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The sun was already beginning to set on the horizon, tinting the sea with shades of gold and pink. The light breeze messed up Youngrye’s hair, and the distant sound of music, coming from a radio probably forgotten by someone, mixed with the sound of the waves.
— Okay, I didn’t imagine that you would want our date to be here today — she said, laughing softly as she felt the cold sand under her feet, Jaepil’s hand firm in hers.
— You love this beach — he replied, with a smile that sounded a little nervous. — And it’s been a while since we came here… it’s a special place for us, isn’t it? It was here that we had our first kiss.
Youngrye let out a soft laugh.
— You still remember the exact day?
— How could I forget? — he leaned slightly, looking at the sea. — I took so long to admit what I felt for fear of losing our friendship… and, when I found out that you felt the same, I ran to you. I couldn’t help but kiss you that night. You were so beautiful… and I was so nervous, because I had no idea how to say what I felt.
Youngrye blushed, remembering the moment, and a light smile escaped. She leaned slightly against him.
— It was a beautiful night. I remember everything perfectly too. I always wanted to confess to you, but it never seemed like the right moment. That day, I was so surprised… but so moved too. It felt like I was dreaming.
— I was such an idiot… I took so long to realize. — he murmured, letting go of her hand and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. — I could have been like this with you for so much longer.
Youngrye let out a low laugh and put her arm around his waist.
— I think everything happened at the right moment — she said with a smile. — I’m very happy to know that we are still together. You are my best friend and my love. We’ve been together as a couple for almost four years and we were friends for seven before that. — she giggled. — Eleven years. Wow. That’s a lot! We have a lot of history, don’t we?
Jaepil laughed too, shaking his head.
— Wow, you’re right. We went through so much together…
She stayed silent for a few seconds, her gaze lost in the sea that was now tinged with gold. Jaepil watched her face, the way the wind made some strands of hair touch her face, the calm smile that she didn’t even realize she had.
— Youngrye… — he called, taking the arms that hugged her off her shoulders and turning to her.
— Hm? — she turned her face, curious.
— Sometimes I still have nightmares about that Miss Korea day… when you were stabbed. Sometimes I remember you in a coma, and God, it terrified me so much that I still can’t forget it. I almost lost the most special person in my life. — His eyes trembled with emotion. — You made me believe in destiny, Rye. You’ve made me happier than anyone ever could. I don’t love anyone the way I love you. Just the thought of losing you again drives me crazy.
Youngrye blinked quickly, trying to hold back tears, but they were already shining in her eyes.
— My love — he continued, taking a deep breath — do you remember that conversation we had at Sangcheol and Jungboon’s wedding? I gave you that necklace you love so much and told you that one day, when you graduated and I finished my specialization, I’d make an official proposal. — Youngrye nodded, a teary smile forming on her lips.
— Even though everyone already calls us engaged… I want to make it official now.
Jaepil took a small box from his pocket and knelt down in the sand. Youngrye brought her hand to her mouth, a sob escaping before tears began streaming down her face.
— Youngrye… — he began, his voice trembling. — I want to spend every day of the rest of my life by your side. I want to wake up and see your beautiful face, I want to have children who are the perfect mix of us… and, most of all, I want to make you happy every single day. Will you marry me?
For a moment, everything seemed to stop, the sea, the wind, even the distant radio that was now playing an old song.
Youngrye let out another sob and, her voice shaking, answered:
— Yes! A thousand times yes!
She threw herself into his arms as he was still kneeling, and the two of them fell laughing into the sand, holding each other tightly, unable to say anything more.
Jaepil sat up, still with Youngrye in his arms, and looked at her. His eyes were teary, and his smile, the most beautiful one Youngrye had ever seen. He took a deep breath, opened the box again, and carefully took out the ring.
— May I put it on? — he asked softly.
Youngrye nodded, still crying and smiling at the same time. He held her hand tenderly, as if it were something sacred, and slid the ring onto her finger. The simple jewel caught the last golden light of sunset, a small glimmer, but full of meaning.
— There — he whispered, his voice unsteady. — Now you’re officially mine.
She laughed through her tears and said:
— I’ve always been yours, you fool!
Jaepil laughed too, and before she could say anything else, he cupped her face in both hands and kissed her. It was a long, tender kiss, one that carried all eleven years of their story.
In the background, the sound of the waves blended with the melody from the forgotten radio in the sand, a song they both knew well.
Just like me, they long to be...
Close to you.