"Hello, girlfriend! Where are you? Jang called me before they boarded. Please call me back once you get this message. Take care! Miss you!"

It was Rich's voice message. Mara didn't take Rich's call. She just listened to the message. It's not that she doesn't want to talk to Rich. She doesn't want to burden him again. So instead, she just sent him a text message.

 Mara: Best friend, I'm at work. I'm doing fine. Take care! Miss you too!

She thought she would be okay. But she isn't. It's her first night alone in her apartment. She sees Josh everywhere. She decided to just stay in the living room and put the tv on. As she found it hard to sleep, she was talking loudly to herself.

"This is crazy weird! You should be used to this by now! It isn't the first time you have to be alone! Get yourself together!"

The silence and loneliness reminded her of so many things. It's just that this time she wishes to see Josh soon. Before she wished not to see the face of the man who broke her heart three years ago, her tears started falling, and she fell into sleep with sadness and longing for Josh.

***

Eighteen hours have passed. The loud ringing of Mara's cellphone awakened her. Without checking the caller ID, she answered the call.

"Hello!"

"I miss you! I sent you so many messages, but you haven't read them. You were offline. Good thing I kept my line there and could still call your phone." Josh's voice was of both relief and happiness.

A tear fell from Mara's eye. "Did you just arrive? I miss you so much!" She felt her heart constricted from both sadness and happiness.

"I will call you again tonight." Josh's voice croaked. "Our ride is here. I love you!"

"I love you too!" Mara's voice softened. 

It was a relief that they could communicate with each other fast with today's technology. Even though it was a brief conversation, hearing Josh's voice motivated her for the day. As she started preparing for work, she tried encouraging herself in front of the mirror.

I can do this! I need to work to pay my bills! 

As she entered her workplace, her cellphone chimed. It made her smile when she read the message.

Josh: We just arrived home. Message me once you arrive at work. 

Mara's lips curved into a big smile when she remembered Josh's previous request.

Mara: I'm at work now, Oppa. Love you! How do you like my message?

Josh had a big laugh upon reading Mara's reply. At last, she called him Oppa. Though he knows she is teasing him, he can imagine her face while writing her message.

***  

Josh never missed a day; as promised, he called Mara morning and evening. After that, they both went back to their work lives as usual. But their feelings for each other grew stronger and deeper despite their distance. And after almost a month, Josh told Mara he was flying to Boston to spend Christmas with her. Mara was so excited, and as per their agreement, Mara asked for a three-week vacation from her work.

But days before Josh's flight date, Mara got a call.

"I got an emergency assignment for three days. I can't fly on my schedule. What do I do now?" Josh's voice couldn't hide his disappointment. 

"What do you mean?" Mara's brows raised. "Are you saying you will not just reschedule but cancel?"

"I think so. I'm sorry!"

Mara cleared her throat. "I understand. Don't worry; I will try to take back my leave. I'll talk to you again later."

Josh didn't get to say anything more because Mara hung up on him. He tried calling her back, but she turned off her phone. Mara doesn't want to talk to anyone. Disappointment and sadness replaced her excitement. She stopped herself from sending him the message playing on her mind.

I was hoping to see you soon. But I guess it will not happen—another lonely holiday.
Not new to me.

Josh worried he couldn't reach her right after talking to Mara anymore. Her phone is off. He knew by the sound of her voice that she was disappointed. It frustrated him more that she didn't give him the chance to tell her what he had planned for them to do since he could not go to her; he intended for her to come to him instead.

***

"Hey Jang, what's up?" Rich answered on the other line.

"Hi, Rich! Are you busy right now? Josh needs to talk to you."

"It's okay. I just arrived at my house. I'll be preparing for my flight. Remember, I'm seeing Mara before Josh comes there?"

"Hello, Rich. Josh here. I can't contact Mara. I called her yesterday to tell her I couldn't fly to Boston because I got an emergency schedule, but before I could say to her, I would plan for her to come here instead. Unfortunately, she had already hung up the phone. And after that, I can't reach her anymore; it's like the phone is off." Josh took a deep breath. "I'm just so worried. I was hoping you could convince her to please take my call."

Rich sighed aloud from the other line. "I understand, don't worry. I'll try to call her, but knowing her, she might have turned off her phone to have her quiet time. But anyway, if I can't call her, don't worry. I'm seeing her tomorrow, anyway. I'll call you once I arrive. And then you can tell her about your plan. Bye Josh!"

"Thanks, Rich, bye!"

Mara didn't know that Josh asked Jang to arrange for her to come to Korea and spend her three-week leave with him since he could not fly to her. He wanted to surprise her by bringing her to the Jeju islands. Josh's worry and anxiety were over the roof, knowing how disappointed Mara was. If only he could fly to her right now.

 ***

"Mara, you have a phone call in line 2. It's Rich."

Mara, though surprised, nodded. "Thanks! I'll take the call from here."

"Rich! Have you arrived?"

"Hey, girlfriend! I am at the airport now. Why is your phone off?"

A long pause on Mara's end followed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to charge my phone battery. Are you going straight to the apartment? Just wait for me there. I have one more hour; then I'm off."

Rich knew from the sound of Mara's voice that she was pretending to be okay. "Take your time. I will take a nap while waiting in the apartment. See you!"

"Bye, see you soon!"

Mara's thankful that she has Rich, who is always there for her. He has good timing! Thank God for best friends!