"That's..." Hanni was becoming speechless right after Haerin told her and Minji about her plans regarding the ladies' day out. "...it's not seemingly crazy, it's REALLY crazy." Minji added as Haerin could only chuckled awkwardly and timidly scratching the back of her head.
"But I'm in." Minji added with a smirk and Hanni was too stunned to speak. "How do you actually plan on getting this to work? It's going to take a lot you know..." Hanni asked as Minji just smiled comfortably.
"We still have four months left. Which is why..." Minji then wrapped an arm around Haerin's shoulder. "...Haerin will be working with me at the ice cream shop." And that took Haerin by surprise. "I-I haven't- No we haven't actually decided anything right? I was just saying the first thing that popped up in my mind but we don't have to follow it if it's too farfetched..."
"Okay then how about this, we'll think things through tonight and after giving it a few moments of thoughts, we'll have it decided tomorrow? How's that sounds?" Minji calmed herself down as well as Hanni and Haerin.
"Okay that's reasonable but Haerin your idea sure is..." Hanni still couldn't believe what Haerin had suggested. "...you're an unpredictable woman aren't you Kang Haerin." Hanni stood up before got into a group hug with Minji and Haerin. "I have to work now, see you tomorrow then."
Minji and Haerin took their leaves after a few more minutes of chatting before Hanni worked until the final hours then safely cleaned and closed the café for the night.
"See you tomorrow unnie~" She gave Chaeyoung a light hug before the two parted ways and Hanni made her way to her car and safely drove back to her house. "I'm home~" Hanni announced that she's returned home safely and her mother soon came out from the living room.
"Me and your dad are having dinner, have you eaten dinner yet?" Her mother asked as Hanni shook her head with a smile. "I'll wash my face first then I'll join you and daddy after this." Hanni gave her mother a hug. "When's your next appointment with your therapist?" Her mother gave Hanni's back gentle caresses.
"This Thursday. Hopefully I won't be needing anymore therapy for longer period after this." Hanni whispered while hoping that everything's going to be okay for her now that you returned back into her life. "Did you tell Yongjae about it already?" Hanni just shook her head with a sigh. "I'm scared to tell him. I know that he'll be feeling guilty if he finds out about it and I'm not ready for it mommy... Everything's started to get better for us now..."
"I know. But you can't hide it away from him forever my Hanni bunny. Yongjae deserves to know about it and by doing that is what going to make the two of you stronger, this bond that you and him shares. Okay~?" Hanni let out a whine as her cheeks were being pinched by her mother who's just enjoying it every time. "Oh and your parcel's arrived this afternoon by the way. Mommy already placed it over on your table."
"Really? That was quick... I thought I bought it yesterday... Anyways, okay, thanks~" She immediately went upstairs and by the time she got to her door, her phone rang and she checked it out before a happy smile formed on her face. "Hi~" She answered the video call as your face took over her screen.
"Have you arrived home?" You asked as you're doing your work on your laptop before turning your attention to her who just nodded her head with a hum as Hanni got into her room. "I was just going to freshen up a bit before having dinner downstairs after this."
"Ah~ Then should I call you later when you're free?" You asked as she just nodded with a soft smile. "But before you end the call, I have something to show you..." Hanni quickly made her way to her table before settling her phone on top of it.
Then she showed you a small parcel before getting the tape off the box. "You bought something online?" You asked in curiosity as Hanni nodded excitedly before she got the parcel opened. "Look at what I got~" She then showed you the item that she bought.
You saw a box of a mini polaroid camera and instantly you just snickered as you're watching her excitingly unboxing the camera before holding it in her hand. "What do you think? Pretty right?" She asked as you gave her a nod of approval. "I saw it online and the moment I realized that it's blue in color, I thought that I have to get my hands on it."
"Can you believe I bought this yesterday and it only took a day before they got it delivered to my house...? Korea's delivery culture is on another level I swear..." Hanni couldn't take her eyes off the camera in her hand as she's caressing it before looking through the lens while facing you. "I haven't got the polaroid in so..." She then continued looking over at the camera and you're all smile while looking at her being happy and all smiley. "...but once I get them in, I know this will get me great pictures out of it."
"I love how I can easily associate the colour blue with you Hanni because I'm sure there's too much blue-ness in your room." Hanni could only laugh by your statement as it's not even wrong. "I mean, blue is a beautiful colour and although I'm a bit bias towards getting stuffs in blue but that doesn't stop me from appreciating other colours okay~ Especially the colour black~" She gave you a teasing look with a teasing smirk at the mention of your bias colour.
