umbrella ¦ na jaemin

ch : 36

.・。.・゜✭・End .・✫・゜・。.

Under the Rain

A month had crawled by, each day a sluggish Saturday for Dahee. Languishing in her room, staring at the same four walls, offered little solace.

The silence felt heavy, punctuated only by the tick-tock of the clock and the distant hum of the refrigerator. Today, however, a spark flickered within her. She couldn't stay cooped up any longer.

Throwing on a pair of jeans and a comfortable t-shirt, she grabbed her wallet and headed out the door. The crisp autumn air greeted her as she stepped onto the familiar street.

Fiddling with a loose thread on her jacket cuff, a nervous habit, she waited at the bus stop. The city hummed with a comforting energy, a stark contrast to the quietude of her room.

The bus rumbled to a stop, its doors hissing open. Dahee beeped her phone on the scanner and settled into a window seat, the world blurring past as she zoned out to music playing through her earbuds.

Every now and then, she'd steal a glance out the window, the cityscape morphing into unfamiliar territory.

Suddenly, a jolt of recognition jolted her awake. Her eyes darted to the passing scenery, a specific landmark triggering a memory.

Hitting the stop button, she grabbed her bag and disembarked, a mix of apprehension and anticipation bubbling in her stomach.

Outside the bus stop, a familiar crosswalk awaited. Taking a deep breath, she followed the pedestrian signal, the soles of her shoes clicking against the pavement.

Crossing the street, she plunged into the vibrant chaos of Hongdae, a bustling shopping district teeming with life.

The air thrummed with a chaotic symphony of street vendors hawking their wares, music spilling out from cafes and stores, and the excited chatter of the throngs of people.

She removed her earbuds, the cacophony washing over her, a welcome change from the sterile silence of her room.

Then, a melody, distinct and familiar, pierced through the noise. It was a song she knew well, a song associated with countless memories. Her legs, seemingly of their own volition, propelled her towards the source.

Rounding a corner, she came to a sudden stop. There, beneath the shade of a sprawling tree, stood a sight that sent a pang through her heart. It was a scene replayed from her past, a memory both cherished and bittersweet.

Jaemin, bathed in the warm afternoon sun, danced with a joyous abandon. His movements flowed with a practiced ease, his smile as bright as the sun glinting off his honey-brown hair.

Surrounding him were his friends, their movement creating a melody that filled the air with a nostalgic warmth.

Dahee watched, captivated, a bittersweet ache blooming in her chest. Memories flooded back - their first encounter at this very spot, the countless afternoons spent laughing and cheering them on.

But this time, she was an outsider, a spectator watching a scene from a life she wasn't a part of anymore.

A sudden jolt of panic seized her as she swore their eyes met. Heart hammering against her ribs, she instinctively ducked behind the thick trunk of a nearby tree.

Her breath caught in her throat, a strangled sob threatening to escape. Had he seen her?

The question echoed in her mind, a relentless drumbeat that drowned out the music.