STAGE I:
MEETING
It was Saturday evening and Choi Jisu was waiting for her cue to sing in the pub she worked at. This wasn’t her ideal stage but after performing here a few times, she gained a few fans and was hired by the pub’s manager. It paid well, well for at least an upcoming singer that is. She loved it though. This pub became her second home, especially since her family’s overseas in Canada. She grew to love the familiar faces of the people she worked with.
“Please welcome Puzzles’ own Choi Jisu” the host screamed in the crowd. Jisu then walked up to the stage and spoke
“How are you feeling tonight? She cheered and the crowd responded with a laugh. Her eye smile always enchanted them somehow.
“I’ve prepared some songs tonight and I hope you guys enjoy them.” She ended her opening monologue and began strumming her guitar.
As she was performing, Jisu noticed someone was staring at her. This was unusual because often when she sings, people are just doing their own thing, and just enjoying the music. When she turned to look, it was a blonde girl who had the cutest whisker dimples. The girl notices Jisu staring back and she blushes. Jisu let out a chuckle because of the interaction and continued to sing.
After her set was over, she walked over to a bar and noticed the blond girl from earlier. Jisu walked up to her and said hello.
“Hi! Your set was great” The blonde girl replied shyly.
And this moment, Jisu finally got the chance to look at this girl. She had short blond hair, and a toned body, and her whiskers dimples were even cuter up close.
“Thank you! You did seem to enjoy it. ” Jisu teases with a laugh trying to hide the blush that started to creep on her cheek after being complimented by a pretty girl.
“I did. Not many singers dare to use their original songs. I was intrigued. Shin Ryun by the way.” Ryujin offered her hand with a smile.
Jisu accepted the hand and noticed how her hands were long, and soft but calloused which made her think she was also a musician. As their hands meet, there was a warm feeling budding in her chest telling her that she was supposed to be holding this person’s hand.
Immediately after the meeting, they hit it off. They had so much in common. Both are upcoming singers and have the same passion for music. Their music tastes were very similar as well.
Jisu didn’t know how long they talked but she ended up going home feeling happy that she got Shin Ryujin’s number.
STAGE 2:
The Chase
This was the stage where all they wanted to do was spend time with one another. They spend their free time hanging out with each other. The late-night phone calls until one falls asleep, having dates every other day, etc. They were each other’s priority and
Through this, they got to know each other. Their likes, dislikes, etc. At the end of this stage, they were captivated by each other's presence and wanted nothing more than to be with each other. With that said, it wasn’t long till Ryujin asked Jisu to be her girlfriend.
Jisu was at home, watching something when she received a message from the owner of Puzzles
“Can you come over? It’s an emergency”
“On my way”
She immediately run and went to puzzles but when she got there, it was dark and no one was around
“Hello?” She was met with nothing but silence. As Jisu was supposed to leave, suddenly the lights were on
And there she was, Shin Ryujin standing on stage with a guitar strapped to her body and a mic in front of her.
“This for you Choi Jisu, I hope you’ll listen” Ryujin echoed to the microphone
The blonde girl then started strumming her guitar and playing a song, Jisu heard so many many times. It was “I don’t wanna be okay Without You. By Charlie Bug to be exact.”
“But I only think of you
Will we be together soon?
I'm thrown to the wayside
You're planted in my mind”
After finishing the song, Ryujin went down the stage with flowers in her hand and said:
“Choi Jisu, Will you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes”
With this, It leads them right to Stage 3 - The Honeymoon
STAGE 3
HONEYMOON
This is is the stage when they can finally show off their love to each other. The spark was flying and all they wanted to do was spend more time with each other.
It's been five months since they became official. Jisu and Ryujin were eating at a local in-out store. They were seated in one of the booths while waiting for their food. Ryujin was just talking about a new song she wrote and Jisu was a good listener but it wasn’t her fault her girlfriend looked so damn good that day. She couldn’t help but stare at her in awe. Jisu wondered if she saved the world in her past life to deserve someone like Shin Ryujin.
