— The girl with hyacinth scent
I woke up early because I had to go with my sister to her pet shop at the mall. Today, we were also putting my dog, Popo, up for sale. I was leaving for America on Monday to study there, and no one would be able to take care of him. Mable would be too busy managing the shop… and Popo deserved someone who could give him the attention I no longer could.
It hurt even thinking about it.
I had already showered and gotten dressed because Mable was waiting for me downstairs. We decided to eat at the mall since we were in a rush—pet shops had to be ready before the mall opened.
When I reached the living room, Popo ran toward me with his little paws tapping on the floor. I picked him up and hugged him tightly.
"Popo… be good, okay? If you get a new caretaker… I hope you don't forget me."
My voice trembled. I almost cried right there. Letting him go was painful, but I didn't want him neglected or sick because of me.
When we arrived at the mall, we went straight to the shop. I placed Popo gently into one of the dog display cages and helped prepare the shop before opening time. Soon, the mall lights brightened and people began to come in. Mable's staff arrived, and I stepped out to buy food from a fast-food place because we were starving.
After we ate, I helped with the customers. A lot of people stopped to admire Popo—corgis were popular—but he barked at every single person who came close, making them choose another dog instead.
By afternoon, no one had bought him yet. It wasn't that I wanted him sold quickly… I was just worried. I'd be gone soon, and I didn't want Popo left behind with no one to care for him.
I went into Mable's small office, where she was sorting dog accessories and checking what needed restocking.
A few minutes later, Mable walked in and asked, "Do you want some milk tea?"
I immediately smiled. "Of course I want milk tea." I loved milk tea—she already knew that.
As I walked out of the office, I stopped in the doorway.
A girl—beautiful, around my age—was standing in front of Popo's cage.
And Popo… wasn't barking.
He was wagging his tail. Eager. As if he already knew her.
I was so stunned that I pulled out my phone and started recording them. Popo had never been like that with a stranger.
A moment later, the girl spoke to one of our staff.
"I'll buy the corgi," she said softly.
Our staff assisted her immediately. Popo was taken from his cage and placed into the carrier she chose. She walked out of the shop with him—my Popo—nestled inside.
I waited for sadness to hit me… but something strange happened.
Instead of breaking my heart, a warm feeling bloomed in my chest.
Why was I happy?
Maybe because the girl seemed gentle… and I felt—deep inside—that she would take good care of Popo.
It was as if Popo had chosen her.
They were already tidying up the pet shop as the mall prepared to close. I sat alone in Mable's office, staring blankly at the wall, my thoughts tangled around one thing—her. I couldn't understand why my chest felt so heavy when I remembered the girl who bought Popo. There was something strange about what I felt, something unfamiliar, and it unsettled me.
After a while, Mable approached and waved a hand in front of my face.
"Hey, I've been calling you for a while now. You didn't hear me at all," she said. "Come on, let's go home."
I nodded quietly and followed her out of the pet shop.
As we walked toward the parking area, the mall lights reflecting off the pavement, my mind still refused to let go of that girl. Even when we reached the car, her image lingered—clearer than it should have been for someone I'd only seen once.
On the way home, Mable decided we should stop by a fast-food restaurant instead of cooking since it was already late. When we arrived, I stayed inside the car while she went in to order. Minutes passed, then more minutes, and without realizing it, exhaustion pulled me under.
"Hey, hey—wake up."
I startled awake at Mable's voice.
"We're already home. You fell asleep waiting for me," she said.
I took a deep breath, my heart racing as if I'd been dragged out of something far too real.
I had dreamed.
In my dream, I was lying in a large, beautiful room, wrapped in soft sheets. A girl lay beside me, facing me. Her face was blurred, as if covered by mist, but I could feel her—warm, familiar. She leaned in and kissed me, and without hesitation, I kissed her back. Slowly, she moved closer, her body pressing against mine, her lips trailing down my neck—
Then she bit me.
The dream shattered as I woke fully.
Mable frowned. "What kind of dream was that? You look shocked."
"It was nothing," I replied quickly. "I was just surprised you woke me up."
We went inside the house, and Mable prepared our dinner. As we ate, my thoughts drifted again, my mind replaying the dream over and over. I couldn't understand why it felt so vivid… or why it left behind a strange warmth in my chest.
"You're daydreaming again," Mable said suddenly. "You were like this at the pet shop, and now you're the same here. What's going on with you?"
"I was just thinking about Popo," I said, choosing my words carefully. "And the girl who bought him. Out of everyone who approached him, she was the only one he didn't bark at. He really liked her."
I didn't tell Mable about the dream. I couldn't.
Mable shrugged. "Maybe Popo liked her because she was beautiful—and she looked rich."
"Yeah," I said softly. "She really is beautiful. I can't get her face out of my head."
The moment the words left my mouth, I froze.
Mable stared at me, then smirked. "Don't tell me you have a crush on her."
"I don't," I said quickly. "She's a girl. How could I possibly have a crush on her?"
Mable chuckled. "Why not? The heart doesn't care if it's a girl or a boy."
I raised an eyebrow. "That still doesn't mean I have a crush on her."
