Chapter 1: Love Between Destiny
It was her final few minutes.
As Prithvi walked away, Jinwoo watched her. He was paralyzed, caught in a whirlwind of thoughts. Is this just destiny? Or is it God's cruel game? Prithvi had said it was over, but why did the dreams he once saw continue to haunt him?
"If you said you didn't want me… if you said I'd find someone better… then why did we ever meet? Why did we grow so close? Why did we promise never to leave each other?" Jinwoo's mind screamed in silence. "If we were meant to part like this, why did Destiny bring us together? Just to prove that we can never be one? Just to show that 'forever' is a lie?"
In the next second, the air around Jinwoo turned cold. Prithvi stood before him. Jinwoo looked directly into her eyes—eyes that held a thousand unspoken words. Prithvi reached out, her hand gently touching Jinwoo's jaw.
"Jinwoo, I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I have no other choice. I don't know what else to do. Please… don't ever think that I don't like you. My situation is just… like that. But I will move on. I've already spent two months without talking to you, without seeing you, without even uttering your name. You must move on too, Jinwoo. We can't continue this relationship. It just won't work anymore."
Jinwoo felt his world crumbling. "Prithvi, I can't… I never even imagined that you would leave me. I never thought you'd say we shouldn't talk or see each other ever again. How do you expect me to move on from that? But… I know. That's what you want, isn't it?"
He took a deep breath, his voice cracking. "Your happiness is all that matters to me. I understand now. You want me to move on because if I don't, you'll feel guilty. Fine. Be happy. I won't enter your life again. But that doesn't mean I've moved on. I loved you, I love you, and I will always love you. Whether we are together or not, your smile is my priority. No matter what happens, I will do anything just to keep that smile alive."
Tears streamed down Jinwoo's face. "Prithvi, always stay happy. I hope this universe always gives you the joy you deserve."
Prithvi looked at him one last time. "Jinwoo, thanks. If I've done anything wrong, if I've hurt you… please forgive me. Everything happens for a reason. You'll understand someday. From now on, we are just strangers. Goodbye, Jinwoo. Take care."
She turned and walked away, her own tears blurring her vision. Jinwoo stood frozen, watching her silhouette fade into the distance.
Jinwoo's Reflection:
Destiny is what brought us together and made us close. Fate is what forces us apart after being so inseparable. Destiny and Fate are two opposite sides of the same coin. In a person's life, Destiny makes its entry first, followed by Fate. Destiny starts the story; Fate ends it. Sometimes, Fate brings a happy ending. Sometimes, Destiny starts a story with joy, only for Fate to finish it with broken hearts and unbearable pain. In my story, Destiny began with happiness, but Fate ended it with a shattered soul.
Author's Voice:
Destiny and Fate are two universal forces. They work according to the script already written for a person's life. Jinwoo's life was already written, and Destiny and Fate simply played their parts. Every person has a different story, and these forces adapt accordingly.
However, in this story, Jinwoo's love is more powerful than both Destiny and Fate. But no matter how powerful his love is, he is helpless. Because the woman his soul loves more than anything has told him, "I don't want you." For the sake of her happiness, he is ready to lose his own life. Even though he is strong, he chose to step back because her family and her peace are more important to her. He promised not to disturb her, but he never said he would forget her. He will always be there for her, in the shadows.
Simply put, a person's story starts with Destiny at birth and ends with Fate at death. These forces work throughout one's entire life. Jinwoo hasn't reached his end yet. Destiny has done its part; now, Fate has just entered the scene.
Let's see where Jinwoo's Fate leads him… and how his story truly ends.
But for Prithvi, beyond her family situation, there is another massive problem lurking in the dark...
