Night Voices & New Realities
1056 Words
When Sisanda stepped out of Minjun’s car and walked back into the residence building, she felt like she was floating. Her steps felt lighter than usual, her chest warm and calm. She wasn’t used to this feeling — this warmth that wasn’t painful or heavy. Something about Minjun’s presence made the world feel softer.
The hallways of the residence were noisy tonight. Laughter echoed from different rooms, loud music pulsed from someone’s speaker, girls with makeup on and glittery outfits were heading out to a party. Some girls wore short dresses, others wore stylish jeans and shiny tops. They walked in groups, speaking loudly and excitedly.
Sisanda watched them quietly as she passed. There was no jealousy, but a small tiny voice in her heart whispered, It must be nice to be carefree like that.
But she didn’t mind being alone.
Alone was peaceful. Alone was quiet. Alone felt safe.
She entered her room — the small single room she was grateful to have — and locked the door behind her. She made herself a smoothie from fruit she had blended earlier, drank it slowly, and changed into soft pajamas. The blankets felt warm, the room smelled faintly of lavender, and her teddy bear sat waiting where she left it.
She curled into bed… but sleep didn’t come.
Her heart was waiting.
Waiting for Minjun’s call.
Minutes passed.
An hour passed.
Still nothing.
Finally, her eyes grew heavy, and she drifted into sleep without noticing.
Then suddenly—
RINGGGGG!!!
Her phone vibrated loudly against the bedside table. Sisanda shot up, nearly falling off the bed, her heart racing wildly.
She grabbed the phone.
“Hello?” she said quickly, voice still thick from sleep.
Minjun’s voice was soft, teasing:
“Don’t tell me you already slept.”
“N-no!” Sisanda insisted. “I was… just about to sleep.”
“Liar,” Minjun said gently, but with a smile in his voice. “Your voice is telling me everything. I got home safely, by the way. Sorry for calling late. My phone battery died after I left you, so I had to charge it first.” He paused. “But let me not disturb you. Sleep well. Have a good night.”
And then it happened—
Something slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.
“You too… sweet dreams.”
The moment the words left her mouth, her eyes widened. Did I really just say that!?
There was silence.
Soft silence.
Not awkward… but warm.
Then Minjun spoke again — and this time his voice was lower, softer, almost boyishly cute:
“Are you still sleepy even now, Sisanda? I’m bored over here.”
Her heart rolled over itself.
She sat up quickly. “No! I’m awake now. We can talk.”
And so they talked.
They talked about everything and nothing — small jokes, small stories, random thoughts. They laughed, they teased, they listened. Time slipped away from them unnoticed.
The call started at 7 PM.
The next time they checked the clock, it was 11 PM.
Only when Sisanda’s yawns could no longer be hidden did they finally end the call.
---
Days passed.
They continued texting. Short messages. Silly memes. Random thoughts. Warm check-ins.
It felt natural.
But something grew inside Sisanda — something uncertain, something that made her cautious.
She told herself:
I cannot date him.
Not now.
She didn’t know his intentions. She didn’t want to lose him by rushing something too quickly. He felt like a gift — a rare blessing — and she feared losing him more than she feared loneliness.
So she decided quietly:
We will be friends. Just friends, even if my heart does more.
---
On Monday, she woke up, cleaned up, dressed, and went to school as usual. The day was normal — classes, lectures, notes — nothing extraordinary.
Until her phone vibrated.
A message from Minjun:
“Call me when your class is done.”
Her stomach flipped.
But she swallowed her excitement down.
No expectations, she told herself. Don’t fall too fast.
School ended, and she walked to the campus gate.
Then she froze.
Because Minjun was already there.
Leaning against his car.
Waiting for her.
He smiled when he saw her.
She smiled back — naturally, without trying.
They walked side by side, talking easily now. She was no longer terrified to speak, no longer trembling. She was comfortable — and that comfort felt beautiful.
“I’m hungry,” she confessed softly. “I haven’t eaten since morning… I was late for school.”
Minjun burst into laughter. “So you starve yourself for education now?”
Sisanda laughed too, hiding her face. “I just overslept, okay!”
“Well,” Minjun said, smirking proudly, “do you want to try Korean food?”
She didn’t even hesitate.
“Yes.”
And that one word carried all her excitement — the soft, shy dream she once thought she’d never touch.
---
They drove to a cozy Korean food shop. Warm lights, soft music, wooden tables. She watched him as he ordered in Korean, moving with ease, confidence, comfort. And she thought:
He really came from another world… and yet he’s here with me.
They ate. They talked. The conversation grew deeper.
Minjun told her about his family — how wealthy they were, how distant, how cold. How they didn’t understand one another. How the house was full of luxury but empty of love.
So he left.
Took the contract job.
Chose peace.
And Sisanda listened. Truly listened. With her whole heart.
Then Minjun said something that hit her chest like a stone dropped gently into still water:
“I have a girlfriend… Her name is Cassy. But I don’t feel anything for her anymore. She wants me to love her but… I don’t. She complains every day. I don’t even know why we are still together.”
Sisanda nodded slowly.
Something hurt.
Something tightened.
Something softened.
She didn’t know what to say, so she said nothing.
Some feelings don't need words.
---
By the time the sun began to set, it was time to say goodbye.
They parted gently.
But something had changed.
They were not strangers.
They were not just acquaintances.
They were something rare.
Something soft.
Something building quietly.
Something growing — without being named.
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