1.  Your Lost Memories

Your lost memories By – Hira Mokariya     After taking a dive into the ocean of love, I realized it’s not about the heart here, It’s about destiny.. – Rahi¬¬¬¬¬ ¬¬- They say a person can be erased, but their memories can never be. Hiya was trying to escape Rishi’s memories. She left her home, her family, her city, and even her country. Yet, she still couldn’t escape them. No matter how far she went, the memories followed her, haunting her every step of the way. One day, in South Korea, a man named Hawan enters Hiya’s life. But at the same time, Rishi also tries to find his way back into her life. Now, Hiya must decide whether she wants to build a new life with Hawan and create new memories or relive the memories she once shared with Rishi. Life is made up of memories—but which path will Hiya choose? Read Hiya’s story, set in the heart of South Korea.     “I love you… so, so, so much,” Hiya said softly. Rishi looked at her in confusion. “What are you saying, Hiya?” “Yes, Rishi… I love you. Not from today, not from yesterday, but for years, I’ve loved only you. Don’t you love me?” Rishi was astonished. He couldn’t understand what his crazy friend was saying today. She had told him many times before that she loved him, but today was different. There was a faint shimmer of tears in her eyes that he had never seen before. He had known Hiya for a long time. She was always cheerful and talkative, but today, her eyes were filled with love. Her words seemed to bring a strange calm to everything around them, as if even the waves had fallen still and the entire universe had gone silent. But inside Rishi, a storm was raging. He looked into Hiya’s eyes, unable to find the right words. Hiya wanted to hear only one simple answer—yes. The truth was, Rishi had come to meet her because Hiya had said she wanted to see him for the last time. He didn’t know why she had said that, so he came to the seashore to find out. But now, she was saying something entirely different. “Hiya, are you okay?” Rishi asked. “What are you saying? Don’t you know I’m already married?” The moment she heard those words, Hiya’s expression changed. For a brief moment, she had forgotten that Rishi was married, and guilt immediately washed over her. “Uh… right. You’re married.” She forced a weak smile. “How could I forget? I don’t know why I asked that.” Rishi looked at her carefully. “Do you really love me? I mean, you’ve said it many times before, but I never paid much attention because I thought you were just joking. But today, your eyes are saying something different. Tell me the truth. Have you really loved me all these years?” Hiya looked into Rishi’s eyes, but she couldn’t find the emotions she had hoped to see. Instead, she saw only questions. Perhaps, for the first time in her life, she regretted falling in love with Rishi. There was no point in trying to explain anything anymore. “No, I was just joking,” she replied with a faint laugh. “You know me well, don’t you? Forget about it. Listen… I’m going to South Korea, and I wanted to meet you one last time, so I called you here.” “When will you come back?” Rishi asked. “Never.” He frowned. “What? I mean… how long will you stay in South Korea?” “Forever.” “What are you saying? Tell me why you’re going there.” “I have no reason to stay here anymore, but maybe I’ll find one there. That’s why I’m leaving. And I intend to stay there forever. That’s why I wanted to meet you one last time.” She paused for a moment before looking into his eyes. “Will you grant me one request?” “I’ll try.” “I want to hug you.” Still bewildered, Rishi decided to grant her request. He knew Hiya well, but her behaviour today was beyond his understanding. She had spoken about leaving forever, and now she wanted to hug him. Why? Despite being married, he didn’t refuse. The moment Hiya wrapped her arms around him, everything else faded into the background. For a brief moment, she forgot that Rishi belonged to someone else and simply listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her chest. Rishi held her gently, as though he didn’t want to let her go, as if he wished to keep her in his arms forever. They lost themselves in that embrace, as though they shared a bond that transcended this lifetime. In that moment, there was only love, even if it was destined to end in separation. Hiya remembered every moment they had spent together, and tears welled up in her eyes. Rishi continued to hold her, reluctant to let her go, as though he wanted to freeze that moment forever. Both of them were completely lost in each other, as if that was the only moment that mattered. Hiya cherished every second she spent in his arms and realized that Rishi was the only man she had ever truly loved. She didn’t know how to explain it to him, and now, there was no need to. “Are you crying, Hiya?” Rishi asked softly. Hiya quickly wiped away her tears. She no longer had the courage to look into his eyes. Without saying a single word, she turned around and walked away. Rishi stood there, still trying to make sense of Hiya’s strange behaviour. She had acted oddly on several occasions before, but today she had truly left him confused. He couldn’t understand why he felt so uneasy after she hugged him. Something deep inside urged him to stop her, but the words never came. Just then, his phone rang. After answering the call, he quietly left the seashore. Once Rishi was gone, Hiya returned to the same spot. She broke down, crying uncontrollably, with no one around to witness the pain hidden behind her tears. Even the waves seemed to quiet down, as though the sea itself had fallen silent in sympathy with her sorrow. She stood there alone, watching Rishi’s footprints stretch away into the distance until they disappeared from sight. Hiya sat beside those footprints and cried as though Rishi were still standing there beside her. She wanted to preserve the last trace of the man she loved, as if the imprints of his feet were the final memory she could hold on to. Taking out her white handkerchief, she carefully gathered a handful of sand from the place where his footprints remained. She folded the handkerchief and tied it into a small knot. It would become her keepsake—a silent reminder of every moment she had shared with him. As the time for her flight approached, she placed the handkerchief inside her purse and headed for the airport. Hiya hadn’t merely collected a handful of sand; she had gathered every memory of Rishi into that small handkerchief. She wanted to keep those memories close without allowing them to haunt her every day. She longed to distance herself from them, yet she couldn’t bear to lose them forever. So, on that day, she wrapped every precious memory of Rishi inside that little bundle and carried it with her as she began a new journey. Hiya arrived in South Korea, the land of K-pop, K-dramas, and kimchi. She could already feel the energy of the country and was eager to begin a new chapter of her life. She wasn’t just searching for a place to live; she was searching for a place where she could rebuild herself. She already had a job, a rented apartment, and everything she needed to start over. She had left behind her family, her city, and every reminder of the life she once knew. She didn’t want to look back. She didn’t want to remember the people she might never meet again. She carried countless memories within her, but she no longer wanted to live in them. She wanted to begin again. After reaching her apartment, Hiya placed the small bundle containing Rishi’s memories inside a cupboard. Deep down, she secretly wished she would one day forget where she had hidden the key to that cupboard. As she prepared for her first day at work, Hiya promised herself that she would embrace her new life with a smile and leave the past behind. She didn’t want to turn around anymore. She was in a foreign country, surrounded by people with a different language and culture, and she knew it would take time to adjust. Still, she was determined to become a part of this new world. On her way to work, Hiya remembered hearing that some Korean people might not openly express their dislike toward foreigners but would often reveal their feelings through subtle facial expressions. She didn’t know whether it was true or not, but it didn’t matter to her. She hadn’t come to South Korea to make friends or build relationships. She had come to escape Rishi’s memories. She didn’t want to form any emotional attachments. She was ready to adjust to the country, its culture, and it’s way of life. Hiya found herself living in a beautiful country filled with beautiful people. At times, she felt she wasn’t as attractive as the Koreans around her, but she was doing her best to adapt, even if it meant changing her eating habits. She had always been a vegetarian, but after spending a week in South Korea, she had started enjoying kimchi and ramen. As the days passed, Hiya gradually immersed herself in Korean culture and began to appreciate the peaceful atmosphere around her. She lived in an apartment building where not everyone spoke English, although she noticed that a few of her neighbours did. Even so, she made no effort to become friends with anyone. She didn’t even know who lived next door because, unlike in India, it wasn’t easy to build relationships with neighbours in a foreign country. Hiya remained focused on moving forward. She had left her past behind and was determined to build a new future for herself in the vibrant land of South Korea. Hiya was living in Daegu, and one late night, she was completely engrossed in her work. She felt exhausted and desperately wanted to sleep, but she had to finish everything before morning. To keep herself awake, she decided to make some tea. However, as soon as she entered the kitchen, she realized she had run out of sugar. Her first thought made her smile. When will the neighbours come to my rescue? Then reality struck. This wasn’t India. She couldn’t simply walk next door with a container and ask for sugar. Besides, tea without sugar wouldn’t help her stay awake. She also didn’t want her neighbours to think she was careless or untidy. Standing in front of the mirror, Hiya examined herself carefully. “My hair is a mess, and I look so tired,” she murmured. “If I go out looking like this, my neighbours will never lend me sugar. Koreans are very particular about their appearance. They’ll probably think I’m a lazy person who doesn’t even take care of herself. No… the first impression should be the best impression.” She smiled at her reflection. “Besides, I look pretty good.” After fixing her hair and freshening up a little, she walked to the apartment next door. She had no idea who lived there. It could be a man or a woman, but at that moment, it didn’t matter. She knocked on the door. A few moments later, it opened. A young man stood before her, looking slightly intoxicated. He stared at her with obvious surprise. “Yes?” he asked. “I’m so sorry to bother you this late,” Hiya said politely, holding out her small container. “I was about to make some tea, but I just realized I’ve run out of sugar. If you have some, could you please lend me two spoons?” The man continued staring at her. A foreign girl was standing outside his apartment at almost midnight, holding a container and asking for sugar. It was probably the strangest thing he had experienced in a long time. “You see,” Hiya continued awkwardly, “I ran out of sugar at the worst possible time. If you could spare just a little, it would really help.” The man hesitated. Partly because the request itself was unusual, and partly because a complete stranger had knocked on his door in the middle of the night. He kept looking at Hiya as though he couldn’t quite believe what was happening. Yet despite wanting to refuse, he found himself unable to ignore her warm, innocent smile. “The thing is…” Hiya said with an embarrassed laugh, “I’m from India, and asking neighbours for little things like sugar is completely normal there. But I really respect your culture, and I’ve only been in Korea for eight days. It’ll probably take me some time to understand the people here. I’m sorry for disturbing you. I promise I won’t make this mistake again.” Assuming he was both drunk and irritated, Hiya concluded that he wasn’t going to help her. She gave him an awkward smile and turned to walk back to her apartment. She had barely taken two or three steps when his voice stopped her. “Wait.” She turned around. “Yes?” “You can take it.” She blinked in confusion. “What?” “You can take the sugar. It’s in my kitchen.” For a moment, Hiya wondered if she had heard him correctly. The same man who had looked so reluctant a few seconds ago was now inviting her into his apartment to take sugar herself. Not wanting to give him a chance to change his mind, she quickly walked inside, rushed to the kitchen, filled nearly half her container with sugar, and hurried back to the door. “Thank you so much!” she said with a bright smile. “I really appreciate it. Now I can finally make my tea. I promise I won’t disturb you again.” She had barely turned to leave when he spoke once more. “Wait.” She sighed inwardly before turning back. “Yes?” A faint smile appeared on his face. “I thought you said you only needed two spoons of sugar.” “I did.” “Then why did you take half a cup?” Hiya stared at him. Seriously? She wanted to ask, Now what? but held herself back. What kind of person is he? she thought. He’s making such a big issue out of a little sugar. So, what if I took a bit more than two spoons? If he didn’t want to give it, he could have simply said no. Who even asks someone a question like that? Hiya was beginning to dislike that guy. This was the first and last time she would ever go to him to ask for anything. After tonight, she had decided she would never knock on his door again—not even if it was something important. He was still looking at her. “I’m sorry,” Hiya said awkwardly. “I’ll put it back.” “No, no. That’s not what I meant,” the man replied. “There’s no need to put it back. I was just wondering… if you wanted, you could have taken the whole container. Why did you take only half?” Oh… so that’s what he meant. God, what was I thinking? This guy isn’t as bad as I thought. He didn’t say anything wrong. It was just the way he said it that made me misunderstand him. Even though he’s drunk, he’s still helping me. That’s actually kind of nice. And despite being tipsy, he isn’t rude at all. “No, this is more than enough,” Hiya replied with a smile. “I only need to make one cup of tea. Thank you. Good night.” “Good night.” A faint smile appeared on his face before he quietly closed the door. Back in her apartment, Hiya began making her tea. Yet, for some reason, her thoughts kept drifting back to the man next door. Even though he had been drunk, their unexpected meeting lingered in her mind throughout the night. Everyone she had met in Korea had seemed polite, but he was the first person who had left a lasting impression on her. At first, she had assumed he wouldn’t help her, but he had proved her wrong. Perhaps, she thought, they might even become friends someday. The thought made her smile as she looked forward to discovering more about Daegu and the people living around her. Hiya was slowly beginning to enjoy life abroad. She had settled into her new surroundings quite well. Two days had passed since she had borrowed the sugar. One evening, while sitting in her apartment, she suddenly remembered something. “Oh no…” She still hadn’t returned the sugar. She immediately went into the kitchen, filled the same bowl with fresh sugar, and hurried toward her neighbour’s apartment. Just as she was about to knock, she paused. It was late again. The last time she had visited at this hour, she had interrupted his sleep. She didn’t want to make the same mistake, but she also didn’t want to delay returning what she had borrowed. She stood there, thinking to herself. “It’s late. He might already be asleep. Last time I disturbed him at this hour too. But I only want to return the sugar. I’ll ring the bell just once. If he doesn’t answer, I’ll leave.” After convincing herself, she gently pressed the doorbell. She waited. No response. Assuming he was asleep, she turned around and started walking away. “Why are you doing this?” Startled, Hiya turned around. Her neighbour was standing a few steps away, glaring at her. “What am I doing?” she asked, genuinely confused. “Oh, so now you don’t even know?” he said irritably. “You think you can ring my doorbell in the middle of the night and I won’t notice?” “I didn’t mean anything by it.” “That’s enough,” he interrupted. “I don’t want to hear excuses just because you got caught. Please don’t trouble me with your kindness.” “You’re misunderstanding me.” “I already have trouble sleeping,” he said with obvious frustration. “Once I wake up, I can’t fall asleep again. Thanks to you, I’ve been disturbed for two nights in a row. It’s driving me crazy. If you absolutely have to bother me, at least do it during the day. Why do you always come in the middle of the night? Now, please… just go.” His words were harsh, but Hiya could see the exhaustion on his face. Perhaps he really hadn’t slept properly for two nights. Even so, she couldn’t understand why all of his frustration was being directed at her. “I’m sorry,” Hiya said quietly. “I didn’t come here to bother you or disturb your sleep. I only came to return the sugar I borrowed from you.” She handed him the bowl of sugar and walked away without waiting for another word. The young man stood silently, watching her disappear into her apartment. “What?” he muttered to himself after the door closed. “Did she really come here just to return the sugar? When did I ever tell her she had to return it? She came here with good intentions, and I scolded her for no reason.” He sighed deeply. “She’s a foreigner living here all alone. I should have helped her instead of losing my temper. I said so many unnecessary things… I don’t think she’ll ever talk to me again.” He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. “This is entirely my fault. But there’s nothing I can do tonight. I’ll have to wait until morning. She’s probably asleep by now.” Inside her apartment, Hiya was talking to herself as well. “Should I just go to sleep? How could he think that about me? Why did I even go there? Why do I trust people so easily? What must he be thinking about me now? But what was my mistake? I didn’t go there to trouble him. Anyway… it’s over now. He gave me sugar, and I returned it. We’re even now. I shouldn’t think about this anymore.” She lay down and closed her eyes, but sleep refused to come. “Oh, God,” she whispered. “Please don’t let this turn into a problem. Help me. This isn’t my country, and if he decides to create trouble, what will I do? I don’t want any problems here. Please… let this end here.” The next morning, Hiya’s alarm had been ringing for almost thirty minutes, but she had fallen asleep only a few hours earlier and never heard it. By the time she finally woke up, she was already running late for work. She hurriedly got dressed, grabbed her bag, and rushed outside. As she quickly locked her apartment door, she prayed she wouldn’t run into her neighbour. His door was only a few steps away from hers. Just as she was about to leave, a familiar voice stopped her. “Wait, Hiya.” She froze. Slowly turning around, she saw the young man standing behind her. “What happened?” she asked cautiously. “And… how do you know my name?” “I came to your apartment twice this morning,” he replied. “Your name is written on the nameplate outside your door.” “Oh…” Hiya nodded. “I see.” “You can call me by my name too,” he said. “I’m Hawan.” “Look,” Hiya replied, “I’ve already apologized to you. I’m getting late for work now, so please let me go.” “I didn’t stop you to argue,” Hawan said calmly. “I just wanted to ask you something. When you finish work today, come to my apartment.” Hiya frowned. “Why?” A faint smile appeared on his face. “You’re already late. I’ll explain everything this evening. You should go now.” Without saying another word, Hawan went back inside his apartment and closed the door. Hiya stood there for a few seconds, wondering what he wanted. But she didn’t have time to think about it any longer. She hurried downstairs and left for work. Throughout the day, one thought kept bothering her. She didn’t want to go home. She didn’t want to meet Hawan again. Not after everything that had happened over the past two nights. But she had no choice. Her apartment was there, and she had already paid six months’ rent in advance. Leaving wasn’t an option. By the time work ended, she had already made up her mind. She would quietly sneak back into her apartment without letting Hawan see her. After all, their apartments were on the same floor. When she finally reached the building, she climbed the stairs as quietly as possible, careful not to make a sound. She slowly unlocked her door, slipped inside, and immediately locked it behind her. Leaning against the door, she let out a long sigh of relief. “I escaped from Hawan…” she whispered with a grin. “…that Hevan(devil).” Hiya had just begun thinking about going to sleep when someone started knocking loudly on her door. She was exhausted. All she wanted was a few hours of sleep, but it seemed sleep had found yet another enemy. The doorbell kept ringing insistently, leaving her with no choice but to answer it. She opened the door. “Oh… Hawan, it’s you?” “I told you to come straight to my apartment,” Hawan said. “Why didn’t you come?” “I was just…” “No problem,” he interrupted. “I had a lot to talk to you about, so I came here instead. May I come in?” Hiya hesitated. “No…” “Thanks.” Before she could stop him, Hawan slipped past her through the small gap beside the door and walked into the apartment. “Hey!” Hiya protested as she quickly followed him. “You can’t just walk into someone’s house like that.” Hawan looked back at her calmly. “You’ve been to my apartment twice,” he replied. “I never stopped you.” “That’s different,” Hiya said, Holding her arms. “And if you’ve come here just to argue with me, then let me make one thing clear, Hawan—I have absolutely no interest in arguing with you.” “Who said I came here to argue?” Hawan asked. “I only came to talk.” Hiya was getting irritated—very irritated. How could someone who looked so sophisticated have absolutely no manners? Why doesn’t he listen? Taking a deep breath, she decided the best way to handle the situation was to stay calm. “It’s quite late,” she said as politely as she could. “I’m tired. You should go back to your apartment.” “Don’t worry,” Hawan replied casually. “I won’t take much of your time. Sit down. This is your home, and you have a perfectly comfortable sofa.” Hiya let out a helpless sigh before sitting down. “Fine. Tell me… what is it that you wanted to talk about?” Hawan sat opposite her. “I wanted to ask why you returned the bowl of sugar. I never asked you to bring it back.” “Oh, that.” A smile appeared on Hiya’s face. “We do that in India. Whenever we need something urgently and can’t go to the market, we simply borrow it from our neighbours. Then, when we have the same thing at home, we return it. That’s how we’ve always lived.” She smiled nostalgically before continuing. “We even have a saying that your neighbour is like your first relative. If you’re ever in trouble, your neighbour will reach you before your relatives do. Having good neighbours is considered a blessing.” Hawan listened with genuine curiosity. “So… if you need something and your neighbour has it, you simply borrow it without paying for it? Then you return it later?” “Exactly.” “And if it’s something small?” “Sometimes we don’t even return it,” Hiya admitted with a laugh. “Or we return it much later. Nobody really keeps count.” Hawan nodded thoughtfully. “This must happen quite often.” “Oh, all the time,” Hiya replied. “It’s completely normal. You can borrow almost anything from your neighbours—food, utensils, chairs, kitchen supplies… even a broom.” Hawan raised an eyebrow. “Even a broom?” “Yes,” Hiya said, laughing. “Even a broom.” Then her smile faded slightly. “But don’t worry. I won’t come to your apartment asking for anything ever again.” Hawan shook his head. “Who said it was strange?” he asked. “Actually… I think it’s interesting.” He smiled at her. “And I like people who think that way.” Hiya looked at him for a moment before smiling politely. “Well… thank you for understanding.” “But I still want to know more,” Hawan said eagerly. “Tell me something else about India.” Hiya glanced at the clock. “I have tomorrow off from work. If you still want to know, we can talk tomorrow.” Hawan’s face brightened instantly. “Perfect!” he said enthusiastically. “That’s a great idea. We’ll spend the day together and get to know each other better.” “So, it’s settled then,” Hiya said. “Now… the door is right there.” Hawan looked at the open door and replied casually, “Then close it.” “Hawan…” Hiya said through gritted teeth. He immediately realized what he had said. “Okay, okay,” he laughed. “I forgot I’m in your apartment. Good night. I’m leaving now. And don’t forget—I’m looking forward to spending the whole day with you tomorrow.” “Now go,” Hiya replied with an exhausted sigh. “Or are you planning to stay here until it’s morning?” Hawan chuckled before finally walking out. The moment he left, Hiya closed the door behind him. She was so exhausted that she didn’t even bother changing her clothes. She simply lay down on her bed, and within a couple of minutes, she was fast asleep. The next morning, Hiya woke up early. After getting ready, she went straight to Hawan’s apartment. She rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, the door opened. Hiya’s eyes widened. Hawan stood there with his hair still dripping wet. He was wearing nothing except a bath towel wrapped around his waist, reaching just above his knees. Embarrassed, Hiya immediately covered her eyes and turned around. “I’m so sorry,” she said hurriedly. “Maybe I came at the wrong time.” “Oh, Hiya,” Hawan laughed. “Why are you so shy? We’re neighbours, after all.” “So, what if we’re neighbours?” she replied without turning around. “Close the door, put on some proper clothes, and then come back like a decent person.” Still laughing, Hawan shut the door. A few minutes later, he came back, fully dressed. “There,” he said proudly. “Satisfied?” Hiya finally turned around and nodded. Together, they headed outside. Hawan first showed her around the neighbourhood since everything was still unfamiliar to her. Along the way, he taught her useful Korean words and common expressions she could use in her daily life. He patiently explained many things, one after another, making sure she understood everything. Although Hiya had been living in South Korea for almost a month, there were still many things she didn’t know. But now she no longer felt alone. Hawan was always willing to help her. She had never trusted any man other than Rishi before, yet somehow Hawan was slowly becoming a good friend. Before they realized it, it was already afternoon. Hiya was starving, but she never liked telling people when she was hungry. She preferred keeping such things to herself. Hawan looked at her curiously. “What’s wrong, Hiya? Are you uncomfortable with me?” “It’s not that,” she replied. “I’m learning a lot today.” “Then why do you look so gloomy?” She let out a small sigh. “I’m not gloomy…” She looked at him helplessly. “I’m hungry.” Hawan froze. “Oh no…” He slapped his forehead. “I completely forgot to ask whether you’d eaten anything. I’m so sorry. I promise this is both the first and the last time I’ll forget something like this. Come on! I’ll take you to the best restaurant in this neighbourhood.” Hiya didn’t waste another second. “Then hurry up,” she said impatiently. “I’m starving.” Hawan laughed. “If walking is too difficult, my back is available. Want a piggyback ride?” “Absolutely not.” “Why?” “Because I’m heavy.” Hawan looked at her in disbelief. “Liar,” he said with a grin. “You’re adorable.” Hiya wasn’t in the mood for compliments. She looked at him seriously. “Can I please have lunch before lunchtime is over? I’m dying of hunger.” Hawan laughed again. “Of course you can. Look—we’re here.” He pointed toward a nearby restaurant. “Now all we have to do is go inside.” The two of them entered the restaurant. Since Hiya couldn’t understand Korean very well yet, Hawan ordered lunch for both of them. A few minutes later, the food arrived. Hiya stared at the dish placed in front of her. She frowned in confusion. “What… is this?” Hawan had already started eating, but he stopped when he noticed the expression on Hiya’s face. