Chapter Text
Here I am standing in a crowd, watching from afar. Smiling like a complete jerk, like someone dumb enough to do anything for her best friend. Willing to give all happiness in the world just to see her happy, even if it wasn't with me.
People happily greeted her best friend a big Happy Birthday, A tall, good-looking guy approached her best friend holding a cake. Happily greeted her and gave her a kiss on its cheeks.
Then the reality hits me. You're already happy... with someone else. And that kills me, cause it wasn't me.
Sol went to the rooftop to get some fresh air. She was there all alone, nothing but with two bottles of beer to accompany her, one on her hand and one sitting on top of the rail of the rooftop. She was mesmerizing the city view when suddenly got distracted by the tap on the shoulder by someone familiar to her.
"I was looking all over for you and yet here you are... alone. Glad i can finally escape the crowd of people back there." Jiwan says
"Happy Birthday Silly" Sol responds
"why are you wasting the evening alone? instead of having fun out there" Jiwan says
"You know i was never a fan of crowded places, right?" Sol responds
"I know- but it's my birthday today and you can't refuse the birthday girl's request, right?" Jiwan says with puppy eyes and a pout
Who am I to refuse?
"Yeah, right.." says Sol
"Yey! Come on!" Jiwan replies enthusiastically
They both went down and dove into the sea of crowd. One particular guy greeted Jiwan with a hug and said
"Where have you been? i have been looking for you love" It was Jiwan's boyfriend Yu Sehun. He's a nice, smart guy and a gentleman. Too nice for Jiwan they say, but Sol believes he's the right guy for Jiwan.
"I went to search for this brat" Jiwan says looking at Sol beside her
"I didn't mean to hide, you both know i hate crowded places" Sol says while holding her nape
while having their conversation, a close friends of Jiwan arrived at her party
"I should've arrived earlier then to accompany her, But unfortunately i was with a sloth" It was Yu Nabi
"Am not! Happy Birthday Jiwan-ah!" says Oh Bitna
"Happy Birthday sweetie" Nabi greeted with a hug
They were Sol and Jiwan's friends for a decade. Always with each other's side, through Ups and downs. Yu Nabi approached Sol and whispers
"You good?" Nabi asks with full of concern
Yu Nabi is the only one who knows what Sol feels towards Jiwan. She was the only outlet of Sol. She have witnessed how Sol's heart was broken hundred of times and was the only one who can keep Sol sane from it's uncontrollable feelings for Jiwan.
Nabi always look after Sol ever since Sol's Drunk incident. Sol got drunk and confessed her feelings for Jiwan, Sol got rejected that time and the next day Nabi explains that Sol was just drunk and didn't mean to say that to her. She also excuses that whenever Sol is drunk (which is rare, btw) she would also confessed to Nabi the same thing that Sol does to Jiwan. It took them three days before everything went back to normal. Sol apologizes and promises Jiwan not to do that to her ever again. After that incident Sol never tried to get drunk again, no matter how it pains her. She knew that alcohol will do her no good.
"Yeah, thanks" Sol responded
After an hour of loud music, dances on the floor, shots of vodka; Nabi and Sol finds a way to scoot out of the crowded party, they went to the rooftop to get some fresh air...
"I know you came because it was Jiwan's birthday party, but i wanted you to know that i'm really glad you're here. You're presence alone is enough for me to feel safe at a place like this" says Sol looking at Nabi sincerely
"What's up with you? Is there something wrong? You know, you can always tell me right?" Nabi responds
"Of course, I am grateful to have you as one of my best friends Nabi.. but you know, Mom keeps nagging me right?" Sol says while looking from afar
Just then Nabi knew
"I can see how Happy Jiwan is now. With Yu Sehun by her side, i have no worries leaving her behind. You will always call me though right?" Sol says as she holds her tears from falling
Nabi hugged Sol tight and said "Of Course! I will keep in touch, i will always call you until you get tired of me"
"get tired of you? i think that's impossible" Sol said as her voice cracks
"So when and how will you break this news to Jiwan and Bitna?" Nabi asks as they break their hug
"I'm leaving after Jiwan's birthday, also about that... Can you please tell them on my behalf? right after i leave" Sol pleads
"Yoon Sol! How can you do that to them? They don't deserve that farewell" Nabi nags
"You know how bitna reacts and i can't afford to tell Jiwan, i know she would not agree with the idea of me leaving. It will break my heart to see her cry" Sol said while looking at the bottle of beer on her hand, wearing a bitter smile on her face.
as much as Nabi hates the idea, she just agreed on Sol's request. It wasn't the first time Sol thought of leaving, she almost left the country when she got rejected by Jiwan on her Drunk-Incident. All thanks to Nabi's pleads that made Sol stay. But this time, Nabi didn't stop Sol's decision for she can see right thru Sol's eyes, the pain she bears. After the party had ended, they all went home.
