3

The Boy with the Bunny Smile

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the cracked windows of the orphanage. The air was lighter than usual — Mrs. Park had decided to take all the children to the park. It was a rare day, a day for laughter and fresh air.

Ana followed silently, her scarf wrapped neatly around her face. The children ran ahead, giggling, their shoes kicking up dust on the path.

Saba, full of energy as always, tugged Ana’s hand. “Come on, Ana! Let’s play!”

But Ana just shook her head. “You go, Saba. I’ll sit here.”

She found a quiet bench under a tree, far from the noise and games. The soft wind brushed through her long black hair as she watched the sky.

Her heart was full, but her mind was tired.

She whispered to herself,

“Never again. I’ll never let anyone use my kindness. I’ll stay quiet. I’ll stay cold. No one will break me again.”

In her past life, her heart had been too soft, too open — and people had only hurt her.

But this time, she had promised herself: no more tears, no more trust.

As she sat lost in thought, a ball rolled gently to her feet. She looked down at it — colorful, dusty, spinning slowly.

Before she could move, a voice echoed through the air,

“Hey! Wait!”

A boy came running — fast, laughing softly, his hair bouncing as he reached her.

He stopped when his eyes met hers.

For a moment, everything fell silent.

It was him again.

The same boy from the supermarket.

He froze in front of her, his hand holding the ball, his breath uneven from running. His dark eyes stared into hers — those same hazel-green eyes that had haunted his thoughts since that day.

Then he smiled — that soft, innocent, bunny smile — the kind of smile that made the world feel gentle for a second.

Ana blinked, confused. Her heart thumped quietly in her chest. Why… does he look so familiar? she thought.

But she quickly lowered her gaze, hiding her face beneath her scarf.

Before she could say a word, Saba came running toward her. “Ana! Come on, they’re giving out juice!” She grabbed Ana’s arm and pulled her away.

Ana glanced back once — just once — and saw him still standing there, holding the ball, watching her leave.

Neither of them knew yet what fate was weaving between them.

But Allah had already written something in their hearts long before they were even born.

The Boy on the Rainy Bench

A year passed quietly like a whisper through time.

Ana turned thirteen, and Saba was fourteen now.

Their lives in the orphanage had become routine — school, chores, prayers, and small dreams stitched between tired nights.

One cloudy morning, Mrs. Park announced,

“We’re going to Daegu for a few days. My hometown.”

The children cheered, happy to leave the gray walls for once. For Ana and Saba, the trip felt like a small adventure — a breath of freedom.

That night, Daegu was wrapped in soft rain. The streets glistened under the yellow streetlights, puddles rippling with every drop.

After dinner, Saba couldn’t sleep. She loved the smell of rain — it made her feel alive.

So she slipped outside quietly, her sandals splashing softly in the puddles.

As she walked past the park, she saw a boy sitting alone on a bench, drenched, his head bowed, his small shoulders shaking.

Curious, she ran to him.

“Hey… are you okay? Why are you crying?” she asked gently.

The boy looked up — his eyes full of tears. He was around her age, maybe a year older, with dark wet hair sticking to his forehead.

“My friends… they all went to a party. They didn’t invite me. They said I’m poor. That I don’t belong with them.”

Saba’s heart softened instantly. She sat beside him, unbothered by the rain soaking her dress.

“Don’t be sad,” she said softly. “One day, you’ll be someone great. The whole world will know your name. You’ll be so handsome and successful that no one will dare make fun of you. I’ll pray to God for you.”

The boy sniffed, looking at her with wide eyes, surprised by her kindness.

Saba smiled and took off a small bracelet from her wrist — a simple silver thread with a small charm.

“Here, take this.”

The boy hesitated. “What’s this?”

“A lucky charm,” she said proudly. “An old man gave it to me once and said it helps when you feel lost. Whenever you’re stuck, hold it and pray. You’ll find your answer.”

The boy smiled for the first time, eyes glimmering under the streetlight.

“Thank you… what’s your name?”

“Saba,” she said, grinning. “I know, it’s unique, right?” She laughed softly.

He nodded shyly. “I’m Taehyung.”

For a moment, they sat there — two young souls, strangers in the rain, bound by a small act of kindness.

Then Saba stood up. “Okay, I should go before Mrs. Park finds out.”

Taehyung quickly asked, “Wait! When will we meet again?”

Saba smiled, stepping back into the rain. “I don’t know… maybe in the future. But remember my words — one day, the whole world will know you, Taehyung.”

And with that, she turned and ran — her laughter echoing through the rain.

Taehyung watched her go, holding the bracelet tightly in his hand.

He didn’t know why… but somehow, her words stayed with him forever.

The Second Meeting

The morning after the rain was fresh and bright. The clouds had cleared, and the sky above Daegu looked washed clean — full of soft sunlight.

Mrs. Park called out, “Ana, Saba, get ready! We’re going to a children’s party in the village nearby.”

Ana and Saba followed her quietly, their dresses simple but neat. The village square was decorated with colorful ribbons, children laughing, music echoing through the air.

As they entered, Ana whispered, “Saba, I’m going to the washroom. You stay here, okay?”

Saba nodded, watching Ana disappear into the crowd. A few moments later, Mrs. Park turned and said,

“Saba! Come, they’re taking pictures!”

Saba hesitated. “But Ana—”

“She’ll come, don’t worry. Come on!” Mrs. Park insisted.

Saba sighed and followed her. The camera was set up under a big tree, the group of kids lined up for the photograph. She stood near the end, beside a few unfamiliar faces.

Just as the photographer counted down, someone stepped beside her — and her heart skipped.

Taehyung.

He was there, smiling shyly at her, his hair still a little messy from the rain.

The camera clicked — flash! — capturing them side by side, smiling without realizing.

Taehyung turned to her. “We meet again.”

Saba grinned. “Yes, Mr. Handsome. I told you, remember? You’ll become someone everyone knows one day.”

He laughed, scratching the back of his head. But before he could reply, a few of his friends came over, teasing.

“Wow, Taehyung! Who’s this girl? She’s really pretty! Hey, can we be friends?” one of them joked, smiling at Saba.

Saba rolled her eyes. “Excuse me, I have to go.” She turned to Taehyung one last time. “See you in the future, Mr. Handsome. Don’t forget me.”

And before he could say anything, she was gone — disappearing into the crowd, her laughter soft like a song in the air.

Taehyung watched her leave, the bracelet still on his wrist, the memory of her words glowing in his heart.

One of his friends nudged him. “She was really beautiful, Taehyung. You’re lucky.”

Taehyung smiled faintly, eyes still on the path where she had gone.

“She’s mine,” he said quietly. “So make distance.”

---

That evening, the bus rumbled softly as it made its way back to Busan.

Rain clouds returned, painting the sky gray again. Ana and Saba sat side by side, watching the raindrops race down the window.

Saba leaned her head on Ana’s shoulder, whispering, “Ana, I met someone again — the same boy from yesterday. His name is Taehyung.”

Ana turned to look at her, smiling softly.

And in that moment, memories from her first life rushed back — Saba’s old crush on Taehyung, her innocent giggles, her dreams.

She looked out the window again, eyes full of peace. Allah had given them both a second chance — a new beginning.

Ana smiled quietly to herself and whispered,

“Alhamdulillah… this time, we’ll live right.”

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