'7 years... 7 years have already passed... where were you?'

...

HAYOON | 7 YEARS LATER

"Hurry up girls! We don't want to be late, do we?!" A person barged into our room, clapping her hands at a very fast pace.

"One more 5 minutes on the clock and we'll be expecting everyone at the van, alright?"

The other girls hummed in acknowledgment meanwhile I just didn't respond at all. I was so busy perfecting my eyelashes that I was too distracted to hear any sound. I and the other women eventually finished our make-up and scurried outside with our small bouquets, slightly lifting our dress to avoid any tripping.

"I'm so excited to witness our Inha and Mingyu getting married!" One of the girls excitedly chirped from the front seat, mixing her words with the engine roaring. "Like gosh, it took a very long time for him to propose to her!"

"I also heard that Mingyu almost revealed the ring early because of his clumsiness. Typical of him, huh?" Another one jokes, making me quietly laugh at the back.

The day was sunny and the atmosphere was jolly. Everyone just kept chatting while I was too shy to join in. I decided to stare around the small white bouquet in my hands and played with it for a minute, not realizing how the years passed by so fast.

As you already heard, Mingyu and Inha are getting married today! I was one who knew about Mingyu's plan to propose first and it wasn't really a big shock, but it was for sure for the new bride. Plenty of people thought they were still very young to be married—

But screw it, it's their lives anyways.

It's also pretty safe to say that all of us already moved on and accepted our high school past whole-heartedly. And as for me, I have only focused on my studies and mostly on my side job. My parents are still well and have been encouraging me to meet some new people, which I agreed on one time just for it to turn out to be a disaster.

It's a story to tell. But sadly, not for now.

Mingyu and Inha also opened a great business that is quite booming when it comes to their customers, and also with a few franchises here and there. Mingyu was able to remain in his family's mansion and based on I and Inha's last conversation,

the possible house where they'll raise their future children.

"Hayoon, there you are." A hand snuck onto the top of my shoulder, a friendly type of touch. "You look splendid in that white dress by the way."

I looked over at the nice guy and opened my mouth, "Same as you Wonwoo, you look splendid as ever with that push-back hair. I kind of like it." I complimented back, earning a cheeky smile from him.

"Why thank you, you're so nice." He chuckled.

"And that same flower hairpin, you're still wearing that, huh?"

Wonwoo, oh Wonwoo, he was still the same guy as before. And can't you believe it? He's now the chief of police at their station! Talk about a huge promotion.

Throughout the years, he also became a bit overprotective of a friend. And even if he hated it, I always tried my best to help him with some police work and with some complicated rascals.

I'm kind of his partner in crime, even though I'm just a lazy beginning accountant.

"Oh yeah... I guess it matches the red-white theme anyway." I reasoned out.

And some minutes later, we received a signal from the organizer.

As all the bridesmaids and the groomsmen formed a line in front of us, I and Wonwoo combined our arms with each other from the back.

We were at the back because Inha forced me to be her maid of honor, meanwhile, she convinced her soon-to-be husband to make Wonwoo the best man.

'I don't have a choice.' Mingyu said somewhere before.

Soon, we all walked to the middle of the aisle. It was a very quick entrance but it wasn't that fast for me to give Mingyu a reassuring smile, making him smile in return and puff out his chest to hide his nervousness.

But as the second Inha entered with her beautiful dress and long veil, Mingyu's eyes automatically worked like waterfalls.

...

RECEPTION

Claps and incredibly large cheers can be taken in from the whole hotel venue. There were a lot of decorations placed in every inch of the area and grand is absolutely their other theme. As we did what we did, the newly wedded couple finally took their grand entrance.

"And without further ado, let us welcome the new husband and wife!" The announcer announced.

The cheers became wilder and the couple couldn't do anything but just wave and smile. They soon sat at their own table reserved for them while the people who were standing up also took their seats.

After more words from the announcer, the food was served for dinner. All of us took the time to fill up our stomachs until almost halfway finishing my plate, I and Wonwoo were dragged by the side.

"I'm sorry for the disturbance but it's time for your toasts as maid of honor and best man." She informed us.

Like she said, the whole crowd's attention was later focused on both of us as soon as we were pushed to the spotlight. As per the discussion, Wonwoo gave the first toast. And shockingly, it sounded all deep and sentimental for some reason.

And then, I was next.

"First, I just want to congratulate the newlyweds," I spoke to the mic, causing people to clap.

"And second, my toast is going to be very short but I really do feel happy for both of my greatest friends... I'm really happy that they found each other." I paused.

"I can't really wait to watch my friends as they go on to love each other, comfort each other, and just plainly to always be with each other at every good or bad time of their lives."

"That's all for me. But Inha and Mingyu, all my best wishes come to you." I sighed and raised my glass towards them, putting the mic down.

"Blessings to the new husband and wife!"

...

"May I dance with you, my lady?" Wonwoo brought out his hand to me, playfully.

"Sure random young fine man, take me to the dancefloor." I replied dramatically after I was done wearing my flashy mask in place.

There were fewer sounds from the people at the venue which allowed the soft music to take over. It was going to be a basic slow dance after the husband and wife did their first dance— But before the wedding took place, Mingyu thought it would be fun to make everyone do a masquerade.

It was a weird addition but he really tried to force it in.

Wonwoo softly pulled me in with the crowd and with my permission, he placed his hand on my waist and held my hand on the other. We were minding our business for 2 minutes or so when abruptly, someone grabbed the mic.

"Now, let's switch it up!"

We were both confused about the statement but someone already proceeded to take Wonwoo away from me, explaining that we need to switch partners. I honestly didn't know about it but I just gave in for the sake of everyone's fun.