And as the sun shines brightly on them, Sol suggested for the four of them to go to a beach like they used to, when they were kids. They all packed and went their way, Nabi drives, Bitna on the front seat while Sol and Jiwan at the backseat. Sehun understands that sometimes they liked to go on a trip with just four of them. And they always make sure that they are safe by Jiwan updating Sehun through text message.
Sol gave Jiwan a gummy bear that she loves and offers Jiwan a neck pillow which she refused because she insists that Sol's shoulder is way more comfortable than the neck pillow, in which Bitna snatches the neck pillow and used it herself. Things like this made Sol's heart flutter. Even for just today, she wanted to forget the fact that she's leaving tomorrow.
She looked at the car's window and smiled bitterly. Nabi on the other hand kept on stealing glances on Sol through the rear view mirror to check her from time to time. She wanna make sure that Sol will enjoy her last day with them.
They arrived at their destination, Sol gently wakes Jiwan and said "Jiwan-ah, were here"
half asleep, Jiwan looked outside and the view astonished her that made her fully awake and energized.
"Happy Birthday Jiwan-ah" Sol said
"Woah! Sol, the beach is so pretty!" Jiwan exclaimed in her excitement
They all went out of the car, Jiwan and Bitna ran to the beach while Nabi and Sol went to get their belongings at the trunk of the car.
"Luckily we had a really nice weather today" Nabi says
"Yeah, i would like to thank God for giving such a beautiful day today" Sol replies while happily looking at Jiwan and Bitna who playfully pushes each other to the sea
They went inside to place their things at their room, it was a beach front transient they rent, Nabi and Sol took care for everything, from preparing the food, cooking, doing chores while bitna and Jiwan swims and plays at the beach but still helps the two from time to time.
They had a lot of fun that day and took a lot of pictures. As the sun sets down, they all went to beach, sits on the sand while facing the sea and watches the sunset
Sol sits beside Jiwan then Bitna and Nabi, Sol couldn't let her eyes stop from looking at her friends but mostly to Jiwan.. she doesn't know when will be the next time she will get to spend times like this again, or will this ever happen again?
"Jiwan-ah, do you have anything to say to your beloved guests?" Sol says as she breaks the Silence
"Oh, Oh, i would like to thank you all for this wonderful day, this is way fun than the party i had last night. I prefer spending birthdays like this with all of you guys, i love you all" Jiwan says as she reaches to all of them
"We're glad you had a lot of fun today" Nabi says
"I hope we get to do things like this more often" Bitna says
Sol smiled bitterly
"I am grateful to have you all on my life, and will always treasure this day. This, for me was the most memorable one. I will never forget this day. This moment. Us. Sitting on the sand, watching sunset like the future doesn't matter.. and most importantly having you all here with me at this very moment" Sol looked at them sincerely, tear at the edge of her eyes
"yah! Yoon Sol! why do you say things like it is the last, you're making me cry" Jiwan says as she playfully hits Sol's shoulder and wipes her tears
"me too" says bitna
"Right, I'm sorry" Sol jokingly said as she wipes Jiwan's tears and hugs her and reaches bitna and nabi for a group hug.
Nabi couldn't hide her tears as well and reaches for the hug and planted a kiss on Sol's forehead.
As the night ends, they all went to sleep. There were two beds at their room, They connected the two bed to make it one big bed for all of them.
As Nabi and Bitna fell asleep, Jiwan interlocks her fingers with Sol and ask worriedly "Is there something that bothers you Sol-ah?"
"Huh?" says Sol
"You seemed odd today" Jiwan replies as she prevent her eyes to fall asleep
"Don't worry about me. Just remember, i will do anything to make you happy Jiwan-ah..."
"even if it means sacrificing my own happiness..." Sol replies to the now deeply asleep Jiwan
Sol hugged Jiwan one last time as they both fall asleep.
They next day, they all went home. They first drops at Bitna's House
"thanks for today, see you guys!" says bitna
"bye bitna, love you!" Sol jokingly said
"oh, bye~ hate you too" Bitna replies
"remember that okay?" Sol teases
Nabi and Jiwan laughed, then they drop at Jiwan's. Sol helped Jiwan with her bag and...
"Aren't you gonna go home yet Sol-ah?" Jiwan asks as Sol lives near her house.
