12:25 AM

Midnight. Tzuyu's hands were on the steering wheel, only looking at the road in front of her. She saw a few cars speeding past the limit as she passed by, and the orange light from the street lamps that illuminated the asphalt concrete.

As she drove, a heavy feeling clouded her heart with guilt that kept hammering itself in her mind.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

She chanted as her phone on the passenger seat rang again for the 19th time. Tzuyu couldn't bear to glance and answer the phone. Her eyes were too blurry with tears to even recognize things around her. But she knows. She knows the name that was displayed on her screen, even without looking at it.

The name of the only woman she fell in love with. The one that made her heart banging against its cage, cheeks flushed and head-spinning every time they were together. The one who got her captivated from the start with that gummy smile that brightened up Tzuyu's entire world.

The name of the woman who ultimately crushed her heart, too.

It was worthless to keep fighting. Tzuyu knows that. Because as time passed, Tzuyu noticed how they were slipping away from each other and how Mina's eyes wouldn't shine the same way they used to. Mina kept getting further and further away until the silence that used to enjoy together was unbearable. They weren't screaming; they weren't fighting, but it was taking Tzuyu apart how cold they have become. It was the only time that Tzuyu wished they were yelling at each other.

12:29 AM

Her phone rang again. Tzuyu pressed on the accelerator a bit more, the clutch reaching a higher gear that she could barely see her surroundings. She tried to keep her focus on the road, trying to ignore that ringing that played again and again.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

Tzuyu kept replaying scenes in her mind, the memories that stuck with her, overwhelming emotions that tattooed Mina deep into her soul. It was the only thing that was keeping her sane at this point. She would only see the time when they were still madly in love, hearts were in sync as they hold each other. The time that they were still dreaming of their future, what it would be like to get married or maybe even have kids. She couldn't help but chuckle, remembering Mina's face that got so red when they first made love.

It was perfect. They were happy.

But it was only her imagination. A fantasy that she created in order to cope with the increasing pain of being together but not being loved the same way anymore. That way, Tzuyu was fooling herself, was convincing herself that there was hope. That maybe they would go back the way they used to. Maybe she could make Mina love her again instead of keeping her and staying with her for the sake of not hurting Tzuyu.

Tzuyu punched the steering wheel and smashed her foot on the accelerator. Who was she kidding? No matter what she does, it was useless. Useless!

That's why you left, right?

Tzuyu couldn't do anything. And Mina made it clear last night.

12:31 PM

Her phone never stopped ringing. It made her laugh, a loud one that came from inside her chest. Its low tone resonated with how harsh the way she screamed at Mina earlier. She regrets it, but she swallowed all her apologies and stormed off into their apartment with only her car keys and her phone.

Tzuyu shook her head. What now? She left with nothing with her. Not even a single won after spending it all from drinking. She could call Dahyun and tell her she needed some place to crash. Or maybe Momo, she also needed a new job after getting fired. Jeongyeon could also help her with stuff, maybe even become her own therapist, since the woman was good at comforting her.

Or she could just answer Mina.

No. Not after all that fighting. Not after Tzuyu poured out everything that was running through her mind. Not after Mina told her straight to her face that she didn't love her anymore.

That made Tzuyu's lips quiver, eyes red and hands shook with the urge to just drop everything and leave. It was like a slap of reality. After hoping and holding on for so long, it was a sign to stop. To stop loving Mina.

Could she? Could she really do that? Could she really just forget these feelings inside her that kept burning for 10 years?

Could I?

Another phone call interrupted her thoughts.

Why the heck are you so persistent? You just said you don't love me anymore.

Tzuyu bashed her hand on the steering wheel again. If she could, she would also bash her head and stop thinking about Mina. She would also like to bash her phone and break it so Mina could stop calling her.

But what if she answers?

What would Mina say? Would she tell Tzuyu to come back?

No, that would be impossible. Why would you ask someone to come back after shattering them to pieces? It's like breaking a broken mirror till it's crushed to dust.

But Tzuyu knew she would come back if Mina asked her to.

Would Mina tell her the reasons she fell out of love? And answer all the questions that would make it clear to Tzuyu what Mina feels?

Mina doesn't love her anymore. But why the heck is she calling? Why does she care after all of that hurting, crying, and breaking up? Why does she want to reach Tzuyu so badly when she herself said they shouldn't see each other again?

Why? Why? Why?

