What lingered after the welcome message
When Minseo heard from her after a long time, she replied right away that she was glad to hear from her.
After meeting her longtime friend, Minseo pauses between her joy at seeing her and what she wants to ask.
On Friday night, Minseo hears from her longtime friend, Sua. She says it’s good to hear from her, but can’t ask why she reached out only now. Even when they meet Saturday, Sua talks as if nothing happened, and Minseo finally brings up the question she had left in the counseling room.
When a message after a long time makes you hesitate
When you start by noticing the moment gladness and the urge to ask rise together, you don’t have to pour your whole heart into one reply.
What was the first thing you wanted to write after hearing from her?
She replied that she was glad and even met up, yet never asked why the message came only now—that moment stayed with me. I saw that gladness and the wish to make sure were both present in one sentence. If your hand has ever stopped over a similar message, tell me about that too.
Scenes
- 01 · The night she reached out 01 — It was Friday night when a message came after a long time. Alongside her friend Sua’s name was a sentence asking to see each other Saturday.
- 02 · The reply that came first 02 — As soon as Minseo read the message, she replied, “Good to hear from you,” and quickly made plans for Saturday. But once they sat in the café, Sua only lightly remarked that it had been a long time. Sua: How have you been lately? Minseo: Fine, I guess. How about you?
- 03 · Hands wrapped around the cup 03 — Even after parting from Sua, Minseo talked about how she couldn’t ask why she had reached out only now. As she continued, her hands had tightened around the water glass without her noticing. Dalbit: What were your hands like when you were writing that reply?
- 04 · The words she never managed to ask 04 — Minseo tried to lift her hand from the cup, then grabbed it again. Only then did the words left behind after replying that she was glad to hear from her rise onto the table. Dalbit: What words were left after that? Minseo: I don’t think I can ask why you reached out only now.
Stories by Dalbit
- Dalbit
- On Friday evening, I was left alone in a room with the light on.
- After saying you’re okay on your first day
- I get asked for favors every lunch break
- There’s someone you think of when you’re sick, but on payday, you hesitate.
- When I get back from a celebration, I start doubting the story I’ve made up about myself.
- At lunch on her first day, one chair was left empty
- After hearing my friend’s news, I fall behind at work
- On the way home, I keep thinking of the same old advice.