A couple of weeks later, she moved into a nearby vacant house owned by a friend from work. It was familiar yet different, a chance to put some distance between herself and her old life. One Sunday, feeling the need to unwind, she went out for some shopping. The bright colours and energy of the stores temporarily lifted her spirits, but the exhaustion of her recent work schedule quickly crept back in. After shopping, she wandered into a nearby park, its inviting greenery a balm for her weary soul. As she found a quiet bench, the weight of the week began to lift. She sat there for an hour, letting the sounds of the park wash over her—children laughing, birds chirping, and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.
In that moment, she felt a sense of peace that had been elusive for far too long. The beauty of the park, the sun slowly setting, painted a perfect backdrop for her reflection. As the sky turned shades of orange and pink, she knew it was time to head back home. At 8:00, she took a deep breath, stood up, and felt renewed, ready to face the little challenges life had to offer. The walk back felt lighter, each step a reminder that she was moving forward—toward healing, toward hope. The house, once just a temporary shelter, started to feel like a home. Perhaps this new beginning was exactly what she needed.
After a few days of intense work, Nila found herself returning home later than usual. It was a chilling winter evening, with snow gently falling and blanketing the streets in white. As she walked, the crunch of the snow underfoot was soothing, but it also heightened her awareness of her surroundings. Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. A wave of fear washed over her, but she took a deep breath, reminding herself to stay calm. She controlled her nerves and mustered the confidence to look back. The street was empty, but that fleeting moment of panic made her quicken her pace. In her haste, she accidentally dropped her wallet without realising it.
Just then, she heard a voice call out, "Hey, you! Stop! You dropped your wallet!" Instinctively, she turned to see who was speaking. A tall figure was approaching her through the swirling snowflakes, and Nila's heart raced. As the shadow neared, she recognised the familiar voice. "Jaekyeon?" she said, a mix of surprise and relief washing over her. It had been weeks since they last met, but his voice was unmistakable. "Yeah, it's me!" he replied, a warm smile breaking across his face. Jaekyeon held out her wallet, and Nila felt a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. "I saw it fall when you were walking. I thought I should catch up and return it to you."
"Oh my goodness, thank you so much!" she exclaimed, taking her wallet back. "I didn't even notice it was gone. You really startled me back there." He chuckled, brushing off her concern. "I can imagine! It's pretty eerie, walking alone in the snow at night. I'm just glad I was behind you." They stood there for a moment, surrounded by the quiet of the snow-covered street, before Jaekyeon broke the silence. "So, how have you been? "I've been busy with work, but other than that, life is good she said How about you?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied when she asked how he was doing. "Did you come home at this time often?" "No, not really," she said thoughtfully. "Just some days because of work." She said, "Why are you here then?" she inquired, curious. "Oh, I go to the park every day because of work. I feel relief while sitting there," he explained, a hint of fatigue in his voice. Their conversation meandered as they walked towards their respective homes, yet he hesitated to share much about himself. "I work from home," he mentioned, keeping his tone casual. He could tell she was interested, but he wanted to keep some things private.
She, on the other hand, spoke freely about herself, her laughter and stories about childhood filling the air with warmth. He enjoyed her openness; it made him feel lighter, as if he were escaping the pressures of his work life for just a moment. As they approached their houses, a realisation struck him. "Wait, you live here?" he asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his eyes. "Yes," she replied, her brow furrowing slightly as she added, "I forgot to ask you where you live."
"Oh, me? I live opposite this house," he said with a smile. Her eyes widened in delight as she laughed. "Are we neighbours?" "Looks like it!" he chuckled back, feeling a strange bond forming. "Good night then, man! See you!" she called out, her cheerful demeanour lingering in the air like the scent of blooming flowers. He nodded, "Good night. Bye!" They exchanged smiles, the kind that hinted at potential friendship, a shared understanding that life was more than just work and routines. As they parted ways, each walked toward their own place, a newfound awareness sparking within them. The evening had turned a simple neighbourly exchange into a promise of future conversations, laughter, and perhaps even deeper connections.