A New Day.
Reality doesn't
wait for dreams to settle.
In real life, I have so much work piled up—
especially the wedding canvas I need to make for my sister.
I sigh softly.
So much to think about.
Hair tied back.
Sleeves rolled up.
Blue glasses resting on my eyes.
Screen glowing in front of me.
I start searching for pictures of her and her fiancé,
scrolling through social media, carefully, thoughtfully.
"Hmmm…"
Finally.
I find a few perfect ones.
"Yes… these will look beautiful together."
But then—materials.
I pick up my phone and start typing messages,
ordering supplies list to Advik .
Canvas.
Paints.
Textures.
Everything I'll need.
I draw the outlines carefully curve, every fold.
With scissors in hand,
I cut the materials piece by piece,
slowly, precisely.
Cut.
Adjust.
Trim again.
For the bride's dress on the canvas, I choose long, thin white sticks—
delicate, luminous ones that softly glow in the darkness.
They shine gently, almost like moonlight woven into fabric.
I imagine them flowing across the canvas,
layer by layer,
forming the bride's gown—
light, elegant, unreal.
For the groom, I choose black crystals.
Deep, sharp, and mysterious—
crystals that shimmer subtly in the dark,
catching light only when viewed from the right angle.
The room is a mess.
Paint tubes scattered everywhere.
Crystals spread across the floor.
I place each element carefully,
pressing it down,
then stepping back to check the angle.
No rush.
No compromise.
I lean closer, tilt my head, adjust the lighting—
trying again and again
until every detail feels right.
Perfect.
Stretching my shoulders and hands, I tied my hair up again.
Time slipped away unnoticed.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
It was Advik.
"Advik?" I said, surprised.
"You've come at the right time," I added quickly.
"I wanted to show you Rimjhim's bridal dress—what I was imagining for her—"
He cut me off mid-sentence.
"Miss, "
"What's wrong?" I asked, confused.
He stood there silently for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"It's Sir's order. You will have to return to the university tomorrow.
And… you'll need to change your phone number."
I smiled faintly.
"I understand he's worried about me," I said calmly.
"But that doesn't mean I can't even attend my cousin's wedding."
"Tell him not to worry. I'll only watch the wedding from a distance and leave quietly."
I was angry now.
"Miss, please try to understand—" he began.
"I said I'll watch it from afar," I interrupted sharply.
"And if he still doesn't understand, then go talk to Amma(Grandmother)."
Before he could say anything else,
I shut the door on his face.
My eyes filled with tears.
Sleep had completely left me.
I took out my sleeping pills and swallowed them,
then lay down on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.
The entire night passed like that—
just staring.
Because honestly…
I'm tired of complaining,
tired of waiting,
tired of fighting.
Truly tired.
My eyes blured…
and what I saw next was truly unexpected.
I found myself inside a private hospital room.
Where did I end up now?
A patient lay unconscious on the bed, an oxygen mask covering his face.
I stepped closer.
Slowly… carefully…
and then I saw his face.
No-gul.
I am stunned.
The surroundings were unmistakable—a Russian private hospital.
Guards stood outside the door.
′ He look insanely wealthy.′
I tried to touch him—
but my hand passed through him.
I couldn't.
"Am I dead? Is this my soul? What is even happening…? But whatever it is—at least I still look beautiful. "
Just then, a man [Ho-Seok] in a black suit entered the room.
He sat beside him and gently ran his fingers through his hair, combing it back with quiet familiarity.
"Hyung…" he whispered, his voice cracking just a little.
"How long are you going to leave me alone like this?"
'Is that voice his? Is he his younger brother?
No… their faces don't really match, but hmm… maybe a little bit of the handsomeness is there—though the brains definitely aren't ′
He sniffed dramatically, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.
"Hyung… I'm running out of money. Between hospital bills and handling these oxen expenses, my pockets are literally torn—I look like a broke beggar now. If you don't wake up soon, I'll have to sell my kidney." 😭💸
A pause.
"Don't test me. If survival demands it,
I'll sell yours also—
so we can stay alive together… evenly."
He let out a melodramatic cry.
"Hyung "
"I have to wash my own dishes. Clean my own mess. Eat alone."
He scrunched his nose, trying to hold back tears, then leaned closer.
"Hyung… I'm warning you," he said seriously, though his lips trembled.
"If you don't wake up soon—"
He sniffed again.
"I'll go on a hunger strike."
′Oh, this boy's voice is tearing my eardrums—no wonder it's echoing all the way into my dreams.′
I want to cover his mouth to shut him up, but my hand keeps passing right through her.
No matter how much I try—hit his head, slap his cheeks—he's not going to stop.
I'll have to do something else.
My eyes darted around the room again.
I rushed toward the door, trying to open it—
but I couldn't.
I pulled back, panicked— Like some unseen force was controlling me
and suddenly—
I gasped.
Back to reality.
"Hospital...".
'So , he's in a coma.
But how will I find him?′
Maybe our minds are somehow connected…
That's why, even for a short while,
I was able to see the world outside his dreams.
I need to find that boy.
But how?
What should I do…?
Think.
Think.
Think—
And then my eyes fell on Meow,
sitting quietly and staring at the bride on my canvas.
An idea struck me.
A bridal shop.
I picked up my phone and called Meera.
"Hi… I need your help. Can you do something for me?"
"What happened?" she asked.
"Kidnap me." I added quietly,
She broke into laughter.
To Be Continued…