If I Could Love Again

Chapter 1

"Mom... I’m getting late! I need to go. Today’s my first day at university. I’ll grab something during lunch, okay? Bye, Mom!"

"At least eat something now, or your stomach will hurt later..."

Huh! She never listens to me...

I rushed out, heart racing—not because I was late, but because I was really excited.

It’s my first day at university.

A new chapter, new people, new beginnings.

So excited!

The morning sunlight falls gently on my face through the window of the bus.

The view outside is breathtaking—trees swaying softly, the sky painted in soft pastels.

Watching all this makes my eyes feel heavy...

Hawuhhh... a long yawn escapes me.

I slowly drift into sleep, wrapped in the warmth of the sun and the rhythm of the bus.

"Hey! Listen... wake up!"

"Hey, are you listening??"

"Hello??"

Huh... who is this?

His voice is deep and calm... so beautiful.

I don’t want to wake up.

I don’t want this dream to end.

"Hey!! Wake up! Are you even listening??"

"Oiiii!!!!!!!!"

"Get up!!!!"

What’s going on...

“Ohhhh no!!!!!!!

I fell asleep!!??”

“Yes, ma’am,” a voice replies right next to me—gentle, a little amused.

I turn quickly—and freeze.

He’s standing there, looking at me with a faint smirk on his face.

A stranger.

But... not just anyone.

His voice—it was the one from my dream.

His eyes—warm and teasing.

“Can you get off the bus now, if you’re done dreaming?” he says, raising an eyebrow.

“Wait… what????

This is the last stop? But…”

“That means you’ve missed your stop,” he says, nodding.

I stare at him, then at the empty bus.

We’re the only two left.

“Can you both get off now?” the actual conductor calls from the front, clearly in a hurry.

Both?

So... he missed his stop too?

Or maybe… he didn’t.

Maybe he stayed to wake me up.

“Ohhh no!! What should I do now?

I didn’t want to miss my first day at university… but I did.”

“Hey! Get off my bus, you both!” the conductor calls out again, more annoyed this time.

“Yeah, yeah, we’re getting out,” the guy beside me replies casually, as we step off the bus.

I stand there, completely lost.

Huh... what should I do now?

I stare down the empty road, my hands still clutching my bag, heart sinking.

Just then, I turn to him.

“Hey… by the way, thanks for waking me up.”

I hesitate for a second, then ask,

“Did you… did you miss your stop like me?”

He looks at me, a small smile tugging at his lips.