were moments when I felt painfully out of place, but Durva ’s joy was infectious, lifting me up whenever I felt overwhelmed.

Today was one of those days where everything felt calm, the city’s hurried pace softened by the open space and greenery around us.

As we wandered deeper into the park, I spotted a small coffee stand near a row of benches.

Durva was engrossed in watching some older kids playing soccer nearby, so I took the opportunity to grab a quick coffee.

“Stay close, alright?” I called to him. He nodded, his eyes glued to the game, and I made my way to the coffee stand.

Just as I was about to place my order, I noticed someone standing next to me, looking down at their phone, seemingly deep in thought.

I glanced over, my heart giving a little start of recognition.

The man beside me was familiar—far too familiar.

He had the unmistakable features of someone I’d only seen through Durva ’s posters and videos.

It was Jimin.

I took a sharp breath, trying not to react.

My mind raced, reminding myself that this was just a regular day and that he was just another person ordering a coffee.

But as he put his phone down and looked around, he noticed me staring, his eyes softening with a friendly, slightly amused smile.

“Oh, sorry,” I stammered, turning my gaze to the menu, heat creeping up my cheeks. Don’t act like a fan.

Don’t act like a fan, I silently coached myself, knowing it would embarrass both of us if I reacted the way I’d seen fans do on TV.

But before I could get my emotions fully in check, Durva,who had wandered back over to me, gasped.

“Amma! It’s… it’s Jimin!” His voice was full of awe, his wide eyes glued to the man standing beside me.

Jimin’s smile brightened as he looked down at Durva, his face instantly friendly and open. “Hello,” he said in that warm, familiar voice that so many people adored.

He crouched down slightly, so he was at Durva’s eye level. “What’s your name?”

Durva, overwhelmed with excitement, stumbled over his words.

“I-I’m Durva! I moved here with my Amma. I… I have your posters at home!”

Jimin chuckled, a sound so genuine it made my chest ache with warmth.

“Well, thank you for the support, Durva,” he replied, glancing up at me as he spoke. “It’s nice to meet you both.”

There was kindness in his eyes, a familiarity that took me by surprise.

It wasn’t the intense curiosity from the airport, but rather a gentle acknowledgment, like he’d remembered that fleeting moment, too.

I nodded, managing a polite smile, trying to keep my reaction calm.

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling grateful but still slightly embarrassed by Durva ’s eager admiration.

“It’s been a bit of a new start for us here, but… meeting you has made his day, truly.”

Jimin looked at Durva and then back at me, his expression thoughtful.

“Starting fresh isn’t easy,” he said, as if he somehow understood the journey that had brought us here.

“But I hope Seoul becomes a place you can feel at home in.”

For a moment, I felt like we were sharing something unspoken, a recognition of life’s challenges, and its unpredictability.

And then, just as quickly as the moment had come, he gave a final wave to Durva, placed his coffee order, and stepped away with a small nod in our direction.

“Bye, Jimin-hyung!” Durva called after him, his voice full of joy.

Jimin turned back, giving Durva a wink and a smile before disappearing into the crowd.

As we walked away, coffee in hand and Durva practically skipping beside me, I felt a strange sense of peace.

Seoul had felt foreign, overwhelming.

But that chance meeting, that brief exchange—it was like a small reminder that kindness and connection could be found anywhere, even in the most unexpected places.

And as Durva chattered on about our encounter, his eyes alight with excitement, I couldn’t help but wonder if this new life would hold more moments like these, moments of unexpected warmth that made the world feel a little less vast and a little more like home.