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Nothing.” “Then eat.” Hiya looked at the plate in front of her for a few seconds before quietly saying, “No… I’m not hungry anymore. You eat. I’ll wait for you outside.” Hawan frowned. “Wait. What happened? A few minutes ago, you said you were starving. Now you’re suddenly not hungry at all. What’s going on?” Hiya smiled awkwardly. “I forgot to tell you… I’m a vegetarian. I don’t eat meat.” “Oh…” Hawan immediately understood. “You should have told me. I would’ve ordered something else for you.” “It’s okay,” Hiya replied. “I’ll eat something somewhere else.” “No,” Hawan insisted. “There are plenty of vegetarian dishes here. It’s not a problem at all.” “Really, there’s no need.” “There absolutely is.” Before Hiya could stop him, Hawan called the waiter over and ordered a vegetarian meal. A few minutes later, the waiter returned and placed the food in front of Hiya. Just as he was about to leave, she stopped him. “Excuse me.” The waiter turned politely. “Yes, ma’am?” “Could I please have a spoon?” The waiter smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, but we don’t usually use spoons here for this.” “Oh…” Hiya hesitated before asking again. “Then… could I have a fork?” “I’m sorry,” the waiter replied with another apologetic smile. “We don’t serve forks for this either. We only use chopsticks.” Feeling slightly discouraged, Hiya watched him walk away. She looked at the chopsticks lying on the table. This is going to be difficult… She had been trying to learn how to use chopsticks, but she still wasn’t very good at it. Seeing her worried expression, Hawan picked up his chopsticks and moved to the chair beside her. “It’s okay,” he said with a reassuring smile. “I’ll help you.” He picked up a piece of food, ready to feed her. Hiya quickly shook her head. “It’s fine, Hawan. I’ll eat by myself.” “You know how to use chopsticks?” “Not perfectly,” she admitted with a laugh. “I’m still learning. Sometimes I manage… and sometimes I don’t.” Hawan smiled. “So, what do people use to eat in your country? Spoons?” “No.” Hiya smiled proudly. “Most people in India prefer eating with their hands.” “Really?” “Yes. Many people believe that eating with clean hands creates a stronger connection with the food. Some also believe it helps with digestion and makes the meal more satisfying. Personally, I only truly enjoy the taste of food when I eat with my hands. Somehow, it just feels more natural to me.” Hawan listened with genuine interest. “You always have such interesting ways of looking at things.” Hiya picked up her chopsticks again and smiled. “Now, please don’t talk to me while I’m eating.” Hawan looked surprised. “Why not?” “There’s a reason for that too,” she replied with a playful smile. “I’ll tell you later. For now… let me eat in peace.” Hawan laughed softly and respected her request. The two of them finished their meal without another word. When they stood up, Hawan walked toward the counter to pay the bill. “Wait!” Hiya called after him. He turned around. “What?” “What are you doing?” “I’m paying the bill,” Hawan replied. “Do you want something else to eat?” “No,” Hiya said immediately. “I’ll pay for my own meal. Why are you paying for me?” “Because I want to,” Hawan answered. “I brought you here, so it’s my responsibility to pay for both of us. Is it normal in your country to split bills separately?” Hiya thought for a moment. “No, not really. Usually, the guy pays when we go out. Even when two families eat together, the older person usually takes care of the bill. But when friends go out, we often split it.” Hawan smiled. “That’s interesting. It seems our cultures have some similarities. Look, I’m a man, I’m older than you, and I’ve already paid for both of us. So don’t even think about asking how much it was. Consider it my hospitality.” After that, they continued exploring different places around the city. Hawan took it upon himself to introduce Hiya to various parts of Korean culture, traditions, and everyday life. For so long, Hiya had been trying to escape her past. But today, for the first time, she wondered if she could actually build a future here. Maybe she didn’t need to keep running away anymore. Maybe this new country could become a place she could call home. Hiya looked at Hawan and smiled. “Today has been the best day I’ve had since coming to this country. And I owe it all to you, Hawan. But it’s getting late, and I have work early tomorrow. I think we should go home now.” Hawan understood, but he still looked a little disappointed. “I honestly don’t feel like going home yet. But if you’re in a hurry, then fine, let’s go. Before that, though, you have to come with me to a liquor store. I’ll show you the most famous and expensive alcohol from our country.” Hiya’s eyes widened. “What? Are you joking?” “No.” “How can you suggest that I drink alcohol?” she asked in disbelief. “I don’t drink. Where I come from, drinking is considered a serious matter. Many families wouldn’t even accept someone who drinks. How could you even think of suggesting that to me? I don’t even touch alcohol.” Hawan looked at her, confused. “Why are you getting so angry? For me, alcohol is essential. I can survive without water, but I can’t survive without alcohol.” “I hate people who drink,” Hiya muttered under her breath. “What did you say?” “Nothing,” she replied quickly. “Just go and drink.” “I’m not going alone. You’re coming with me.” Hiya stared at him. “Now you’re being rude. How can you force a girl to go somewhere she doesn’t want to go? I already told you—I won’t enter a liquor store. My family would never accept someone who drinks. I’ve made myself clear.” Hawan sighed. “Alright, then let’s go home.” “Good. I’ll go by myself. You go and enjoy your expensive alcohol.” “If you want me to enjoy my expensive alcohol,” Hawan said with a mischievous smile, “then you have to come with me. Otherwise, we’ll both just go home.” Hiya shook her head. “You really don’t understand. I can’t go there. Where I come from, even boys are often not allowed to drink. In my family, nobody even likes mentioning alcohol.” Hawan looked genuinely surprised. “That’s strange. How can anyone live without alcohol?” He smiled. “Fine, I won’t force you to drink. But you can still come inside with me, can’t you? I’ll show you different types of alcohol. You can just sit with me and watch. That’s not a problem, right?” Hiya looked at him for a moment. “You won’t understand…” She sighed. “Fine. Come on then.” The two of them entered the liquor store. It was Hiya’s first time stepping inside a place like this. She looked around in surprise. She had never imagined seeing something like this before. Not only men but also women were drinking freely, enjoying themselves as if they had been waiting for this moment for years. Hiya wasn’t bothered by it. Everyone had their own choices. But the person who had brought her there was becoming a problem. Hawan was drinking. One bottle. Then two. Then three. And he still didn’t seem ready to stop. Hiya stared at him helplessly. She had no idea how to control him. If this continued, she might actually have to carry him home herself. Hawan was completely drunk. Now, it was Hiya’s responsibility to get him back safely. The only question was… How was she going to take him home when he couldn’t even stand properly? “This is exactly why I don’t like this habit of Korean men,” Hiya muttered in frustration. “Why do you all drink so much? Come on, get up. It’s getting late. We need to go.” But Hawan wasn’t listening. Completely lost in his drunken world, he was oblivious to everything around him. After paying the bill, Hiya somehow managed to drag him out of the liquor store. She hailed a taxi, helped him inside, and the two of them headed home. Unfortunately, the drama didn’t end there. Throughout the ride, Hawan laughed one moment, cried the next, and then started giving random life advice as though he were the wisest person on Earth. Hiya had reached the limit of her patience. “Enough!” she snapped. Hawan continued mumbling to himself, paying no attention to her. When they finally reached their apartment building, Hiya struggled to keep him standing. “Hawan,” she said, trying to support his weight, “what’s the password to your door?” He looked at her with unfocused eyes. “Password?” he mumbled. “What’s the password to your house?” “Oh, stop talking nonsense!” Hiya groaned. “Just tell me your password. I can’t keep holding you up like this. You’re way too heavy.” “Then…” Hawan slurred, pointing somewhere into the distance, “go to your lovely home…” He suddenly smiled. “But don’t leave me alone. Take me with you. I’ll stay at your house. I’ll be a good boy. I won’t cause any trouble… Please take me with you, my dear.” “My dear?” Hiya frowned. “Don’t ever call me that again. Understood?” Instead of answering, Hawan burst into laughter. “Shut up.” “You’re my dear…” he said dreamily. “And I’m your darling.” “Hawan!” Hiya said through clenched teeth. “Tell me the password.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He’s talking about everything except the one thing I actually need to know. He’s completely drunk. There’s no point getting angry with him. “I won’t tell you…” Hawan mumbled stubbornly. “Because I want to come with you… I want to stay at my neighbour’s house…” Hiya finally gave up. There was no point asking him anything anymore. Reluctantly, she took him to her own apartment instead. After struggling to get him inside, she helped him onto her bed, covered him with a blanket, and quietly walked into the living room. “I hope you appreciate this tomorrow,” she whispered before lying down on the sofa to sleep. The next morning, Hiya woke up early and got ready for work. Before leaving, she glanced toward her bedroom. Hawan was still asleep. Without the smell of alcohol and his constant chatter, he looked surprisingly peaceful. She found herself staring at him. His face carried an innocence she hadn’t noticed before. His thick double eyelids, sharp nose, fair skin, neatly parted hair, perfectly shaped lips, and tall, well-built frame made him look almost unreal. Hiya… what are you doing? she scolded herself. Stop looking at him like that. He’s ridiculously handsome. Honestly, I’m surprised someone like him even became friends with me. I thought all the good-looking guys here would be arrogant… but Hawan isn’t like that at all. He’s kind. He looks after me. Whenever I don’t understand something, he never laughs at me. He patiently explains everything. Finding a friend like him is truly a blessing. She smiled unconsciously. If Rishi hadn’t been a part of my life… Her smile disappeared. …I might have fallen in love with Hawan. She froze. Wait… what did I just think? Rishi. His name alone was enough to pull her back into the past. For a brief moment, she had forgotten why she had come to South Korea in the first place. She had crossed countries just to escape Rishi and the memories that refused to leave her. Yet somehow… Every path still led back to him. Just then, Hawan stirred in his sleep. Slowly opening his swollen eyes, he blinked at Hiya, clearly confused to find her standing there. “What are you doing here?” he asked groggily. Hiya couldn’t help smiling. “I think you’re still drunk.” “Drunk?” He rubbed his forehead. Little by little, fragments of the previous night began returning to him. He remembered drinking far too much… But after that… Nothing. He looked at Hiya nervously. “I honestly can’t remember what happened last night,” he admitted. “Can you tell me everything?” He hesitated before asking quietly, “…Did I do anything wrong? Did I misbehave with you?” “Oh… no,” Hiya replied. “How can that be?” Hawan asked in surprise. “What do you mean?” Hiya looked at him. “Did you decide to misbehave with me?” “No, no…” Hawan quickly explained. “I mean, if I didn’t do anything wrong, then why do you look so upset?” “I’m not upset,” Hiya said. “I’m just getting late.” “Then go…” Hawan said. “I mean, I’m not stopping you.” Hiya looked at him helplessly. “For your information, before leaving, you need to close the door and lock it.” She knew Hawan was still not completely sober, and his brain was clearly not working properly. So, she explained everything slowly, at his level of understanding. Hawan looked around the room. After standing there for a few moments and wasting more time, he finally understood. “Oh!” He looked around again. “This is your house…” He nodded slowly. “I mean… it’s your house, so you want me to leave. I’m sorry if I troubled you a lot last night.” “No,” Hiya replied. “You didn’t trouble me.” Hawan looked suspicious. “Are you sure you know that I didn’t trouble you?” “Absolutely.” “That’s strange…” He paused. “Never mind. I’m leaving.” Before Hiya could react, Hawan stepped closer and hugged her. Then, without saying another word or waiting for her response, he walked out. Hiya stood there, completely surprised. How did he have the courage to hug me? To touch me like that? But then she reminded herself that she was in a foreign country. Maybe things like this are normal here. I’m probably overthinking it. We are friends now, and friends don’t always need permission before hugging each other. After convincing herself, Hiya grabbed her bag and left for work. She couldn’t afford to be late. When Hiya returned home from the office that evening, something immediately felt strange. There was an unusual smell inside her apartment. She sniffed the air. Is someone smoking inside my house? Her heart started beating faster. But how was that possible? The door had been locked, and she had never shared her password with anyone. Then who had entered her home? A thief? A stranger? A criminal? She carefully stepped inside, staying alert. As she moved further into the apartment, she saw something completely unexpected. A young man was sitting on her sofa. His face was turned toward the television, so she couldn’t see him clearly. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black pants. His long neck, relaxed posture, and casual attitude made it look as though he owned the place. One leg was resting over the other knee while one hand stretched comfortably along the sofa. In his other hand was a cigarette. He sat there without the slightest worry, as if this was his own home. Hiya stared at him. Who does he think he is? She knew she couldn’t act recklessly. If she scared him, he might run away—or worse, react violently. She needed to handle the situation carefully. But today… This person had entered the wrong house. Because Hiya was not going to let him leave so easily. Looking around, she noticed a broom lying nearby. This will work. Quietly, she picked it up. Slowly and carefully, she moved toward him. The man was still completely focused on the television, unaware of the danger approaching behind him. Hiya raised the broom. Three… Two… One… Go. She swung the broom with all her strength. But because she had her eyes closed, her aim was slightly off. Instead of hitting his back, it landed on his shoulder. “Ah!” The man cried out in pain. The sound immediately made Hiya realize that he was not just a random stranger. But she still didn’t open her eyes. She heard him groan, yet she continued swinging the broom. The man turned around, more shocked by the sight in front of him than by the pain. A girl was standing there with her eyes tightly closed, hitting him repeatedly without even knowing where she was striking. “Stop, Hiya!” he shouted. “I’m in pain!” But Hiya wasn’t listening. She continued hitting him. Then suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. Wait… How does he know my name? She froze. Slowly, she opened her eyes. A young man was standing in front of her, his back facing her. Both of his hands were covering his face. Of course. He didn’t want his face to get injured. A bruise on his back was one thing, but he definitely didn’t want his handsome face damaged. Hiya lowered the broom. She had stopped now. Slowly, she stepped forward to see his face. But even then, the young man refused to move his hands away. He continued hiding his face. “Wait, Hiya… please don’t hit me anymore,” he pleaded. “How do you know my name?” Hiya asked suspiciously. “First, please stop hitting me… I’m already in pain… Ahhh…” “Oh!” The moment she heard his voice clearly, Hiya froze. It was Hawan. She recognized him immediately. But now what? She had already hit him so many times that poor Hawan was still standing there, covering his face as if protecting the most precious thing in the world. “I’m sorry,” Hiya said quickly. “I didn’t know it was you. I thought you were a thief or someone who had broken into my house.” “Never do this to anyone,” Hawan complained. “Not even to a thief… not to anyone. I’m in so much pain. I feel like I might actually die from this.” Of course, he was exaggerating. “I’m sorry, Hawan,” Hiya said worriedly. “Don’t say that. You’ll be fine. I’ll help you. You’ll recover soon.” “Look…” Hawan said dramatically. “Look at me. I can’t even walk properly. How am I supposed to go home?” Then he started shedding fake tears. Hiya looked at him helplessly. “You can rest here, Hawan. You don’t have to go home until you feel better.” Hawan almost smiled. He was enjoying this. Seeing Hiya worried about him was far more entertaining than he expected. “But…” he continued dramatically, “I can’t even reach the bedroom. I can’t even get to the bed. Hiya, please help me. Take me there.” Poor Hiya didn’t realize he was acting. She immediately went to support him. In her concern, she completely forgot one simple thing—the injury was on his back, not his legs. How could he possibly have trouble walking because of a broom hitting his back? But Hiya didn’t think about it. She felt responsible for hurting him, and she didn’t want to leave any chance to help him. Hawan, on the other hand, had probably been waiting for exactly this moment. As she approached him, he placed one arm over her shoulder and held her hand with his other hand. Hiya didn’t complain. She thought he was genuinely in pain. Hawan, however, was secretly enjoying how worried she was. Slowly, she helped him into her bedroom and carefully made him sit on the bed. Then she went to get some medicine. “Hawan, take off your T-shirt,” she said. Hawan looked surprised. “Right now?” He placed a hand on his chest dramatically. “I’m already injured, and you want me to do this?” “Stop your nonsense,” Hiya replied. “I’m telling you to remove your T-shirt because I need to apply medicine on your back. It will help reduce the pain.” “Oh…” He paused. “Only for that?” Hiya gave him an annoyed look. “Only for that.” She helped him remove his T-shirt and then gently applied ointment to his back. At first, Hiya had wondered if Hawan was pretending to be hurt. But he wasn’t completely acting. The red marks from the broom were clearly visible. Her expression softened. She felt guilty. She had caused him pain, even if it was an accident. All her irritation disappeared, and she decided she would take care of him until he recovered. After applying the medicine, she looked at him. “How did you know my password?” “I saw it when you opened your door this morning.” Hiya narrowed her eyes. “You’re really something. Who secretly remembers someone’s house password like that?” “I didn’t steal it,” Hawan defended himself. “I just happened to see it.” Hiya looked away. There was a slight sadness in her expression. Hawan noticed immediately. “Why are you upset?” he asked softly. “If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your password with anyone, that’s completely fine. When I’m not around, you can change it.” He paused. “And I promise I won’t try to find out your password again.” Hiya looked at him. For a moment, Hawan seemed completely different. The careless, teasing person she knew had disappeared. The person sitting in front of her was gentle and considerate. She had finished applying medicine to his shoulders and back and told him not to wear his T-shirt until the ointment dried. And surprisingly… Hawan seemed perfectly prepared to follow her instructions. Hawan was resting while Hiya was preparing food. Since she didn’t know how to cook Korean dishes yet, she had ordered food for him. Meanwhile, Hawan wasn’t actually resting. He was moving around her room, looking through different things and observing her belongings. The truth was, he wasn’t injured badly enough to need complete rest. Hiya, however, was genuinely worried about him. She prepared her own meal, and the food she had ordered for Hawan arrived soon after. She called him to come and eat. Hawan walked in, attracted by the delicious aroma coming from the table. He looked at the food placed in front of him. Since it was Indian cuisine, he had no idea what most of the dishes were. Curious, he was about to take a bite with his hand when Hiya stopped him. “Wait, Hawan.” “Why?” “Your food is there. This is mine.” Hawan looked at the plates and smiled. “Oh, come on. Food is food. It doesn’t belong to anyone. And today, I want to eat Indian food. I want to taste those Indian flavors.” Hiya looked concerned. “It’s too spicy for you. And you’re injured, so you should eat something healthy and suitable for you. I’ve ordered noodles for you. I’ll bring them.” “No,” Hawan immediately refused. “I don’t want noodles. I want this.” “Are you sure?” “Absolutely.” Seeing his excitement, Hiya finally gave up. She served him stuffed eggplant, known as bharwa baingan, along with bajre ki roti, buttermilk, and some salad. “Now you can eat.” Hawan took his first bite. His eyes widened. “Wow…” He looked at Hiya. “This is amazing. I’ve never tasted anything like this before. It’s so different.” He took another bite. “You know what? I always thought vegetarian people only ate simple vegetables and green food. I never imagined vegetarian food could have so much flavor.” He smiled. “But I was completely wrong. This has such a unique taste. I’m really enjoying it.” Hiya smiled. “Thank you for the compliment.” “No,” Hawan replied. “Thank you for introducing me to such delicious