A group of friends stumbled out, carefree and loud. Nila chuckled softly to herself. This was the life she wanted: joyful, vibrant, and unafraid. In that moment, she realised that while the world could be unpredictable, it was also filled with laughter, support, and strength. If she took care to watch out for herself, she could navigate through any fear that came her way. As she reached her apartment, Nila felt a sense of empowerment wash over her. The day had been filled with challenges, but she had overcome each one. Tomorrow would be another opportunity to grow, to thrive, and to chase her dreams without looking back. And as she drifted into sleep, the thought of what awaited her tomorrow filled her with excitement. Today had indeed been a great day, and she was ready for more.
The next day, Nila hurried down the dimly lit street, the weight of her long workday still on her shoulders. She could hear laughter echoing through the night, but as she glanced over, her heart sank. A group of drunken revellers stumbled around, loud and rowdy, and a shiver of fear ran down her spine. Trying to maintain her composure, she quickened her pace, but the footsteps behind her grew louder. Suddenly, Nila lost her footing and stumbled to the ground. Panic surged within her as she heard a voice call out from the shadows, "Hey! Are you alright?" A figure rushed towards her, and she instinctively flinched when he placed his hands on her shoulders. But the drunken laughter faded into the distance, and she realised he wasn't there to harm her. "Don't worry, I'll walk you to your apartment," he whispered reassuringly. She felt his warmth and a sense of safety wash over her. As he lifted his hands, Nila took a deep breath, grateful for his presence. Together, they began to walk under the dim streetlights.
He was dressed completely in black—his face masked, only his eyes visible. Curiosity sparked within her. "What's your name?" she asked, hoping to learn more about her unexpected protector. With a gentle chuckle, he replied, "My name is Min Jaekyeon." "Oh! Jaekyeon, nice to meet you. My name is Nila," she said, her nerves slowly settling. As he tried to repeat her name, his pronunciation added a humorous twist. "Nilla!" he exclaimed, making Nila laugh.
"No, it's Nila! N-I-L-A. I know it's a tough one, but it's okay," she chuckled, appreciating the moment of levity against the dark backdrop of her fear. They arrived at her apartment complex, and she paused, turning to him. "Thank you, sir," she said, wanting to express her gratitude."Just Jaekyeon," he replied with a kind smile. "You don't have to call me sir.""Okay, Jaekyeon. Goodnight!" she said, feeling a weird sense of familiarity with him despite their brief encounter."Goodnight, Nilah," he answered warmly. As she stepped into the safety of her building, Nila glanced back. Jaekyeon lingered for a moment, just outside the light, a silent guardian watching over her until she was safely inside. She felt a mix of relief and intrigue as she closed the door, hopeful that their paths might cross again someday. For now, she was just grateful for the unexpected kindness that turned a frightful night into a memorable one. After that night, she decided to come home earlier than usual. The events of the past few weeks weighed heavily on her mind, pushing her to seek a fresh start.