If pain has a forecast
over
[The next morning]
As soon as I opened my eyes, I checked my phone. But there was still no reply. As I looked at the chat window with no reply, a corner of my heart felt cold.
I put down my phone and forced myself to start the day. But the author's face and his letters wouldn't leave my mind. I was finally ready to accept his sincerity, but I was burdened by the anxiety that he might have left.
윤여주
Let's go to work first. Yeah, things will be okay once we get to work.
.
As usual, I worked harder than usual today. I didn't even eat and just focused on work all day.
김태형 큐레이터
Curator..., did it not work out well? Why are you doing this again...
윤여주
Hurry up and get off work. It's past closing time.
김태형 큐레이터
Curator.
Curator Kim stopped me from typing away. Only then did I come to my senses and tears welled up in my eyes, but I bit my lips hard to hold them back.
윤여주
I contacted the author··· but I haven't heard back even after a day.
윤여주
What does this mean?
김태형 큐레이터
Uh... I guess something's wrong. The author isn't the type of person who wouldn't reply.
윤여주
No···. I think I'm too late···. Why am I hesitating like an idiot···.
김태형 큐레이터
Why are you blaming yourself? No.
윤여주
I think it's over... Go quickly. I'll go now, too.
김태형 큐레이터
Curator···.
윤여주
Hurry up and go carefully.
I didn't want Curator Kim to be unable to leave work because of me and I didn't want to keep him around. I got up and left first, thinking I should go home first.
윤여주
under···.
I sighed deeply enough to make the ground sag, and I continued to sigh all the way home. Now I was so exhausted that even my tears had dried up.
.
[next weekend morning]
At the urging of Curator Kim, I forced myself to get up and go for a walk in the park. It must have snowed in the early morning, because the snow-covered landscape was spread out like a painting, and thanks to that, I felt much more at ease.
김석진
Curator···?
When I wanted to meet you, it didn't seem like that, but recently, we've had a chance to overlap again. Maybe because I've been waiting so long, my heart felt a little different today. Once again, the author recognized me first.
윤여주
Author···?!
김석진
Long time no see... How have you been?
‘How can you ignore my calls and be so calm…?’
윤여주
I hope you've been doing well...
김석진
Yes···?! What's going on?
윤여주
Are you really asking because you don't know?
The author just stared at me with eyes that said he really didn't know. His voice got louder, mixed with frustration and resentment at my incomprehensible response.
윤여주
I contacted you! But you didn't even read it, let alone reply!!
The author opened his mouth with wide eyes and a surprised expression.
김석진
Huh?! You said I... didn't hear from you?
김석진
Ah···, I changed my phone a while ago, and I guess it was just the wrong timing···. All my messages flew away···.
윤여주
What did you say···?
Hearing that, I was momentarily stunned. Then, the writer didn’t avoid it on purpose, but just didn’t know. Tears of relief flowed in the cold air at the thought that this might not be the end.
김석진
Uh... why are you crying... it was my fault. I'm sorry...
윤여주
I really... thought the author had lost interest in me... I really had a hard time...
김석진
···I'm really sorry···. Can you tell me what you said in that··· message?
윤여주
···i like you···.
I wanted to say this so badly right now, not in a text message. I didn't want to let this person go again, so I didn't push him away.
김석진
yes···?
윤여주
I like you···. I like the author···.
Only then did the author open his mouth with a big smile.
김석진
I told you I'd ask first.
김석진
Can I stay by your side forever, curator?
윤여주
Yes! Totally!
After going around and around, we eventually met. I decided to forget the pain of those past days and think only about the new days that would begin. His warm smile and my answer made my hesitation disappear, and the morning sunlight was already melting into the park.
윤여주
Then from now on... let's make sure there are no misunderstandings between us. Let's be honest with each other, without hiding anything.
At my words, the writer nodded and held out his hand. I took his hand, and at that moment, my cold fingertips became warm with his warmth.
윤여주
Let's walk slowly but surely, from this moment on.
김석진
Okay. I'll do better in the future so the curator won't have to feel sorry.
윤여주
Me too. I will do better.
We walked slowly along the park path, hand in hand. Our footprints were left side by side on the white snow. Those footprints seemed like clear traces announcing a new beginning.
There was a time when we didn't know each other's hearts and were always at odds, but now that we are looking in the same direction and walking together, I am confident that our relationship will become stronger as we understand and trust each other.
There was nothing to fear anymore. All the pain that had built up between us had melted away, and in its place was filled with warm trust.
So our story did not end, but continued towards a new beginning.
If there had been a warning about the pain, our relationship might have improved a little sooner, but all that waiting and misunderstanding was ultimately an important part of completing our story. It was the time we needed to understand each other better and build a stronger relationship.
There is no forecast for love. But we are now certain. No matter what kind of weather comes our way, we can be each other's umbrella.
윤여주
Author, where will we arrive if we walk like this?
김석진
Well, anywhere is fine. As long as you're by my side.
I would like to thank all the readers who have enjoyed ‘If Pain Has a Forecast’ so far.
MEY메이
I think this will be the end of my work. I don't know when I'll write again, but I'd like to thank everyone who has enjoyed my lacking writing so far!
MEY메이
I will keep the works open so please come and enjoy them whenever you want. Thank you. 🙇♀️🩷🩷