sand&strangers [ JHS ] √

7 | we were strangers

Jaehwa and Hoseok just stayed in their room during the entire afternoon. Tonight was their flight, but Jaehwa was off to Busan, while Hoseok was for Gwangju. It was quite far, and considering the cruelty of fate, they knew such coincidences don't exist. They were lucky enough to find themselves stuck in one bedroom for a vacation they never expected to turn out so differently.

They knew they didn't have much time together.

Jaehwa had just zipped her suitcase, ready to depart for the airport. Hoseok had done it beforehand, and now he was quietly sitting on a chair at the balcony. The sunset wasn't seen clearly as the clouds were dark and it was threatening to rain.

Jaehwa's flight was earlier than Hoseok's. It was at seven while Hoseok's flight was at ten. The heavy rain began to pour, but Hoseok stayed still at the balcony, staring at nowhere in particular.

Jaehwa had just finished getting her stuff ready, so she proceeded to call the room service to take her luggages down. A van was also waiting to take her to the airport. By the time her luggages were taken, she walks over to the balcony, sliding the door open.

"Hey. I'm going. Aren't you going to say anything?" She covers up her sadness by saying it in a joking way. Hoseok didn't look, but instead, smiled. He mutters, "I wish we could stay in this paradise, and run away from reality forever. The three days with you were worthwhile. I don't regret staying in the rain that night."

She sighs, as it was the same wish for her. "I guess paradise could only last the longest for three days."

They stand at the lobby, clearly hearing the sound of heavy rain - it was the only way to hide the sound of their wailing hearts. It was the same weather when their hearts first connected, that night.

Jaehwa continuously taps his feet on the ground, awkward silence engulfing both of them. Soon she had to speak, "I have to go now..." she fakes a smile.

Hoseok turns to her, clutching her hand in his. "Tell me. Do you like me? No, do you love me?"

Those words made her heart sink, and even if she wanted to tell him the truth, her conscience told her not to. But she couldn't lie again - so silence took over. Hoseok forced a smile, slowly letting go of her hand. "Of course. We were strangers, after all, and from now on, we'll be strangers again."

Jaehwa was trying so hard not to let the tears slip out of her eyes, but she was terribly weakened when Hoseok stepped closer, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. She closes her eyes, finally letting go of the tears as they trailed down. "Take care of yourself, 'til we meet again, my most beautiful stranger."

Jaehwa smiles for the last time, before entering the van. She clutches her chest, other hand keeping her sobs inaudible.

She finally got to sit down on her plane seat, which was fortunately next to the window. "Welcome to Jeju Airlines, flight bound for Busan." She wasn't out of Jeju yet but it would be the same if she read it now, since Hoseok wasn't around anymore too. Jaehwa takes a deep breath, taking out the piece of tissue from her pocket. A tear slips out of her eye as she read the words.

I like you.
29.1.2021