food.” Both of them finished their meals. After dinner, Hiya left the dishes in the kitchen. She was exhausted, and it was already late. Hawan noticed how tired she looked. While Hiya was resting, he quietly went into the kitchen and started washing the dishes. At first, Hiya didn’t notice. But when she heard the sound of plates and utensils, she walked into the kitchen. “What are you doing, Hawan?” “Helping you,” he replied casually. “Why not?” “I don’t need your help. Go and rest.” “You look tired. Let me do this.” “No, absolutely not.” Hiya looked at his back. “Your back might still be hurting. You shouldn’t be doing this.” “I’m fine,” Hawan said. “You’re tired. Let me help.” “No, Hawan. I won’t let you do this. Especially today. You were already hurt.” Hiya kept trying to convince him. But while she was talking, Hawan continued washing the dishes. By the time she finished explaining everything, almost all the dishes were already clean. Honestly, how many dishes could two people possibly have? Hawan dried his hands and smiled. “It’s done.” Hiya looked surprised. “You didn’t even notice, and the work is finished. Now go and rest. You need it more than I do.” Hiya looked at him. “Why are you so nice?” Hawan turned toward her. “Do you want me to be a bad person?” “No, of course not.” She smiled. “Thank you for helping me.” “You don’t need to thank me every time,” Hawan replied. “We’re friends now. Friends help each other.” He walked toward the door. “Now I’m leaving. Good night.” Hiya looked surprised. “Where are you going?” “To my home, of course,” Hawan replied. “But your back is still hurting,” Hiya said. “And besides, if you need something in the middle of the night, who will help you? I think you should stay here tonight.” Hawan looked at her with surprise. “Aren’t you afraid?” “Why would I be?” “You’re asking a young man to sleep at your place. Isn’t that a little…” “Hawan….,” Hiya interrupted, “don’t overthink it. I’m only doing this because your injury happened because of me. Right now, your pain is my responsibility. Until you recover completely, I will take care of you.” She paused. “But if you’re feeling better, then you can go back to your apartment right now.” Hawan looked at her carefully. There was something different about Hiya. The honesty in her eyes, the trust she showed, and the way she cared for him without expecting anything in return surprised him. He had never met a girl like her before. She was beautiful, kind, and gentle. But more than anything else, she trusted him completely. That day, Hawan made a silent promise to himself. I will never break this trust. “No, actually…” Hawan said after a moment. “My back still hurts. And you know what? My shoulders hurt even more. After washing the dishes, my hands don’t even feel like they are working properly.” Hiya looked at him suspiciously. “Stop with the drama and go lie down on the bed.” Hawan smiled. “Then where will you sleep?” “Besides you.” Hawan’s eyes widened. “Really?” “Of course.” She pointed toward the floor beside the bed. “Right next to your bed. On the floor.” “Why?” “Because I said so. Now no more questions. Go to sleep and let me sleep too.” Both of them entered the bedroom. Hiya spread her bedding on the floor, while Hawan lay down comfortably on the bed. Hawan knew one thing very well. Hiya would never sleep on the bed because he had already used it. And she definitely wouldn’t let him sleep on the floor. After a few minutes of silence, Hawan spoke. “Hey… are you awake?” “Do you need something?” Hiya asked. “No.” “Then I’m already asleep.” Hawan smiled slightly. “Listen… I’m trying to sleep, but I can’t.” Hiya opened her eyes slightly. “Why?” “I’m used to sleeping on my back. But the wounds are still burning, and my shoulders hurt whenever I move. Even when I turn to my side, I can’t get comfortable.” Hiya listened silently with her eyes closed. She could hear the discomfort in his voice. “It looks like I won’t be able to sleep tonight,” Hawan continued. “The burning sensation is too much.” “I’m sorry, Hawan,” Hiya said softly. “This is all my fault. I should have looked before hitting you. I shouldn’t have attacked you without knowing who you were.” She thought for a moment. “Should I give you a back massage?” Hawan smiled. “That’s not really the problem. The problem is my back. I’m used to sleeping on it, but I can’t do that now. I can’t sleep upside down either. I won’t be able to rest properly.” Hiya became worried. “If there is anything I can do to help, just tell me.” Hawan stayed silent for a moment. “Well…” He hesitated. “I need your support.” Hiya looked confused. “My support?” “I’ve never slept on my stomach before,” he explained. “But maybe if I rest my head in your lap, I might be able to sleep.” The pain in his eyes was clear. Hiya couldn’t refuse. Not only because he was hurting… But because she knew she was the reason behind that pain. She slowly moved closer and placed a pillow on her lap. “Come.” Hawan carefully rested his head on her lap. Hiya gently placed her hand on his back and started comforting him with slow movements. At first, she felt a little uncomfortable with the situation. But then she looked at the red marks on his back. Her guilt returned. This happened because of me. So, she stayed there quietly, letting him rest. After some time, she thought Hawan had fallen asleep. But the truth was… He was pretending. The comfort of her hand was more soothing than any medicine. He didn’t want that moment to end. Hiya planned to move back to her bedding on the floor once Hawan fell asleep. But she was exhausted. The entire day had been tiring, and taking care of him had drained the little energy she had left. Within a few minutes… Hiya fell asleep right there. With Hawan’s head still resting in her lap. The next morning, when Hiya opened her eyes, she found herself alone in the room. Alone? Where was Hawan? She looked around, but he was nowhere to be seen. Worried, she got up and searched for him. When she entered the kitchen, she noticed a plate of freshly prepared breakfast placed on the table. The food was still warm. But Hawan was not there. Maybe he went back to his own apartment. Without wasting any time, Hiya hurried toward his house. When she entered, she found Hawan there, sitting quietly and taking slow, painful breaths. “Thank goodness you’re here,” Hiya said with relief. Hawan looked at her in surprise. “What are you doing here so early in the morning?” Hiya looked at him. “I could ask you the same thing. When did you come here?” “I came back after you fell asleep last night.” Hiya glanced toward the kitchen. “And what about breakfast?” “That?” Hawan smiled. “I was making it for myself, but then I thought I should make it for you too. I figured you might wake up late, and you wouldn’t have enough time to prepare anything before work. You would probably rush out without eating.” He paused. “Besides, I was sitting alone in my apartment, so I decided to make breakfast for both of us.” Hiya looked at him. “Hawan… Hawan…” “I’m completely fine now, Hiya,” he said. “You don’t need to worry about me anymore.” Then he smiled mischievously. “And you know what? If you keep caring about me like this, I might actually become ready to get beaten by you every day.” Hiya rolled her eyes. “No one has ever cared about me the way you do,” Hawan continued. “And now I’m perfectly fine.” He suddenly remembered something. “Oh, and one more thing.” Hiya looked at him. “Before coming to my house next time, you don’t need to ring the bell.” “What?” “I sent my house password to your phone. Check it.” Hiya stared at him. “In the future, whenever you come to my house, just enter directly. No need to ring the bell.” He smiled. “Actually, seeing you suddenly appear at my door scares me sometimes.” Hiya looked at him in disbelief. “Come on, what are you saying? Is your mind okay? Or did I accidentally hit your head too hard yesterday? Today, you’re saying all kinds of strange things.” “My mind is completely fine,” Hawan replied. Then he smiled. “But I definitely got hit on the lips. Can you do something about that?” Hiya looked confused. “How?” “With a kiss.” Hiya immediately replied, “I can’t kiss you.” “Why?” “Because you smoke cigarettes.” At that moment, Hiya was only joking. She thought Hawan was joking too. After all, he always teased her. She had no idea that he was actually being serious. Without thinking much about it, she quickly left. Hawan tried to stop her by reaching for her hand, but he couldn’t catch her. “I’ll quit smoking forever if you say yes!” he called out. But Hiya was already gone. She never heard him. Later, when Hiya was alone in her apartment, her thoughts returned to Rishi. No matter how far she had come, she had never truly forgotten him. As for Hawan… She never tried to stop his teasing because she believed he was simply being a caring friend. Someone like Hawan could never actually fall in love with someone like her. At least, that was what she believed. She thought she had not come to Korea to find love. She had come here to escape from it. But one thing she couldn’t deny… Hawan’s presence made her feel comfortable. She had her own insecurities and secrets—things she couldn’t share with anyone. Maybe she was thinking too much. Maybe she was misunderstanding everything. Now she even had the password to his house. She could enter anytime without ringing the bell. One day, while the two of them were sitting together and talking as usual, Hawan suddenly asked, “Hiya, are you married?” Hiya looked at him in shock. “Have you gone crazy?” She pointed toward herself. “Do I look married to you? Am I wearing a mangalsutra? Is there sindoor in my hair?” Hawan smiled. “No, I was just asking because I read somewhere that in India, people arrange their children’s marriages around the age of twenty.” “They may start looking,” Hiya explained, “but it doesn’t always mean the marriage will happen immediately. Parents consider it their responsibility to find a good life partner for their children.” She continued, “They think it may take a couple of years to find someone suitable. Then there might be a few more years for the engagement and wedding preparations. In this way, by the time their children reach their twenties, the marriage is often already arranged.” Hawan looked curious. “So, does that mean your choice doesn’t matter? Your parents can decide your marriage without asking you?” “They can,” Hiya replied, “but my parents are understanding. They would never make such an important decision without discussing it with me.” Hawan nodded. “And if someone wants to marry you?” Hiya looked at him. “What do you mean?” “No, nothing like that,” Hawan quickly said. “I was just asking. I want to know what a guy would have to do if he wanted to marry you.” Hiya thought for a moment. “He would need to talk to my father.” She paused. “But he can’t directly approach my father. He would have to take the marriage proposal through a third person—someone whom both families know and trust.” “Why?” “Because that person acts as a connection between both families. They make sure both families are comfortable with each other and that the boy and girl have a good chance of being happy together.” Hawan smiled slightly. “Finding such a person must be difficult, right?” “Not at all,” Hiya replied. “Almost every Indian family has someone who helps with these things. You just need to tell them that you’re looking for marriage, and they will bring several proposals.” “Several?” “Yes. They will collect proposals from families with girls who match what you are looking for. Then you can choose the person you like, and they will handle the rest.” Hawan looked surprised. “Is it really that easy?” “Yes.” He thought for a moment. “For example… if someone brought a marriage proposal for me to your father, and your father agreed, then we could get married?” Hiya immediately shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t happen.” “Why?” “Because of the way you are,” she said honestly. “My parents would probably reject you immediately.” Hawan looked surprised. “You drink alcohol, you smoke, you don’t have a stable job, your long messy hair, your torn jeans, and your fashion sense…” She counted each thing on her fingers. “All of these things would make them think you are not a suitable groom.” Hawan became quiet. For some reason, he looked genuinely disappointed, as if Hiya’s father had already rejected him as a potential husband. He became lost in his thoughts. “What’s wrong, Hawan?” Hiya asked. “Where did you disappear in your thoughts?” “Nothing,” he replied sadly. “I was just thinking that there is no way left for me to marry you.” Hiya looked at him in surprise. “Why do you think there is no way?” She smiled. “There is another way.” “Another way?” “Yes. If I fall in love with you and tell my father that I want to marry you and only you, then you won’t need anything else.” Hawan looked at her. “Is it really that easy?” “Absolutely,” Hiya replied. “A father doesn’t want to see his daughter unhappy. He won’t break her heart so easily.” Hawan smiled softly. “That’s quite surprising.” Hiya looked curious. “Tell me, what do your parents think about your marriage?” Hawan shrugged. “It’s very simple. They don’t need to do anything.” “Really?” “I’ll choose the girl I want to marry, introduce her to my parents, and tell them that I want to marry her. They will accept my decision.” Hiya blinked. “That’s it?” “Yes.” The two of them continued talking about their likes, dislikes, families, and the differences between their cultures. For Hiya, Hawan was becoming someone special. She had never been this close to another man after Rishi. She had never trusted anyone else in the same way. But with Hawan, everything felt different. Hawan wanted to know everything about her—her habits, her thoughts, her likes, and even the smallest details about her life. He tried to spend as much time with her as possible. But Hiya continued to believe that he was only asking these questions because they were friends. She never considered that his feelings could be something more. She still kept one truth hidden from him… That her heart already belonged to Rishi. One day, Hiya went to Hawan’s house without ringing the doorbell. She knew that Hawan usually didn’t take a shower in the afternoon, so she entered casually, thinking she would surprise him. However, the moment she stepped inside his room, she saw something she had never expected. A beautiful, radiant girl was sitting on Hawan’s bed, waiting for him. For a moment, Hiya felt a sudden wave of anger rise inside her, but she quickly controlled herself. Why should she feel angry? Hawan had every right to spend time with anyone he wanted. He could meet any girl, go out with her, or have his own life. She had never asked him whether he had a girlfriend or not, and why should she? He was just her friend. Still, no matter how much she tried to convince herself, she couldn’t stop wondering who this girl was. She forced herself not to ask, because she didn’t want to look jealous or make the girl think she had some special right over Hawan. But seeing her sitting there on Hawan’s bed, taking up half the space as if she belonged there, bothered Hiya more than she wanted to admit. After all, shouldn’t Hawan’s friend also have a place in his life? Hawan was kind, handsome, caring, and easy to talk to. Any girl would want a friend like him. She must be his girlfriend, Hiya thought. Yet deep inside, the reality that the person she had started caring about was sitting with another girl was difficult to accept. She tried her best to hide the feelings she didn’t even want to acknowledge. “You… who are you?” Hiya finally asked. The girl looked at her and replied, “First, you tell me. Who are you?” “What do you mean?” Hiya asked. “Get out of here right now.” The girl frowned. “Why should I leave? You should be the one leaving. And how can you sit there and question me? How can you sit on Hawan’s bed like this? Stand up from there.” The girl’s anger increased. “My temper is already bad today, so don’t test my patience. Get out of here right now. And who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do? I can sit wherever I want and however I want. It’s my choice.” Hiya didn’t want to create an unnecessary argument. She took a deep breath and decided to ask directly. “Are you Hawan’s girlfriend?” “Yes,” the girl replied immediately. Hiya didn’t want to hear anything more. She turned around and left without asking another question. The girl’s name was Aina. She was also surprised. The girl who had entered the room and started arguing with her suddenly left without saying anything else. Hawan had never mentioned Hiya to her before, so she had no idea who she was or what kind of relationship they shared. A few minutes later, Hawan came out after taking his shower. “Aina, when did you come?” he asked. Aina looked at him seriously. “Do you have any female friends?” Hawan looked confused. “Why are you asking that?” “Just answer me. Do you have any or not?” Hawan smiled slightly. “Not yet… but I am definitely in someone’s love.” Aina’s expression changed. “Then… it must be her.” Hawan looked at her in confusion. “What are you saying, Aina?” Aina hesitated before answering. “That… when you were taking a shower, a girl came here, and I… I threw her out of the house.” “What?” Hawan’s expression immediately changed. “How could you do that to Hiya? She’s innocent and doesn’t understand many things about our culture yet. She must have felt uncomfortable because of you. Why did you do that? I won’t forgive you for this mistake.” Aina immediately folded her hands dramatically. “Please forgive me, brother. I’m your little sister. Your small, innocent, adorable sister. Forgive me just this once. I promise I will never make such a mistake again.” Hawan sighed. “You make mistakes every time, and every time you apologize with that innocent face. You’re not a child anymore, Aina. You need to become more responsible.” He looked at her seriously. “Now tell me exactly what you said to Hiya.” Aina looked away. “Not much… just a little.” “Aina…” Hawan’s voice became serious. “Speak clearly.” Aina finally admitted, “I told her that I am your girlfriend.” Hawan stared at her. “Go to Hiya right now. Apologize to her and tell her the truth.” Aina smiled mischievously. “Brother, you should have seen her expression when I told her I was your girlfriend. It was priceless.” She laughed. “Let me continue this drama for a little longer. It will be fun.” Hawan’s expression became strict. “I’m telling you for the last time, Aina. If you don’t go and apologize to Hiya right now, I will throw you out of this house.” Aina stopped smiling. “She is different from other people. She keeps her pain inside and doesn’t express everything she feels. She won’t complain even if she is hurt.” He looked worried. “So go and fix your mistake.” Aina smiled and said, “Don’t worry, brother. Your choice is worth millions, and how much you love her is clearly visible in your eyes. Even if she doesn’t want to leave you, I won’t let her do anything that hurts your relationship. I’m going there right now.” Hawan immediately stopped her. “But listen… when you go there, don’t tell her that I love her. I haven’t confessed anything to her yet. She’s already broken from the inside, and I want to approach her slowly. I don’t know how she will react if she suddenly finds out about my feelings. So, for now, keep this a secret from her.” Aina smiled confidently. “Relax, brother. I have never made a mistake when it comes to matters of love.” With that, she left for Hiya’s house. At that moment, Hiya was sitting on the sofa, watching television. She was completely lost in the cartoon when suddenly Aina entered her house. “Are you still watching cartoons?” Aina asked as soon as she stepped inside. Hiya turned around and immediately recognized the same girl who had claimed to be Hawan’s girlfriend earlier. A few moments ago, she had been angry with her, but as an Indian, Hiya had always been taught to respect guests who entered her home. No matter what happened, she couldn’t disrespect someone who had come to her house. “Yes… but why are you here now?” Hiya asked. “Hawan sent me here.” “Why?” Aina smiled. “To tell you that I am his sister, not his girlfriend.” The moment Hiya heard those words, the anger and hatred she had been holding disappeared completely. Her expression softened, and she immediately invited Aina to sit beside her on the sofa. Within moments, the two of them started watching cartoons together, laughing and talking as if they had known each other for years. Meanwhile, Hawan had been waiting for Aina to return for almost half an hour. He was worried that she might have made the situation worse and created a misunderstanding between him and Hiya. He couldn’t control his curiosity anymore. Thinking that Hiya might be angry with him because of Aina, he quickly went to her house. But when he entered, he was completely surprised by what he saw. Both girls were sitting on the same sofa, happily watching cartoons together. Hiya was usually quiet. She didn’t easily open up to strangers, and it took her a long time to trust someone. But now? Aina and Hiya were joking around as if they were old friends who had reunited after many years. Yes, they were watching Tom and Jerry, but their behavior was nothing less than a comedy show of their own. Hawan couldn’t understand what kind of magic Aina had performed on Hiya. “Hey, Aina…” Hawan called. She didn’t respond. “Aina… I’m talking to you.” Aina turned her head for a moment, looked at him, and then turned back toward the television. Hawan became slightly irritated. He walked forward, turned off the television, and stood between the two girls. Both of them immediately started shouting. Hawan looked at them helplessly. He couldn’t understand how to make them listen because neither of them was paying attention to him. Finally, he raised his voice and shouted too. The moment they heard Hawan’s loud voice, both girls became silent. “Now, listen to me,” Hawan said. Aina immediately pointed at the television. “First, turn the TV back on.” “I won’t,” Hawan replied. “Listen carefully to what I have to say, or I’ll break this television right now.” Hiya immediately glared at him. “How dare you touch the TV? I’ll break your hand if you do.” Hawan stared at both of them in disbelief. “What’s wrong with you two? You barely know each other, so why are you behaving like this? Hiya, you don’t even like talking to strangers, right? Then how did you become so friendly with this girl?” Aina immediately objected. “Hey, what do you mean by ‘this girl’?” Hiya also looked at him. “And what do you mean by ‘stranger’? She isn’t a stranger. She’s your sister.” Hawan looked at Aina. “Aina, come on. Leave from here.” “Why?” she asked innocently. “I said leave from here.” Aina understood his expression and finally left. Now, only Hawan and Hiya were left alone. Hawan couldn’t help but smile when he saw Hiya’s cheerful face. He had never seen her become this comfortable with someone so quickly. He didn’t know what Aina had done to make Hiya open up like this, but he wanted to know. He gave Hiya a sweet smile, turned the television back on, and said, “I’ll be back soon.” Then he left, still wondering what kind of magic had happened between the two girls. The brother and sister were now alone. “What did you do with her?” Hawan asked. Aina looked confused. “What?” “She never talks to me the way she was talking to you. How could she open up so freely with you when she doesn’t even behave like that with me?” Aina smiled. “Because she loves you.” Hawan looked at her in disbelief. “It can’t be…” “No,” Aina replied confidently. “It can’t be anything else. That’s exactly what happened. I don’t even know what suddenly changed her. When I entered her house, she wasn’t happy to see me at all. But the moment I told her that I was your sister, her entire attitude changed. She welcomed me with a smile, invited me to sit, shared her things, and treated me so warmly. And do you know why? Because I am connected to you.” Hawan’s eyes widened. “Really? Is that the reason? Does this mean she doesn’t just care about me but also cares about the people connected to me? She brought you close, served you popcorn, talked with you, and treated you so well just because you are my sister?” He paused, thinking deeply. “And you know, Aina, whether it’s her belongings, her food, or even her drinks, she never shares them with anyone. Not even with me. But she gave everything to you without hesitation. What does that mean?” Aina smiled. “It means she loves you. Now go and confess your feelings to her.” Hawan shook his head. “Not Now. I need a little more time. I want to wait for the right moment. But promise me you won’t tell her anything about this.” Aina looked at him seriously. “I don’t care what you decide to do, but please don’t break her heart. She carries a lot of pain inside her, pain she doesn’t show to anyone. If something goes wrong now, she won’t be able to handle it. And one more thing… she is the only choice of yours that I actually like.” She smiled. “Now I’m leaving. You stay with her forever.” Hawan smiled. “Goodbye.” Aina left, and Hawan stood there with the biggest smile on his face. It felt as if he had won the greatest race of his life. Knowing that Hiya might love him back filled his