Promise || MiChaeng
I met her in the spring. A lost soul walking along the sidewalks, her clothes soaking wet from the rain. There was a mournful look in her eyes, as if she had lost the very reason she had to live. In an attempt to be a good samaritan, I gave her my jacket and a shoulder to cry on.
What I got in return,
The promise of eternal companionship and love.
In a small park colored by the autumn leaves and unspoken emotions, two individuals watched the sunset, a tense atmosphere surrounding them.
"You don't have to do this you know. I know you're probably just doing it out of pity..."
"But I'm not...Ever since I first met you, I promised I would never leave your side. If you just give me a chance, I can show you, Mina. I'll love you, and I'll love this child as if it's my own." The woman said, not missing a beat. She turned her head to face Mina, giving her a gentle smile, the same smile given on the day they first met.
What did I do to deserve such love?
The older let out a shaky sigh and nodded.
"I trust you, Chaeyoung. So please, don't...don't leave me. I can't stand being thrown away by anyone like that again..."
There was a moment of silence, not even the sound of the wind being present. But then, Mina felt herself be pulled in. Chaeyoung gazed at her delicate lips, leaning in to kiss her softly just moments after. Although she didn't wish to, she pulled away and pressed their foreheads together.
"You have my heart and my word..."
///
Every moment, every detail of her lover is burned into Chaeyoung's memory, but there is one that she holds very close to her heart.
"Myoui Mizuki, that is your name." Mina smiled as she held the little one against her bosom. Feeling eyes on her, she directed her gaze to the other woman in the room.
"What are you doing standing there? Don't you want to hold her?" She asked, to which the other nodded, approaching shyly.
For Chaeyoung, holding their child was like love at first sight all over again. She looked just like her mother. Everything, from those adorable cheeks, to the elegant demeanor she had, even while asleep. Heck, she's even as clingy as Mina, but Chaeyoung didn't really mind it at all. She enjoyed having her two loves by her side, warming her heart.
Feeling completely defeated, Mina let out a sigh. A light chuckle came from behind her, startling her a bit.
"Still no luck?" Chaeyoung asked, to which the one with the Cassiopeia constellation shook her head.
"No matter what I try, she just won't stop crying..." She said, offering the little one to Chaeyoung, who took her and almost instantly calmed her.
They're perfect.
The only thing Mina could think to herself.
"Mina?" The voice of her lover brought her back to earth.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"I was just asking if you want to chill outside for a bit. It's fine if you don't though."
"Why wouldn't I want to?" She smiled and took a small blanket, helping Chaeyoung envelope their child with it, then they both went outside to enjoy the fresh air.
"The sky looks beautiful tonight, doesn't it?" One asked, to which the other nodded.
"Hey, Chaeyoung..." Mina said while looking up at the stars, to which the younger hummed, rubbing their daughter's back as the little one slept peacefully.
"I just wanted to say, even if all of the stars disappear, I'll be by your side..." She told her, making her blush because of how random yet sweet it was.
"Always and forever."
///
There sat the woman, hugging their now 9-year-old daughter tightly. Her lips were pale, and her eyes puffy. She gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead and stood up, walking over to where the mic was, taking it and holding it tightly, so tight that her knuckles turned white. She took in a deep breath and began, her voice shakier than it has ever been before.
You broke your promise.
"I...wanted to thank you all for being here today. For accompanying us in a time like this..."
A time in which the stars have all disappeared. I find myself to be in complete darkness.
"Myoui Mina, she was.. a g-good wife, and wise mother...An angel to many, and my better half. I would do almost anything to share at least one more moment with her. She blessed us with so much unconditional love. I don't know how to express how much I will miss her, I... I just-"
I can't do this...
She noticed her child had started to cry silently, and immediately left the mic, going over to hug the only light she had left in this darkness.
It's okay... Even if the Cassiopeia constellation disappears, I will watch over you tenderly, by your side...
Always and forever.
///
Chaeyoung stood straight and stretched, having just helped Mizuki study for an upcoming exam. She noticed that her daughter had started to resemble her mother more, even in the way she sat in her chair, or in the way she focused, letting out small, frustrated sighs, pouting like a baby when she gave the wrong answer, and that clueless look on her face when didn't understand something. It's fair to say, Mizuki was the one thing that kept Chaeyoung going all these years. She would do anything to keep her young one happy.
"Mum, was mama good about studying? Like, was she book smart?" The girl asked.
"I'm not sure actually. I didn't really meet your mother until I was in my mid-twenties, Mizu." She hummed, ready to ask another question.
"I don't think you ever told me how you two met. Can you tell me, pretty please?" Chaeyoung chuckled and went on to tell the story as if it was like a fairytale, although, on some obvious aspects, it was far from one.
At the end of the day, Chaeyoung collapsed tiredly onto the bed, taking Mina's favorite perfume, spraying it as her lover used to, the soothing yet bittersweet scent letting her drift off into dreamland.
///
With her eyes closed, she sat there. The same atmosphere she was surrounded by many decades ago. She gathered all the strength in her and stood up, clearing her throat and gaining everyone's attention.
"Son Chaeyoung, my mother, she was a great parent. Even being a broken woman, she nurtured and took care of me as if I was her own." She trailed off as she spoke of her beloved parents more.
"Despite such a short speech, I'd like to say I am ever so grateful to her and my mama, for giving me life, for allowing me to be myself, and most of all, for loving me with every fiber of their being. And I am also grateful to all of you for being here today, it means a lot." She concluded, a sad smile on her face.
Even on days when I can't muster up the courage, I will shine brighter than anyone else...
I promise you...
///
Feeling a strange yet soft sensation on her cheek, Chaeyoung brought her hand to it. It was quite familiar, that feeling. She opened her eyes, and to her surprise, saw her lover before her, more beautiful and radiant than ever.
Is this a dream? Please tell me it isn't-
"Hi, it's been a while, hasn't it?" She said, the brightest smile on her face. There were so many things Chaeyoung wanted to say at that moment, and yet, nothing came out. All she could do was caress Mina's hand which was on her cheek, and let out silent tears. The older pulled her into a tight and warm hug.
"I missed you so much, you have no idea...Every day has been so hard without you!" Mina chuckled, tears now running down her face as well.
"And yet, you kept your word, up to the very end. I'm so proud of you, my love." She smiled, wiping Chaeyoung's tears and giving her a kiss on the nose.
"I kept my promise too. I know you couldn't see it but, I was there with you, until the very end." Mina pecked her one and only's lips, gazing into her eyes in that way her partner adored so much. Feeling beyond blissful after finally reuniting, they held each other close, looking after their child as vowed ever since she came to exist, together forever.
"Always and forever, as we promised"
Even in the darkness.
Even when only my light is left.
I promise you, I promise you.
Always together, be your light...