Let my arms be your cape
Nothing can harm you here
The night felt colder than usual. Karina closed her eyes, still fully conscious. Wrapped in her warm sweater, she folded her arms across her chest. The sounds around her were clear: the roar of cars, the soft melody of a song playing at low volume, and occasional questions from the person in the driver's seat that she answered only when she felt it was necessary. Nothing dominated more than the exhaustion that had overtaken her body after a full day of hard work in front of the camera.
She leaned limply against her seat. Today had been exhausting not only for her body but also for her mind. She just wanted to get to her resting place quickly, a place to release the fatigue from all the suffocating hustle and bustle. However, the movement of the car she was riding in felt so slow that it seemed like she would never reach her destination.
There were many things disturbing her thoughts. There were various things holding her back from talking as much as usual. Some people might know the cause, including the person currently driving, but many more did not. The situation was too difficult to explain in detail and too risky to tell many people.
It was enough for her and her trusted person to know.
The past one and a half years had felt heavy for her. She would never forget the starting point when everything became tangled and complicated. The starting point that forced her to hide and pretend that nothing was happening even though she knew everything. She would never forget how much she wanted to end everything at that time, when she felt everything was unfair to her.
Doubt made her overwhelmed. She kept weighing and thinking. Choosing to keep holding on became her final decision.
During the past one and a half years, she had always wondered. Would this storm have an end? Would she regain the peace she always enjoyed before this storm came?
Today, she began to get the answer. Everything that had been planned started to move forward. It could not be denied that she felt quite scared, but it was no longer the time to remain silent. She believed that every step taken was not without reason for her own good.
Slowly, the car entered the area of a fairly luxurious apartment. The car moved into the basement and stopped near the entrance. She sent a short message to her driver before finally putting on a mask and a hat. After that, she grabbed her shoulder bag containing her important belongings and got out of the car.
With the help of her driver, she ensured the situation was safe. Moving stealthily, she headed to the elevator and pressed the floor number she was going to. A clear ding greeted her ears before the elevator doors finally opened. She tried to stay calm as she stepped into the elevator.
Her fatigue slowly faded, replaced by gentle fluttering in her heart as the elevator rose. There was no one else but her. Perhaps because it was already past midnight. Most likely, the residents of the apartment building were already asleep, or maybe they hadn't returned yet. This silence was a sense of security for her; she could stand calmly without worrying that someone would recognize her.
The elevator's movement was so smooth, never once stopping on any floor. It was as if the elevator understood that Karina riding it was impatient to quickly reach the unit she hadn't been able to visit for several days due to her busy work schedule. Only when it reached her destination floor did the elevator stop. Her steps quickened a little as she exited the elevator, heading to one of the units she often returned to secretly. In front of the door, she didn't press the bell, but instead entered the PIN code she had memorized by heart.
The apartment unit was not hers, but its owner had shared ownership with her for some time now. Karina never expected that the job which brought her back together with Y/N would lead them this far. Many man wanted her, many man who could perhaps give her a peaceful life without involving her in difficulties. However, she chose to be with Y/N — the man with dimples whose sincerity always amazed her since the first time they worked together.
The past one and a half years had indeed been difficult for her, but Y/N had faced far more than she had. That was why she held on; she didn’t want to leave you alone in your struggles. No matter how painful her wounded heart felt. No matter how much she held back the tears from her brown eyes. She just wanted to stay by your side in your most difficult times, matching your steps so you wouldn’t feel like you were limping alone in pain.
Was her presence enough to help you endure? Was her being with you during the difficult times enough to lighten your burden? She didn’t know. She just wanted to be with you. And you didn’t let her go either. There was no reason for her not to hold on.
Her hand pushed open the door of the apartment unit. Her memory clearly recorded the various moments that had happened there. She had once received a birthday surprise there before they officially dated. She witnessed how the unit, which originally had a masculine feel, transformed into an apartment unit so comfortable for a young couple to live in. Not only sweet things—the unit had also been a silent witness to their big fight that nearly ended their relationship because of a widely circulated rumor about Y/N.
You reassured her. You asked her to trust you. Then, she tried to do so and managed to hold on until now. The steep path she walked with you made her stronger. Countless times she was called foolish by people who knew their situation for staying with you, but she remained firm in her belief that her choice was not wrong.
Slowly, Karina closed the apartment door again. She took off her shoes and walked inside. The unit was very quiet, but because the main room light was on, she knew you were already there. Her footsteps seemed to know where to go. Her eyes began to catch your figure in a plain white t-shirt sitting on the sofa in the main room. A notebook was open on the table in front of you, displaying a news search page. Without needing to ask, she already knew what you were looking for. All day long, your name had been discussed everywhere. Unfortunately, the news that made you the topic of conversation was not pleasant. Even so, there was a glimmer of hope that things could improve once the truth delivered through this news was finally known to the public.
It wouldn’t be quick, of course. Everything needed a process. Even to reach this point, she and Y/N needed one and a half years. Until everything was resolved, it might take even longer. Moreover, the decision you had taken, which made the news explode in the media. The people who had been hurting you might act even more cruelly. There was no choice but to become stronger. Not just for you, but for herself as well.
Her gaze began to focus, meeting your eyes, which were also fixed on her. The connection in your gazes grew stronger as she stepped closer to you. Her heart ached seeing your face so sad and sorrowful. The smile you tried to show only hurt her more.
How could you still smile after everything that had happened these past few days?
She placed her shoulder bag carelessly, took off her hat and mask, then sat beside you. Your eyes remained locked, unwilling to look away even for a second. She felt her eyes begin to well up with tears, while your dark eyes were slightly glassy.
Silence. Only the rhythm of your breathing could be heard. The longer she looked at you, the more she felt the wounds you carried. She was one of the people who knew how all this chaos began. She was your loyal listener who always listened carefully to every complaint. She was the witness to how hard you had worked to devise a plan to resolve it. She had been involved in every consideration of the steps you would take, because this was not just about her or you alone, but about both of you — about the continuation of your story that had not yet fully found happiness.
Whatever the outcome, Karina would always be by your side. You would taste this bitterness together before later embracing a sweetness whose form you could not yet imagine.
Her hands reached out, pulling your body into her embrace. You didn’t resist. You let yourself melt into the warm hug of the woman you loved so much. Your eyelids closed, along with clear drops falling from your lashes.
“I’m scared…”
Your voice was soft, deep, and slightly trembling, making her heart ache even more. Her embrace tightened. This situation was clearly very heavy. She would become a protective cloak for you with all the strength she had, even if it might not be much.
“You made a good decision. Don’t be afraid. As long as I’m here, no one can hurt you.”
A praise. A belief. A protection. You needed all of it. Your embrace finally returned, followed by you sobbing softly.
“Thank you… I will finish everything… as soon as possible…”
What you both were fighting for was not over yet; it had only just begun. No matter how difficult the situation you would face together, she believed you could get through it. Karina would continue to hold on for the man she would always love and who would always love her.
The coldness of the night slowly melted away.
I'll be there
I'll hug you when you need
When you're depressed
When you're holding on to me