heart with happiness. Now, all he had to do was wait for the perfect moment to confess his love. Hiya was one of those people who woke up early every morning. Hawan knew her routine very well, and he thought the early morning would be the perfect time to express his feelings. Besides, he couldn’t wait any longer. Today was a very special day because it was his birthday, and the day would become unforgettable if he finally confessed his love to Hiya. Early in the morning, he arrived at Hiya’s house. She was still asleep. He quietly sat beside her on the bed, leaned closer, kissed her forehead, and gently held her hand. Still asleep, Hiya suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him closer, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. Hawan’s heart raced. He had been waiting for a moment like this for so long. His birthday was going to become the most special day of his life. She was holding his hand, hugging him in her sleep, and he felt overwhelmed with happiness and love. But then, the words that came from her mouth changed everything. “Don’t go… don’t leave me, Rishi… don’t go…” Hawan froze. The happiness on his face slowly disappeared, replaced by confusion and pain. He gently moved away from her, stood up, and left her house in silence. When he returned home, his emotions were impossible to control. He was angry, worried, heartbroken, and confused all at once. His mind was filled with countless questions. Who was Rishi? Why was Hiya still calling his name even in her sleep? And most importantly, how much of her heart still belonged to someone else? After some time, Hiya came to his house. She walked toward him, hugged him, and softly whispered in his ear, “Happy birthday, Hawan.” Hawan looked at her. “Thank you…” Hiya pulled back slightly and looked at him. “Is that it?” “Yes…” Hawan replied quietly. “Don’t you want a gift?” Hawan looked surprised. “You have a gift for me?” Hiya smiled. “You can ask for anything you want… but it has to be within my budget.” “Alright, I’ll ask for a gift within your budget, but promise me you won’t refuse,” Hawan said. Hiya smiled. “I promise.” “But right now, I don’t want anything. I’ll ask for it later.” “Whenever you want,” Hiya replied. Hawan looked at her and smiled. “I’ve decided that I’m going to take you out for the whole day. And since it’s my birthday, you can’t say no. Don’t even think about making excuses because today is Sunday, and you have the day off.” Hiya smiled back. “I’m ready. Take me wherever you want.” Hawan gave her a small smile and signaled for her to get ready. Hiya returned to her house to prepare herself. Hawan still didn’t know who Rishi was, but one thing was certain—he didn’t want to lose Hiya without knowing the truth. There were so many secrets hidden inside her heart, and he wanted to understand every one of them. Perhaps Hiya had a special connection with the sea, and that was why Hawan brought her there. The shore was peaceful and beautiful. The waves moved gently, creating a calm atmosphere, almost as if the entire ocean was quietly listening to their conversation. Hawan loved Hiya, and today he wanted answers to all the questions she had kept buried deep inside her heart. “Who is Rishi?” Hawan asked. Hiya looked at him in surprise. “What?” “Hiya, don’t hide anything from me. I want to know everything about you. Tell me about your past. Tell me who Rishi is. Do you love him? Did you love him? Or was he just a friend? Who exactly is he?” The peaceful seaside suddenly turned into a storm inside Hiya’s heart. The sound of the waves that had felt calming moments ago now felt like a reminder of everything she had tried to escape. She didn’t want to hear that name again. She didn’t want to talk about him. But once again, that name had returned to her life. She didn’t know how Hawan had learned about Rishi, but if he was asking these questions, then sooner or later he would discover the truth. It was better that he heard everything directly from her rather than finding out from someone else. If he learned the truth from another person, he might misunderstand her even more. With a heavy heart, Hiya decided to tell him everything. Hawan had been holding her hand while looking into her eyes, but Hiya slowly pulled her hand away. “How did you know this name?” she asked. “You said it yourself,” Hawan replied. “You said it in your sleep this morning when I came to meet you.” Hiya looked confused. “You didn’t come to meet me this morning.” “I did. I came when you were sleeping deeply. You were talking in your sleep, saying, ‘Don’t leave me, Rishi… don’t go.’ Now tell me, Hiya… who is Rishi?” At that moment, Hiya realized there was no point in hiding anymore. She had no choice but to reveal everything she had kept hidden for so long. “Rishi is not my lover, nor was he ever,” Hiya said softly. “He’s something much more than that. He’s my life. I love him more than anything.” She lowered her eyes. “But maybe my love was only one-sided. He never knew what I felt for him. I did tell him once, but it was already too late. He was married by then.” Her voice became quieter. “You know, Hawan… I came to South Korea only because I wanted to stay away from him and his memories. But even after coming this far, I still haven’t been able to forget him.” Hawan listened silently. “Hiya, I want to know everything. Tell me in detail.” Hiya looked toward the sea. “I was just like you before. Lively, talkative, and full of energy… maybe even more than you. But after I fell in love with him, everything changed. I started enjoying his absence. I would smile alone while thinking about him. I waited for him every single day.” A small smile appeared on her face as she remembered those moments. “That was when I realized it was love. My first love. My true love. But I was still young and inexperienced. I didn’t understand many things. Maybe everyone feels the same way when they fall in love for the first time.” She paused. “Still, I gave myself more time. I wanted to know everything about him—his likes, his dislikes, his birthday, his family, the people in his life, and every small detail about him. Slowly, I learned everything.” Hiya’s eyes became emotional. “But I never confessed my feelings because I wanted him to come forward first. I wanted him to choose me and express his love on his own. I didn’t want to chase him. I wanted to wait for him.” She looked at the endless sea. “And I waited for him… for years.” My father had chosen a very good college for me, but it was a little far from our home. Because of the distance, I started living in a rented house near the college. And what felt like a blessing from fate was that, just two days later, I found out that he was studying in the same college too. Rishi… It felt like some kind of reward from the universe, as if my good karma had finally found its way back to me. He was in his third year, while I was just starting my first year. I had seen him for the first time in years that day, and because of the overwhelming emotions, I couldn’t gather enough courage to approach him. Then, I saw him in the library. The moment my eyes fell on him, I realized how much he had changed over the years. He was sitting there quietly, reading a book. Just seeing him brought a strange kind of comfort to my heart. For a moment, I forgot everything around me. I forgot that I was standing in a library full of people. It felt as if the entire world had disappeared, and only he existed in front of me. But suddenly, he turned toward me. Maybe he had realized that I had been staring at him for too long. I froze. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe properly. I didn’t know why he was looking at me. I kept lowering my eyes and then looking back at him again. A part of me wanted to hide, but another part wanted him to notice me. I wanted to stay there forever, frozen in that moment. That was Rishi. He wasn’t much taller than me. He had a beard and a mustache, deep eyes, and a prominent nose. His hair was slightly curly, and he always dressed neatly. While I was watching him, he was completely lost in his book, unaware of the effect his presence had on me. My heart was dancing just by looking at him. I forgot everything happening around me. I forgot that I was in the library. I forgot everything except him. And then he smiled. It was a small smile, barely noticeable, but it was enough to make my entire world stop. I had never seen such a captivating smile before. The smile touched his lips, but strangely, it didn’t reach his eyes. Then I noticed his eyes. They were beautiful, but there was a hidden sadness inside them. It felt as if he hadn’t slept peacefully for years, as if he carried a pain that no one else could see. And on that very day, I decided something. This person would be my love forever. I would love only him. I would never look at anyone else. No matter what happened, I would continue loving him for the rest of my life. I was someone who talked a lot, but Rishi was completely different. He was calm and quiet. When I saw his smile, I felt that maybe he liked me too, and that thought gave me enough courage to approach him. Honestly, I had already been waiting for an opportunity. He was sitting in his favorite corner of the library, completely lost in a love story. He always preferred that corner because he didn’t like unnecessary noise or people’s conversations around him. Seeing him sitting alone, I finally decided to go and talk to him. But he was so deeply involved in his book that he didn’t even notice me standing there. Then, I spoke. “Rishi…” He looked up in surprise. “Who are you? And how do you know my name?” I smiled. “What’s in a name? I know everything about you.” His expression became confused. “Who are you?” “I am Hiya. I’m a first-year commerce student.” “So?” I looked at him. “So what? Isn’t this enough information for now? Do you want to know my horoscope too?” Rishi didn’t smile. “Look, I’m here to study. I don’t like anyone sitting next to me while I’m studying. Please don’t waste my time and go away.” Just then, the librarian noticed two students talking in the corner. She immediately walked toward us with an angry expression. “What are you two doing over there? This is a library, not a garden where you can come and chat. You are disturbing other students. People come here to study, not to sit in corners and talk.” She looked at both of us seriously. “You have broken the rules. Both of you are suspended from the library for one week. Now leave immediately.” And just like that, both of us were suspended from the library. I wasn’t particularly bothered by it. In fact, a small part of me was happy because at least I had gotten a chance to spend some time with Rishi. But Rishi looked genuinely disappointed. He cared about the library and his studies, and seeing him upset made me feel bad. He immediately went to apologize to the librarian, and I followed him. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” Rishi said. “I didn’t make any mistake. I won’t do this again. Please don’t suspend me. I was only studying in the corner.” The librarian didn’t want to listen. “I don’t want to hear any excuses. Leave right now. Don’t disturb the other students who come here to study. They don’t come here to chat like you two. Now go, and come back after one week after finishing your conversations.” I didn’t care much about her words. To be honest, I was still happy that I had spent time with Rishi. But seeing him leave disappointed broke my heart. I couldn’t just watch him like that. So, I tried talking to the stubborn librarian again. I told her that she could suspend me for fifteen days or even a month, but she should allow Rishi to use the library. However, she was determined and refused to change her decision. Inside my mind, I cursed that strict librarian, though I would never dare say it to her face. Then, I followed Rishi, hoping somehow I could make things right. “Wait, Rishi… wait. Listen to me,” Hiya called out as she followed him. But Rishi was already frustrated. It was the first time in three years that he had broken a rule, and now he had been suspended from the library. For someone like Rishi, who valued discipline and loved spending time among books, this was not a small matter. “It’s the first time in three years that I’ve broken a rule, and I’ve been suspended, and all because of you,” Rishi said angrily. “You… you… I don’t even know how to explain what you’ve done.” “But Rishi…” Hiya tried to explain. “No, listen,” he interrupted. “For the past two days, I was completely absorbed in that novel. I had decided that I would finish the entire book within two days. Maybe you don’t know this, but once I start reading something interesting, I can’t rest until I reach the end. I was at such an important part of the story, and now because of your childhood antics, I can’t even enter the library. I won’t be able to sleep peacefully until I finish that book. My mind will keep thinking about what happens next, and all of this will be your responsibility.” Hiya looked at him for a moment and then smiled. She knew he was angry, but she also found his seriousness about a book strangely adorable. “Oh, Rishi! Don’t be so angry. I’ve already solved your problem.” Rishi stopped and looked at her with confusion. “How?” Hiya pointed toward her bag. “Just look inside.” Rishi opened her bag, and his expression immediately changed. The novel he had been reading was there. “How did you get this?” he asked, surprised. “I stole it,” Hiya replied casually. Rishi stared at her. “You stole it?” “Yes. I knew you would come searching for me and ask questions after leaving the library, so I took it while you were busy requesting the librarian not to suspend you.” Rishi couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “So now you’ve learned to steal?” Hiya smiled mischievously. “Stealing is common. Besides, if needed, I would even give my life for you.” Her words left Rishi speechless. He wanted to ask what she meant, why she cared so much about him, and why a girl who had just met him was behaving as if she had known him forever. But before he could ask anything, Hiya turned around and walked away. “Wait, Hiya…” he called out. But she didn’t stop. Rishi stood there, watching her disappear. His mind was filled with questions. For him, Hiya was still a stranger. He only knew her name, yet she behaved as if his happiness mattered more than anything else. He had never seen her talking so freely with anyone else, and he couldn’t understand why she was so concerned about him. What exactly was her reason? Why did she care so much? He wanted answers, but now he had to wait until the next day. The following morning, Rishi was already waiting for her. Hiya knew he would be there, so she arrived at college a little earlier than usual. As soon as he saw her, his eyes stopped on her. She looked the same as always — cheerful, confident, and full of life. Her long hair was neatly tied, a small touch of lipstick brightened her face, and she never forgot the thin line of kajal near her eyelashes that she loved so much. Hiya always liked to present herself well. She believed that stepping outside meant carrying herself with confidence. Rishi looked at her carefully. Yesterday, she had appeared like a mischievous girl who had no fear of breaking rules. Today, she looked completely different. The same girl who had stolen his book was standing in front of him with a graceful smile. He couldn’t understand how both sides existed in one person. Hiya noticed his expression and smiled. “What you’re thinking is absolutely correct,” she said. Rishi looked confused. “What?” “Whatever you’re thinking right now is true. I swear to God.” Rishi raised his eyebrows. “And what exactly am I thinking?” “You’re thinking that I’m beautiful, graceful, and innocent… but at the same time, you’re also thinking that I wasn’t the same girl yesterday. You can’t believe that the girl who looked so decent today is the same girl who stole your book yesterday.” Rishi looked surprised. “How can you read my mind?” Hiya smiled proudly. “I already told you. I can do anything. Whether you believe it or not, I know more about you than you know about yourself.” Rishi looked at her silently. “But don’t worry,” Hiya continued. “I don’t want to force you to understand me. I’ll give you time. Slowly, you’ll know who I am.” Rishi looked at her with curiosity. “Why are you doing all this?” For the first time, Hiya became quiet. She looked away for a moment, hiding the emotions in her eyes. “Because if I tell you the truth, you won’t believe me.” “I will believe you,” Rishi said. “I will trust you. Tell me, why are you doing all this?” Hiya looked directly into his eyes. She had imagined this moment many times, but now that it had finally arrived, her heart was beating faster than ever. “Because I love you.” For a moment, Rishi became completely silent. “That’s not possible,” he finally said. Hiya smiled sadly. “I told you that you wouldn’t believe me. But whether you accept it or not, I have loved you for years.” Rishi looked away. He didn’t want to get involved in a conversation that could distract him from his goals. “Don’t try to divert the topic, Hiya. I am completely focused on my studies. I have dreams that I need to achieve. Love only complicates things, and I don’t want anything that can disturb my path.” Hiya looked at him with a playful expression. “Then why do you keep reading love stories all the time?” Rishi frowned. “It’s not because of love stories. I read everything because I enjoy reading. Books are my interest.” “Lies,” Hiya replied confidently. “I’ve known you for years. You believe in love. You believe in true feelings. You understand emotions. That’s why you were sitting here waiting for me today.” Rishi looked at her seriously. “Look, whatever you think about me doesn’t matter. But one thing I can clearly tell you is that I don’t love you. And I cannot fall in love with a girl like you.” Hiya’s expression changed slightly. “What do you mean by ‘a girl like me’?” Rishi hesitated for a moment before answering. “I like girls who are calm. Someone who doesn’t argue about everything. Someone mature and understanding. I don’t want someone who is always creating trouble, someone stubborn and unpredictable. I want someone who respects me, not someone as crazy as you.” Hiya listened quietly. She knew he was trying to create distance between them, but she still wanted to know if he truly felt that way. “You like calm girls, right?” she asked. “Then ask anyone in this college about me. Ask your friends if I have ever talked unnecessarily with them. Ask them if I have ever behaved foolishly or disrespected anyone. You want someone mature? Ask anyone older than me whether I have ever crossed my limits with them.” She looked at him with a smile. “I am not like this with everyone, Rishi. I am only like this with you. I argue with you because I feel comfortable with you. I tease you because I want to see you smile. I behave this way because I know you won’t judge me.” She paused for a moment. “Tell me honestly… do you want me to change?” Rishi looked at her. “I don’t want you to change. Why would I?” A smile appeared on Hiya’s face. She couldn’t stop herself from laughing. She already knew the answer. She knew that deep inside, Rishi liked her exactly the way she was. She wasn’t asking those questions because she wanted to change herself; she just wanted to understand what was going on in his heart. His expressions that day were unforgettable. He was trying to push her away with his words, but his eyes told a different story. He didn’t want her to disappear from his life. He might not have accepted his feelings, but he didn’t want to lose the person who had brought so much energy and happiness into his quiet world. “Come on now,” Hiya said. Rishi looked confused. “Where?” “You have an exam tomorrow, right?” “So?” “So I’m going to help you.” Rishi looked surprised. “You are?” “Yes. I’ll prepare notes for you.” He smiled slightly. “Notes?” Hiya nodded seriously. “Yes. I’ll write everything important so you can secretly take them into the examination hall and cheat.” For a moment, Rishi tried to control himself, but he couldn’t. He started laughing. Hiya noticed his smile immediately. That was exactly what she wanted. She always wanted to see him happy. If her words could bring a smile to his face, then nothing else mattered. “You are unbelievable, Hiya,” Rishi said while still smiling. “I was about to get angry with you, but somehow you always manage to make me laugh. I don’t laugh much, but when I’m with you, I find myself smiling more.” Hiya looked at him happily. “Thank you for the compliment. But answer me honestly. Do you really want me to change?” Rishi looked at her for a moment and then replied softly, “I want you to never change. Just stay the way you are.” Those words were enough for Hiya. “Alright, go now,” she said. “I’ll let you study for the rest of the day. And remember, you have an exam tomorrow. I don’t want you to blame me later if you fail.” Rishi smiled and nodded. “Okay then, I’m leaving.” And then he walked away. Hiya stood there watching him disappear. She was an emotional person. She cried when she was hurt, and she cried when she was happy. Whenever Rishi was in front of her, she tried to control her emotions, but once he was gone, his words stayed with her. They replayed in her mind and often kept her awake at night. She couldn’t hide anything from him. Whenever he pointed out her flaws, she felt hurt. She had tried many times to express her feelings, but every time he rejected her clearly. He always said that he didn’t like girls like her. He never allowed her to come close to his heart, and he never took a step toward her. But Hiya still couldn’t understand one thing. How could she make him understand how deeply she loved him? We used to meet every day because we studied at the same college. Maybe Rishi didn’t come to meet me; perhaps he only came for his studies, but I went there only because of him. Even if he spoke to me for just five minutes, my entire day would become special. His presence alone was enough to make me happy because, for me, he was the most important person in my life. Five months had passed. One month had gone by in holidays, and now only five months were left before his studies ended. For him, it was just another phase of college life, but for me, those five months were precious. They were the only time I had left to show him how much I loved him. After his exams finished, my exams were about to begin, and Rishi kept reminding me again and again that I should stop wasting my time following him and focus on my studies. But what was actually happening was something completely different. “Hiya, stop following me everywhere,” Rishi said one day. “You have your exams tomorrow. Go and study.” I looked at him casually. “I don’t need to study. I know everything. Haven’t you seen my results? I always get the highest marks.” Rishi looked at me in disbelief. “Are you joking? As far as I know, you probably got the lowest marks. You don’t even look like someone who studies. You don’t know anything.” I smiled confidently. “If that’s what you think, then take my books. Ask me anything from any subject, and then decide whether I’m intelligent or not.” Rishi stared at me. He had never seen me studying before. To him, I was just a girl who spent her time talking, laughing, and disturbing his peaceful routine. He couldn’t understand how I could be so confident about answering questions from my books. I handed him seven books and challenged him to ask me anything from them. He picked up my mathematics book. Perhaps he thought mathematics would be the easiest way to prove that I was not as intelligent as I claimed. He searched for one of the most difficult examples and placed it in front of me. “Alright, solve this.” I looked at the question and started working on it. Within three minutes, I had completed the solution. Rishi looked at the answer and then looked at me. He was genuinely surprised. He probably thought that if he had solved the same problem himself, it would have taken him much longer. But he still had doubts. “Maybe you memorized this one,” he said. “Try another.” He gave me another difficult question. I solved it within two minutes. This time, his expression completely changed. He finally understood that I wasn’t pretending. I wasn’t just trying to impress him. I actually knew what I was doing. “Hiya, you’re incredibly smart,” Rishi said. “I thought you needed my help with studies, but you’re actually much more intelligent than I expected.” I smiled. “That’s exactly why I offered to help you before your exams. But you never took me seriously.” Rishi shook his head. “I still can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say. But tell me one thing. If you’re so intelligent and focused, why do you behave so strangely sometimes?” I laughed softly. “I don’t know either. Maybe even I don’t understand myself. But I only behave like that with you. Otherwise, I’m completely different. I’m actually a bookworm. When you’re not around, most of my time goes into studying.” I looked at him and continued, “And there’s something else you don’t know. I read the same books you read. The book you carry in your bag? I’ve already read it. If you touch a book, even accidentally, I’ll probably read it too. Any book connected to you helps me understand you better. If you ever leave a book somewhere by mistake, I’ll make sure I read it the next day.” Rishi looked surprised. “I remember the day we got suspended from the library,” I continued. “I didn’t actually steal that book. I had already spent the entire day in the library. The librarian knew me, and when I asked for that book, he gave it to me. I just wanted to know more about the story you were reading.” Rishi looked at me with curiosity. “Then why did you lie to me? Why did you say you stole it?” I smiled. “Because I knew you wouldn’t believe the truth. You would have asked too many questions, and I didn’t want to explain everything at that time.” Rishi shook his head with a smile. “You’re truly unique, Hiya.” After a moment of silence, he asked, “Do you have any dreams for your future? What do you want to become?” I looked away for a moment. “I want to get married,” I answered. “I want to marry someone I have loved for a long time. I just want to become his wife and take care of my family.” Rishi smiled slightly. “He will be very lucky.” I kept looking at him. The words were right there on my lips. I wanted to tell him that the lucky person he was talking about was none other than him. I wanted to say that I wasn’t dreaming about some unknown person. I had already chosen him years ago. But I stayed silent. