A Script Unwritten

The Distance of Three Years

"The reason it hurts so much to separate is
because our souls are connected." - Nicholas Sparks

Three years had passed since the filming of "Mr. Queen" ended, yet the memories were still fresh in Jung Hyun's mind. The whirlwind of emotions, the bond he had formed with Hae Sun, and the unexpected connection that had grown between them all lingered like a bittersweet dream. But those three years had also brought with them a distance - one that was both physical and emotional.

Jung Hyun had been through a lot since then. After joining a new agency, he became deeply engrossed in his acting career, recently taking on a new drama that kept him busier than ever. The resurgence of his past controversies, the relentless scrutiny of the media, and the crushing weight of his own insecurities had driven him into a shell. He had withdrawn from many of his former friends and colleagues, including Hae Sun. But despite his best efforts to stay distant, he couldn't stop himself from being drawn to her.

In the group chat they shared with their mutual friends, Jung Hyun was a silent reader. He never actively participated, preferring to stay in the background, quietly scrolling through the messages. But every time Hae Sun sent a message, he would stop and read it, a small smile forming on his face. Her words, even in the casual banter of the group chat, brought him a comfort that nothing else could. She was still his sunshine, brightening his day with just a few words on a screen.

Yet, as much as he enjoyed those fleeting moments of connection, they were always followed by a pang of regret. He wished he could go back to three years ago, to the time when things were simpler, when he could openly talk to her without the weight of his past hanging over him. But as soon as that thought crossed his mind, the bad memories came flooding back - memories of the controversies, the depression, and the feeling of being utterly lost. The pain of those years was still raw, and it haunted him whenever he allowed himself to remember.

Hae Sun, too, had been deeply involved in her career, recently taking on both a new drama, two films and advertisements that had kept her schedule packed. She was in the midst of promoting her drama, and the spotlight seemed to shine even brighter on her. She looked more radiant and beautiful than ever, her glow unmistakable to everyone around her. With her growing popularity, conversations around her often shifted to topics of boyfriends, relationships, and even marriage. Everyone seemed eager to know if there was someone special in her life, pushing her into these personal discussions at every turn.

After three long years of missed opportunities and growing distance, the universe finally conspired to bring them together again at a lively party thrown by a mutual friend. This was the first time they had found themselves sharing the same space since the end of "Mr. Queen," their paths crossing once more in a night buzzing with energy and laughter.

Jung Hyun had spotted Hae Sun from across the room, her laughter filling the space like music, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. She looked as radiant as ever, glowing with the same warmth that had once drawn him to her. But despite the magnetic pull he felt, he couldn't bring himself to approach her. The words he longed to say were stuck in his throat, held back by the fear that the distance between them was now too great to bridge.

The party was in full swing, the room buzzing with conversation and laughter. Jung Hyun had kept to himself for most of the evening, content with observing from the sidelines. But when he caught sight of Hae Sun across the room, he couldn't tear his eyes away. She was surrounded by friends, her laughter filling the air with a warmth that made his chest tighten. He wanted so badly to go over to her, to have a small talk, just like they used to.

Their eyes met across the room. For a moment, it was as if the world around them faded, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of shared memories and unspoken words. Jung Hyun could see the recognition in her eyes, the same longing he felt reflected in her gaze. He took a step forward, gathering the courage to approach her, but before he could make it across the room, one of their friends swooped in, pulling Hae Sun into a conversation.

Frustrated but unwilling to give up, Jung Hyun tried to maneuver closer, hoping for just a brief moment alone with her. But every time he got close, someone else would interrupt-another friend, another group wanting to chat, another laugh shared that he wasn't a part of. He could tell Hae Sun wanted to talk to him too, her eyes kept darting in his direction, but the moment never came. The evening was slipping away, and with it, the chance to reconnect.

As they stood on opposite sides of the room, one of their mutual friends teased Hae Sun, loud enough for several people to hear, "So, Hae Sun, do you have a new boyfriend? You've been glowing recently-is there something we should know?"

Jung Hyun's heart skipped a beat. He felt a sudden rush of anxiety mixed with nervous anticipation. His chest tightened as he waited for her response, hoping against hope that she would say no, that there was no one else. The thought of her with someone else was almost too much to bear.

Hae Sun's response was delayed as she took a moment to look directly at Jung Hyun, her smile lingering as she glanced at him. There was something in her eyes - something that made his heart pound in his chest. But instead of answering, she simply smiled mysteriously and turned her attention back to their friend, leaving the question unanswered.

That smile, that glance in his direction- it was enough to send Jung Hyun's thoughts into a whirlwind. Was it a sign? Was there still hope? Or was she simply keeping her personal life private? The uncertainty gnawed at him, making him more anxious and nervous than ever before. The evening ended without them exchanging more than a few fleeting glances, and as he left the party, the unanswered question lingered in his mind, haunting him long after the night was over.

He wanted to know the truth, but more than that, he wanted to go back to the time when they could talk freely, without all the interruptions, without all the complications. But for now, all he had were the lingering memories and the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance to bridge the distance between them.

"I believe in the immeasurable power of love;
that true love can endure any circumstance
and reach across any distance."
- Steve Maraboli

*****

To be continued.