"You know what, that's an amazing camera and I can't wait to have our first official picture together as a couple and to have it in polaroid would be amazing. I'm sure of it" You said as she just chuckled at you but you could see the stint of blushes in her cheeks. "You know what... I actually spent some time during work imagining things..." She got her arms onto her table as she rested her head on them while looking at you.
"...I imagined myself being there with you right now in Australia and we have the best days of our lives, going on dates and taking night strolls together..." Hanni was smiling as she's explaining while you're listening with a smile and a heart somehow holding out hope but too hard to grasp. "...God I'm sure that would be an amazing and unforgettable experience. If only..."
"I would love for that happen too Hanni but that's just it, to travel from Korea to Australia itself requires a lot of things..." You sighed as well as her while she's pouting. "Yeah... You know that I miss you so much right?" Hanni tilted her head as you nodded. "I know. I miss you soo much too." You couldn't leave her eyes as they're just too beautiful to look away from.
"I'm going to freshen up now. Have you eaten dinner already?" She asked and you nodded. "Already. Yongbok's family usualy have dinners early so..." You chuckled. "I'll call you back later okay?" She stood up after holding onto her phone.
"Okay. I love you." You leaned your face closer as she snickered before kissing her phone screen. "Love you too snore king."
The next day was a mildly cold Sunday morning for Hanni in Korea and a sunny Sunday for you in Australia while you're starting your day with another video call on bed, probably spent quite a long time there before you two went on, eating breakfast together virtually, then the two of you were doing revision works as exam season's starting soon.
As you're thoroughly reading some of the notes you've written throughout the semester, you then heard Hanni's humming and softly singing one of her favorite song and you lowered your pen and just enjoying her remedying melody while in your head your imagining her singing the song as you knew the lyrics.
What if I had bit my tongue
What if what we had was enough
I guess all my calculations were off
When I thought I would get over you
It doesn't make sense
But I'd do it all again
I'll think of you once in a moon
When I hear your favorite tune
And someday after a year or two
Maybe then, I won't be loving you
I'll think of you once in a moon
When I see someone who looks like you
And someday after a year or two
Maybe then, I'll still be loving you
Eventually Hanni noticed you and immediately snickered to herself. "Why~?" She asked rather teasingly cute while tilting her head before the two of you shared a laugh. "Don't mind me, I'm just looking at my everything while I'm feeling poetic" You whispered loud for her to hear. "Aww..." She pressed her palms against her cheeks. "...are you going to write me a poem~?"
"Do you want it written or shall I just say it to you?" You asked as she got her pen down before resting her chin onto her hands. "I want to hear it from you. And can I ask for a happy poem please~?" She requested with a comforting whisper as you nodded.
"Anything for you Hanni. Okay let's see..." You heaved out a calm breath as you're getting the words constructed together in your mind. "Now, when I look at you, I realized that I have everything I've ever wanted..." Then you gazed back into her eyes, drowning yourself into those glittering pair of dark brown eyes.
"The sky is hueing mellow orange and my heart's fuller than it's ever been,
an overwhelming sense of gratefulness
washes over me like the waves onto the sand.
Looking over at you, I realize that, in this moment,
I have everything that I've ever wanted,
everything that I've ever worked for
I am finally content with who I am and where I am.
My life's still a bit messy, but it's perfect,
it's authentic and it's beautiful,
because you're now in it.
And there's nothing else I need but
to be with you,
listening to your soft voice, singing to me,
and soaking up the smell of the trees mixed with
the ocean breeze."
"Aww~" Hanni slowly getting tears of happiness as the smile on her face remained. "...you're really..." She's chuckling lightly while wiping the tears off her eyes. "You are really amazing you know that..." She sat back up straight while her head remained down. "...my romantic poet."
"It's still too early to be shedding tears of joy you know... It's Sunday Yongjae, people don't shade tears first thing on a Sunday morning..." Hanni joked playfully before her eyes glanced back on yours with a chuckle. "...but thank you for the poem. I love it. I really, really, really do. I might have to write that down as well..."
Your eyes couldn't leave her joyful and bright expression even for one second and the longer it went, there's this hint of sadness inside you heart, a sense of missing, a sense of longing, way too overwhelming for your heart to hide it from her. "I have to agree with you Hanni..." You suddenly said as she's confused while humming. "Agree on what actually?" She asked you calmly.