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Rishi asked. I smiled gently. “I know you are someone who doesn’t lack anything. You are capable of handling everything on your own, and you probably don’t expect much from anyone. But if there ever comes a time in your life when you need something, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need help, then remember me first.” I looked into his eyes. “I’ll feel lucky if, in your difficult moments, you think of me.” Rishi: Why are you saying all of this? Hiya: That’s just how I am. I don’t even know why I say these things or why I do them, but I want to. I like it. My exams are tomorrow. Wish me luck. Rishi: You don’t need wishes. You’re intelligent enough on your own. Hiya: How can I not need them? I’ve always considered myself unlucky. I’ve never gotten what I wanted, whether it was things or people. I’ve always watched my loved ones drift away from me. Rishi: Come on, don’t be so sad. I’ll definitely come tomorrow to wish you good luck. And then he went to the library to study. Life has always taken away the people who were closest to me, so I still fear losing the things I cherish the most. I needed some good luck because finding someone like Rishi wasn’t easy. This relationship was as strong as it was fragile. As much as it gave me strength, it also had the power to break me. I eagerly waited for his arrival, even more than I waited for my exams. But he still hadn’t arrived. I had been waiting for him for so long. Only ten minutes were left before I had to reach the examination hall. I was just about to enter my exam room when I realized he still hadn’t shown up. Even though I had waited for him for so long, I couldn’t move forward without his good wishes. I started feeling a little upset with him because, despite knowing how important this day was for me, he still hadn’t come. I couldn’t wait any longer. My exam was at stake. But then another thought crossed my mind—what if something had happened to him? I became worried and started searching for him. I was just about to leave when I saw a boy walking towards me. His head was bleeding. Oh my God! It wasn’t someone else… it was my Rishi! I rushed towards him. Hiya: What happened? Rishi, what happened to you? You’re bleeding from your head. Did someone attack you? Tell me their name; I’ll go and teach that scoundrel a lesson! Rishi: There’s no need for that. I’m perfectly fine. Hiya: You’re not fine! You’re still bleeding. Come on, let’s go to the hospital. Rishi: Are you crazy? Your exam is only ten minutes away. Go inside, sit in your place, and focus on your exam. Why are you still standing here? Go on. I’m perfectly fine. He kept trying to convince me to go to the examination hall, but for me, his bleeding head was more important than anything else. I couldn’t bear to see his blood flowing like that. Hiya: To hell with the exam! Rishi: You’ll fail, and your entire year will be wasted. Hiya: I don’t care if I fail. You are more important to me than anything else. I’d sacrifice my entire life for you with a smile on my face. He kept trying to convince me, but I wasn’t ready to accept it. How could I have agreed? He was more important to me than anything else in the world. If I had gone to take my exam after seeing him injured, questions would have been raised about my love for him. Later, I found out that he had come there because he knew I wouldn’t go for the exam without him. Otherwise, his friends were planning to take him to the hospital. He stayed silent for a while, looking into my eyes. Then, breaking the silence, as if stirring a storm within me, he said, “Swear to me…” I couldn’t utter a single word. I looked at him, and then without saying anything else, I walked straight into the examination hall. Rishi was still standing there, thinking: Was it really that easy for him to change my mind with just an oath? Could his one promise make me change my thoughts so quickly? But how could I say anything else when it came to his oath? I would do anything for him, so I left without saying another word. However, my mind wasn’t in the exam at all. I was physically present in the examination hall, but my heart and thoughts were with my Rishi outside. I completed my exam as quickly as possible and came out. Hiya: How are you now? Rishi: How did your exam go? Hiya: I asked how you’re doing now. Rishi: I asked how your exam went, and I won’t answer your question until I get an answer to mine. Hiya: It went well. Now tell me, are you okay? Are you feeling better? Rishi: Why? Why do you want to know? Why are you so worried? Hiya: Because you were injured. Blood was coming from your head. I was concerned about you. He said angrily, “I’m not a little child. Stop caring for me like this.” Then he walked away, leaving me standing there alone. I was truly worried about him. What could I say to make him understand why I cared so much? Although I appeared small and helpless, my concern for him had grown deeper than I could explain, and perhaps that was what angered him so much. After some time, I realized that my care for him was beginning to feel like a restriction to him. He felt as if I was creating boundaries around him. He had become upset with me. He hadn’t met me for a week, and he hadn’t even come to college. I knew almost everything about him, yet I had no idea where he lived now. I knew his old address, but there was no point in going there. I was trying to become stronger with him. I could tolerate his anger, his stubbornness, his habits—everything. But there was one thing I couldn’t bear: his silence. His silence was making me restless. Time was slipping through my fingers, and there was nothing I could do. He had stopped coming to college, and now all I could do was wait. I thought he might stop coming to college, but I believed he would definitely come to give his exams. And I was right. He came on the day of the exam. When I saw him, it felt as if I was dancing with joy. Butterflies fluttered around me, and happiness filled the air. The college courtyard suddenly felt like a beautiful playground, and he was walking towards me. It felt as if all the happiness in my life had gathered together in that one moment. But within a second, all that happiness turned into sorrow when he walked past me as if I didn’t even exist. I didn’t think I had made such a big mistake, but still… I couldn’t stop my tears. That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about him again and again. The next day was the last day of college, and perhaps it was my final chance to meet Rishi. Maybe I would never get another opportunity to see him after that. Maybe he would disappear from my life forever. After thinking about everything, I decided that if he didn’t love me, it was okay. I wouldn’t force him into anything. But he still considered me a good friend, didn’t he? I didn’t want to lose a friend. Even if I couldn’t be with him as a lover, I would remain by his side as a friend. I wouldn’t let him leave my life so easily. The last day… I mean, I was eagerly waiting to see him the next day. His exam was about to end, and he was about to come outside. Then I saw him walking out with one of his friends. I called out to him, “Rishi, wait for a minute. Today is the last day. Please listen to me. I know you don’t love me, but we’re friends, right? Just give me five minutes as a friend.” But he didn’t respond. He kept walking. How could I let him go like that? I tried to stop him. I called his name again and again, but he didn’t listen. I ran towards him, reached him, and grabbed his hand. Oh! What was this? His hand was burning hot, as if a fierce fire was raging inside his body. He stopped for a moment, perhaps because he saw the worry on my face. Maybe he was ready to talk to me. Hiya: Do you have a fever? Rishi: It’s just a little fever. But I wasn’t convinced. I felt like something much bigger was being hidden from me. It wasn’t just a fever. He looked terribly unwell, yet he wasn’t ready to tell me what was wrong. Hiya: Rishi, you’re definitely hiding something from me. Please tell me. Why are you behaving like this with me? Why are you treating me this way? Rishi: Because I don’t like you. One of my friends told me that you’re following me because you love me. But listen carefully and remember this: I don’t love you. Don’t waste your time on me. I have to go now. Let go of my hand. And I let go of his hand. After that day, I never tried to hold his hand again because he believed that I was forcing myself into his life. I couldn’t believe that he could think of me that way. Love cannot be forced. If you fall in love with someone and they don’t love you back, you cannot make them love you. There is no way to win someone’s heart by force. If love is meant to happen, it will happen. And if it isn’t meant to be, no matter how hard you try, it won’t. That day, I accepted my defeat. I accepted that I had lost in love. And now, Rishi was no longer mine. However, a small desire still remained hidden in my heart. So, I decided to present my proposal to him. Hiya: Alright… if you don’t love me… but can we still be friends? Rishi: No. Hiya: Why? Rishi: Because if I accept your friendship proposal today, one day you will force me to accept your love. Hiya: Do you really think that about me? Fine then… from this moment, I am ending everything between us. From now on, we are strangers. Forget that there was ever a Hiya in your life. And I promise you, you will never see my face again. Goodbye, Rishi… And just like that, I ended everything. I had waited for him for five years, and everything came to an end in just five months. Everything disappeared… After that day, I started living alone. The only companion I had in my loneliness was my silence. I stopped talking to people, stopped spending time with friends, and slowly cut off all my family connections. I became quiet. And from that day onwards, I became the person I am today. I tried everything possible to make him stay in my life, but I failed. I cried for him every night. I chose solitude because it reminded me of him. It reminded me of the moments I had spent with him. I tried to forget him, but forgetting him was never in my control. I sacrificed everything for him… My future… My dreams… My relationships… And my life… I started learning the art of living without him. I don’t know why, but even after everything, my heart only remembered him. But even that was not enough. Although I was far away from him, I still kept track of every piece of news related to him. And then, one day, I received the most terrifying news of my life. After hearing it, I almost lost consciousness because the news was unbearable and heartbreaking. At that moment, there was no one beside me with whom I could sit and cry. One day, one of my friends came to me and told me… “He is in a very critical condition. He is suffering from unbearable physical pain. Every moment, he is fighting for his life. He has been admitted to the hospital for the past fifteen days. His parents are crying and begging for help, but… no one is willing to come forward.” Hearing about his condition, I felt as if my entire world had collapsed. The news was… “Both of his kidneys have failed, and he doesn’t have much time left. He still hasn’t found a donor, and if his kidneys aren’t replaced soon… he could die.” And at that moment, something inside me died too. But I couldn’t let him leave this world like that… Never. I rushed to the hospital as quickly as I could because I knew I was the only person who could save him from that dangerous situation. I felt fortunate to be the one who could bring him out of this pain. I considered it a blessing from God that I had been given an opportunity to do something for him. It had been too long, and there was no time to think. Without wasting another moment, I went straight to the hospital. When I reached there, I didn’t go to meet him. I didn’t ask about his condition. I went directly to meet the doctor. Hiya: I’m ready to donate my kidney, Doctor. Doctor: Who are you? And who are you planning to donate your kidney to? Hiya: There is no time to explain everything right now because we have already lost too much time. There is a patient in your hospital named Rishi Rathod. I want to donate my kidney to him because both of his kidneys have failed. Please hurry because his condition is extremely critical. Doctor: First of all, you can only donate one kidney. A person can survive with one kidney, and one kidney is enough to save someone’s life. Before proceeding, we need to perform some medical tests. Hiya: That won’t be necessary because I have already completed all those tests. He is not a stranger to me; I already know him. Our kidneys are compatible. If you don’t believe me, you can check the medical records. But please don’t waste any more time. He is fighting for his life right now. Please save him before it is too late. The doctor checked the medical records and then asked me to complete some forms that required my name, address, and other personal details. However, I deliberately provided incorrect information because I didn’t want him to ever find out what I had done to save his life. I could have even donated both of my kidneys if it had been possible because I had told him many times before that I could sacrifice my entire life for him. This was the one chance I couldn’t afford to lose. The surgery went well. I was feeling extremely anxious and was in a lot of pain, but I was still happy because Rishi was going to be fine. I went to see him in the hospital, but he was still unconscious, lying on his hospital bed. His parents were standing beside him, watching over him. They couldn’t say anything, but their swollen eyes revealed everything—their fear, their pain, and their helplessness. I couldn’t gather the courage to go near him because he was in such a critical condition. I couldn’t bear to see him suffering like that. I had to keep my promise. The promise I had made to him on the last day of college—that I would never show my face to him again. So, as soon as I gathered enough strength, I left the hospital without telling anyone. The doctor had advised me to rest, but I knew that as soon as Rishi regained consciousness, he would want to meet the person who had saved his life. And if he saw me there, it might create even more pain and confusion for him. So, I left as quickly as I could. Four weeks passed after my surgery, and Rishi’s recovery took some time. I did my best to gather every piece of information about him. I felt as if God was listening to me, and one day, someone told me that he had completely recovered. He had started moving forward with his life, while I was still trapped in the past. His memories wouldn’t let me move on, and I couldn’t forget him. I couldn’t go to him, and I couldn’t stay away from him either. My life had come to a standstill. And it would remain that way forever unless he held my hand and guided me away from this pain. There was nothing left for me anymore. My parents were extremely angry when they found out that I had donated my kidney to a stranger. But who could make them understand that he wasn’t a stranger? He was the reason I was alive. I couldn’t let him die. I had reached the age that people in India consider the right age for marriage. My parents were exhausted by then because no one was willing to marry me after they learned about my kidney donation. I have three siblings. I come from a middle-class family where people often believe that having more children is better because, God forbid, if something happens to one or two children in the future, there will still be someone left to carry the family name forward. I understood their thinking. They couldn’t afford to support me for the rest of my life without any contribution from my side because my condition didn’t allow me to work, and I had no source of income. I understood that I had become a burden on them. So, I left my home and started living in a rented place. Surprisingly, they never called me back. Perhaps… that was what they wanted. I was living only with his memories. I was tired. I had completely given up. It felt as if, apart from his memories, there was nothing left in this world for me. My misfortune had always followed me. But he had always been the person who supported me. And then, one day, I thought about breaking my promise and meeting him. It had been a year since I had seen him or heard his voice. I invited him to meet me, and he came. When I saw his face, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. It felt like ages had passed since I had last seen him because I hadn’t met him after the operation. Seeing him again made me feel as if I had found my lost life once again. He was still the same person I had fallen in love with. He was my Rishi. But at that moment, I had to control my emotions. With all the love hidden inside my heart, I asked him… Hiya: Rishi, how are you? Rishi: I’m absolutely fine. How about you? How could I tell him how I was without him? Rishi: Hiya… did you lose weight? You look so skinny. Hiya: No, I’m still the same weight… I’m still on the heavier side. Maybe you think I’ve lost weight because you’ve become so slim. Rishi: My parents want me to get married. They are looking for a bride for me. But I don’t want to get married right now. They don’t listen to me, and they keep meeting new girls every day. Hiya: Why don’t you want to get married right now? I wanted him to say the words my heart was waiting to hear. I wanted him to understand what was hidden inside my heart. But Rishi never said the things I wished he would say. Rishi: I don’t know. I just don’t want to get married right now. Maybe I haven’t found that special girl yet. Hiya: Just ask your heart once. You’ve met her so many times. Rishi: What do you mean by that? What do you mean… you? And then he started laughing and said, “Maybe it’s better for me to stay single than to get married to you.” I was shattered. I didn’t want to make my love a joke again. So, without telling him anything, I left. Even then, I didn’t tell him that I was the girl who had donated her kidney to him. I didn’t want him to feel guilty or ashamed for making fun of my love. I walked away silently, leaving him behind, still laughing. My love was one-sided, so I didn’t have the right to hate him. Then, one piece of news changed everything. All my efforts, all my hopes, and all my dreams turned out to be meaningless. A week after that day, I received the news that he was getting married. All my hopes shattered. All my dreams fell apart. I didn’t want to interfere in his married life, so I decided to distance myself from him completely. I made the decision to move to South Korea because I believed that if I stayed away from him, I would slowly be able to escape from his memories. Maybe if I changed my country, my surroundings would change too, and perhaps I would finally be able to move on. In India, every little thing reminded me of him. Every place we had visited… Every word we had spoken… Every moment we had shared… It felt as if he was still present everywhere. Even his name reminded me of him. That college… The library… My home… The hospital… The sound of birds chirping… Everything carried a memory of him. My life had become suffocating there. So, I decided that I would settle in South Korea forever and never return to my country because there was no one waiting for me there anymore. I had already bought my ticket, and only a few hours remained before I had to say goodbye to my country. But somewhere deep inside my heart, one desire still remained. I wanted to see him one last time. Why shouldn’t I meet him one final time? After all, I was never going to return. I decided to call him and invite him to meet me at the seaside, which was quite close to the airport. Fortunately, he agreed to meet me, even though I had given him so little time. That day, I didn’t go there to convince him. I didn’t go there to confess my love or to make him understand how deeply I loved him. I knew I could never explain the depth of my feelings to him. I just wanted to see him. I wanted to look at his beautiful face one last time, to lose myself in his deep eyes, and to capture the memory of his smiling lips forever. I didn’t need to say anything to him. I only wanted to see him for the last time. But when he appeared in front of me, I couldn’t control my emotions. For a moment, I even forgot that he was married. I told him directly that I loved him. Because he was still the same person I had fallen in love with… Innocent… Unaware… Quiet… He was the person I had loved, and in my eyes, he had always remained the same. He asked me when I would return, but he never said, “Don’t go.” He didn’t try to stop me. Even when I told him that I would never come back, he didn’t hold me back. He kept asking when I would return, but he never asked me to stay. When I told him that I would never return, I saw sadness in his eyes for a moment, but still, he didn’t stop me from leaving. After some time, I decided that I couldn’t stay there any longer. I never hugged him before. But that day, for the last time, I asked him if he would allow me to hug him. He agreed. And in that moment, I felt him in my arms for the first and last time. I heard his heartbeat. I didn’t need anything else at that moment. That one moment was enough. Besides, I hadn’t gone there to destroy his home or disturb his life. So, I left. He stood there, surrounded by the waves of the sea, perhaps searching for something he couldn’t find. I watched him from my car. After some time, he finally left. Once he was gone, I went back to the place where he had stood. The wet sand still carried the marks of his footsteps. I sat there and cried while looking at those footprints slowly fading away. I wanted to go far away from him, but at the same time, I wanted to remain connected to his memories forever. From the place where his footprints remained, I collected some wet sand in my hands. I tied it inside a handkerchief and placed it in my purse. It felt as if I had packed his memories inside a small pouch. Then, I turned around… And this time, I didn’t look back. And that’s how I came here… To you. Even today, I still have that pouch with me. Hiya’s eyes were filled with tears as she narrated her story. She spoke as if she had only said goodbye to him yesterday. Now, there was nothing left to tell. She looked towards the sky. However, Hawan was looking in a completely different direction. He didn’t know whether he should console Hiya or simply hug her and cry along with her. A strange feeling had started growing inside him. He felt anger towards Rishi. After hearing everything, he realized that Hiya had never done anything wrong, yet she had been forced to live with loneliness and pain. Hiya could understand what was going on inside Hawan’s mind, even though he couldn’t express it. She smiled slightly and said, ” Hawan, I know what you’re thinking, but there’s no need to feel sad anymore. Because now, I have started changing after meeting you. I have started forgetting him. Ever since I met you, I have started living again. You are the reason behind this smile on my face.” Hawan: I still can’t understand how you can love someone so deeply when that person doesn’t even care about you. You gave him so many chances. You even donated your kidney to him without a second thought. Apart from him, you never gave importance to anyone else. But he never understood your feelings. He never loved you. He was incredibly unlucky to lose someone like you. Hiya: He wasn’t unlucky for not getting me; I was unlucky for not finding him. Forget it, Hawan. I’m doing the same thing. Hawan: How can I forget? You did something so great for him by donating your kidney, and yet he… How can anyone forget something like that? You sacrificed everything for him, and he doesn’t even look back. Hiya: Because he doesn’t know that I am the one who donated my kidney to him. Hawan: Hiya, do you consider me a good friend? Hiya: I understand what you’re trying to ask. Hawan: Then please answer my question honestly. Do you still love him? Hiya: Hawan… Hawan: No. Don’t make it complicated. Look into my eyes and answer me. Hiya: Yes, I still love him. But… it’s also true that I don’t wait for him anymore. Hawan: Will you give me a chance? Hiya: A chance? Hawan: Yes… The day you came to my house to ask for sugar, I fell in love with you at first sight. I don’t care about your past. I only want a chance to make your future better. And I know you love me too… just like my sister said. Hiya, Please say yes. I love you very much. Hiya: No… Because I love Rishi. Hawan: I don’t care. I can erase him from your memories. I will love you so much. Just give me one chance to enter your heart. Give me a chance to love you. If you want, I can wait for you. Rishi was the one who left you when you needed him the most. Hiya: Stop it, Hawan. He never truly left me. Just because he isn’t with me right now doesn’t mean anything. His memories have always been with me, and they always will be. Hawan: If you keep remembering him like this every single day, you will burn from inside. Hiya: You don’t understand the true meaning of love. That’s why you’re saying these things. Hawan: You’re right. Maybe I don’t understand the true meaning of love. But tell me one thing… Did Rishi ever understand your love? Did he ever truly understand what you felt for him? He always broke your heart, took away your smile, and never understood your emotions. He is the reason behind the tears that come into your eyes every night instead of peaceful sleep. Hiya: And if I still tell you that I love him? Hawan: Fine. Let’s go back home. Hiya: What happened suddenly? He didn’t feel the need to answer. He simply turned around and started walking towards home. They both reached home and went to their respective houses. Hawan didn’t say goodnight to Hiya. He angrily closed his door. Now, besides waiting for the morning, Hiya had no other choice. Hiya woke up early the next morning and went to Hawan’s house to meet him. But he wasn’t there. She felt a little anxious because he hadn’t spoken to her since the previous evening. She didn’t go to work that day. Instead, she waited for him at his house. Morning turned into evening, but he still didn’t return. She couldn’t wait any longer. She decided to go and search for him. She started looking for him in nearby places, asking people if they had seen him. A feeling of guilt had started growing inside her because she believed Hawan had left because of her. While searching for him, she passed by a liquor store—the same place where Hawan had forcibly taken her the last time. She thought, “Maybe he’s here.” She went inside and searched for him. And yes… He was there. He was lying on the floor. It seemed like he had consumed a large amount of alcohol. His eyes were swollen, and he looked completely exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept or eaten properly for the last two days. The only thing he had consumed was alcohol. Hiya: Hawan… Hawan, wake up. He was completely drunk and wasn’t ready to open his eyes. But as soon as a waiter saw Hiya standing beside him, he quickly approached her and asked, “Do you know him?” Hiya replied, “Yes, I know him.” The waiter looked at her and asked, “Is he your brother?” Hiya quickly responded, “No, no… he’s my friend.” The waiter continued, “Did you two have a fight, or is there some kind of dispute between you?” Hiya frowned and replied, “What do you mean? Just do your job.” The waiter sighed and said, “Well, he has consumed more than half of the alcohol in our store, and he doesn’t have any money to pay the bill. So, please pay the amount and take him away from here.” Hiya paid the bill and brought Hawan back home. He was still not fully conscious. Hiya thought it wouldn’t be right to leave him alone at night in that condition. What if he wandered somewhere again? No. She decided to stay with him at his house that night. After all, he was holding onto her hand so tightly that he wasn’t going to let her leave easily. Although he was asleep, his grip on Hiya’s hand was so firm that she had no choice but to stay beside him. She lay there, thinking about the past and remembering the moments they had shared. She loved Hawan too, but her inner conflicts had stopped her from accepting his love. Yet, she knew that she was somehow responsible for his current condition, and she accepted that responsibility. She couldn’t explain everything to him at that moment. She just wanted to give him some time to understand why she couldn’t accept his feelings. Hiya gently kissed his forehead and held him close, knowing that somewhere deep inside her heart, she loved him too. Hiya woke up early in the morning, as she always did. She looked around and saw that Hawan was still asleep. She didn’t want him to know that she had spent the entire night in his room, so she quietly left his house and returned to her own. Hiya had always been allergic to perfume, but she loved using rose water. She used it every day. Now that she had left Hawan’s house, the fragrance of rose water still remained on her clothes. Hawan slowly woke up. His head felt heavy, and his body was exhausted. He was still slightly affected by the alcohol. However, when he smelled the fragrance of rose water, a smile appeared on his face. He felt happy because it meant that Hiya had been in his room the entire night, and the fragrance was still there. It wasn’t only in his room… He could smell it on his shirt too. Something was stopping Hiya from accepting his love, and Hawan was determined to find out what it was. This time, he had decided that he wouldn’t let her go, no matter what happened. Hawan had made up his mind to do whatever it took to keep Hiya beside him. He had forgotten the argument from a few days ago and had now chosen a different path—a path to win Hiya’s heart. He would do everything possible to make her smile, to make her understand his feelings, and to ensure that she never left him. This time, he was determined not to return empty-handed. He held Hiya’s hand in his imagination and promised himself… He would never let her go. Never. He removed his shirt and walked towards Hiya’s house. Hiya: Hawan, are you still drunk? Wear your shirt. Why are you here carrying it in your hand? Hawan: Because it has the smell of rose water, and I don’t like it. I don’t know who was with me last night, but this fragrance is stuck to my shirt. Do you know who it was? Hiya: Me? How would I know? Hawan: Then take this and wash it. He handed his shirt to her. Hiya: Why should I? You have a washing machine in your house. Go and wash it yourself. Hawan: Well, the person who made it dirty should be the one to clean it, right? Isn’t that fair? Hiya: Why are you doing this, Hawan? Hawan: I don’t know… Maybe because I love you. Hiya: But I don’t love you. I still love Rishi. Hawan: Oh… Rishi. The one who left you. Hiya: Hawan, please don’t talk about Rishi like that. I won’t tolerate it. Hawan: Alright. So, you can make fun of my love, but I can’t even say a word about Rishi? Hiya: No matter how hard you try, I will never love you. Hawan: Then what were you doing with me last night? Hiya: Your health was getting worse, and you had consumed too much alcohol. That’s why I stayed with you. Hawan: Is that so? Then I’ll drink the same amount every night. Will you stay with me every night? Answer me. Why are you silent? Did you think I was drinking because of you? Did you think I was destroying my health because of you? Believe it or not, you love me. You can’t lie because your eyes always tell the truth. One day, you will say it yourself… You will say that you love me. Hiya: Why don’t you just let this go? Hawan: Why don’t you leave Rishi behind then? Why don’t you move forward with your life? I won’t let you go that easily. Hiya: What could possibly come out of this? The perfect example of someone wasting their life on something impossible is standing right in front of you. If you keep wasting your time on me, then one day, your condition will become just like mine. You can already see it happening, can’t you? Rishi was never mine, no matter how hard I tried. Hawan: But you are not Rishi. You are Hiya. My Hiya. One day, you will understand my love. On that day, you will accept both me and my love as your own. A broken heart can understand the pain of another broken heart. Only you can understand what it feels like when someone doesn’t understand your love. That’s why you will never want me to experience the same pain that you have suffered and are still suffering. Just wait a few more days… And I will show you how far I can go for my love. Then he left her house. Hiya understood his words very well. She knew Hawan was determined to do whatever it took to win her heart. She prayed to God that he could do whatever he wanted, but she only wished that he would never harm himself in the process. She washed his shirt and went to work. Meanwhile, Hawan was preparing his next move at home. When Hiya returned in the evening, she found him already waiting inside her house. Hiya: What are you doing here, Hawan? Hawan: I already told you before. If you don’t like my presence, change your house password because I will keep coming like this. Hiya: Fine, for now, it’s okay. You have seen my face, right? Now go back to your house. Hawan: What’s the hurry, Hiya? Can I stay here for a little longer? Is that really too much to ask? But remember one thing… Hiya: What thing? Hawan: You promised me on my birthday that you would give me anything I asked for as a gift. Hiya: Yes, I remember. Hawan: Good. So today, I want that gift. I want something from you, but once again, I want you to promise me that you won’t break your promise. Because if you break it… It might cost me my life. Hiya: I’ve told you many times before, don’t talk like that. Just ask me what you want. I promise I will give you whatever you ask for. Hawan: I want that parcel. Hiya: Parcel? Hawan: Yes, a parcel. The same parcel in which you have kept Rishi’s memories. The parcel you brought from India with you. The parcel in which you preserved a handful of soil. Do I need to explain any further which parcel I want? Hiya: Hawan, I can’t give you that parcel. Hawan: Fine. If a handful of soil is more valuable to you than my life, then so be it. After all, what value could my life possibly have for you? Hiya: Nothing is more valuable to me than your life. But you have to understand, Hawan… it’s not just a handful of soil. It’s Rishi’s memories. How can I give it to you? Hawan: I don’t know. If my life means something to you, then give me that parcel. Hiya: Why? Why are you doing this? Hawan: You don’t understand, Hiya. You want to stay away from his memories here, but at the same time, you want to keep those memories with you forever. As long as that Potli stays with you, you will never truly be able to move away from him. Now give it to me. Hiya: I will die, Hawan… Hawan: Don’t worry. Death is still far away. I won’t let anyone harm you. Never. Hiya saw something in his eyes that she had seen before. The same love… The same intensity… The same feeling she had seen in Rishi’s eyes the first time their eyes met. Without saying anything else, she took the parcel out of the cupboard and placed it in Hawan’s hands. Hawan told Hiya to get ready early the next morning because they were going to the beach. But he didn’t tell her the reason. He left without waiting for her answer because he already knew… She couldn’t say no. Hiya stood in front of the empty space in her cupboard. The parcel was no longer there. That empty space felt like it was mocking her, as if she had lost the most precious thing in the world. She kept staring at that emptiness, tears flowing down her face. She didn’t know that the space was empty for a reason… A space had been created so that she could fill it with new memories. Memories that she could treasure forever. The next morning, Hawan came to pick up Hiya from her house. As usual, he didn’t knock on the door. He simply entered. Hiya was getting ready to go with him. Her long, wet hair… Her innocent face in the morning… Her teary eyes… Everything about her pulled Hawan closer to her. How could he control himself? He stood at the doorway, silently looking at her. His gaze caught Hiya’s attention. Hiya: Oh, Hawan! Why are you standing there? Come inside. Hawan: Seeing you from a distance gives me peace. He walked towards her. He gently wiped away her tears, as if he had been waiting for this moment. Hiya: What are you doing? Hawan: I wasn’t there last night to wipe away your tears… So, I’m doing it now. Hiya: I wasn’t crying last night… Hawan: You’re really good at lying when it comes to this. Hiya: Now tell me, why are we going to the beach so early in the morning? Hawan: Oh, I forgot why I came here. Let’s go. We’re getting late. They reached the beach. Inside Hawan’s pocket was the parcel—the same parcel whose purpose Hiya still didn’t know. It was early morning. A fresh, cool breeze was flowing. The sea was calm. There were no people around, no birds in the sky… Only the peaceful ocean and its gentle waves existed. Hawan stood silently, watching Hiya play with the waves. It was a beautiful sight. Her laughter and carefree expressions made it impossible to believe that she had been crying only moments ago. And now… Hawan was ready to reveal the reason why he had brought her there. Hawan: Hiya, do you know how much sand exists here? Hiya: It’s vast… Endless. Hawan: Exactly. He took out the parcel from his pocket. Hiya: Wait… What are you thinking, Hawan? Hawan scooped up the sand in his hand and threw it into the air. Hiya immediately started running towards him, but by the time she reached him, all the sand had already scattered away. Hawan: Now tell me, Hiya… where are his memories? Hiya: You threw them away. Hawan: No, Hiya. I didn’t throw them away. I gave you another chance. A chance to create new memories… A chance to live again. Look around you. There is so much sand here, which means there are countless memories waiting to be created. If you sit with only one handful of sand, what will happen to all the other memories you still have the chance to make? You forgot one thing… This entire shore is filled with the same sand. You can create new memories whenever you want. But if you become attached to only one handful, how will you ever move forward? Hiya: But that sand was different. Hawan: Then identify it and tell me where it is. I only threw it right here in front of you, didn’t I? Find the sand that you brought in that sack. You won’t be able to. Will you? Hiya: No. Hawan: Then leave it here. Let it go, Hiya. It is just like those memories. Memories truly belong to you only when you remember them without letting them control your life. It is the same with your everyday moments. You made those memories so special that they now bring tears to your eyes. Just like this sand mixed with the rest and disappeared… Your memories will also lose their power when you allow yourself to be surrounded by new ones. You kept Rishi’s memories separate inside that sack. Now look… They have disappeared, just like this sand. When you open that sack, you won’t be able to find the rest of the sand. In the same way, as long as your mind remains focused on Rishi, you won’t be able to see the people who love you now. Until you remove your eyes from the past, you won’t be able to notice the present. You don’t even realize what you are losing. Hiya: I understand, Hawan. To truly stay away from his memories, the first step is to stay away from this sack. Hawan: Yes. Look around you. The world is so beautiful. There are so many new memories waiting to be created. It is better to create new memories than to spend your life living inside old ones. Hiya: I’ve understood, Hawan. Now, I won’t say that you have taken Rishi’s memories away from me. Can I leave now? It’s time for me to return to work. I’ll go directly to the office from here. Hawan: Sure. I’ll drop you off. Hiya: `No, I’ll go alone. If you come to drop me off, what will my colleagues think? Hawan: What will they think? Hiya: They might suspect that you are my boyfriend. Hawan: If that’s the case, then I’ll definitely come to drop you off. Hiya: Hawan, I’m being serious. Hawan: So, you think I’m joking just by looking at my face? Hiya: But people might misunderstand us. Hawan: Let them think. I want people to talk about us. Let them discuss our love. Hiya: Don’t create misunderstandings. Hawan: Don’t waste my time. Come on, get on my bike. Hawan dropped Hiya off at her office and returned home. Deep inside, he was happy because Hiya seemed to understand what he was trying to tell her. For the first time, he felt a little hope. He believed that one day, she would accept his love. However, he was moving carefully. He knew Hiya’s heart was already broken, and he didn’t want to make any mistake that could hurt her even more. The wheels of time continued moving slowly. Even though Hiya clearly refused his love, Hawan’s feelings for her continued growing stronger. He wanted to love her. He wanted to make her understand his feelings. He wanted to convince her that she deserved happiness again. Slowly, Hiya was beginning to forget Rishi. The reason was that she no longer had that parcel with her—the parcel that constantly reminded her of his memories. But there was still one thing that reminded her of Rishi… Hawan’s love. Everything Hawan did for her reminded her of the things she had once wished to receive from Rishi but never got. The care Hawan showed her… The efforts he made for her… The little things he did to make her smile… These were the same things she had always wanted from Rishi. She was ready to do anything for Rishi. She was even willing to sacrifice the things she loved if it made him happy. And now, Hawan was doing the same for her. Hiya understood Hawan’s feelings completely because she had already experienced the same pain herself. She felt even more hurt when Hawan refused to give up because she knew what it felt like when someone failed to understand your love. She didn’t want to hurt him. She didn’t want to make him sad. She didn’t want to reject his love again and again. But still, something inside her was holding her back. She wanted him to understand that he shouldn’t ruin his life because of her. “How long will you keep trying, Hawan?” Hiya asked. “Until you accept me.” “I know from my own experience how painful it is when someone doesn’t understand our love.” “Then understand it, Hiya. Understand my love. If you know how painful it is, why are you causing me this pain? You also know how much you suffered when Rishi didn’t understand your love. And now, you are giving me the same pain.” “I don’t want to cause you any pain, which is why I’m telling you to leave me and move on. But you’re just not ready to let me go.” “Did you leave Rishi when he didn’t understand you? Do you think I’m inferior to him? I won’t let you go like that.” “I can’t be yours.” “Why?” “Because I have many flaws that will stay with me for a lifetime, and you’re perfect. You’re wasting your precious life on me.” “I’ve loved you. I’ll embrace every one of your flaws and make them my own.” There was Rishi, who used to point out even Hiya’s smallest flaws and reject her love, and then there was Hawan, who saw virtues in those very flaws. Hiya felt proud of herself for finding a lover like Hawan, someone who embraced her completely. She looked into his eyes, seeing love reflected in them—pure and sacred love, something she had always wanted to see in Rishi’s eyes. “What are you searching for in my eyes?” Hawan asked. “You won’t find anything there except you.” “Do you know what my flaw is, Hawan?” “There can’t be any flaw in you. I don’t see any flaws in you.” “You know about it.” “Since I’ve known you, I’ve never seen any flaws in you.” Hiya hesitated before saying, “Hawan… you know… you know… that… you know that… I have… donated my kidney… to Rishi… and I… I’m living… with only one… kidney…” “So what?” “So what, Hawan? I… I’m living with just one kidney.” “So, what’s the problem?” “What’s the problem? Hawan, why would you want to be with a girl who’s living with only one kidney, who’s so sick that there’s no guarantee of how long she’ll live, and who’s dependent on medication?” “Is that all?” Tears filled Hiya’s eyes. What kind of guy was he? He didn’t care about any of her flaws. How could someone love so deeply? Despite her explaining something so serious, he had responded with such simple words: “Is that all?” Hiya still couldn’t fully trust her luck. She had found a guy who loved her like this, without hesitation. “So, was that the reason you didn’t accept my love?” Hawan asked. “Yes…” “How could you even think that way, Hiya?” “You’re intoxicated. You’re not thinking clearly. You should understand, Hawan. You’re ruining your life for me. Go and find a beautiful and healthy girl for yourself.” “Enough, Hiya. Is this a reason for you not to accept my love? To not love me? Do you really think that way about me? If I fall seriously ill in the future, will you leave me?” “Never.” “Then how can you think this way, Hiya?” “Hawan, why do you love me so much?” “I don’t know… I don’t know why I love you so much, but one thing I do know is that I love you, and I love only you.” Hawan’s love had no reason behind it. He didn’t even know why he loved her, but he simply did. He loved deeply, without expecting anything in return. He didn’t want to delve too deeply or overthink his feelings. He simply loved the person he loved, no matter what the circumstances were. He had no reason to love Hiya, yet he loved her. It was a selfless love, and she could see it clearly in his eyes. Hiya hid herself in his embrace and, with all her strength, whispered, “Yes, Hawan… I love you. I love you deeply too…” Hiya had now completely forgotten about Rishi. Her move to South Korea had been successful, and she had been living a happy life without the memories of Rishi haunting her. Hawan’s love had gradually replaced those memories. Now, she felt comfortable sharing everything with him, speaking her heart openly. She had become the carefree and playful Hiya she used to be before losing Rishi. She didn’t need Rishi anymore, and her life had become complete with Hawan. One evening, Hawan came home with a mischievous smile on his face. Hiya instantly sensed that something was on his mind, even before he said anything. “Hawan, stop right there.” “Why?” “You can’t sneak up on me from behind. You can’t even think of doing something like that.” “How do you know what I’m thinking without me saying a word?” “Your smile… Your words come after your smile.” “I have a suggestion, if you don’t mind.” “What suggestion?” “Look, we both live in the same apartment. There are only a few steps between our doors. And…” “And what?” “We both pay rent for separate homes. I mean, I pay for my place, and you pay for yours, but we only really use one of the homes at a time. What I mean is, either we both stay at your place or at mine. So why pay rent for both homes?” “I’m not understanding what you’re trying to say. Please be clear.” “I’m trying to say that I’m suggesting we should live together in the same house. This way, we can save money.” “Oh, really! This idea never even crossed my mind. You’re quite clever, thinking about saving money like this.” She understood what he was really hinting at and deliberately changed her expression to one of annoyance. “So, are you going to leave from here yourself, or do I have to hand you over to your house on a platter so you can easily go back?” “What’s there to be angry about? I was just giving a suggestion.” “Look, Hawan, it can’t be like this. We can’t live in the same apartment together before marriage.” “Then let’s get married.” Hiya stared at him for a moment before saying, “Sometimes you say things that make me feel like I should kiss you, bite you, or eat you up.” “So, why don’t you?” Hawan asked. “Hawan, I love you so much. Thank you for coming into my life.” “You won’t let me stay in your house, but you’re thanking me for coming into your life?” He pretended to sulk. “Oh, Hawan! Why are you suddenly so sad? You can stay in my house.” “Really?” “Of course.” He hugged her tightly, and their happiness was indescribable. Hiya had always wanted to see him happy. She had also been eagerly waiting for this day, and now, they had finally made the decision to live together. Even though they were going to live together, Hiya had some rules that Hawan had to follow, despite his reluctance. If he didn’t comply, she would show him the door. But he was ready to follow all those rules because he didn’t want to become homeless. There was one decision, however, that Hawan simply couldn’t understand. He wasn’t allowed to wear slippers inside the house. That, he could understand. But he couldn’t even keep them inside. Why? Well, Hiya had set up a designated area near the front door where everything from the most expensive shoes to the most tattered slippers had to stay, without exception. One day, Hawan refused to leave his expensive shoes outside. Hiya didn’t argue with him. She simply pushed him out of the house along with his precious shoes. After that, Hawan thought twice before going against any of Hiya’s decisions. She didn’t like lazy people at all. She was a morning person, so Hawan had to wake up early as well. Now, what could