The sky started to pour, I didn't have my umbrella With me, I remembered that I still have to meet with Jinwo today, the Café isn't too far I was thinking to just take a run for it, but I guess fate Has other plans for me. Someone grab me by my shoulder, a tall Silver haired guy, he was like a fallen angel. "Excuse me, would you like to share my umbrella?" I was speechless for a moment, "u-uh s-sure
He stood closer to me, he smelled nice, and his eye color is mesmerizing "i-is there something on my face? You've been staring at me for a while, I might melt" he said while giggling, my face turned red after realizing that I've been staring at him. "it's that your eyes, they're color green I've never seen anything like that" he looked stunned "I got them from my mom" we then continued walking, after a few minutes I got to the café and saw Jinwo waving, "oh here's the café I need to go now- oh by the way thank you for coming with me-'' as I turned my head to thank him he was not there anymore, hmm guess he must have left, I didn't even thank him properly nor have his name
What a bummer he was my type, let's just get this over with. I entered the café and saw Jinwo sitting by the window waiting for me, "hey! Jinwo did you wait long?" I sat down, grabbing my laptop from my bag "nope I just got here a while go, btw who's that handsome guy walking with you?" "You saw him? Did you see how he left?" "No, I was ordering that time" "I didn't even asked for his name" "he was surely your type, I wonder if he has abs-'' "OK! Enough chit chatting and let's get working."
Haaugh... I'm so tired I didn't get enough sleep because of that project, I wonder where Jinwo is whatever im just gonna take a nap. " hey hyung… Jinha hyung wake up" huh "what time is it.." "It's lunch time" "what? How long have I slept?" "Since the class started? I guess you're really tired, why don't you go home and I'll tell our next teacher that you're sick" I guess I really need to rest "ok thanks Jinwo" …I packed my things and got up.
That night, the rain still hadn't stopped. I found myself staring out the window of my room, watching droplets race each other down the glass. And for some reason, all I could think about was him the stranger with silver hair and green eyes who disappeared before I could even ask his name. I didn't expect to see him again. But fate had a strange way of repeating itself.
Three days later, at the bookstore near campus. I was browsing through art books when someone reached for the same one I had my eyes on. Our hands touched. "You again?" he said, amused. I froze. "You… you're the umbrella guy!" He laughed softly. "That's a first. Most people call me Haru." Haru. So that was his name. "Oh… I'm Jinha," I said, my heart beating faster than it should have. We ended up talking for an hour beside the bookshelves. About coffee. About music. About the weird names people give their pets. It was oddly easy.
When we finally walked out of the store together, he said, "I never do this but… can I walk you home?" Of course I said yes. After that, we kept seeing each other. Sometimes by accident.Sometimes on purpose. Eventually, we stopped pretending it was coincidence. He'd wait outside my class. I'd bring him snacks to his shoots.We'd sit by the riverside and talk about dreams we were too scared to chase.
One night, under the moonlight, he asked, "What are you most afraid of?" I said, "Falling for someone who won't stay." He didn't reply. Instead, he held my hand.
One rainy afternoon, much like the day we meet, he pulled me aside after a quiet walk "I have to leave soon," he said, I blinked. "What do you mean?" "I need to go Italy for my last shooting, I promise to be back, so please wait for me" my chest tightened, I nod, he hugged me tightly, I don't want to let go. "Haru," I said, "I'm gonna marry you when your back." he smiled and kissed me, he pressed his forehead into mine, "I will marry you too, my bride."
