ending scene | l.hc

27

{her}

i was wearing a black long sleeved turtle neck, black skinny jeans, a black trench coat and a pair of black boots. i let my mid-length hair down. the silver moon necklace glimmered and stood out among my look.

then i caught a glimpse of my own face. i felt a slight pain in the chest as i stared blankly towards my eyes.

i left and hailed a cab. throughout the ride, i could only hear the subtle melodies and voices from the cab's radio and my pounding heart. my hand found its way to my chest, feeling if my heart was indeed beating so fast.

i sighed heavily before i clutched my necklace.

as i arrived, i stood outside. i've been mustering this courage for years now, but i still feel nervous and scared. and a little bit of disbelief.

i sighed one last time before i entered.

the place was warm but it wasn't near to comforting. each step i take, i think of all the possible excuses i could make up so i could run, go home, and stay in bed. but i wasn't going to do that, even if i had the dying urge to retreat.

in the far end of the hall, i saw belle's small figure. her back was facing me, her clothes had the similar color of mine. i walked slowly, not knowing what to do or what to say.

when i was already two steps away from her, i quietly tapped her shoulder. she was startled for a second, but immediately turned around. her eyes grew for a moment, before she released a sigh of relief and a small smile i don't want to fathom.

" i'm glad you're here. " her words didn't go well with her voice. she sounded so sad, her eyes almost screamed the emotions.

" your parents? " i asked, looking down.

" they left early. " i only nodded at her words. she caressed my cheeks, trying to raise my head. and as she looked right through my eyes, she nodded and took a step back.

as she completely moved away, there was the enclosed space where a ceramic container and a picture frame was inside. i read the name that was written in between.

alkin yoo
december 21, 1999 - august 28, 2017

immediately, tears fell. i didn't even realized it was already there, i just felt my cheeks go cold.

" i'm sorry, it took me 3 full years. " i ran my hand across the glass that was sealing the compartment.

his picture that was placed on the picture frame was the day we graduated high school. he was young, full of joy. his face was filled of colors i admired.

i felt both of belle's hands above my shoulders as i cried harder.

" i'm so sorry, alkin. i'm sorry for leaving. i'm sorry for not loving you, the same way you did to me. " i covered my mouth using my hand, as i can no longer contain the loud sound of my own cries.

belle placed my head above her shoulder, my arm wrapped around her's, as i wailed.

it took me a moment to finally woe down and breathe. despite getting calm, my tears continued to flow.

" when you left, he never said a word about you. he never looked sad. " belle started off. i bit my lips to contain my own cries.

" s-so, it shocked us when we found him inside his bathroom. " she covered her mouth with her own hands. i caressed her shoulder and shifted her weight towards me. her shoulder trembled as she cried louder. she released herself from my arms and gave me a soft look using her teary eyes.

" but we never blamed you, shine. we never saw you as the reason why he had to do that to himself. "

•••

as we exited, the cold breeze welcomed us. the sun was still high up but it never burned. it no longer did. it was covered with thick clouds that caused the cold and gloomy weather.

it looks like it would rain.

" when my parents visited me, they gave me this. " i looked at belle, holding an envelope. i took the envelope into my hands. i flipped the back and there was my name, written on the center.

" my parents already moved out from the old house. when they were packing things, they saw these inside alkin's drawers. " belle said. my forehead creased.

" these? " i asked, in confusion. i only had one letter in my hand.

" there were two other letters. one for me, and one for mom and dad. " i only nodded at her reply.

there was a moment of silence between us. i bit my lip as i stared at the tightly sealed envelope in my hands. my name was handwritten and i had the urge to cry again because of how i recognized the penmanship, but i tried containing it.

when a cab stopped in front of us, i felt belle's hands above my shoulders. i faced her and a small smile was already on her face.

" read that. maybe that holds the answers to all your questions. "

///