poor Hawan do? Love was costing him dearly, but he was willing to accept it all. “Come on, Hawan, it’s time for lunch.” Hawan heard that line three times a day. What did it mean, “It’s time for food”? Was there really a specific time for eating? Hawan couldn’t understand this rule. He believed that people should eat when they were hungry. Who checks the time before eating? But if Hiya had fixed times for meals, why didn’t she fix a time for tea? She could drink tea at any time of the day, even without looking at the sun. And in the middle of the night, if someone asked her for tea, she would happily make it. Why? Because apparently, there was no fixed time for drinking tea. For meals, however, there was a strict schedule. Hawan couldn’t understand these rules, but he was willing to adapt to all of them because he didn’t want to become homeless. He was already preparing himself to adjust to Hiya’s peculiar rules for the long journey they had decided to take together. Hiya didn’t like watching television, but she never missed her favorite show, The Kapil Sharma Show. Even though Hawan didn’t understand the language, he watched it with her because laughing loudly while sitting alone would have felt strange. Sitting beside her, he was slowly learning more about her. He appeared carefree and sometimes even emotionless, but he was the person who understood Hiya better than anyone else in the world and cared about her more than anyone ever had. One day, Hiya developed a fever, which wasn’t unusual for her since she often felt cold even at normal temperatures. But that day, the temperature had dropped far lower than usual. Snow was falling outside, and Hiya had only ever seen such a scene in movies. Seeing it in real life overwhelmed her, and without thinking twice, she rushed outside to play in the snow. Hawan kept telling her to put on her winter coat, but she was too fascinated by the sight to listen. She had forgotten that scenes like this would soon become a part of her everyday life. There was no need to rush outside as though she would never see snow again. But once Hiya started playing in the snow, she had no intention of coming back inside. She jumped around, played in the falling snow, and seemed to forget the cold completely. If Hawan hadn’t finally pulled her back inside, she might have stayed out there all night. The moment she came inside, however, she began trembling and shivering uncontrollably. “Are you crazy?” Hawan exclaimed. “Who goes outside in weather this cold?” “I’ve never seen such a mesmerizing view before, so I couldn’t stop myself.” “Even when it’s normally cold here, you get sick. How could you go outside in such extreme cold? Please, take care of yourself.” “Hawan…” “No more talking now. You’re shivering from the cold. Go. Your bed is ready.” “But my hands and feet are so cold. I’m feeling extremely cold.” “Come here.” Hawan went to her. He took her hands in his and tried to warm them by gently blowing warm air onto them. Then he massaged her feet with his hands, trying to bring some warmth back into her body so she wouldn’t feel so cold. He then lifted her and carried her to the bed, where he tucked her in carefully. Her feet were still cold, but she was feeling a little better. He covered her with another blanket before going to sleep on the small bed in the same room, which Hiya had brought in before he moved into her house. Hiya had told him that they could sleep in the same room, but not in the same bed. Hawan woke up in the middle of the night and went to check on Hiya. He was worried to find that her fever had gotten worse. She was still shivering, even though she was covered with three blankets. Hawan couldn’t figure out what to do at that hour, as her fever seemed to be rising. He gently touched her forehead to check her temperature, but she didn’t respond. She kept her eyes closed, and when Hawan tried to give her medicine, she wasn’t willing to open her mouth. Hawan was worried about how he could take her to the hospital in the middle of the night. He looked at her innocent face, her dishevelled hair, her dry lips, and her closed eyes. His love for her seemed to grow stronger with every passing moment as he stayed close to her. She wasn’t willing to take the medicine, and Hawan was even more worried because he didn’t know how he could get her to the hospital at that hour. He sat beside her, unsure of what else he could do. When Hiya felt something warm beside her, she instinctively reached out and held him tightly. Hawan stayed beside her because she was shivering and only half-conscious, and she wasn’t willing to let him go. He remained there through the night, hoping that the first rays of sunlight would bring some warmth and relief to Hiya. Finally, the sun rose. Hawan woke up while Hiya was still asleep. Her innocent face was flushed with fever, and she looked completely exhausted. He had spent the entire night beside her, watching over her. He didn’t want to get up, but he knew that if Hiya found him lying so close to her, she might misunderstand his intentions and think he had taken advantage of her illness to get closer to her. So, he quietly returned to his own bed, which was only a few steps away from hers. He pretended to be asleep, hoping that Hiya would eventually wake up on her own. “Hawan…” With great difficulty, Hiya managed to call his name. Hawan quickly stood up and went to her because her voice sounded extremely weak. “Hiya, you’re awake. How are you feeling now?” “I can’t get up, Hawan. I have no strength left. Please help me.” He took her hand and gently helped her sit up, placing a pillow behind her back. “What’s happening to you? We should go to the hospital right away.” “I can’t make it on my own, not at all. I can’t even stand. Hawan, hold my hand.” “It won’t work like this, Hiya. Come on, let’s go now.” “Hawan, I can’t see you. Show me.” Before Hawan could respond, Hiya suddenly fainted. She collapsed right in front of him, and he froze in shock as she became unconscious while he was still holding her hand. For a moment, he felt as though something terrible had happened to her. Fear gripped him as he thought about losing her. But he gathered his courage, lifted Hiya into his arms, and rushed her to the hospital. A few hours later, the doctor informed them that Hiya was now stable. However, he emphasized the responsibility she had to take for her health and warned her not to neglect her condition. Hiya was already shaken after seeing herself in such a state, and when the doctor confirmed that she had recovered, Hawan finally breathed a sigh of relief. The doctor explained that she could be taken home the following day. During that one day, Hiya realized just how much Hawan cared for her. He had barely slept throughout the night, could hardly eat properly, and the cheerful smile that always adorned his face had completely disappeared. One day passed like this, and neither of them even realized how quickly the time had gone. When the doctor finally discharged her, they returned home. “Hawan, take some rest. Your eyes are begging for sleep.” “No, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” “And I’m fine too. Why are you so downhearted all of a sudden?” “Because they said I’m responsible for your current condition.” “Who said that?” Hiya asked. “The doctor… He said that when I knew about your kidney condition, why didn’t I take you to the hospital earlier? Why did I delay it like this? If I keep making such mistakes, I might lose you one day, forever.” Hiya fell silent after hearing this. She had forgotten about this aspect of her health. She had thought it was just a fever, but it had been more than that. She realized that she needed to be more aware of her health. However, what bothered her more than her own discomfort was seeing the concern in Hawan’s eyes. “But don’t worry,” Hawan said. “If you ever have a fever or face any health issues in the future, I’ll take you to the hospital immediately. This was my first time seeing you like this, so maybe I was a bit slow. Please forgive me, and I promise I won’t repeat this ever again.” “Don’t blame yourself, Hawan. It’s not your fault.” “It is my fault. I was careless. Let me blame myself so that I can make sure I never do this again in the future.” “Hawan… I am like this. I get sick very quickly, and that’s why I didn’t want to be with anyone. Being sick is a common occurrence for me. I didn’t want anyone to love me and suffer because of me. I’ve been watching you for the past two days. Look at how troubled you are because of me. You’re not eating or sleeping properly. And this is my destiny, Hawan. You still have a chance. Control your heart, control your love while you still can. You’ll find someone better suited to you.” “Hiya, I’m telling you for the last time that I will never leave you, no matter what happens. If needed, I’ll even give you both of my kidneys to save your life. I’ll sacrifice myself to save you, but I’ll never let go of your hand as long as I live.” Hiya looked into his eyes, realizing that his love was so strong that he would do anything to protect her. Now, she knew what she had to do. “Alright. I won’t talk like this anymore after today. And now, I’m feeling sleepy.” Hawan led her to the bed and told her to rest. There were still chores left to do around the house, so he turned to attend to them, but Hiya held his hand. “Do you need anything else?” Hawan asked. “You…” A captivating smile formed on Hawan’s face. He walked back to Hiya and lay down beside her. Before Hiya could even close her eyes, Hawan had already fallen asleep. He was visibly exhausted, and the fatigue was evident in his face and body. He hadn’t slept properly for the past two nights. Hiya gently stroked his head. She knew how tired he was. However, she also knew how stubborn he could be. He wouldn’t sleep until he knew that she was resting properly. But the moment he embraced Hiya, he immediately fell into a deep slumber. His exhaustion was so great that even his habit of staying awake couldn’t fight it. That was why he had asked her to lie down in the first place. Now, as she watched him sleeping peacefully beside her, Hiya decided that she would never leave him alone again. She wouldn’t stop herself from loving him. She would let him come closer, hug her, and love her without fear. She compared Rishi and Hawan in her mind and realized that Hawan had won easily. Now, Hiya had decided that no matter what happened, she would stay with Hawan and love only him. Hawan had done so much for Hiya, more than she had ever imagined. Everything she had once done for Rishi, Hawan had done for her in his own way. Although she hadn’t found the love she had once wanted with Rishi, she was certain that she had found something real with Hawan. Hiya didn’t know what her destiny held for her, but she was determined to fight it. No matter what troubles came their way, she would never leave Hawan. Now they were together, deeply in love. They had no expectations from life other than each other. The tantalizing aroma of food interrupted Hawan’s sleep. Given how hungry he was, the scent seemed even more appealing. He got up and followed the fragrance, which led him to the kitchen. Hiya was busy cooking. He immediately forgot about his hunger when he saw her working and scolded her because the doctor had advised her to rest. “What are you doing there?” Hawan asked. “The doctor recommended that you rest for a few days, so why are you overexerting yourself?” “I’m fine now, Hawan. I was feeling hungry, so I came here to cook something.” “You could have woken me up if you were hungry.” “You look so adorable when you’re asleep. How could I disturb your sleep?” Hiya said. “Don’t try to sweet-talk me with words.” “Then how should I distract you?” “With a kiss.” “You never miss an opportunity for romance, do you?” “You’ve never done this before, have you? Do you not like my lips?” Hiya blushed as Hawan continued to tease her, surprised by his confidence. He knew how shy and reserved she could be, and he enjoyed watching her struggle to meet his gaze. But today was different. Hawan didn’t know that Hiya had changed completely. He was still in the middle of his sentence when Hiya silenced him with a gentle kiss, her soft, dry lips briefly touching his. Hawan, who had been standing there with his eyes half-closed, lost in his own thoughts, was completely taken by surprise. When he opened his eyes, he was still standing alone in the kitchen. Hiya had already left, leaving him in a state of shock and confusion. He couldn’t believe what had just happened. He stood there as though he had turned to stone, unable to move or process what had happened only moments ago. He still couldn’t believe that Hiya had kissed him. About an hour later, Hawan spotted Hiya leaving the kitchen. “Where are you going, Hiya?” “To the office.” “Stop. You can’t go to the office because you’re still sick. You need to rest. Besides, I’ve already taken leave from your office on your behalf.” “Why did you do that? I had to go to work.” “Why are you looking here and there instead of at me? Look at me first. Why aren’t you looking at me?” “No, I…” she stammered as he approached her. “Are you feeling shy in front of me?” He moved closer, trying to catch her gaze. “Please move away, Hawan. Let me go. I’m feeling embarrassed.” “Why? You look into my eyes every day and talk to me. You meet my gaze all the time, so why are you feeling so shy today? It’s just another day. I’m still the same. Why are you hiding your face today? Let me see you.” However, she wasn’t ready to move her hands away from her face. “Oh! I get it now,” Hawan said. “It’s because of what happened in the kitchen, right? You’re feeling shy about meeting my gaze because of that. And if that’s the reason you want to go out for a while, let me make one thing clear—I won’t allow you to go anywhere.” He gently caught her and spun her around. She instinctively embraced him, and Hawan, who had never seen Hiya this shy before, gazed at her blushing face. He then kissed her forehead and held her lovingly. “Why are you blushing?” he whispered. “Now you have to make that a part of your morning routine.” Time was doing its work, adding new colours to their love story. They were creating memories together, one after another. They couldn’t imagine living without each other anymore, and now they both wanted to make their relationship official. One day, when Hiya had gone to work, someone knocked on their door. Hawan was at home at the time. He opened the door and found a handsome young man standing outside. He had a wheatish complexion, a well-trimmed beard, and a thick moustache. But despite his striking appearance, his eyes revealed immense sadness. It was evident that he was carrying a heavy burden. When he saw Hawan standing at the door, he didn’t seem pleased. He lowered his gaze, and a hint of sadness remained in his eyes as he looked at the nameplate beside the door. It read, “Hiya Roy… Home.” He realized that this was Hiya’s home, but he had no idea who the man standing before him was. “Hiya… Where’s Hiya? Is this her house?” “Yes, this is her house, and we live here together. Tell me, why do you want to meet her?” Hawan asked. “I’ve travelled a long way to see her. I have some important matters to discuss with her. By the way, I don’t recognize you. Who are you?” “I am whoever I am. What does it matter to you?” “Are you her boyfriend?” “No, I am not her boyfriend.” The man seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when Hawan denied being Hiya’s boyfriend. “Who are you to Hiya?” “I’m her husband.” Hawan Lied. That Man couldn’t muster the strength to ask any more questions. His eyes conveyed his disbelief at what Hawan had just told him. He slowly turned away, as though his feet had suddenly become heavy and he could barely move. It was as if he didn’t want to leave that place, even though he was already walking away. Just when he was a couple of steps away from Hiya’s door, Hawan called out from behind him. “Wait, Rishi.” “Rishi…?? How do you know my name?” That man asked surprisingly. “Well, I’ve never seen you before, but I’ve seen someone who looks exactly like you in Hiya’s eyes. She described you in such a way that I recognized you. I’m Hawan.” “Are you really her husband?” “Do you have any doubts?” “I’m confident she wouldn’t do something like this. She loves me. She can’t marry you. Are you lying?” “I feel like throwing you out of here right now, but you are the person Hiya once loved. If I cause you any trouble, it will hurt her too. That’s why I’m letting you stay here.” Hawan handed Rishi the key to the house and, in return, asked him to promise that he wouldn’t meet Hiya until Hawan explicitly allowed it. Rishi had nowhere to stay, no acquaintances in the area, and only one reason for coming to South Korea—to meet Hiya. If he went against Hawan’s wishes, Hawan would make sure he never got the chance to meet her. For now, Rishi had no idea where Hiya was or when she would return. Rishi—the same Rishi whom Hiya had loved, her childhood love—had now arrived in South Korea in search of her. Hawan had recognized him immediately and had even given him the key to the house so he could stay there for a while. But Rishi’s true motive remained unclear, known only to himself. Hawan locked the house from the outside to avoid arousing any suspicion. But Rishi was Hiya’s first love, her childhood love. It wasn’t going to be easy for Hawan to keep him hidden from her for long. When Hiya entered the house, she immediately turned to Hawan. “I need to tell you something important today.” “What is it?” “I don’t know why, but today… today I’m feeling something different. It’s impossible for him to be here, but I don’t know. I just have this strange feeling that he might be somewhere close by today.” “Who are you talking about?” “I want to apologize to you before saying all this, Hawan, but… today, when I returned home from the office, I felt like Rishi was near our house just a while ago. I could smell his fragrance. I’ve never felt this before, but today, it’s as if he’s not far away. It’s as though he’s quite close to me.” Hawan wasn’t surprised at all to hear this because he knew how much Hiya had loved Rishi. He knew that Hiya could almost sense his presence in the air. However, this wasn’t the right time to reveal the truth. Hawan had put so much effort into winning Hiya’s love, and he didn’t want to lose her so soon. Instead, he wanted to understand why Rishi had come to South Korea and what he truly wanted from Hiya. “I’ve been thinking a lot today, Hawan. Please forgive me. It’s impossible for him to be here, but I don’t know why, today, it feels like there’s someone else here who uses the same cologne Rishi used to wear. I’ve never thought about him this much before. Hawan, will you take me somewhere today? I’m feeling suffocated here. Something feels strange.” “Don’t worry. Come here. Give me a hug. You’ll feel better.” She hugged Hawan tightly. Even while holding him, something felt strange to her. It was as if he was hugging her differently than usual, almost as though it were the last time. Was the thought of leaving Hiya already crossing his mind? Only Hawan knew the answer. Hiya’s distress continued to grow. They had dinner together, and Hawan explained that he had some urgent work to take care of and would need to go out that evening. He assured her that he would be back by morning. Since Hiya couldn’t sleep alone, she agreed and decided that she would go wherever he wanted once she had fallen asleep. Hiya was peacefully sleeping in Hawan’s arms. Hawan didn’t want to disturb her, but he knew that Rishi must be waiting for him at his house. Reluctantly, he gently freed himself from Hiya’s embrace and placed a pillow beside her. He closed her bedroom door and headed back to his own house. When he entered, he saw Rishi staring at the pictures of Hiya that were hanging on the wall. “Hawan, do you live here?” “No. We both live in the same house because the rent here is quite high.” “Then why are these pictures of Hiya in your house?” “These pictures were originally at Hiya’s house. She used to live here, and she put them up herself. I suggested that we share the rent, so she started living with me.” “Fine… Now tell me, where is Hiya?” “She hasn’t come home yet.” “You’re lying. I can sense her presence. She’s somewhere nearby, very close to me. Hawan, I beg you, please let me meet my Hiya.” Hawan realized just how deeply the two of them still loved each other, even without seeing one another. They hadn’t met, yet somehow, they could still feel each other’s presence. How could someone recognize another person’s presence in the air? After hearing Rishi’s desperate plea, Hawan finally decided to reveal the truth. “I will let you meet Hiya, and I will bring her to you. But before that, I want to know something. Please, sit down.” They both sat down. “Did you come here to find love?” Hawan asked. “No. I didn’t come here to find love. I came here to regain the love that I lost.” “How much do you love Hiya?” “I can’t say. I can’t express how much I love her. Hiya has asked me many times, but I don’t even know myself how much I love her. But yes, I love her immensely. Beyond measure. More than I love myself.” Hawan was initially angry, convinced that Rishi was lying. But as he listened to Rishi’s heartfelt confession, his anger slowly began to subside. “Then why did you make her cry?” Hawan asked. “You made her cry every day and every night. Have you ever seen her tears? Have you ever asked her what she was going through? You didn’t just take away her smile; you took away her will to live. And now you tell me that you love her so much? How can I believe you?” “Why are you so angry with me?” “Because you deserve it. Do you know something? She still loves you. She can still feel your presence. Hiya can. I told her everything before coming here. She already had a feeling that you were somewhere nearby. How is that possible? “You’ve done so much wrong to her, Rishi. You are a living example of how terribly a person can hurt someone they claim to love. Don’t you realize how badly you treated her? I’ve seen Hiya crying at night, wiping away her tears while holding onto the memories of you. I’ve seen her waiting for you every day and every night. I’ve seen her smile disappear whenever she was alone and her thoughts returned to you. “I’ve witnessed the sacrifices she made just to be with you. And I know how difficult it was for her to finally let go of your memories. You turned her into a living corpse, Rishi.” “No, Hawan, I’m not that bad. I’m not responsible for all this. You’re probably saying all this because she confided in you. But if that’s the case, then you should listen to me too. I believe you can help me bring her back. I don’t think I need anyone’s help in this matter because as soon as she looks into my eyes, she’ll understand everything. I won’t even need to speak. She can read my eyes. When she sees the remorse in them, she’ll immediately embrace me and forgive me.” “Excessive self-confidence can be risky. I came here to help you, but perhaps you no longer need it. Nevertheless, I want to hear it from you. Tell me, what is Hiya to you?” “She is the reason behind my tea addiction. I used to dislike tea, but after I tasted the tea she made, it became a habit. But let me come to the point. For years, I had no idea that she loved me. Then, on the first day of college, when I looked into her eyes, I instantly knew that she loved me. And you know, Hawan, when she came to talk to me that day, I felt proud and worried at the same time. She told me that stealing books was a common thing for her, and that she could even take someone’s life for me. She was so intelligent. I had already decided that I would marry her, but I thought that if I revealed my feelings at that time, she would never be able to focus on anything other than me. “So, I always made her feel as though I didn’t like her, even though I was already completely immersed in the depth of her love. I knew how to stop myself. I knew how to reject her love. But those were the times when I had to do it. If I hadn’t, she might have ruined her life for me. If you think I’m lying, ask her whether she has ever seen me talking to another girl. For me, Hiya was everything.” Rishi paused for a moment before continuing. “On the day when the unexpected happened, I arrived late to wish her luck for her examination. That day, I met with an accident. It wasn’t an ordinary accident. My leg was broken, my head was injured, and there was a lot of blood. I couldn’t even stand properly, but I still went to college because I knew that if I didn’t go, she wouldn’t be able to handle everything. She wouldn’t even step into the examination hall, and her entire year would be wasted. “I was almost unconscious, but my friends admitted me to the hospital, and I finally got some relief. She thought she was the only one who knew everything about my next steps, but she didn’t know that I could understand what was going on in her mind without her saying a single word.” Hawan listened to everything without asking a single question. Slowly, he began to realize that Hiya had not fallen in love with the wrong person. Rishi was the right person for her. They had both had their reasons for not openly confessing their love to each other, and those reasons had always been in Hiya’s