The Stage of Dreams

Min-ju's heart raced as she stepped onto the dimly lit stage, the familiar scent of hairspray and sweat enveloping her like a shroud. She had dreamed of this moment for years, and finally, she was about to debut as a K-pop idol.

The bright lights blinded her for a second, but she blinked away the spots, her gaze locking onto the sea of expectant faces. The air was thick with anticipation, the audience's collective breath a palpable force.

"Ready, Min-ju?" CEO Kang whispered in her ear, his voice a gentle prod.

Min-ju nodded, her voice caught in her throat like a trapped bird. This was it – her chance to shine, to prove herself, and to make her family proud.

The music began, and Min-ju launched into the choreographed routine, her body moving in perfect sync with the other trainees. She felt Tae-hyun's eyes on her, his presence a calming balm for her frazzled nerves.

He was her rock, her partner, and her love.

As the performance ended, Min-ju scanned the crowd, searching for Tae-hyun's smile. That's when she saw him – standing at the edge of the stage, his eyes locked onto hers, his face beaming with pride.

But in an instant, everything changed. A loud crash echoed through the auditorium, followed by screams and chaos. Min-ju's world went dark as she rushed towards Tae-hyun, her heart shattering into a million pieces. "NOOOO!" she screamed, her voice lost in the mayhem.

The next thing Min-ju knew, she was kneeling beside Tae-hyun's lifeless body, his eyes frozen in a permanent stare. The stage, once a symbol of her dreams, had become a nightmare. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to breathe.

How could this be? Tae-hyun was supposed to be by her side, dancing and singing together, forever.

As the reality set in, Min-ju's world crumbled, leaving her with only one question: "Why?"

Min-ju's screams were drowned out by the chaos as she cradled Tae-hyun's lifeless body. She felt like she was in a nightmare, unable to wake up.

"Someone call an ambulance!" CEO Kang yelled, his voice piercing through the mayhem.

Min-ju's vision blurred as she was pulled away from Tae-hyun's body. She stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her.

"Min-ju, come on! We need to get out of here!" Hye-ji, her best friend and fellow trainee, shouted, dragging her towards the exit.

The next thing Min-ju knew, she was in the back of an ambulance, sirens blaring, speeding through the streets of Seoul.

"Tae-hyun...Tae-hyun, please wake up," Min-ju whispered, her hands clasped around his limp hand.

The paramedic's face was grim. "check his pulse...we are running out of time."He screamed, as they tried to maintain his pulse. Min-ju's world shattered into a million pieces.

At the hospital, Min-ju was met with somber faces. The doctors and nurses moved with a sense of urgency, but their eyes told a different story.

"Min-ju, I'm so sorry," one of the nurses said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We did everything we could, but...he's gone."

Min-ju felt like she was in a daze, unable to process the news.

As she stumbled out of the hospital, she was met with a sea of cameras and reporters.

"Min-ju, can you confirm the reports? Is Tae-hyun really...?"

Min-ju's eyes widened as she saw the breaking news headline on a nearby screen:

"K-POP TRAGEDY: TAE-HYUN OF RISE DIES IN STAGE ACCIDENT"

Her world crumbled around her as she stared at the breaking news headline. She felt like she was living in a nightmare, unable to wake up. The reporters and cameras closed in, but she didn't notice. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, the words searing into her brain.

She felt like she had been punched in the gut. "No...no...this can't be happening," Min-ju whispered, her voice lost in the chaos.

"Tae-hyun...no...please," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Hye-ji wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, but Min-ju shrugged it off. She couldn't bear the touch, the sympathy, the pity.

She turned and ran, disappearing into the crowded streets of Seoul. She didn't know where she was going, she just knew she had to escape.

Her phone rang nonstop, but she ignored it. She couldn't bear the thought of talking to anyone, of facing the reality of Tae-hyun's death.

The city blurred around her as she ran, tears streaming down her face. Everyone close to her tried to reach her - Hye-ji, CEO Kang, even her mother - but Min-ju shut herself off from the world.

When she took off into the night, Hye-ji knew how crumpled she felt at the moment. She continued calling Min-ju, but her phone went straight to voicemail.

"Hye-ji, have you seen Min-ju?" CEO Kang asked, his voice laced with worry.

"No, I haven't. She's not answering my calls either," Hye-ji replied, her brow furrowed with concern.

Min-ju's mother was worried sick, pacing back and forth in the dormitory living room when Hye ji walked in from the office. "Hye-ji, where is she? I've been trying to reach her all these past hours but..."

Hye-ji tried to reassure her, "Don't worry, Mrs. Kim. I'll find her. I promise."

At this point, Hye-ji knew she had to do something. She decided to take matters into her own hands. In a rush, she grabbed her jacket and set out into the night, determined to find Min-ju.

She searched the streets of Seoul, showing Min-ju's photo to passersby, asking if they had seen her. But no one had.

**************

Min Ju finally stopped at the Han River, collapsing onto a bench.

The rain poured down on Seoul like a relentless curtain of sorrow, mirroring the anguish that ravaged her heart. She stood alone, a fragile figure silhouetted against the neon lights of the city, her phone ringing unanswered in her hand.

Why did this have to happen? Tae-hyun was supposed to be by her side, dancing and singing together, forever. Grief engulfed her as she stared out at the edge of the river.

Hye-ji's worry turned to fear as the night wore on. Where was Min-ju? Was she safe?. A lot kept running through her deserted thought.

Min Ju heard Hye-ji's worried voice echoed in her mind as she paced nearer and nearer to the very tip of the river, "Min-ju, where are you? Please answer me!"

Her cold silence rather came to play. She was lost in a sea of grief, unable to find a lifeline. She wanted to end it all.

Just when Hye Ji was about to give up, she saw a figure in the distance, she was edged at the Han River. It was Min-ju.

" Min-ju...!!!" She called,relief washing over her face as she rushed towards her. "Min-ju, I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Hye ji lamented but then noticed. Min Ju was about to jump into the river. " Min Ju !!!" Her desperate voice echoed through the silence.

" That's it..." Min Ju's eyes remained shut with tears stained face as she thought she couldn't bear it anymore. Awaiting to be swallowed by the river, a figure emerged from the rain-soaked darkness.

Hye-ji, her best friend and confidante, rushed towards her, concern etched on her face.

In a flash, the two landed their back on the hard yet wet floor. " What do you think you are doing?" Hye Ji shouted, her voice trembled in tears.

Min-ju looked up, her eyes empty, her face pale. "I'm fine, Hye-ji. Just leave me alone." The two struggled for a while as Hye Ji tried to stop her.

Min-ju shook her head, tears streaming down her face like the rain. "I'm fine, Hye-ji. Just leave me alone."

But Hye-ji refused to let go. "No, Min-ju. I won't leave you. We'll get through this together."

Finally, Min Ju allowed her tears overtake her decision as she calmed down. Hye ji wrapped a warm arm around her shoulders and they both drenched down in tears.

" it's okay to cry...let it all out." Hye Ji comforted.

As they stood there, the rain slowly ceasing, Min-ju allowed the rain to carry all the hurt and pain she felt. They sat there in silence, watching the stars twinkle over the Han River.