54. A Beautiful Farwell

As the taxi navigated through the congested roads, Starla's anxiety grew. The traffic seemed endless, and she couldn’t help but worry she might miss Ha-neul. The driver, sensing her urgency, assured her he knew a few shortcuts that would get them there faster. He maneuvered skillfully through narrow side streets, bypassing the worst of the traffic. Each turn and twist in the road felt like a gamble, each moment filled with silent prayers that they wouldn’t be delayed any further.

True to his word, the driver skillfully maneuvered through narrow side streets, bypassing the worst of the traffic. After what felt like an eternity, but was actually only about 45 minutes, they arrived at the airport. Starla paid the fare with shaking hands, barely able to count out the correct amount. She thanked the driver hastily, her words almost a blur as she hurried out of the taxi.

Inside the terminal, Starla's eyes scanned every corner. The early morning light cast a pale glow through the large windows, illuminating the relatively quiet space. The airport was a maze of activity, with people rushing to and fro, yet it felt oddly still in her heightened state of anxiety. She glanced at her watch, puzzled that Ha-neul was nowhere to be seen despite the time. Her heart sank with each tick of the second hand, the seconds slipping away like grains of sand.

Growing increasingly concerned, Starla tried calling Ha-neul and sent him several messages. Each attempt went unanswered, heightening her sense of worry and confusion. The phone felt heavy in her hand, each failed call a stark reminder of the growing distance between them. The uncertainty gnawed at her, each unanswered message amplifying her sense of dread.

In her distressed state, Starla paced nervously near the entrance of the airport terminal. The bustling atmosphere around her seemed to mock her own turmoil, as travelers hurried past with purpose, oblivious to her inner turmoil. She checked her phone repeatedly, hoping for a response from Ha-neul, but each passing minute only deepened her anxiety.

Her mind raced with scenarios—had he already boarded? Was he delayed? Did he change his mind about seeing her? The weight of the unanswered questions pressed down on her shoulders, threatening to overwhelm her fragile composure. She glanced around, searching desperately for any sign of him among the crowd, her heart skipping a beat with every figure that remotely resembled his.

Time blurred into a relentless march, each passing moment stretching into eternity as she waited. The announcement boards flickered with updates, flights arriving and departing without a pause. She fought against the rising tide of panic, forcing herself to remain composed despite the turmoil churning within her.

Then, just as her resolve threatened to crumble under the weight of uncertainty, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the distance. Someone emerged from a corridor leading to the gates, his silhouette momentarily obscured by the passing travelers. Starla's heart leaped into her throat, a surge of relief flooding through her as she watched him approach.

Their eyes met across the bustling terminal, a silent understanding passing between them. Ha-neul's expression mirrored her own turmoil, mixed with a profound sense of urgency. He quickened his pace, closing the distance between them with determined steps.

"Starla," he breathed, his voice barely audible above the ambient noise of the airport. His eyes searched hers with a mixture of relief and apology, emotions swirling beneath the surface. "I'm sorry I couldn't respond earlier. Things were... complicated."

Starla's anxiety momentarily melted away at the sight of him, replaced by a rush of emotions she struggled to contain. She reached out instinctively, her hand finding his as if to reassure herself that he was real, that he was still there with her.

"I thought... I thought I missed you," she admitted softly, her voice wavering with a blend of relief and lingering worry.

Ha-neul squeezed her hand gently, his touch grounding her amidst the chaos of the airport. "I wouldn't leave without seeing you," he assured her earnestly, his eyes never leaving hers. "I needed to... I needed to see you before I go."

A pang of sadness pierced through Starla's relief, the reality of his imminent departure settling heavily upon her. "You're leaving today, aren't you?" she asked quietly, already knowing the answer but needing to hear him say it.

Ha-neul nodded, his expression pained yet determined. "Yes. I have to go back... back to Seoul," he admitted, his gaze searching hers for understanding.

Starla swallowed hard, the lump in her throat making it difficult to speak. "I... I understand," she managed finally, her voice barely a whisper. "I just... I didn't want to say goodbye like this."

Ha-neul's fingers intertwined with hers, his touch warm and reassuring. "Neither did I," he confessed softly, his voice tinged with regret. "But I had to see you, Starla. I had to tell you..."

His words hung between them, unspoken yet understood. Starla felt her heart swell with emotion, the weight of his unspoken feelings echoing her own. She squeezed his hand gently, wordlessly conveying her own unspoken sentiments.

They stood there amidst the whirlwind of travelers, a moment frozen in time amidst the ceaseless flow of departures and arrivals. The world around them seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of them standing there, bound by a fragile thread of shared emotions.

"I meant what I said last night," Ha-neul continued, his voice steady but filled with sincerity. "I love you, Starla. I don't want to lose you."

Starla nodded, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke. "I love you too, Ha-neul. I was so afraid..."

Ha-neul silenced her with a tender kiss, his lips soft against hers, a wordless testament to everything left unsaid. Time seemed to stand still as they kissed, a fleeting moment of solace amidst the uncertainty of the future.

When they finally pulled apart, Starla rested her forehead against his, her eyes closed as if committing the moment to memory.

"Ha-nel, let's try to live in this relationship. Hopefully, everything will be beautiful and not as I feared.," she murmured softly, her breath mingling with his.

Ha-neul smiled gently, his arms enveloping her in a comforting embrace. "I'm sure everything will be beautiful. I promise you, Starla."

They stood there, holding onto each other as if trying to freeze time itself, unwilling to let go of the precious moments they had left. The airport buzzed with activity around them, oblivious to the profound connection they shared amidst the transient chaos.

As they finally parted, a sense of resignation settled over them, mingled with a quiet acceptance of what lay ahead. Ha-neul's departure was inevitable, yet their bond remained steadfast in the face of uncertainty.

"I'll call you," he promised softly, his gaze lingering on hers as if trying to memorize every detail.

Starla nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I'll wait for your call," she whispered, her voice filled with equal parts hope and uncertainty.

With one last lingering look, Ha-neul reluctantly released her hand, stepping back slowly as if reluctant to leave her side. He turned away reluctantly, his shoulders weighed down by the weight of their unspoken goodbye.

Starla watched him go, her heart heavy yet strangely at peace. She stood rooted to the spot, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared from view. The world around her resumed its normal pace, but for Starla, the future held a promise of new beginnings and endless possibilities.