best interest. They cared deeply for each other, always looking out for one another, even when they could never openly admit what they felt. There were only a few days left until my graduation. That meant there were only a few days left of my college life too. I wanted to meet her and tell her that I loved her just as much as she loved me. I wanted her to feel safe with me and to spend the rest of our lives together. I had decided that day that I would finally confess my love to Hiya, but fate had other plans. That day, I developed a high fever, and when I was taken to the hospital, the doctor informed me that both of my kidneys had failed and that I didn’t have much time left. At that moment, all I could think about was Hiya. I didn’t care if I died, but I didn’t want to bring tears to her eyes. I didn’t want her to suffer after I was gone. So, I started treating her badly, making her hate me so that she would be able to forget me more easily when I was no longer in this world. I wanted her to move on and have a good life without me, without being burdened by my memories. I wanted her to hate me so that I wouldn’t occupy her thoughts after I was gone. I did what I believed was best for her. On the last day of college, I had a heated argument with her, and she told me that she would never show her face to me again. That was exactly what I wanted. After I returned home, I cried for a long time because I knew I couldn’t live without seeing her. But I believed it was the right decision for Hiya. It might have caused her pain at the time, but I thought it would save her from a lifetime of sorrow. I even convinced all my friends not to tell Hiya about my illness so that she would never find out. My condition deteriorated day by day, and I was getting closer to death. Then, in that situation, a ray of hope appeared in the form of a woman. When the person who had initially agreed to donate a kidney to me backed out, that woman came forward and gave me a second chance at life. After I recovered, I wanted to express my gratitude to the woman who had saved my life. I tried calling her using the number provided by the doctor, but I could never reach her. To this day, I don’t know who that woman was. Every attempt I made to contact her ended in failure. I had been discharged from the hospital. It took me three months to recover, both physically and mentally. My mother wanted me to get married, but I had no desire to do so because of my health condition. I had already made up my mind that if I ever got married, it would only be to Hiya. However, I couldn’t muster the courage to face her because of my condition. I thought about Hiya every day and longed to meet her, but my mother wouldn’t listen to me and found a girl for me. I was already committed to Hiya in my heart, and I would often cry thinking about her. However, my health was still so fragile that I couldn’t gather the strength to confront her and express my love. I knew that if I went to her, she would marry me without a second thought because she didn’t care about anything else. She could do anything for me, but I didn’t want her to bear the burden of my condition for the rest of her life. Then, one day, my worst fear came true. She called me to meet her by the seaside and told me that she was leaving for South Korea, and that she was leaving forever. I couldn’t understand why she was doing this. I never wanted her to leave her home and family because of me, but how could I stop her? I didn’t want her to go, especially not forever. I kept asking her when she would come back and why she was leaving, but she didn’t understand that I was trying to find a reason to stop her. And then, she left, leaving me behind. I was devastated, crying inwardly as I watched her go. When she said that she wanted to hug me one last time, I wanted to hold her so tightly that she could never leave my side. I wanted to keep her in my arms forever, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stop her from going far away from me. I knew she wanted to distance herself from me, from my memories, and from interfering in my married life. She didn’t want to be a part of my life because, in her eyes, I was already married. I was completely alone because I had promised myself that if I ever got married, it would be to Hiya, while she believed that she needed to stay away from my memories. She didn’t know that I had never actually gotten married. I was all alone, crying, and thinking about her every night. I went to the same seashore every day, hoping she might return, even though I knew she probably never would. I went there for an entire year, every day at the same time we had met for the last time. But I never saw her again. Still, I was happy knowing that perhaps she was far away from me, in another country, but at least she was living a healthy and happy life. I consoled myself with those thoughts every day. I understand that everything was going fine, but I still longed for her. It felt as though she couldn’t be happy without me. I remembered her, called out to her, and even dreamed about her, with tears in her eyes. I blamed myself and decided that I needed to meet her at least once, just to see whether she was happy. I had this fear that perhaps my dreams weren’t accurate and that she wasn’t crying for me after all. That’s why I came here. After a month of searching, I finally found her. Now, I want to meet her and apologize for not accepting her love. I want to explain why I behaved the way I did and why I didn’t express my love for her back then. I’ve come here to make amends, to accept her love, and to love her as much as she loves me. “Hawan, will you help me?” Hawan stared at him for a moment. “I’m finding it hard to trust you. If you truly loved her so much, why did you let her go that day when she told you she was leaving forever? You should have tried to stop her, shouldn’t you?” “How could I have stopped her? The doctor had clearly told me about my condition. I couldn’t predict how my health would be from one day to the next. I wanted to stop her, but I knew how distressed she was that day when she saw blood coming from my head. If she had known the extent of my condition, she might have been shattered, completely broken. Whenever she saw me in pain, she used to cry. Seeing her in pain because of me made me cry too. I felt that even the smallest harm to me affected her deeply, and if she had known everything, perhaps something might have happened to her before it happened to me. The reason I didn’t tell her was that I couldn’t bear to see her cry and suffer because of me for the rest of her life. It was better for her to go away from me and forget me. If I had simply told her to leave me, she would never have accepted it. So, I did all this to make her believe that I didn’t love her, that I didn’t care about her, so that she could walk away without carrying the weight of my love with her.” Hawan remained silent, looking into Rishi’s eyes. There was something in them that made it difficult for him to doubt the truth of his words. Slowly, Hawan realized that Rishi wasn’t a bad person. He had simply done what he believed was best for Hiya. He had sacrificed his own love to spare her from pain. Hawan finally understood that Rishi’s love for Hiya was beyond measure, deeper than anyone could have imagined—even deeper than Rishi himself had ever been able to understand. “Now I understand everything. You two are made for each other, and you did the right thing by coming here. It’s already late, Rishi, but as soon as tomorrow morning comes, I’ll bring Hiya here. But before that, there’s something important you need to know.” “What is it?” Rishi asked. “Hiya is the girl who gave you her kidney. You weren avoiding her because you were sick and had only one kidney left. The truth is that Hiya saved your life. If she had been a match, she would have donated both of her kidneys to save you. But she never let you know about it. You got better because of her, but she became ill because of you—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But perhaps you are also her remedy. If you come back into her life, maybe everything will finally be alright again.” Rishi was left speechless. He had never expected to hear something like this. His legs felt weak, and tears streamed down his face—the tears he had been holding back for so long. He looked at Hawan with eyes filled with gratitude and asked, almost unable to believe what he had just heard, “Is that really true?” “Yes. As soon as she found out about your condition, she went straight to the doctor. Without wasting any time, she willingly gave you her kidney. She also told me that she didn’t want you to know she was the donor, which is why she deliberately provided incorrect information on all the forms.” “I was wrong. I’ve done so many wrong things to Hiya. I didn’t want to hurt her, which is why I treated her the way I did, but unknowingly, I hurt her the most. Hawan, I’ve made a terrible mistake. I left her when she needed me the most. Instead of wiping away her tears, I became the reason for them. I didn’t realize that I was making her cry instead of comforting her. I can never forgive myself for this.” “Rishi, you were right in your own way. Your love was preventing you from accepting her, but your intentions weren’t wrong. You both didn’t want to hurt each other, which is why you both chose to stay apart. But perhaps it was God’s will that you should be together, and that’s why you are here today. Truly, Rishi, you are a true lover. Before I bring Hiya to you, just wait a couple more hours. She must be sleeping right now. As soon as she wakes up, I’ll bring her to you. But before that, please give me some time to spend with Hiya for the last time.” Hawan held Rishi’s hands as though there were no longer any connection between him and Hiya and he needed Rishi’s permission to spend a little more time with her. He had decided that he would hand Hiya over to Rishi. He no longer had any right to keep her, and the pain in his eyes made that decision painfully clear. At that moment, Hawan’s eyes held more pain than Rishi’s. He had lost, and he had accepted his defeat. He had lost Hiya forever, and he wanted to spend some time with her before she returned to Rishi and eventually went back to India with him for good. Rishi knew nothing about Hawan’s love for Hiya. He couldn’t understand why Hawan’s eyes were filled with so much pain. He was eager to see Hiya, but he listened to Hawan and agreed to wait until Hawan brought her to him. He promised that he wouldn’t go to her himself. Hawan returned home. Hiya was sleeping peacefully with her head resting on the pillow. He stood at a distance and watched her for a while. He didn’t want to disturb her sleep, so he decided to spend one last moment loving her in silence. He wanted to hold her, kiss her forehead, and bid her goodbye forever. All this while, Hiya lay peacefully on her bed, completely unaware of what was about to happen. Hawan went to her and lay down beside her. He gently pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. He wanted to say goodbye forever, but he couldn’t stop his tears when he realized that this might be the last time he would ever hold her like this. A drop of his tear fell onto Hiya’s cheek, and she slowly woke up. “Hawan, are you crying?” “Don’t ask me any questions, Hiya. Just let me hold you. Give me a little more time to embrace you.” “Hold me forever, Hawan. You don’t need to ask. But your tears are troubling me, Hawan. Tell me, what’s wrong?” “Promise me, Hiya, that you’ll remember me. Promise me that you won’t forget me. Promise me that you’ll keep me in your memory…” Hiya slowly sat up. Her face showed more confusion and distress because of Hawan’s words than because of his tears. She couldn’t simply lie back down anymore. She wrapped her arms around him because she felt that he needed her. Something was clearly troubling him, and holding her seemed to bring him some comfort. She didn’t understand why Hawan was saying these things. He was usually the one who made jokes, teased her, and kept everything lighthearted. But tonight, there was something different in his voice—something that frightened her. “Hawan, what’s wrong with you? Why are you suddenly saying such things today?” Hiya asked. “Do you still miss Rishi, Hiya?” Hawan asked. “No, I…” Hiya hesitated. “Liar. You still miss him. That’s why he’s here,” Hawan said. “What do you mean he’s here?” Hiya asked. “Your prayers have worked. Your love has brought him here. Go and meet him. He’s at my house,” Hawan replied. “Hawan, who is at your house?” Hiya asked. “Rishi… Your love, Rishi… He’s inside my house. He’s waiting for you there,” Hawan said. “Hawan, please don’t joke like this with me. I don’t like all of this,” Hiya said. “He’s there. He’s waiting for you there. You don’t believe me, do you? Come with me. I’ve promised him that I’ll bring you there. So, I should be the one to take you. Let’s go,” Hawan said. Hawan grabbed Hiya’s hand and tried to lead her away. Hiya hesitated, thinking that maybe he had drunk too much earlier that morning. But that couldn’t be true. Rishi coming all the way here and searching for her was impossible. She was convinced of that. Lost in her thoughts, Hiya allowed Hawan to pull her along, and they entered the house. Rishi was indeed inside, sitting there. When Hiya saw him, she froze, her feet feeling anchored to the ground. Her steps came to a complete halt, and she couldn’t move any further. Her heart raced, and as soon as Rishi spotted Hiya, he stood up. He started walking towards her, spreading his arms and calling her towards him. In that moment, Hiya couldn’t let anything in the world stop her from going to Rishi. She pulled her hand away from Hawan’s grip and rushed towards him. Hawan felt hurt. Terribly hurt. It seemed like his presence was no longer necessary, not even in Hiya’s life. Not only that, even the world seemed to stop mattering when Hiya and Rishi finally embraced each other. They were lost in each other’s arms as if they didn’t care about the world anymore. It was as if they didn’t belong to this world. After years of waiting, their love finally poured out like torrential rain. “Hiya… Please forgive me. I made a big mistake. Please forgive me,” Rishi said. Hiya wiped his tears and looked into Rishi’s eyes, seeing the love she had longed for years. She didn’t need words because their eyes said it all. “No, Rishi. There’s no need to apologize. Your eyes speak the truth. You don’t have to say anything else,” Hiya replied. “How are you? Did you ever miss me?” Rishi asked. “I used to think about you a lot, but right now, I don’t want to remember anything. I don’t want to recall those memories ever again. I’ve wasted more than half of my life just remembering you. Now, I don’t have anything left. I have only your lost memories,” Hiya said. “People can lose themselves, Hiya, but memories can never be lost,” Rishi replied. “I used to feel the same way some time ago. But I’m grateful to Hawan, who helped me let go of your memories,” Hiya said. “I came here with no ulterior motives. I’m ashamed, and I regret everything. But now, I can’t live without you. Please forgive me and come with me,” Rishi pleaded. “Go with you? Rishi, I told you that day that I would never come back,” Hiya replied. “And if I insist on taking you with me?” Rishi asked. “Even then, no,” Hiya said. “Why? You have no reason to stay here. Don’t you miss your home, your family, the fields, the skies, and me?” Rishi asked. “I have a very special reason to stay here, and that reason is above all else,” Hiya replied. “Do you know how sick I am?” Rishi asked. “Regardless of the reason you give me, I can’t come back with you,” Hiya said. “I know that you donated your kidney to me and…” Rishi began. “Who told you that?” Hiya asked. “Hawan told me…” Rishi replied. Suddenly, Hiya remembered that Hawan had come with her too. She turned around, but she couldn’t see him anywhere. Her eyes searched the room, looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found. He wasn’t in the house. However, she couldn’t ignore Rishi either. “Despite my best efforts, I managed to forget you. I succeeded in erasing you from my life, and I don’t want to know the reason behind your return because I can’t be yours anymore.” “Hiya, you don’t know everything. You should listen to me at least once.” “No, I don’t want to hear anything. I waited for you for a long time, but I stopped waiting for you only recently. And maybe that’s why I’m not as happy to see you here as I should be.” “I love you. I can’t live without you. Please understand me. Have mercy on me, Hiya. Don’t leave me. Please don’t go.” “You’re strange, Rishi. You forced me to leave you a while ago, and now you’re begging me not to go. Forgive me, Rishi, but I can’t love the same person twice. You broke my heart not long ago. Now I don’t want anything from you. I don’t desire anything anymore. I have no feelings left for you.” “What mistake did I make, Hiya, that you weren’t even willing to listen to me? I didn’t reveal the truth back then because I didn’t want to ruin your life. I didn’t say no to you because of my kidney disease. At that time, I didn’t even know that you were the one who had given me your kidney. My intentions were never wrong. I never thought badly of you. I have always loved you too. I’ve punished myself for every tear that fell from your eyes because of me. I cried too. My only mistake was that I couldn’t tell you how much I loved you.” “I know that,” Hiya said quietly, “but I can never forgive you for that mistake.” “Which mistake?” “Why did you marry someone else? How could you even think of doing that if you loved me? It’s been two years since I came here, and you never remembered me. You never called me. And today, you suddenly ask me what mistake you made?” After hearing Hiya’s words, Rishi fell silent. He could have told her at that moment that he had never married anyone else. He could have cleared up the misunderstanding right then, but he chose not to. He loved her. If she discovered the truth, she might come back to him, but she might never be happy again. She would realize that she had hated him for no reason, and she might never forgive herself for it. Rishi found himself torn between his love for her and the hatred she now carried for him. So, he accepted everything in silence. That day, Rishi lost in love, but he let Hiya win. “We loved each other, Hiya. We understood each other. And you know, Hiya, we can’t live without each other. If we separate, we’ll never truly be happy.” “You’re wrong, Rishi. When I was with you, I felt the most pain. But after being apart from you, I started living again. I started laughing again. If we stay together, we’ll keep thinking about each other, sacrificing everything for each other, and ultimately, we’ll both be unhappy. Yes, it’s true that we’ll love each other until the end of our lives, but that’s the bitter truth of our love story.” “Yes, you’re right. We’ll remember each other. We’ll yearn for each other. But we can’t be together.” “To forget me, you’ll have to erase my memories from your life. That will help you live without me, just as I learned to live without you.” “What about the kidney you gave me?” Rishi asked. “It will always remind me that my life is indebted to you. I don’t want to forget that. As long as I’m alive, I can never forget what you did for me.” Hiya couldn’t respond. She had no answer to that, and tears began flowing from her eyes. Yes, they could try to erase the memories of each other from their lives, but the kidney Hiya had given Rishi would always remind him of her. And the emptiness inside Hiya would always remind her that someone who had once been everything to her had now become nothing. “I’m telling you not to remember me, Rishi,” Hiya said through her tears, “but I never said you had to forget me.” “Never,” Rishi said, knowing that those words would spare Hiya from even more pain. “What if your heart isn’t with me anymore, but your kidney is? It will always be a part of me.” “You’ve made a huge mistake by coming here. Now you can leave me here alone. Yes, I’ll be happy without you.” “I’ll leave. I’ll leave right now. But promise me something. Come to me in my dreams. Not in person, not in my country, but sometimes, show your face in my dreams. I can’t live without seeing you.” “I promise I’ll come. But I can’t bear to see you shedding tears for me like this. So, please, before I change my mind, leave from here.” Rishi looked into Hiya’s eyes and saw the tears waiting to fall. He could see the pain hidden behind them and understood that she was suffering just as much as he was. So, without saying another word, he turned around and walked away before her tears could fall. Hiya watched him leave. “Where is Hawan?” She searched for him, thinking he might be waiting for her at home. She returned there and looked through every room, but Hawan was nowhere to be found. She stood still for a moment, trying to think of where he could have gone. Then, suddenly, she remembered a place. She went there, and her guess was right. Hawan was sitting inside an old liquor store, drinking heavily. He was so intoxicated that he didn’t even recognize Hiya when she approached him. She went closer and wrapped her arms around him. Hawan was too drunk to realize that Hiya was holding him. He continued speaking in a broken, drunken voice. “Hiya… where are you? You haven’t left, have you? Don’t leave me, please. I’ll love you more than Rishi. I’ll make sure you never even remember him. I’ll love you so much…” Hiya held him tighter but said nothing. The next morning, Hiya woke up and got ready. She wore the Indian saree she had brought with her for a special occasion. Today was the most special day of her life. Hawan was still asleep. She walked over to him, gently moved the hair away from his forehead, and kissed him there. Hawan slowly opened his eyes. Still drowsy, he looked at Hiya. He had thought she had left him and that he was only dreaming about her. He rubbed his eyes and looked at her again. “Open your eyes, Hawan. I’m right here in front of you.” “I thought I was dreaming. You’re not here. You’ve left.” “I haven’t gone anywhere, and I’m not going anywhere. Just open your eyes and look at me. This isn’t a dream. I’m really here with you.” Hawan slowly sat up, as though he still couldn’t believe that Hiya was actually standing before him. He rubbed his eyes once more, opened them, and looked at her. She was still there. Without wasting another second, he pulled her into a tight embrace. But after a few moments, something seemed to cross his mind. He slowly let her go, and the happiness in his eyes began to fade into sadness. “I know…” he said quietly. “You’ve come here to say goodbye, haven’t you? You’re here to tell me that you’re going with Rishi.” He looked away. “Well, you can go. I won’t stop you. Rishi is a good man. He’s not the person I thought he was. In this world, he’s the one who loves you the most.” “It seems like you’re still half asleep,” Hiya said softly. “I didn’t come here to say goodbye. I’m not going anywhere.” “Really?” “Yes.” “Then what about Rishi?” “He’s gone. I made it clear to him that I would never go with him, so he went back to India.” Hawan stared at her, unable to process her words. “Does that mean you’re not leaving? You’re not leaving me, right?” “I won’t go anywhere without you.” “I can’t believe it. I can’t trust it. How can I believe you? How can I accept that this is real? Are you really mine? Truly mine? I still can’t believe that you haven’t gone. Is this really you standing here? Right here? Forever?” His voice trembled. “I can’t have faith in it. I don’t understand how…” Before he could finish, Hiya leaned closer and gently kissed his lips. Hawan froze. For a moment, he didn’t move at all. Then he slowly opened his eyes, as if he needed to make absolutely certain that what had just happened was real. Hiya smiled at him. “This isn’t a dream, Hawan.” He looked into her eyes, still unable to believe his happiness. “I’m real,” she whispered. “And I’m here to stay.” Hawan’s eyes filled with tears. This time, they weren’t tears of pain. They were tears of relief, happiness, and disbelief all at once. “You really chose me?” Hiya nodded. “I chose you.” “But why?” “Because you never asked me to forget my past. You never forced me to stop loving someone else. You simply loved me until I learned how to love again.” Hawan lowered his eyes, overwhelmed by her words. “And now,” Hiya continued, gently lifting his face, “I don’t want to live in anyone else’s memories. I want to make my own memories with you.” Hawan smiled through his tears and pulled her into his arms again. This time, there was no fear that she would leave. No Rishi. No distance. No unanswered questions. Only the two of them, standing together after everything they had endured. Hiya rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. For the first time, she felt no guilt about choosing her own happiness. Hawan held her as though he had finally been given the one thing he had never dared to believe he could have. And somewhere between the tears, the laughter, and the silence that followed, their love story began again—not as a story of losing someone, but as a story of finally finding the person who had been waiting for them all along.   It must Be continued…