THE BEGINNING AFTER THE END

The silence of the night was broken by Joonwoo's voice, like a sudden intrusion into my thoughts. I looked up from my desk, finding his smile and the steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

I couldn't help but return the smile, grateful for the unexpected offer. "Sure, Joonwoo Thanks."

We made our way to the break room, the warmth of the coffee already providing relief against the chilliness of the night air seeping through the open windows. Settling at a small table, we savored the first sips of our hot drinks, steam rising from them as if adding to the cozy atmosphere.

"You know, Rowan , we're not getting any younger," Joonwoo said with a chuckle. But there was a hint of longing in his eyes, barely visible in the dim light.

As I stirred cream into my coffee, creating swirls and patterns in the blending colors, I shook my head playfully. "Speak for yourself. Twenty-five is still young."

Joonwoo's laughter filled the otherwise quiet room, mixing with the faint hum of vending machines. "Well, maybe not fresh out of college anymore. Speaking of age, my parents have been dropping hints about me settling down and getting married."

I raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Already? You're still so young, Joonwoo."

But he just grinned mischievously, his breath visible in the cold air. "It's a parent thing, I guess. So tell me, how's work treating you? Assistant manager ,I don't want to be promoted like that ."

I leaned back in my chair, gazing out into the dark night as I blew on my coffee to cool it down. The steam from my cup mingled with the crisp night air, adding a sense of tranquility to the bustling city outside.

 "It has its tough moments," I admitted to Joonwoo, who sat across from me. His hands were wrapped around his own steaming cup, seeking warmth in the chilly evening. "Managing projects, deadlines, can be a handful sometimes."

Joonwoo nodded understandingly, taking a sip of his coffee.

 "I can't imagine the work load," he replied. "You know, sometimes I wish I could just teleport out of the office when things get crazy."

A laugh escaped me at the thought, blending with the distant sounds of office machines and faint sirens outside. "Wouldn't that be something?" I said wistfully. "But until we can hack reality, coffee will have to do."

Our laughter hung in the air, providing a much-needed break from the seriousness of our jobs. The warmth of our cups soaked into our hands, connecting us in that moment.

Beyond the office window, the world glowed after the earlier rain. Leaves glistened with raindrops, and the smell of damp earth drifted on a gentle breeze ,The blending of seasons was a quiet beauty, offering a brief escape from life's regular patterns.

Joonwoo's eyes sparkled mischievously as he turned towards me.

"So, Rowan , any secret plans? Maybe a surprise wedding announcement?"

I chuckled and shook my head.

"No such plans," I replied playfully.

"For now, I'm just focused on work."

His grin grew wider, illuminated by the soft light in our shared office space. "Well, if you ever need an escape plan," he said slyly. "You know I'm here."

"I won't forget that,"

I replied, raising my coffee cup in a mock toast to his offer.

As we sipped our coffees and chatted about personal and work matters, a warm friendship embraced us. It was a welcome break from the night's challenges. The rain had stopped, leaving behind a calm and peaceful atmosphere that was occasionally broken by the sound of a distant car passing by.

Eventually, it was time to leave the office for the night. As I made my way through the city streets towards my apartment, I couldn't help but crave the comfort of home and maybe some instant ramen from the corner store. City lights illuminated my path through the darkness, guiding me towards my destination. Just as I entered the convenience store, my phone buzzed in my pocket. "Hi, Mom," I answered cheerfully.

" Rowan ! How's your night?" My mother's voice echoed over the phone.

Basket in hand, I headed to the ramen aisle, the fluorescent lights casting moving shadows on the shelves. "Good, just work stuff," I replied as I scanned through various flavors of ramen packets , "what about you mom".

"Just usual chores," my mom said with a sigh. "Your dad and I were talking about your next visit."

A chuckle escaped me as I grabbed several packets of my favorite ramen flavor. Their vibrant colors popped against the white shelves in the bright aisle. "I'll come soon, maybe this weekend?"

"That's great," my mom exclaimed happily. "How's your friend? Still in touch?"

Despite being miles apart, her playful tone was evident even through the phone line. Rolling my eyes playfully, I replied, "Mom, we're friends and co-workers. Nothing more."

She laughed. "Okay, dear. Just remember, your old mom wants you to be happy."

"Thanks, Mom. You're the best." With each word exchanged, I felt a strong sense of love and warmth spread through the call. My heart was full as I said goodbye to my family and made my way back home, eager to relax and enjoy some hot ramen.

Stepping out into the cool night air, I was once again enveloped by the embrace of darkness. My bag heavy in my hand, I began my journey home, but then a sudden flash of blinding light halted my steps – destiny's collision. Pain surged through every fiber of my being, rendering me unable to think coherently. My mind was a jumble of thoughts and sensations, each one more chaotic than the last.

The pain was intense, like a searing hot blade slicing through my body. Every breath was a battle against the torment, and I could hear sirens blending with the ambient sounds of the night.

But just as suddenly as it had come, the pain changed. Numbness spread like a cold blanket over my body, replacing the previous suffering with a detached sense of emptiness. I felt adrift, a single island floating in a vast sea of indifference.

Amidst this numbness, memories flooded my mind – scenes etched in vivid detail by the play of light and shadow. With all my heart, I yearned to hold onto these memories, to treasure them forever. There were moments with family and loved ones, dreams that once seemed so attainable, regrets that weighed heavy on my soul – all bound together by a heartbeat that fought to endure.

But as I struggled to make sense of it all, everything around me blurred and merged into one another, shrouded by the curtain of night. The numbness had enveloped me completely now, erasing any sense of sensation or awareness. Was it a truck that hit me? Metal and impact flashed through my mind like fragmented pieces in a fog.

Unspoken words and unfulfilled desires weighed heavily on my heart like burdens. In that moment, it felt as though the entire universe paused along with me – life's edge and the abyss hidden behind the secrets of the night.

And then, there was silence. A profound and absolute stillness that wrapped around me like a velvet shroud, muffling all sounds until there was nothing but the overwhelming quietude. And within that silence, I felt my consciousness ebb and flow, my head throbbing persistently in protest.

My vision remained blurry, a mosaic of indistinct shapes and colors that refused to come into focus. With every ounce of strength left in me, I tried to rise from the shabby, creaking bed beneath me – but my body betrayed me with its weakness, as if it were made of fragile threads barely holding on.

It felt like I was trapped in a dream, struggling against the weight of reality. Each movement was an uphill battle against both my aching body and the unfamiliarity of this new world that had enveloped me.

Squinting through hazy eyes, I expected to see the sterile walls of a hospital room, but instead, my vision gradually cleared to reveal an old and weathered house. .

Confusion mingled with exhaustion as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. Where am I ? did I die? Is this some rundown hospital? My mind felt fragmented and foggy, unable to piece together the fragments of my experience.

With one last desperate effort, I managed to sit up, every inch of my body screaming in protest. Despite the pain and disorientation, a thought tugged at the corners of my mind ,which made my heart ache heavily – a thought that whispered this was not just a hospital room, nor was it the world I once knew.