home, kim jungwoo

15

You'll never be alone.

PEACEFULNESS & BUTTERFLIES

She was lying in the grass as the sun shined down, warming her skin. As she sunbathed the door rattled open and a voice called out, "Akina what are you doing?" The voice made her rise up in shock to see the back of the home that she grew up in. "Grandma!" She exclaimed out, standing up running to her, engulfing her in a hug.

"Woah, this is the most excited you've been to see me," she responded, patting her back while Akina gripped the back of her honey-yellow blouse. "I missed you," she sobbed, tears escaping her eyes as she gripped tight not wanting to lose this moment. "I missed you too honey, how about we sit, I made some lemonade." Ms. Sato suggested making Akina slowly release her grip and headed over to the porch swing.

Sitting down she kept her eyes on her grandma as she poured the lemonade into two glasses. Then she also sat down, handing the drink to Akina as well. Akina took her gaze off of her to look at the backyard. "You've been going through a lot because of me, huh?" Her grandma questioned as Akina wiped the fresh tears off her cheeks.

Not responding, her grandmother continued, "I know you feel alone again, but you are not alone you must know that," She said insinuating she knew about Akina's soulmate, "You have someone now, someone who'll be with you until your last breath, everything will be better now." Ms. Sato promised to squeeze her granddaughter's shoulder to reassure her.

"I don't know if it will be though, what about you?" Her grandmother laughed in response, "What about me? You don't have to worry, I'll always be watching you, hun." Sniffling, Akina nodded trying to stay optimistic. "Now, let's talk about him. Your soulmate feels everything you feel." Ms. Sato said making a light bulb of guilt light up for Akina.

"He must be feeling horrible because of me then," She mumbled out, guilt leaking from her words. "Hey, your soulmate would do anything for you, that's why soulmates feel each other's emotions, it's so they can help each other. Don't feel guilty, because you would do the same for him."

Would she? That two worded question fell into her head. On one side she was sure she would but that little voice that takes away all her confidence was saying otherwise. But she mumbled an 'okay' to make herself believe that what her grandmother said was true. "He's a charming boy, I can tell he cares." Ms. Sato added Akina's head cock to the side. "How do you know that?"

"Akina, I told you that I'll look over you and I have been and from what I've seen is that that boy cares deeply about you. The soulmate bond only creates a connection but it doesn't make feelings blossom." Ms. Sato insightfully told her. It was a new way to look at it, a way Akina never saw, changing her whole perspective.

As they continued to talk, Akina told Aiya (her grandmother's name) about all the moments Jungwoo and her have had so far. Aiya oohed and awed and smiled brightly, taking notice at the way Akina's eyes lit up and how she would sway as she immersed herself in the memories. Aiya's heart warmed seeing her only granddaughter light up with love in her veins; giving her the closure she needed to go into the light.

A pulling sensation made Akina stop talking and panic started to rise. It felt like time was running out so she pleaded with her eyes as her grandmother kept a warm smile. "It was nice chatting Akina, go live life with that bright smile, I love you, hun." She said encasing her into a hug as she faded away becoming the light.

Akina awoke from it, now in the familiar sunflower comforter in the room she knew too well. The sun was cast in the room as the door was pried open. Her heels were thrown off beside the bed but somehow her dress was hung on a hanger and was displayed on her door. Sitting up she stretches and for once in these treacherous days, she felt lighter. Something felt different and as she replayed the too real of a dream she looked at the picture on her nightstand that oddly was facing towards her unlike before.

The sound of clanking that came from downstairs made her get out from under the covers, shuffling to the bathroom to take off the basic morning tasks. Once finished she traveled down the steps to hear muffled confusion in the kitchen.

With his back turned he didn't notice her enter the room as he looked in every cabinet for some sort of pan. He sighed straightening his posture, running a hand through his raven hair. Resuming his task Akina decided to save him some trouble. So walking up to him she opened the one cabinet he hadn't yet and pulled out a teal covered pan, "I'm guessing you were looking for this?" She said, grabbing his attention as she waved it in front of him. Smiling he took it from her and turned to the island that had ingredients that looked familiar.

Going to stand by him she put her palms on the island counter pushing herself on her tippy toes, "Pancakes?" She asked taking his attention from buttering the pan. "Yeah, I thought it would be nice since we never got around to making them." He responded while looking into her eyes. A laugh escaped her lips as she remembered the food fight -well it was flour- they had.

Putting the mixture into the pan he begins to cook the pancakes as Akina watches on the stool across from him -even though she asked if he needed help, which he declined quickly. Putting them on a put he slid them towards her then served himself and walked over to the stool beside her. As they ate, Akina's mind roamed back to what her grandmother said, 'Your soulmate feels everything you feel.'

"Thank you, and not just for the pancakes." She said simply, stuffing a chunk of pancake into her mouth to distract her nerves. Jungwoo though, seemed unaffected and responded, "You don't have to thank me."

"But I do, you feel what I feel and I know that I have felt pretty shitty recently," She paused before speaking again, "It must've been just as draining for you, so thank you for being here." He didn't respond because for once he was at a loss for words, but his body did. His cheeks reddened slightly and a couple of butterflies swarmed inside of him as he finished his food.

And trust he wasn't the only one to feel those butterflies.

her grief is not over but she did have a revelation bc of the dream btw. its going to start to get more serious between the two and i can't wait!