"I also wished that you're here next to me..." You told her your wish after a light sigh but covered it with a weak smile. "...There's so much places I wish I can take you to here in Australia that I'm sure you will love. I took strolls in the park that I'm sure will feel a hundred times better when I'm walking with you while us holding hands..."
"I know that you'll love it here..." You're hiding the longing feelings by smiling happily at her. "Someday..." Hanni whispered. "...maybe not in the near future but I'm sure someday... we'll make it there together." Her words somehow calmed your downed mood as you nodded. "Someday... maybe not in Australia but we'll be some where, any where in the world, our hands holding warmly against each other and it's just you and me, seizing our moments."
"Alright with that out of the way, I actually thought of a poem in my head a few moments ago, want to hear it?" Hanni tilted her head as you nodded with a chuckle. "You kidding me? Of course I want to. Let's hear it~" You leaned your face closer to your screen, making her snicker before she's clearing her throat. "This might sound a bit niche but bear with me darling okay..."
"there's a part of me
that doesn't want to admit this,
but I am not crazy in love with you
It doesn't feel like thundering storms,
or exploding fireworks, or burning flames.
My heart doesn't skip a beat
whenever I look at you
This love of mine for you is peaceful,
my love for you is quiet,
it's gentle and calm.
It eases my mind;
it slows down my heartbeat;
and it allows me to heal.
It's not how I imagined love would be but I'm sure it's the kind of love
that I needed.
My love is gentle for you.
You're quietly listening to her, eyes remained at her as you took her words deep into your soul. You could only breath out a long one as you're resting your head onto of your hands and no words could come out from your mouth, you had your eyes closed while you're just letting the tears flowing down peacefully.
"Don't cry~" Her soft whisper echoed in your ears as your lips couldn't help but made a smile. "That's not a niche poem Hanni, that's an amazing poem. God..." You breathed out before chuckling then wiping the tears off your cheeks. "Thank you for giving me strengths when I need it the most. Now a few more months will feel a bit easier."
As you and her were continuing talking, someone knocked on your door before Yongbok came in casually. "Yo mate what's up?" He greeted you before noticing Hanni on your screen then immediately waved at her. "Just doing some revision. What's wrong?" You asked as you turned your attention to your friend.
"We're actually having a barbecue downstairs at the backyard. My parents wants you to join us, the weather's nice as well." Yongbok invited you over as you nodded. " A Sunday barbie. That's so Aussie." You chuckled as Yongbok just shoulder shrugged proudly as an Aussie. "Alright just give me time to wrap things up and I'll be downstairs in a second."
"Alright cool. See you downstairs. Bye Hanni~" Yongbok left the room after waving Hanni goodbye. "I have to go now. Don't stress yourself okay?" You gave her a smile as she nodded with a chuckle. "I won't~ Oh and actually later afternoon, I'm going for a walk by the usual park so I'll call you when I get there?" She asked as you nodded with a smile. "Sure, just ring me up any time Hanni. Be careful okay?" She then nodded at you with a snicker. "I will~"
"Love you." You jokingly showed your cheek on the screen, earning a laugh from Hanni but nonetheless she gave her screen a smooch. "Love you too. Eat well~" Then your call ended as Hanni slowly leaning against her chair while her head's been thinking.
Breathing out a long one, she then made a group call with Haerin and Minji before Haerin immediately answered. "Pham Pham~" Her voice echoed in your ears just as Minji joined the call seconds after. "Yello~" She greeted.
"What's with the early call in the morning?" Minji asked as Haerin just remained silent, waiting for Hanni to tell them. "This is about yesterday's plan, Haerin's plan by the way... Have you two decided already?"
"Me? I still stand with my decision. I know that it'll be hard to achieve but I'm sure if we're in this together, we can certainly make things work and it's already been proven." Minji told her decision. "Haerin?" Hanni asked as they could hear her soft hum.
"I actually believe that this is something that will be worth trying and although being optimistic somehow isn't my strongest trait but I'll bet that we can make this work. So I'm also in." Haerin too made her decision as Hanni just nodded before breathing out silently
"I made a decision already." Hanni immediately told her friends. "Oh yeah... so what's your call then?" Minji remembered instantly as Haerin just remained silent while waiting for an answer from Hanni.
"I'm in as well." Hanni made her decision.
