It was January 29th, a day that held double the significance—Minji and Hanni’s fourth anniversary, and Beanie’s birthday, their beloved dog. Minji had promised Hanni she would be home early to celebrate both moments, yet as the clock struck 9 p.m., there was still no sign of her. Hanni sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the empty driveway, waiting, hoping.
The minutes dragged on, each tick of the clock echoing louder in her mind, a painful reminder of the absence. She had grown accustomed to Minji’s long hours—after all, she was the leader of her team, always swamped with work, always pulling overtime. Hanni understood that, or at least, she tried to. But tonight was different. Tonight was supposed to be special. Tonight was their night.
But as the minutes slipped away, doubt crept in. Was Minji really going to forget? Could she be so caught up in work that she overlooked everything they’d promised to celebrate? Hanni’s heart ached with every passing second, the ticking of the clock feeling like a cruel countdown.
Hanni gently lifted Beanie into her arms, her heart heavy. "Beanie, I don't think your mommy's coming home tonight to celebrate your birthday. I don't think she's coming home to celebrate our four-year anniversary either," Hanni said, forcing a smile through the tears welling in her eyes. "But that's okay... we'll have fun, just the two of us."
With a deep sigh, she set Beanie down on the floor and headed to the kitchen. The fridge was stocked with all their favorite foods, a small attempt to make the night feel special, even if it was slipping away. Hanni grabbed a stick of ice cream for herself and a dog treat for Beanie, then made her way to the couch—their couch, the one Minji always claimed as her spot.
Hanni settled onto the cushions, cradling Beanie in her lap, placing her carefully in Minji's usual place. She reached for the remote, scrolling through Netflix, her mind not really on the options. After a moment, she selected Crash Landing on You.
"Oh, Beanie, if only your mommy were here," Hanni whispered with a wistful smile. "She’d go crazy for this show. She loves it." She turned to look at Beanie, who stared back at her with confusion in her big, brown eyes. Hanni chuckled softly. "Well, I guess you don't care, huh? You're a dog, after all."
As episode three starts playing, the clock already struck midnight and Minji was still nowhere in sight. Hanni sighs, usually she would call Minji since she’s worried about her overworking or her getting into an accident.
But today, it was different, she was mad at Minji and she was going to let Minji know about it. She hadn’t called Minji since lunchtime, where she was telling Minji about all the food she was going to cook for dinner. But still, Minji was not home. “Dumb Minji,” Hanni sighs.
Looking at Beanie again, now fast asleep, Hanni stood up and decided to close all the lights and electronics downstairs before making her way upstairs. As she stepped onto the first staircase, there was a knock coming from the door.
She opened the door in annoyance to find a drunk Minji sleeping on her door with a note on her forehead saying, “Hey Hanni, the office had a meeting in the evening, we got a bit stressed so we went out after work. Even though Minji was against this since she said she had somewhere important to go, she took one sip out of manner. She’s yours now, I have many more people to drop off so I’m leaving you this note, thanks and bye!” Hanni looked down at her wife, face red and hair messy.
“Minji you are dead meat,” Hanni whispered to Minji as she dragged her wife indoors. Beanie was awake by now and she stood confused, tail wiggling. “Yeah I know beanie, your mommy is such a drunk baby” Hanni said as she closed the door.
“Wifey… Hanhannnnn,”
“Don’t Hanhan me, where have you been? I waited for you for so long Minji. You’re sleeping downstairs tonight,”
“Hanhan… happy anniversary wifey…”
Those were the few last words before Minji fell asleep on Hanni’s shoulder.
Hanni threw Minji on the couch and stormed upstairs.