19. Where is He?

Starla stepped into her apartment, collapsing onto the sofa after a long day. The slow and tiring day felt never-ending, but there was one thing keeping her enthusiastic: tomorrow she would meet Ha-neul. Starla hoped this encounter would blossom into a genuine friendship, more than just a brief introduction from before.

With weary steps, Starla headed to the bathroom to cleanse herself of the day’s dust and sweat. The warm shower eased her tense muscles, offering a bit of comfort. After her shower, she decided to make a cup of coffee, her faithful companion in the quiet night. The fragrant aroma of coffee filled the room, bringing warmth and a sense of calm.

Her thoughts drifted back to the moment she was in the café with Luna, her loyal friend. They talked at length about Starla’s desire to stop writing. Starla knew that Luna would always encourage her to try again, to not give up on the obstacles she faced. Luna had once said that writing was a part of Starla, an escape that provided freedom for her often worry-filled and uncertain mind. Therefore, quitting was not a solution, especially if the reasons could still be overcome.

Starla reflected, recalling Luna’s advice. Maybe Luna was right, she thought. She couldn’t let her problems defeat her spirit. Starla had to learn to overcome the trauma that had imprisoned her. The tragic event that had befallen her some time ago had left a deep wound in her heart, causing her to shut herself off from the world. It was no wonder William had commented that her writing felt empty and soulless. The emotions and feelings that used to flow in her work seemed to have vanished, drowned by those bitter memories. But tonight, there was a new resolve within Starla. She took a deep breath, savoring the comforting aroma of coffee, then opened her laptop.

“Okay, I’ll try once more,” Starla said firmly, her voice full of conviction. Her fingers began dancing on the keyboard, writing words that flowed from the depths of her heart.

The stars in the sky seemed to be silent witnesses to Starla’s effort to rise again. In the quiet of the night, she began crafting a new story. Each word she wrote brought a flashback of her feelings, about how she was trying to overcome the fear and darkness that bound her. The coffee in her cup began to cool, but her spirit only burned brighter.

Hours passed, yet Starla did not feel tired. Each paragraph written seemed to serve as therapy, helping her confront her trauma and reopen her long-closed heart. The bad memories that once haunted her slowly transformed into sources of inspiration. Starla began to realize that writing was not just a job, but a means of self-healing.

Tomorrow’s meeting with Ha-neul might bring a fresh breeze into her life. Starla hoped that Ha-neul could become a friend to share stories with again, like when they were in Seoul yesterday. In her heart, she prayed that the meeting would provide new memories, opening a new chapter in her colorful life.

With renewed enthusiasm, Starla wrote late into the night. She understood that each word she wrote was a small step toward her recovery. That night, under the dim starlight, Starla began a new journey, rewriting her life story with hope and love.

...

Morning arrived gently, the sunlight peeking through the curtains of Starla’s apartment. The golden rays woke her with a warmth that slowly enveloped her body. Starla moved her stiff fingers, feeling an unusual comfort. Her eyes opened slowly, welcoming the new day with fresh enthusiasm.

Birds chirped merrily outside the window, singing a melodious morning song. Starla sat on the edge of her bed, stretching her body, which felt lighter. Something was different this morning, she thought. A feeling of relief and optimism flowed through her veins, erasing the remnants of last night’s fatigue.

Starla’s steps to the kitchen felt light, as if the usual burden she carried had been lifted. She made a cup of hot coffee, the fragrant aroma greeting her senses, adding to her enthusiasm to start the day. While waiting for the water to boil, she stepped onto the balcony, inhaling the fresh air that carried the scent of morning dew.

Starla’s eyes scanned the clear sky, white clouds drifting slowly across the blue canvas, creating a soothing view. The fresh morning air provided a peace she had longed for. However, her gaze suddenly fell on the clock on the wall. A faint smile crossed her lips as she realized that Ha-neul should have arrived in London this morning.

Quickly, Starla ran to her room, looking for her phone with anticipation. She hoped for a message from Ha-neul, informing her of a safe arrival. However, when her phone’s screen lit up, there were no messages from Ha-neul. Starla’s face fell, she pouted and placed her phone back on the table.

“He should have arrived last night, right?” Starla thought, trying to calculate Ha-neul’s travel time. “Why hasn’t he told me anything yet?”

Worry began to creep into her mind, but she tried to stay calm. Maybe Ha-neul was exhausted from the long journey and decided to rest first. Starla tried to soothe her heart, convincing herself that everything was fine. She stepped back onto the balcony, inhaling the remaining fresh morning air.

The bright morning sky and the white clouds slowly drifting by were silent witnesses to Starla’s anxiety. On her apartment balcony, she waited with a pounding heart, hoping for news from Ha-neul soon. Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the silence hanging in the air. Starla grabbed it eagerly, hoping Ha-neul’s name would appear on the screen. But her hope was instantly dashed when she saw Luna’s name instead.

Luna: Star, please pray for me now

Starla: Huh? What’s up, Lun?

Luna: I’m meeting a handsome guy, please pray I won’t be awkward later

Starla: Who is it?

Luna: The director who’s collaborating with my company, I think I have a crush on him.

Luna: And now I’m on my way to meet him because we are invited to lunch!!! Please pray we can actually double date, okay?

Starla: Yeah, whatever, Lun. Have fun!

“Should I call him?” she thought. Her fingers hesitated over the screen, pondering whether she should really call. Maybe Ha-neul was still on his way or busy adjusting to his new surroundings. After a moment of contemplation, she picked up her phone and held it tightly, questioning herself if calling Ha-neul was the right choice or not.