3 years has past, everything was good, Jinwo and I graduated college and got a job in a news company, everything was great. But, there was still no sign of Haru neither a phone call or a message, I even went to the airport sometimes after work — hoping that maybe, one day, he'd be standing there again with that soft smile, saying, "Sorry I'm late." But he never came. I miss him. It was a quite evening. The city outside was buzzing with lights, but my room remained dark. I scrolled through my phone, half-awake, my phone buzzed, it was Jinwo. JInwo: Hey hyung, have you seen this? He sent me a photo of a news and noticed the headline "Famous Model Haru and an Award Winning Actress Hana Seo is getting married tomorrow. My chest tightened. My breathing slowed... There he was in a black suit, smiling beside a gorgeous woman in red. My phone again buzzed it was Jinwo. Jinwo: hyung? Are you alright? Do you like some company? Jinha: no it's alright Jinwo, thank you for letting me know good night. I turned off my phone, I was lost in thought, he... promised me that he will marry me... I sobbed remembering our memories together, h-how could he do this to me... I sat up, phone trembling in my hands. My breath caught in my throat. I read the caption again and again, hoping it would change. It didn't. "After recovering from a car accident in Italy, model Haru returns to the spotlight with a stunning engagement to actress Hana Seo."Car accident...?He almost... died? And he didn't even tell me? He disappeared. Got hurt. Got better. And chose someone else. I wanted to scream. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry. But I did none of those. I just sat there. In the dark. Staring at the screen. And whispered,
"You promised."
I was woken up by my mom "Jinha, are you alright?" she sat at the side of my bed, "come here, mom's here" I hugged her tightly and cried on her shoulders "there, there it's going to be alright" she caressed my face wiping my tears. " hic..It hurts hic…so much mom...hic" "shhhh…it's alright cry all you want im here" "Jinha my dear, would you want to see Haru?" I was stunned for a moment…and nod I need to go there I need to talk to him "ok let's go there tomorrow" I nod, "b-but...hic...how?" "We've been friends for years, His mom said she wanted us there." I looked at my mom and was stunned for a while "hic... you've known Haru...hic and didn't tell me hic… anything" she just smiled and hugged me.
The church was glowing, everything looked perfect, then I saw him, Haru in a white suit, he looked perfect in it, and standing beside him a woman in a gown. That was supposed to be me. I stayed at the back while my mom stayed in front with Haru's mom, and now, here I am. Watching him marry someone else. I bit my lower lip, trying to hold it together. My hands trembled in my lap. The weight in my chest grew heavier with every vow spoken. My ears couldn't hear anything clearly. It was like everything around me faded except for him. Haru
you should've told me. You should've told me beforehand, so I wouldn't have built a life around your promise.
The host announced the start of the money dance. A tradition where guests pin bills on the bride and groom while their dancing as a way of wishing them prosperity and good luck. Everyone clapped. There line formed quickly. I stood quietly, holding my envelope. "You don't have to do this, hyung" Jinwo whispered beside me. "I know" I replied. Jinwo's mom is close to the bride's mom so he got invited too. Each step echoed in my chest. I stood in front of them, the man I loved, and the woman he chose. They both smiled politely, waiting. But my heart was falling apart. Haru's eyes flickered to mine. And for a second, I saw it. The regret, the things he couldn't say in front of everyone. I forced a smile. Just enough to hide what was left of me. Then I reached forward... And pinned the money to the Bride. Not him. Not the man who promised to comeback. Her gown brushed against my hand, soft and delicate. Like the future I once dreamed of. I nodded. And turned around, and walked away.
I rushed to the bathroom, the music outside was distant now. Laughter echoing through the walls. I stared at my reflection. My eyes were red, my tie undone. I looked like someone who lost something they never had the right to keep. And maybe that was the truth. He was really never mine. I splashed cold water on my face, took a deep breath, and prepared to walk out pretending everything was fine. As I opened the bathroom door. He was there. Haru. Standing quietly in the hallway. His white suit perfectly fit him. We stared at each other. Neither of us spoke. The silence was louder that any vow he made that day. Then finally... he took one step forward. I held my breath, his lips parted, like he was about to say something... something important. But before the words could escape... Someone called his name from the reception "Haru! They're waiting for you!" he flinched. He looked back at me one last time. And said- "I-" ... but he didn't finished, He turned around.... And walked away...