"Oh, I have errands today with Nabi" says Sol
"Really?... You guys are weird... okay then! see you!" though with suspicion, Jiwan shrugged it off. Sol grabs Jiwan's wrist and gave her a tight hug
"You missed me already Sol-ah?" Jiwan teased Sol though feeling confused and worried
"Yes, like a lot" Sol replies as she planted a kiss on Jiwan's temple then breaks the hug and said "you should go inside now, have a rest and don't forget to eat a lot okay?"
"oh, yes... see you around Nabi-yah and Sol-ah" says jiwan and went her way.
As soon as Sol went inside and Nabi drove, Sol couldn't help her tears to fall like a waterfall as she kept on holding her tears for such a long time earlier. They both went to Sol's apartment to get her luggage and Nabi drop her off at the airport.
"So, This is it" says Sol
"Are you really sure about this? You won't regret this decision?" asks Nabi, hoping Sol would change her mind for the last time
"You know how Mom badly needs me at our company now right? and i think Sehun knows how i truly feel about Jiwan. He may respect our friendship but i know he still feels threatened seeing me around Jiwan all the time.. He says i'm holding her back, Jiwan deserves to be happy and have a family on her own... and i have been thinking, it's also for me to move on... I can't move on, if I am always with her." Says Sol bitterly "Also, please give this letter to Jiwan, i think she atleast deserve to know the truth. Nabi, i know I've been a burdened to you all this time-"
"Your not, don't say that" Nabi cuts off,
Sol sighs and...
"but still i want to make one last favor... Can you please look after Jiwan? I know she won't take this well.. But all of this was for her happiness" Sol pleads as she laid both her hands on Nabi's shoulder
"I will, even if you don't ask me too. I will also not give your contact details no matter how they insist, even if it's against my will... as you wish" says Nabi
"Thank you so much, Yu Nabi. I knew I can always count on you" Sol responds as she gave a tight hug to Nabi.
"It's time, We Don't wanna be late for my flight anyway" Sol Jokingly said as she let go from the hug.
Sol waved her final Goodbye to Nabi. The moment Sol turned away, her tears started to fall nonstop, no matter how much she wiped it. It felt like an never ending pain.
The next day... Nabi, Bitna and Jiwan decided to meet at the park near Jiwan's House
"Ugh! I asked Sol about this movie but I can't reach her, where the hell is this brat anyway? why is she not here yet?" bitna says
Nabi kept her head down, trying not to cry. Jiwan who seems to have a bad feeling about it asks Nabi
"Nabi-yah, Where is Sol? What happened?" Jiwan asks as her visions are starting to get blurry with the tears trying to escape her eyes
"I'm sorry guys..." says Nabi who tries to avoid their eyes
"Nabi-yah... why is she so weird yesterday? it's a joke right? tell me. it's a prank right?" Jiwan says as tears had already escaped her eyes, she somehow knew.. She had a hunch...
Bitna who seems clueless started to notice Sol's action yesterday and the other day.
"Nabi-yah!" Jiwan said as she shakes Nabi
"She left yesterday for Paris..." Nabi says as she let out the bad news
Bitna Gasps on what she heard and Jiwan froze
"She said she can't bear to say goodbye.. She don't know when or will she ever come back" Nabi says as she also started crying
Jiwan's legs finally gave out... there she was on her knees as she bawl her eyes out. Three of them crying, full of misery.
Later that night, they all decided to stay over at Jiwan's apartment for the night. While Nabi and Bitna's asleep, Jiwan on the other hand can't even close her eyes, whenever she closes her eyes, all she sees is Sol, the fear of losing her best friend is finally creeping on her. Despite the nervousness she feels, Jiwan decided to finally open the letter Nabi gave her. It was a letter from Sol
Dear My Jiwan,
Have you remembered the dog that we always visits? He have been adopted! Finally! I hope you wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. It finally found it's owner. Like the dog who found it's owner, I can see that you finally found the person that will make you happy. I am now assured that someone will take care of you other than me. Someone who will always look after you. Someone who will give you a happy family. Something that I cannot give you. Remember that Drunk-Incident? It's true Jiwan, I like you. More than a friend. But I got rejected right? hehe. It's okay though. I shouldn't have expected to be more than a friend. That's a good decision you did there. Now let me heal my heart. I hope you understand that I'm doing this for you and for my hopeless heart. But don't worry about me, I will be okay. Soon.
Please take care of yourself. You can always rely on Sehun and Nabi Of course! well you can also rely on Bitna, okay? I'm sorry it had to end this way.
I wished nothing but happiness for you, My Jiwan. Goodbye.
You're Bestfriend,
Yoon Sol
Jiwan sobs after reading the letter, Nabi who seems to have woken up went to Jiwan and gave her a hug.