Jisu wakes up to the sound of a ringing phone.
She decides to go back to sleep, thinking it's just a dream, given that she's not familiar with the ringtone. But the sudden movement on the other side of the bed completely pulled her out of sleepiness.
The ringing stops, then she hears Ryujin's sleepy voice.
"Boo? Yeah... I was... asleep. Have you landed?"
Eyes squinting and bleary, Jisu turns her head sideways to look at Ryujin.
She blinks a few times, absorbing the situation as she stares at Ryujin's naked back.
So last night wasn't a dream. It really happened.
She and Ryujin did it, and it felt so good.
"Okay. You go have fun. But don't forget to eat something, okay?" Ryujin says.
Jisu turns away. All the beautiful feelings building up in her chest suddenly fade. She pulls away from the blanket, ready to get off the bed.
The movement made Ryujin turn.
"Ah. Yes. I may sleep more. I stayed up late last night playing video games." Ryujin reaches out to grab Jisu's hand, intertwining their fingers.
And Jisu follows along when Ryujin pulls her back to bed.
"Yes, I will. You take care. I love you too." Ryujin hangs up and puts the phone down. She turns back to Jisu. "Morning."
Silence settles in as they both stare at each other's nakedness, the reality finally sinking in.
"Jisu, I--"
"Can we not talk about it?" Jisu says softly, looking at their intertwined hands. "I am fully aware of the situation... But I..." she caresses Ryujin's hand with hers. "I don't want to think it's a mistake, Ryu. Last night felt right, didn't it?"
Ryujin nods.
"I am not going to force you into doing anything." Jisu watches as their hands play with each other. "But I hope you won't avoid me after this." She looks at Ryujin. "I'll go crazy if that happens."
"No..." Ryujin scoots closer, kneeling in front of Jisu. "Hey. I am not going anywhere, you hear me?"
"But it'll be hard for you if--"
"I am not going anywhere without you." Ryujin cups Jisu's cheeks. "I... I'll find a way to fix this. I'll..."
"No. Please don't say that." Jisu looks away, sighing. "Just... Just stay."
Ryujin gazes at her for a moment, eyes piercing through her. Jisu doesn't know what to say or do in their situation. What matters to her is for Ryujin to stay.
"I'll stay." Ryujin pulls Jisu into a hug and cups her head. "I'll stay."
The warmth of Ryujin's hug and the softness in her voice eases Jisu's worries. She closes her eyes and smiles, nuzzling into Ryujin's neck.
"Last night was the best I've ever had," she whispers.
"Same." Ryujin chuckles. "And it's like we are meant to do that, aren't we?"
Jisu hums. "I love your abs."
Ryujin falls on her back when Jisu attacks her with tickles on her tummy and sides, laughter filling the room.
"Yah! Stop!"
Ryujin grabs Jisu's wrists and shifts their position by pushing her to lie on her back.
"Ryujin! I am not done tickling you!" Jisu tries to pry away from Ryujin's firm grip.
"Oh. Let's stop with the tickling part." Ryujin leans closer. "You know what I'm thinking right now?"
"Hmm?"
"Breakfast in bed." Ryujin kisses her cheek softly.
"Literally or metaphorically?"
Ryujin grins, her eyes disappearing. "Can be both."
They shared a long and deep kiss to start the day.
They would not have left the bed if it weren't for the unbearable hunger by noon.
---
Jisu is heading back to her apartment when she spots the new tenant across her room, bringing boxes inside the opened door.
"Hello!" the woman greets her brightly.
Jisu takes in the features of the woman; a few inches taller than her, probably younger by a few years, long dark hair. She seems nice, Jisu thinks. Won't hurt to be friends with a new neighbor.
She smiles back. "Hi! Just moving in today?"
"Yeah. Almost done with the tedious work." The woman glances at some more boxes on the side of her door.
"Need a hand over there?"
The woman looks at Jisu. "Well, if it won't be a bother, sure."
"Yeah. I would be glad to help."