“I love you. ” Jisu said absentmindedly.
“What’s that??” Ryujin asked with a chuckle. The question made Jisu move back down to reality and blush furiously.
“I-i- I love you” She replied. She didn’t want to say it for the first time like this but the cat was out of the bag anyway.
“You don’t have to say it or anything-” before Jisu could finish, Ryujin shut her up by placing a soft kiss on her lips.
“I love you too. If it wasn't obvious.” Ryujin whispered with a smile which made Jisu smile just as wide.
And at that moment, nothing else mattered.
But as all couples, the high began to fade by the end, they knew everything about each other. Have gazillion pictures and memories together and of course a bunch of songs written for each other. As all healthy couples do, they move to the next phase, Comfortable.
STAGE 4
COMFORTABLE
There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable in your relationship. That’s exactly how it should be. But it's what you do with that comfort that matters. Others use it positively and continue to nourish their relationship But for Jisu and Ryujin it made them take each other for granted.
Jisu was waiting for Ryujin at puzzles before performing her set. She has written this new song and wanted to dedicate it to her girlfriend. But it's been 15 minutes and she’s still nowhere to be found. Worst of all, no texts/phone calls were saying she’ll be late or if she’s not coming. Her boss was already angry at her for making the audience wait. So, she had no choice but to perform. With a sigh, Jisu made her way to the stage.
After her set was over, She saw Ryujin beside the war waving at her nervously.
“I know you’re mad but I have good news” Jisu then urged her to go on.
“I’m finally getting signed” Ryujin’s voice was full of happiness and excitement.
And at that moment Jisu’s anger disappears. She was so happy for her girlfriend knowing how she wanted this opportunity. She immediately gave her a warm-felt hug that lasted for a few minutes.
“But there’s a catch….” Ryujin mumbled shyly.
Jisu looked her in the eyes signaling her to continue.
“They said if I want this chance that I have to move to LA. But I haven’t told them an answer yet. I wanted to talk with you first.” Ryujin said while holding Jisu’s hand.
Jisu was dumbfounded, to say the least. She doesn't want Ryujin to go. She wants her to stay here by her side. But she knows how big of an opportunity this is. Having Ryujin pass it up just because of her would be selfish. She couldn't do that to her. She loved her too much for that.
“This opportunity only comes once in a lifetime babe. You should do it.” Jisu said sincerely while looking into Ryujin’s eyes. Even though just the thought of being far away from her love already makes her heartache.
It's been a month since Ryujin left for LA. Both of their schedules were filled but they still managed to talk to each at night. Ryujin would talk about how her day at the studio went and Lia would tell her about puzzles. It's been going well for them. Despite the distance, they still managed to keep the flame alive until Jisu started slipping away and Ryujin couldn't do anything but watch the love of her life slowly slip away.
STAGE 5
TOLERANCE
It started with just Jisu missing their scheduled video chat dates. Ryujin didn’t mind it at first but then it started getting worse. They went from talking every day to none at all and when they do all they do is fight.
Ryujin doesn’t even know what they’re fighting about. Every time she tries to reach out to Jisu she immediately gets shut down. Ryujin was so frustrated. She doesn’t know what’s happening. They used to be so in love and happy and now they barely talk.
Ryujin daydreamed about this moment many times. Getting signed to a record label, having people listen to her music but hate the fact her dream comes with a cost: losing the love of her life.
STAGE 6
Downhill
Ryujin
Can we talk pls?
Tell me what I did wrong, so I can fix it.
Don’t you even love me anymore???
Read: 2:00 pm
It's been 3 months since Jisu started acting distant. Ryujin hated every minute of it. She managed to convince her manager to let her go back to soul to visit family. She just wanted a chance to salvage her relationship and talking face-to-face would be the only proper way to do it. She just hopes Jisu still wants to fix things as well.