And before I could turn around and find a new partner, someone already offered their hand to me.

"O-Oh, umm... so you want me to dance with you..?"

The mysterious man was wearing a black mask that was supported with a red feather sticking out, and some red details to make it sparkle. He was wearing an all-black tuxedo with a red ribbon tie to accompany it.

He also had noticeably shiny black hair.

He didn't utter a word back but I can clearly see his eyes looking straight at mine. I wasn't sure if he was really offering his hand to me— But seeing how the others already found someone, I just placed my hand on top of his palm.

"So... are you a friend of Inha and Mingyu?" I tried to strike up a conversation but he didn't bother to reply.

"I-It's just that I think I haven't seen you anywhere, I mean, maybe I just haven't met you at all before." I nervously chuckled, thinking that I permanently made it officially awkward between us.

The main light was slightly turned off which permitted small moving spotlights with different colors to explore around the space. The new mood was more romantic than earlier and some of the real couples seem to enjoy it a lot.

2 minutes passed and it's a good dance so far. But despite that, the only thing that stuck out from us is truly the awkwardness. I was patiently waiting for the next 'switch it up!' when I felt his hand brush the side of my hair.

It felt so familiar.

"My darling," The mysterious man choked out as he admired my... hairpin?

He took back his hand and returned it to my waist... and then he soundly mumbled, "I have been waiting for this moment and it didn't even cross my mind that it will take this long..."

"And even if I hate it, this moment where we meet again is where we need to part again."

We were still frozen in the same romantic position but when he met Mingyu's pitiful eyes and gave him one nod from afar, that's when he broke free from my aching hold.

"Let's switch it up again, everyone!"

I mentally cursed at myself when I saw how the crowd became bigger and greatly scattered as each of them tried to find a new partner.

It was intentional, this was his plan.

It was too dark and hard for me to see that I instantly thought I lost him. I was so frustrated and ran in heels to where I believed he went, still thinking that I lost him again.

"No, I'm not going to lose him again!" I muttered to myself out of disagreement, running at full speed to the nearest exit as a wild guess.

I did catch some attention along the way but it was worth it, I saw him! With my heels now in my hand, I continued to sprint barefoot on the green-carpeted floor. I boosted my speed even more and didn't even think of a second thought to proceed outside the entire hotel.

"D-Did I lose him again?" I panted, looking everywhere.

I looked carefully at every corner of the streets of Seoul in a more settled way and successfully spotted him again, walking alone with his mask in his hand. Joy conquered my whole body but it wasn't still finished yet,

I knew our story wasn't finished yet!

...

'Come on, this again? Really?'

I stopped my tracks as I gazed towards the lonely dark alleyway. My nerves started to shake while traumatic-worthy memories kept rushing in, it was still vivid. My fully white dress is now dirty and the hotel is already far from where I stood, how far did I just run?

I gazed more around my surroundings and all I can see brightly is just an illuminated convenience store, and that's all it is. There was obvious hesitation in my steps forward and I'm not even sure if it's really him.

But however, I was still willing to risk it all just to get the closure I have been yearning for.

"J-Jeonghan? Are you there? Is that really you..?"

Pure Silence

"Whoever you are, just please answer me so I can stop—"

.

.

.

"You're as beautiful as when I lost you."

A pair of familiar strong arms captured me and embraced me tightly, planting his head on the crook of my neck. I allowed him to go on and didn't move, not even moving a single finger.

After a long minute, I finally faced him.

"J-Jeonghan..." I cried out, caressing his cheek with my thumb. "I-It's you! I thought you were dead! What happened? Where—"

"Shh," He wiped a tear away as I enjoyed his contact. "I know you deserve every each of your questions answered, but let's just enjoy this moment—"

"7 years... 7 years have already passed... where were you?" I angrily broke free from his embrace, pouring my year-long grudge into him.

"Hayoon—"

"You should have told me! Then who was that body I saw in the hospital? The ashes— Everything?! What was everything that I saw?!" I shouted.

His mouth was purely shut and nobody chose to utter a single word afterward. I got fed up with the situation and I was already suffering from my own tears, so I started to walk away.

Away, away from him.

"WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LET ME FINISH?!" He loudly questioned that pulled my feet back, only making him face my back.

"Do you know how hard I hold myself just not to approach you? Do you think that letting people think that you're dead is that easy?! You don't know how much you caused me so much sadness whenever I see you cry every night, and I experience that for F*CKING 7 YEARS!"

"...I love you so much Hayoon, but it hurts me so much too." He admitted.

After he confessed, it was finally my time to question my inner thoughts.

Should I just leave him here?

How about my life now?

Is it really worth all the risk?

Can I really take it?

Am I mentally ready to accept this new and unexpected kind of reality?

.

.

.

'F*ck it, I still love him so much too.'

.

.

.

Without any time nor moment to waste, I turned back and dashed to him. I gave him the firmest and hardest hug I could and waited for him to hug me back, and he did, tighter.

"I'm so happy that I finally have you, again."

And right after that, we forgot that there was still an event happening.

Jeonghan led me in his fancy car and drove me to who-knows-where, which later I discovered was the Han River.

There were only a few people around since it was night time but he proceeded to put me in the same romantic position we were interrupted in earlier, continuing our slow dance while the sound of the river flowing was our only music.

We took the chance to catch up with the missing years we didn't get to have and mainly treasure each other's company. It all felt like a dream, a dream where we were the only two people in the whole universe.

.

.

.

"We still have a lot and much love to exchange with each other, darling."

He whispered, before pulling me to an everlasting kiss.

THE END