After dinner, we cleared the table. Feeling unusually tired, I went upstairs, took a quick bath, changed into my pajamas, and lay down on my bed.
As sleep pulled me under once more, the image of that girl returned—her eyes, her quiet presence, the strange warmth she left behind in my chest.
I didn't know why she stayed in my thoughts, or why the feeling refused to fade.
But for reasons I couldn't explain, I hoped I would see her again.
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing.
Who keeps calling me this early? I thought groggily as I reached for my phone and answered it.
"Hello?" My voice was still heavy with sleep.
"Oh, Claire, why are you calling?" I added when I saw her name.
She laughed and said, "Let's meet at the park later. I'll bring Ara and Bren. You're leaving on Monday, so we should spend some time together."
"Okay," I replied. "Let's meet at the park later."
After ending the call, I got out of bed, made my bed, and went downstairs to prepare breakfast for Mable and me.
In the kitchen, I decided to keep things simple—fried rice, eggs, bacon, and hotdogs. As I cooked, my hands moved automatically, but my thoughts drifted. Popo used to stay at my feet whenever I cooked, watching me closely. The memory made my chest feel strangely tight.
When I finished cooking, I remembered the video I had taken at the pet shop. I took out my phone and played it. Popo filled the screen—and so did her.
The moment I saw her again—my heart began to beat faster. Without realizing it, a small smile formed on my lips.
"What are you watching that's making you smile like that?" Mable suddenly asked behind me.
I nearly dropped my phone.
"I'm just watching a video on YouTube," I replied quickly.
"Let me see. Maybe it'll make me smile too," she said teasingly.
"Don't bother. It won't," I answered, turning away.
She raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Maybe that's your crush, that's why. Oh—did you wake up early because you dreamed about her, Ms. Beautiful Girl?"
"Mable, stop it. I don't even have a crush on her," I said, clearly annoyed.
Her laughter only grew louder, making me even more flustered.
After breakfast, Mable said, "I'm going to the mall to buy the things you'll bring to America—for Aunt Eli and anything else you need. Do you want to come?"
"I can't," I replied. "Claire and I are meeting at the park later. Ara and Bren will be there too."
"Okay," she said, grabbing her bag.
After Mable left, I cleaned the house so everything would be neat before I went out. When I finished, my phone beeped. It was a message from Claire.
I'm picking up Ara and Bren first, then we'll go to the park together.
I showered, got dressed, and combed my hair in front of the mirror. As I stared at my reflection, my mind drifted back to my dream from the night before.
Why am I thinking about it again?
It was strange—but in that dream, I had felt so happy. So safe.
Shaking my head, I grabbed my motorcycle keys and left the house. The park was close, but I was too lazy to walk.
On the way, I noticed an old beggar sitting by the road. Something about her made me stop. I approached her and handed her some money so she could buy food.
Suddenly, she grabbed my hand.
"You are lucky," she said, her voice low but firm. "Today, you will meet the one destined for you. But be careful—when the day comes that you are together, many dangers will follow."
My heart skipped. I quickly pulled my hand away, unsettled, and rode off.
When I arrived at the park, I immediately saw Claire, Ara, and Bren and walked toward them.
"You took so long," Claire said. "We thought you didn't want to see us anymore."
"I'm sorry," I replied. "I stopped to help an old beggar."
"That's enough," Ara said gently. "What matters is that you're here."
We had a small picnic. They brought food because they said they would miss me once I left for America. We talked and laughed until Bren suddenly spoke.
"Can I talk to you alone?"
"Sure," I said. "Is something wrong?"
We stepped a little away from the others. Bren handed me something, his hands trembling.
"I know it's late," he said softly, "but can I court you—even if you're already in America? I've liked you for a long time. I was just too shy to tell you."
My chest tightened.
"Bren… I'm sorry," I said gently. "I only see you as a friend. I think it's better if we stay that way."
I didn't want to hurt him, but I needed to be honest.
We returned to Claire and Ara, talked for a while longer, then I told them I needed to go home. As I said goodbye, I walked backward, waving at them—
—and suddenly, I bumped into someone.
We both fell.
I landed on top of her.
When I opened my eyes, my breath caught.
It was her.
The girl who bought Popo.
Time seemed to stop. My heart pounded violently in my chest. The world around us faded.
Reality hit me all at once. I scrambled to my feet, apologized repeatedly, and fled toward my motorcycle, my face burning with embarrassment.
When I got home, Mable wasn't there yet. I sat on the couch, replaying what happened at the park.
Good thing she closed her eyes, I thought. It would've been too embarrassing if she saw me like that.
But then my heartbeat sped up again. I grabbed my chest, startled.
The old beggar's words echoed in my mind.
Is this… the one she said was destined for me?
When Mable arrived, I helped her unpack the groceries, pretending everything was normal.
A day passed.
Then the day came for me to leave for America.
At the airport, Mable hugged me tightly. I hugged her back, holding on as long as I could. Besides my sister, there was someone else I found myself wanting to see before I left.
But I knew I wouldn't.
She didn't even know me.
With that thought, I boarded the plane—and left.