Childhood Days
Nari and Bangchan grew up together in a sleepy town by the sea. Their families lived just a few houses apart, and their bond was as natural as the air they breathed. They were more than just friends—they were family. Their parents were close, often gathering for evening meals, and Nari and Bangchan would spend hours together, playing outside, getting into trouble, and sharing their secrets.
"Bangchan, what do you think will happen when we grow up?" Nari asked one evening as they lay on the grass, staring up at the sky.
"I don’t know," Bangchan replied, rolling onto his side to look at her. "But I know one thing for sure. No matter where we go, I’ll always be there for you."
Nari smiled at his words, feeling comforted. Even as a child, she couldn’t imagine her life without him. Whether it was playing soccer in the park, riding their bikes around the neighborhood, or sharing silly jokes, their friendship was unshakable.
The best part of their childhood was when they would climb to the top of the large oak tree in Bangchan's backyard. They’d sit there, legs dangling over the edge, and dream about the future.
"I think we’ll always be best friends," Nari would say, her eyes sparkling.
"Always," Bangchan would promise, his grin wide.
They didn’t know it then, but those childhood moments were the foundation of a relationship that would last far beyond their small town.
High School: Growing Up Together
As high school came, things began to shift. Though Nari and Bangchan’s bond remained strong, they started to grow into different people. Bangchan developed a love for music, forming a small band with his friends. Nari, on the other hand, became more focused on academics, eventually getting a part-time job at a local café to help her family. Despite their differences, they still found time to hang out—whether it was late-night walks around town or studying together for exams.
But with these changes came a sense of uncertainty, especially as the day of graduation neared. Nari often found herself wondering what would happen once they were no longer in the same place every day.
"I don’t know if I’m ready for all this change," Nari admitted one night, sitting on the roof of her house, legs swinging.
"I know what you mean," Bangchan said, his voice gentle. He always understood how she felt. "But no matter where we end up, we’ll be fine. You know that, right?"
Nari nodded, but deep down, she feared things would be different once they left the safety of their small town. They both had big dreams, but those dreams were leading them in different directions. Bangchan was planning to move to the city to pursue his music career, while Nari was staying behind to help her brother, Jiho, who had just started a new job after their parents passed away.
The Goodbye
It was one week before Nari’s family was set to leave for the city. Her brother Jiho had just received a major promotion, which meant their lives were about to change drastically. The small town they had grown up in was no longer their home. They had to pack up and start fresh in a new place. Nari had known this day was coming, but it still hit her like a ton of bricks.
Bangchan and Nari sat on the edge of the park’s fountain, the same spot they’d always sat when they needed to talk.
"I can’t believe you’re really leaving," Bangchan said quietly, his voice full of sadness.
"I know," Nari replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I never thought it would be this hard."
The silence stretched between them. Nari looked over at Bangchan, noticing the way his eyes were a little too bright. He was trying to stay strong, but she knew how much this was affecting him.
"I’m going to miss you so much, Bangchan," Nari said, her voice breaking slightly. "I don’t know how to do this without you."
Bangchan turned to her, his eyes soft and earnest. "You’ll never have to. We’ll stay in touch. I promise. And one day, we’ll see each other again. No matter where we are, we’ll find our way back to each other."
Nari nodded, trying to hold back the tears. "I don’t want things to change. I don’t want to lose you."
"You won’t," Bangchan said firmly. "Not ever."
They hugged each other tightly, the weight of the moment settling over them. It was a goodbye, but it didn’t feel like one. It felt like a promise—one they both knew they would keep.
Staying Connected
Nari’s move to the city was harder than she expected. Despite the bustling streets and the excitement of living in a bigger place, she felt the absence of her childhood and, most of all, Bangchan. Her brother Jiho was busy with his new job, and though Nari tried to make friends, it never felt like home.
She and Bangchan kept in touch, of course. Every day, they would text, call, or have video chats. It became their routine. They’d talk about their days, share updates about their lives, and remind each other of the promises they made.
But as the months passed, Nari couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. The screens, the phone calls—they didn’t fill the space Bangchan used to occupy in her life.
One night, after a long day of work and errands, Nari lay in bed, her phone in her hands. She had just finished texting Bangchan, as usual, but it wasn’t the same. She missed him. She missed the way he made everything feel lighter, the way he knew how to make her laugh even when she was down. But most of all, she missed just being with him.
She sighed and put her phone down, staring at the ceiling. She was about to close her eyes when she heard a faint noise outside her window. She furrowed her brows, unsure if she had heard something or if it was just the wind. But then, she heard it again—this time, more clearly. A soft tapping.
She slowly stood up, walking toward the window with a curious expression. She opened the blinds, and her breath caught in her throat.
There, standing in the dim light of the streetlamp, was Bangchan.
"Nari!" he called softly, waving up at her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately threw open the window. "Bangchan! What are you doing here?"
He grinned, holding up a small bouquet of flowers. "Surprising you. It’s your birthday, and I couldn’t just send a message. I needed to see you."
Nari was speechless, a flood of emotions rushing through her. She quickly grabbed her jacket and ran downstairs, not caring about anything else. When she opened the door, she found Bangchan standing there, his smile warm and familiar.
"I can’t believe you came all the way here for me," Nari said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Of course I did," Bangchan replied, stepping closer. "You didn’t think I’d miss your birthday, did you?"
Nari shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. "You always know how to make me feel better."
Bangchan handed her the flowers, and she took them gratefully, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. "I’m so glad you’re here," Nari whispered, her heart full.
He smiled softly. "I couldn’t miss it. You’re my best friend, Nari. No matter where we are, I’ll always find a way back to you."
Tears slipped down Nari’s cheeks, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. She reached out and hugged him tightly, feeling the familiar warmth of his embrace. It was the best birthday surprise she could have asked for.
As they stood there in the quiet of the night, Nari realized that no matter the distance, no matter how much time passed, their bond would never break. They had made promises long ago, promises to always be there for each other. And Bangchan had kept his word.
"I missed you so much," Nari whispered, pulling back to look at him.
"I missed you too," he said softly. "And I always will."
And for the first time in a long while, Nari felt complete again, with Bangchan standing by her side. No matter what the future held, she knew that their bond would never fade, no matter how far apart they were.