Lost in translation

Chapter 7: Whispers in the Rain

Min-jun helped Evelyn settle into a plush chair, their eyes locking—a charged silence between them. He couldn’t ignore the question that hung in the air like a storm cloud.

“Why did you attack me?” Min-jun’s voice was low, probing.

Evelyn’s apology spilled forth. “I’ve been disappointed in myself,” she confessed. “For spending a night with a stranger—someone I barely knew. The disgust and disappointment have haunted me.”

Min-jun’s gaze softened. “Disgusted by me or the situation?”

“The situation,” she clarified. “Not you.”

He bowed his head. “I apologize,” he said. “I wasn’t in my senses that night.”

Min-jun’s hand closed around hers. “I’ll be here as a friend.” he said.

She sank back into her seat, embarrassed. The chef arrived, serving their dinner just as thunderstorms rumbled outside. Evelyn’s smile widened as the aroma of food filled the room.

Between bites, she asked about the art adorning Min-jun’s home. His answer was simple: “I’m fascinated by my culture.”

Curious, she pointed at his tattoos. “What about these?”

“Art,” he said. “I love it.”

As time passed, he shared the stories behind each tattoo. Then he turned the spotlight on her. Evelyn spoke of her loving family, her sister, and her friends. When he asked why Korea, she teased, “I came for a handsome boyfriend.”

Min-jun chuckled, raising his wine glass. “Best of luck finding one.”

But reality intruded. Evelyn remembered her purpose here—to retrieve her belongings. Min-jun handed her the bag, revealing her passport. She thanked the chef and prepared to leave.

Outside, the rain poured relentlessly. No cabs were available. Min-jun offered a room, but she hesitated. Eventually, she agreed to stay the night.

In the guestroom, she changed into Min-jun’s sleepwear. As she settled into bed, she called Nomsa. Mr. Kim’s allegations about her mysterious companion had reached her. Evelyn reassured Nomsa, sharing the truth.

Their conversation shifted to Nomsa’s budding relationship with Daniel. Apologies flowed, and Evelyn encouraged her friend.

Later, an unknown text arrived: “Come to the rooftop.” Min-jun, no doubt. Evelyn followed his directions, anticipation and curiosity swirling within her. The rain whispered secrets as she ascended, and she called him when she felt lost.

“Keep going. You’re almost there.” he said.

And so, Evelyn stepped into the rain-kissed night, ready to face whatever awaited her on the rooftop.

The rooftop was a hidden sanctuary, a secret realm above the bustling city. As Evelyn stepped out, her breath caught. The scene before her was nothing short of enchanting.

Across the streets, a tapestry of lights painted the night. Neon signs flickered, casting kaleidoscopic hues onto rain-slicked pavements. Cars moved like fireflies, their headlights tracing intricate patterns. The city hummed with life, yet from this vantage point, it seemed distant, almost ethereal.

Above, the ink-black canvas of the sky stretched wide. Raindrops blurred the stars, turning them into soft smudges. Evelyn tilted her head back, feeling the weight of the universe pressing down. Thunder rumbled, a primal symphony that echoed her racing heart.

The rain fell in torrents, each drop a whispered secret. It soaked her hair, clung to her skin, and mingled with tears she hadn’t realized she’d shed. The rooftop was her refuge, a place where vulnerability merged with the storm.

Min-jun stood there, his silhouette outlined by the city’s glow. He wore his sleepwear—a simple shirt and loose pants—and yet, he looked every bit the enigma. His eyes traced her form, and he murmured, “You look beautiful, even in my borrowed clothes.”

“Why haven’t you slept?” Min-jun’s voice cut through the rain. “You seem lost.”

Evelyn laughed, the sound swallowed by thunder. “Everything feels like a dream. I wish someone would wake me up.”

Min-jun stepped closer. “Regrets?”

She hesitated, then confessed, “If I hadn’t been drugged, we wouldn’t have met like this. You might think I’m—”

“—a loose girl?” Min-jun finished. “Evelyn, whatever happened was an accident. It could’ve happened to anyone.”

They sat on the rooftop’s edge, raindrops tracing paths down their faces. Words flowed—an unburdening of souls. Min-jun shared stories of loss, and Evelyn spoke of her fears. The city listened, its heartbeat in sync with theirs.

As dawn approached, exhaustion tugged at Evelyn. Her eyes drooped, and Min-jun noticed. He lifted her effortlessly, cradling her in his arms. “Rest,” he whispered. “I’ll take you to the guestroom.”

And so, they descended, rain still falling, but now it was a lullaby. Evelyn surrendered to sleep, knowing that sometimes, amidst thunderstorms and city lights, dreams could become reality.