24
866 Words
The days after Jin Woo left felt longer than before.
Ara woke up early, just like always.
She worked at the market, just like always.
She smiled, talked, and moved like nothing had changed.
But inside…
Something felt empty.
—
On the third day, a letter arrived.
A small boy ran into the market, holding it carefully.
“Ara! A letter for you!”
Ara turned quickly.
“For me?”
The boy nodded and handed it to her.
Her hands froze for a second.
Then she slowly took it.
She didn’t need to ask who it was from.
She already knew.
Her heart began to beat faster.
Minho leaned over.
“Open it.”
Ara shook her head.
“Not here.”
She carefully placed it inside her clothes.
As if it was something precious.
“I’ll read it later.”
Minho sighed.
“You’re too careful.”
Ara didn’t reply.
But her fingers lightly touched the letter again.
—
That evening, Ara sat alone in her room.
The light was dim.
The air was quiet.
She took out the letter slowly.
For a moment…
She just looked at it.
Then she opened it.
Her eyes moved over the words.
And slowly…
A soft smile appeared.
—
Ara,
I reached the capital safely.
The road was long, but I kept thinking about you, so it did not feel too tiring.
Things here are already busy. I have many duties waiting for me.
But even in the middle of everything, I keep thinking about the days we spent together.
The market, the hill, the quiet walks…
I did not realize how peaceful those moments were until I left.
Are you eating well?
Are you working too much?
Don’t forget to rest.
I will send another letter soon.
Wait for me.
— Jin Woo
—
Ara read the letter again.
And again.
Her fingers gently traced the words.
As if she could feel him through them.
“You’re really there…” she whispered.
Her chest felt lighter.
The emptiness from before softened.
At least…
He was still close in this way.
She folded the letter carefully.
And kept it near her heart.
—
The next few days passed more smoothly.
Ara worked as usual.
But now, she waited.
Every morning, she would look at the road.
Every afternoon, she would listen for footsteps.
Every evening, she would check the door.
Minho noticed it again.
“You’re waiting for another letter.”
Ara nodded.
“Yes.”
Minho leaned back.
“You look more alive now.”
Ara smiled slightly.
“Because I know he’s fine.”
Minho crossed his arms.
“That’s enough for you?”
Ara thought for a moment.
Then she said,
“For now… yes.”
—
But not every day was easy.
Sometimes, no letter came.
Sometimes, the road stayed empty.
And slowly…
The waiting became heavier again.
—
One afternoon, the sky grew darker than usual.
Clouds covered the sun.
A cold wind passed through the market.
Ara looked up.
“It might rain.”
Minho nodded.
“Let’s finish early today.”
Ara agreed.
They began packing things quickly.
People left one by one.
Soon, the market became quiet.
Too quiet.
Ara felt something strange.
She couldn’t explain it.
But her heart felt uneasy.
As if something was wrong.
—
On her way home, the wind grew stronger.
The trees moved loudly.
The sky turned gray.
Ara held her shawl tightly.
“Why does it feel like this…” she murmured.
She walked faster.
Her steps quick.
Her breath slightly uneven.
Then suddenly—
She stopped.
For a moment, she felt it clearly.
Someone was behind her.
Watching.
Ara slowly turned.
But there was no one there.
Only the empty road.
And the sound of wind.
She frowned.
“Maybe I’m just thinking too much…”
She continued walking.
But her steps were no longer relaxed.
—
That night, the rain began.
Soft at first.
Then heavier.
The sound filled the quiet town.
Ara sat by the window, holding Jin Woo’s letter.
Her eyes looked outside.
“I hope you’re safe,” she whispered.
A flash of lightning crossed the sky.
For a second, the whole room lit up.
Then darkness again.
Ara tightened her hold on the letter.
For some reason…
Her heart wouldn’t calm down.
—
Far away, in the capital…
Jin Woo stood in a large room.
Scrolls were placed everywhere.
Officials moved in and out.
The air was serious.
Busy.
But his mind was somewhere else.
He looked out the window.
The same rain fell there too.
A strange feeling passed through him.
Something was wrong.
He didn’t know why.
But it felt real.
He turned to one of his servants.
“Prepare a letter.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Jin Woo looked outside again.
“I need to send it tonight.”
—
Back in the town…
The rain continued.
The night grew deeper.
And in the darkness…
A shadow moved silently near Ara’s house.
Slow.
Careful.
Watching.
Waiting.
The door remained closed.
The light inside slowly faded.
And the sound of rain…
Covered everything else.
As if hiding something that should not be seen.
- Writer
