Midnight Love

Today, the day my dream came true, I am hired as a journalist by South Korea's most well-known company. The K-news company is located in Seoul in a prestigious-looking high-rise building. Tomorrow is the day I leave my old village and begin anew. 'Are you worried, Jia?' Jimin questioned. I smiled as I looked at her. 'I'm not sure. I'm afraid of living on my own, and... I'll miss our village,' I responded. Jimin smiled as he looked at me. 'You know, if anything, you can call your big sis,' Jimin said before exiting my room. Jimin is my older sibling. She owns a restaurant and makes the best chicken recipes I've ever tried. I lived with her in her house since I started college, and after college, I worked in her restaurant, not cooking, but cleaning and serving. My culinary abilities aren't the best. When I move out, I think I'll survive on takeout. Finding a job as a journalist was difficult, but because journalism is my passion, I have worked hard for it since I was a child. The article was read by the K-news company. I made it for them, and they loved it! I hesitated at first, but if I didn't, I'd be stuck and never get to live my dreams. 'Jia! 'Are you prepared?' From the other room, Jimin calls out to me. I'm not sure what she's talking about because I took the day off today to pack my belongings. 'What exactly do you mean, ready?' I yell. I hear Jimin approaching. 'Oh...I forgot to tell you, but...mom planned a goodbye party.' Jimin says as he sits on my bed. That made me very happy because I will be taking some time off before returning to visit. 'Yes! 'I can't wait to get some good food before I leave!' I exclaim. Jimin looked at me as if I was acting strangely. 'There is something else... mom invited Shiwoo...,' Jimin says as he walks out of my room. I shake my head as I look at her. 'No way! No, no, Shiwoo... I broke up with him about a month ago...,' I explain. Jimin walks out of my room. 'Jia, he's a really nice guy. I have no idea why you broke up with him,' She yells. I lie down on my bed and stare up at the ceiling. Shiwoo isn't a bad person; in fact, he's amazing; but there was no chemistry between us, and our relationship was becoming boring and repetitive. There was no longer any love or passion. I broke up with him, and he has been sending me letters and gifts every week since. We've known each other since we were kids; we grew up together, and our parents are acquainted. It's all too perfect for me, and I despise it. I'm looking for something new and exciting. Moving to a new city will force me to meet new people and, hopefully, step outside of my comfort zone. The goodbye party is about to begin, and it makes me realize I'm about to leave this town, the town I've lived in my entire life. I take a deep breath and continue packing my belongings. I discovered an old photograph of my mother and Shiwoo while packing my belongings. It's a photograph of my sister taken in a restaurant. I vividly recall the day Shiwoo and I first began dating. I miss those days because I was actually in love at the time, and it made me happy to love someone. I go downstairs to explore the table. It was stuffed with delicious food. Jimin definitely picked up cooking skills from my mother. My mother approached me and kissed my head. I hugged her and smiled at her. 'Thank you, mom!' I said as I hugged her. She gives me a friendly smile. The doorbell rings, and my heart beats faster because it could be Shiwoo. 'Jia! 'Can you open the door?' my mother requested. I open the door, relieved to see it was my aunt. 'JIA! Jia, my little Jia... we'll miss you,' she says. 'I have some small gifts for you.' my aunt says. I return inside and unwrap the lovely gifts. Many people enter the house, but there is no Shiwoo. At moments, I don't want him to come, but I also feel bad about breaking up with him. 'How are you, Jia?' Someone says behind me. When I turn around, my heart begins to race. Shiwoo is there. 'I'm fine, Shiwoo,' I say hesitantly. Shiwoo fixed his gaze on me. 'I still don't understand, Jia,' He states. I don't know what to say because I'm not sure how to explain why I think our relationship is boring. Shiwoo is everything I look for in a man. He is attractive, intelligent, hardworking, and ambitious. But he's...boring, and our relationship has the feel of a friendship. Perhaps we should just remain friends? 'Shiwoo, I don't know why, but... I think you deserve a lot better,' I say quickly. I'm at a loss for words, but I believe what I said would make him happy. 'Jia, be honest with me, I know you despise lying to me,' Shiwoo states. I'm glad my mother called up us all to eat and I sit at a table far away from Shiwoo to avoid any awkwardness. I talk with my family and our friends while eating some delicious food that my mother and Jimin prepared. 'Hello, Jia! When are you going to get married and have children?' One of my aunts asks. I felt so awkward because Shiwoo's parents both looked at me and mine. I looked around, hoping for something random to happen or for the kid to scream so I wouldn't have to answer that question. My sister looks at me from the other side of the table and gestures for me to remove the food from the oven. I get up and act surprised as if I've forgotten about the food that's still in the oven. 'Oh! The food! I'll be right back, please excuse me,' I say politely. I dash to the kitchen and grab the food. I pull out my phone and text 'thank you' to Jimin. After that, I managed to bring the food to the table, and we quickly forgot about the topic and are now discussing the latest drama. It's time to go after hours of talking and eating. Everyone hugged me and said their goodbyes. It feels like I'm moving to a country far away. Shiwoo is the last person to say goodbye. He hands me a small present and informs me to open it when I arrive in Seoul. I thank him and tell him goodbye. After saying my goodbyes to everyone, I go to my room and pack the last of my belongings, including my skincare, journal, and the small gift Shiwoo gave me. The desire to open it is intense! But I am patient. I'm finished packing and realize this is it. I'm finally breaking out of my shell and living on my own while pursuing my dream career. Isn't life perfect? When I looked at my phone, it was already 10:00 p.m. I put on my adorable pink pyjamas and retire to bed. A lot of things are going through my mind. Is my life going to change tomorrow? Did I hurt Shiwoo? all these questions attacked me when I was about to sleep. 'Ok Jia, take a deep breath... tomorrow is the day...,' I say while taking deep breaths.  A lot of thoughts are racing through my head. Will my life change tomorrow? Did I cause Shiwoo any emotional damage? All of these questions jumped at me as I was about to fall asleep. 'Okay, Jia, take a deep breath... tomorrow is the day...,' I say as I take deep breaths.