They managed to put all the boxes inside, and the woman was kind enough to offer Jisu a glass of water.
"Does every room here look exactly like this?" The woman asks.
"Yeah. Mine looks the same." Jisu's eyes roam the area.
"How long have you been here? If you don't mind me asking."
"A couple of years. Almost five. Transferred here because of work," Jisu says. "You? Is it also work-related?"
"Well, kinda. Just got a job as an assistant vet in the animal hospital just around the corner."
"Ahh. You're into pets, huh?"
"Yeah. They are much nicer than humans," the woman says, and they both laugh. "But I also have another reason for transferring here."
Jisu looks at the woman, waiting for her to spill the beans.
"Do you happen to believe in soulmates?" came the woman's question.
Jisu smiles. What an interesting topic. "I used to be a non-believer for years until I met mine. So, to answer your question, yes, I believe in soulmates now."
The woman's eyes grew wide. "Really? Wow. That's amazing! Is she the one you're with earlier by the elevator?"
"Oh. You saw us?" Jisu tries to recall, but she doesn't seem to remember seeing the woman earlier when she walks Ryujin down.
"Yeah. You didn't see me because you were busy looking at each other with heart eyes."
The woman giggles, making Jisu blush. "Anyway, the other reason I transferred here is related to that. My great-grandma was a shaman. Before she died several years ago, she told me I should move into this city once I reach the age of twenty-four because I will find my soulmate here."
"Oh. I didn't know shamans could predict things like that."
"It's because they have closer bonds with the spirits." The woman shrugs. "It's sort of a gift that runs in our family. I kind of feel some things around too, you know. My skills aren't honed as a shaman, but I realized it could be the reason I have connections with pets and animals in general because they are much closer to the spirits."
Jisu nods. "So, you moved in here in hopes of meeting your soulmate? Or have you already met them?"
"Yes and no." the woman shakes her head. "I haven't met her yet."
"Oh. And it's a her, huh?" Jisu smirks.
"I know, right!" The woman giggles. "It was weird when I felt it was a woman because I've never been with a woman before. But yeah, what can I do if it's the spirits who destined us to be together?"
"I totally agree with you on that one." Jisu points a finger. "Sometimes the spirits play funny games, don't they?"
"Yeah. But I think it all boils down to us humans having our free will. One way or another, the spirits are creating ways for us to meet up with our soulmates," the woman says. "We're not realizing it because we're not as connected to them as before during the ancient times. Also, we humans have been busy with different distractions, with immediate gratifications and pleasures. We are not patient enough to wait for the right one and would jump onto the next person we are attracted to just because it makes us feel good."
something in those words made Jisu blink. "Wait. Are you saying there is a chance that my soulmate and I could have met before but didn't realize it yet? Like we're supposed to meet before we actually met?"
The woman nods. "There's a possibility. But your supposedly first meeting may not have happened because of some decisions you made--you know, the free will. So, the spirits are finding other ways for you two to meet up again."
That made Jisu think. If she and Ryujin are supposed to meet before the resort, what could have happened?
"I seriously think everything that's happening around us happens for a reason," the woman adds. "Like us meeting now. Who knows, we could be a way for someone else to meet their soulmates, right?"
"It would be better if I'll be the way for you to meet your soulmate."
"That would be very convenient." the woman chuckles.
Jisu looks around the room, realizing she's been there for a long time now. "So, umm, I think I'll leave you alone to do stuff here. Thanks for the drink."
"Thanks for the help. I promise I'll serve you something with flavor next time."
Jisu chuckles. "Looking forward to that. Don't hesitate to knock on my door if you need help with anything."
"Thanks. I surely will." the woman walks her to the door. "I'm glad I am already acquainted with one of my neighbors. I'm kind of feeling we'll be good friends in the future."
Jisu smiles and offers a hand. "I'm Choi Jisu. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The woman smiles and shakes her hand back. "My name's Lee Chaeryoung. It's a pleasure to meet you too."