Afternoon came and Hanni went over to her curtain and took a peek at the outside view and relief washed over her as the environment outside was perfect for an afternoon walk in the park. Sunny with cloudy sky.
Immediately, already dressed up properly for a walk, Hanni got her phone and made her way downstairs to tell her parents that she's going out before eventually made it to her front gate. It took about ten minutes to get to the park in her area so she just chuckled to herself with her thought of having a walk before the real walk itself.
But the windy breeze really helped her in being relaxed and somehow enjoying those steps she took all the way to the already so familiar park that she always goes to since she was a child and the amount of memories being created here by you and her was too many and way too precious for her to actually forget.
As she arrived by the entrance, Hanni breathed in the breeze and it's been so long since she had such a peaceful day to herself just like today. Her eyes immediately landed on the swings that eventually made her laughed silently to herself as a core memory floated inside her head.
Hanni immediately got her phone and video called you then in no time, you answered. "Hello~" Your voice echoed into her ears as she turned her body slightly, showing you the swings behind her and instantly you let out a laugh as the memory also returned to you instantly.
"The swing's still there~? Gosh how long has it been..." You asked in amazement as you couldn't help but remininscing the way you and Hanni would always get on those swings when both of you were children and one time you cried because your swing was swinging over the usual speed and it somehow terrified you.
"Remember that one time..." Hanni couldn't contain her laughter and couldn't continue because she couldn't stop her laughter. "...I'm sorry love" She said in between her laugh as you just laughed along with her. "That was a terrifying day for me as a child I'm not going to lie. But the following week I'm back on the swings yet again." You recalled those fun moments as if it was yesterday.
As she continued walking her way around, you couldn't help but feeling happy to see herself enjoying her walk, enjoying her time, enjoying the environment and silently in your heart you kept being thankful that everything had turn the way it was now. "The breeze is actually really great, it's sunny here yet it's so breezy and the smell of nature is like... wow." She said with excitement before inhaling another wave of wind.
"It's been a while since we came here doesn't it... We used to play on that playground with the other kids... You had scratches on your elbow that one time..." Hanni poured out every memorable moments that she could remember. "...and that time I couldn't stop crying because I fall over and got scratch wounds on my knees..." She then laughed at herself. "...you forgot to add the fact that the two of us were crying because I didn't know what to do so I just cried along with you."
Hanni then found herself a bench to sit on and having a relaxing afternoon. "I'm sure the next time you and me are talking a walk, it will be special. I can feel it, no, I actually believe that it'll be a special memory for us." Hearing that made your heart felt warm yet sad at the same time knowing that it's still a long way for you to be home now.
"My love?" Hearing that made Hanni snickered while humming back to you. "Nothing~ Just want to see if you like it when I call you that." You replied her as she just let out a light squeal. "I love it. I love it and I love it so much. Call me love as much as you want, I am not going to complain even for a second." She exclaimed purely out of excitement as your smile grew wide before you nodded.
"Hanni. My love." And by hearing that again made Hanni let out another playful and satisfied squeal. "Yes Yongjae? My world, my poet, my universe, my everything? Is that too much?" She chuckled to herself as you just shook your head. "Call me anything and as much as you want, I will never, ever, gets tired of hearing you saying it."
"Okay then Yongjae, my bestie, my solace, my heart, my love, my home. You are a very special person to me and no matter where we are now, even if we're next to each other or even if we're 70,000 kilometers away from each other, please remember..." Hanni had her palm placed on her chest near her heart. "...that this beating heart inside of me will always cherish and cares for you and it will always bear a special place for you in it and only you will have access to it. I love you with all my heart and soul and now nothing will ever change that."
"Did you... picked that out from the letter I wrote? That last sentence..." You chuckled as the last line was way too familiar as she could only snickered as she was caught. "I did but it doesn't make it any less special for me to say it again to you this time love." She gave you the warmest of her smile and melted you away instantly.
"You bet it doesn't, that makes it even more precious coming from you. Thank you Hanni, for accepting me and for not giving up on me." Hanni just nodded her head as her smile remained. "God I wished I can think of prettier words to say to you back but nothing would be as sincere as thank you. So my baby Yongjae, thank you, thank you again, for loving me through out all those years, for longing, for being patient and most importantly, for loving me."
What do you know... it's already chapter 40. Oh yeah, I'm definitely getting the hang of it. Writing fluffs is so much fun. Let's make it to Chapter 50 with nothing but fluffs. I'm in for that challenge. How about you all? 🤝🫡