They went to see a movie at the local cinema, and for a time, it was like they had gone back to when they had first started dating. It had all been easier at that point in time; getting to know one another, spending all their free time together and being the happiest they’d ever been. But as the years went by, something in their relationship shifted, becoming something unhealthy.

Others would tell them that all they had to do was split up and go on with their lives after the fact. Yet, nothing in life was that easy, and everything would change if they broke up just like that. Plus, it wasn’t like they had no feelings of love for the other person. It was more that they didn’t spend enough time together like they used to. That was the main issue.

It had started out with texts being less frequent and then it was their schedules that didn’t match enough for them to find time to see each other. At a glance, it would seem like insignificant things that meant little, but in the long run, it would be detrimental to the relationship. And after years of the same thing, it all became too tiring.

And it was like the universe was giving them a second chance when they were sent back in time; a chance to fix their issues and remember what made them love the other person.

Light music played inside the cafe. The walls were painted white, with chairs and tables of the same colour. A variety of plants, in big and small pots, were placed around the seating area and gave the place a pleasant atmosphere.

Chae and Yeosang sat in a booth that was at the back of the cafe and next to them was a window that looked out onto the shopping centre. The sun warmed where they sat and made them both feel calmer than they had done so since they came back to the past. It gave Chae something else to think about other than the issues with her parents.

Silence had reigned between them for a while, but it was different to the one that had transpired at the hardest part of their relationship: it was more comfortable. And Chae was the first one to speak.

“Thank you, Yeo.” It was a nickname that she hadn’t used in a long time. In the beginning, it was like a pet name, something intimate she used to show her care for him, but the more time they spent apart, the less she felt the need to use it. “Today has been nice.”

Yeosang showed a genuine smile and took her hand. “I’m glad. We need to spend more time like this together.” Chae held his hand tighter and returned his smile and agreed to what he said.

“This place reminds me of the cafe we used to go to after Uni.” Chae looked out of the window and watched as other couples moved through the centre. “Those were good days.”

Nostalgia shone in Yeosang’s eyes as he, too, looked out the window and then turned back to look at the woman sitting opposite him.

Chae had always been beautiful, with her styled dark hair and large, bright eyes that were always filled with joy, however to Yeosang, who loved her, she was even more so. Even when things were tough between them, he never thought any less of her. His love for her would never die out, and that was one thing he could guarantee. 

He took her hand once more. For as long as he could, he wanted to keep hold of her and this time, never let go.