After a gruesome 13-hour flight, she finally landed back in Seoul. Ryujin immediately took a train to her girlfriend’s house with one thing in mind: to fix things.
When she got to Jisu’s house, she was immediately greeted by the mess. There were alcohol bottles everywhere, and crumpled music sheets were thrown all around.
As she went inside, she was met face-to-face with Jisu.
She looked so different. The older girl’s hair was a mess, her eyes were bloodshot. Overall she looks like a mess which immediately made Ryujin go over to her and give her a bone-crushing hug.
As they were hugging, tears immediately burst from Ryujin’s eyes.
“I missed you.” Ryujin said in a sob while burying herself into her lover’s shoulders.
“How have you been?”
Silent
“Are you okay??”
Still Silent…
Ryujin was so overwhelmed with emotions that she didn’t even realize that Jisu didn’t hug her back.
“We should talk” Jisu finally spoke. Her voice sounded shut like she’s been crying for days. The latter nodded and backed away.
“We should break up. I can’t do this anymore”
STAGE 7:
BREAK UP
Ryujin couldn’t believe those words came from Jisu. Jisu, who she believed was supposed to be the love of her life, now wanted to break up with her.
Tears started streaming down her face, she didn’t know if it was the exhaustion from the travel or just the aftermath of getting her heart broken.
“Can I least know why?” The younger girl asked while trying to stare into Jisu’s eyes who was just head down since the whole conversation started.
Jisu then lifts her head up and at that moment Ryujin saw how she was also a crying mess.
“I just can’t do this anymore.” Jisu said softly. Ryujin then tried approaching her but was once again pushed back
“What did I do?”
“Please tell me so I can fix it!” Ryujin yelled in frustration. Tears continued to stream from her face. Her voice started to crack and immediately sat down.
Jisu feels her heart break to pieces while watching Ryujin break down in tears.
She never wanted to hurt her but she just can’t be with her anymore.
Ever since Ryujin got the record deal, there was this heavy feeling in her chest. She tried to brush it off because she was genuinely happy for Ryujin.
She knows the blood, sweat, and tears Ryujin had to go through just to be in the position she is in.
But as the months go back, She couldn’t help but feel bitter. In Jisu’s mind, she worked hard too, But why was she never given a break?
She has written so many songs, and met so many producers but yet nobody wanted her songs, her voice, her.
Things got worse when her gig at puzzles was suddenly canceled. It turned out the pub was being renovated.
As soon as it happened, Jisu couldn’t even talk to Ryujin without feeling like shit.
She felt like a failure but mostly, she felt disgusted with herself.
What kind of person felt jealous of the success of the love of her life?
They were supposed to be a team, sharing in each other’s success. failures but in Jisu's current state, she knows she can do it.
Her heart was still full of envy and knows she shouldn’t be with Ryujin if there was nothing but darkness in her heart.
Jisu then approached Ryujin kneeling in front of her and using the hem of her hoodie to wipe Ryujin’s tears away.
She gave her ex-girlfriend a sad smile. Her heart broke seeing how Red Ryujin was from all the crying. Her shirt was soaked and her hair was a mess.
“Being with you made me happy. Thank you so much for making me feel loved. I want to stay with you more than anything but I really can't right now. I hope you understand.” Jisu said softly while holding Ryujin’s hand for what seemed like the last time.
Jisu then engulfed her in one final hug. Both wanted it to last forever but knows that this was the end.
Both of them stood up.
“Ever since I met you, All I wanted was to make you happy. If this will make you happy so be it even if it means breaking my heart to pieces.” Ryujin said in whimpers and then walked away from Jisu for good.
This is the worst stage, the end of the line. The change would so drastic at first but as time goes by the would eventually be okay again. After this, they both will start a new path, away from each other eventually going full circle to being strangers once again.
All that’s left would be memories of what once was.