Tzuyu pushed the accelerator at its limits, running at the full speed of her car, 234 mph. Her hands tightly gripping the steering wheel as she sped through the highway.

Tzuyu closed her eyes. And finally, took the ringing phone in her hands. But she didn't answer it.

Or she couldn't answer it.

12:34 AM

It was the last time she heard her phone rang. She clutched it in her hands, with tears streaming down her face. She wailed, and her breathing became shallow as she slowly loses her grip around her phone.

She leans her head on the steering wheel, feeling the heat slowly reach her body. Her legs and arms felt numb and her heart was beating slowly. Trails of warm blood trickled down her face. Her eyes couldn't see anything as her tears blurred everything around her. But in her mind, all she could see was Mina smiling at her with that damn gummy smile.

Happy.

She just wanted Mina to be happy. And being with her, staying with her, and telling her she loves her every day just caused the opposite of what she wanted.

So she left. And even though she ran and stormed off, she was thinking of Mina. She thought driving away would give Mina the freedom, the happiness that Tzuyu wanted her to feel.

Because Tzuyu only wanted her to be happy.

_____

She remembered it clearly. When she said Mina wanted to walk down the aisle with her dad and see someone she loved waiting at the end of the altar. Tzuyu wanted to be that someone, and she thought she would be the one who would marry Mina.

But what's the good in that if Mina didn't love her anymore?

Tzuyu dusted her suit and stood from the side, waiting for the bride to come out. There were petals scattered on the ground and they decorated the venue purple and white, including the cake at the front. Many people were waiting with their cameras, ready to capture the moment.

Tzuyu can only capture it in her heart since she lost her phone. The flashing lights of the cameras almost left her blind.

Then a step. Tzuyu's eyes widened as the doors opened, with Mina in the center holding a bouquet.

She cried as she watches how beautiful Mina has become. Her blonde hair was now dyed black. It bounced down her shoulders and onto her white dress. The veil that covered her face didn't hinder Tzuyu from seeing that bright smile. The same smile that she wished to see was now showing on Mina's face.

The church music played as the guests watched the couple. A small girl lifted Mina's veil and held her hand in hers.

"Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the Church so that in the presence of the Church's minister and the community. The Lord may strengthen your intention to enter marriage with a sacred seal." The priest said, as all the guests were standing up, including Tzuyu.

She tried to hold herself together. Avoiding breaking down as the blessings and they handed the rings out. She tried not to burst out crying when they both said their vows. Mina promising to love somebody else other than Tzuyu made her weak. But she still listened and continued to watch from the side.

The couple held both hands together and faced each other, grinning from ear to ear. It was almost ending.

"Son Chaeyoung, do you take Myoui Mina for your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do."

"Myoui Mina, do you take Son Chaeyoung for your lawful spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do."

"I now declare you as partners for life. You may now kiss the bride."

She watched as Mina gently cup her spouse's cheeks and pull them into a kiss. The crowd clapped and cheered for the newly wedded couple as Tzuyu stood there, gripping herself to distract the pain.

Tzuyu kept smiling even if tears were flowing down her face as she watched someone else take Mina's hand and stood in front of the altar. She smiled even if the one that Mina swore to love forever wasn't her.

Because she was happy for Mina. Happy to know that she will leave her, with all her blessings and love. Happy because what she wished for finally came true.

Even if it wasn't because of her.

Tzuyu exits the chapel as all the people gathered outside. She stood from afar, hands behind her back as Mina was waving and talking to other people. She wanted to walk over there, but it was best to put distance.

"Chou Tzuyu, have your wishes been granted?" A voice spoke in her head. It was echoing, but clear and loud enough for Tzuyu to understand.

She nodded and sighed. Tears drying from her face as she felt her body slowly fading away from the bask of light. "Yes, I saw her being happy again."

"You can now rest and go home to where your kind soul belongs. Heaven's doors await you."

"Can I say one last goodbye?" Tzuyu asked the voice. She took a step forward, hoping to get permission from the one who guided her here.

"Go ahead."

Tzuyu felt her feet lift off the ground. The wind blew, leaves from the blooming cherry blossoms flew in the air. The church bells were ringing, and the sun beamed brightly down on Mina. Everybody stared in awe and felt the breeze on their skin.

With a smile, she glanced at Mina one last time and whispered,

"I love you. Goodbye."

Before fully disappearing in the light.