Chapter 12

That phone was one he used in college.

At that time, we were in the throes of first love.

The phone recorded all our sweet memories.

His memo pad documented all my preferences.

His photo album was filled with my pictures.

Countless text messages, full of loving words.

Later, even when the phone became slow from long use,

He bought a new one but couldn’t bear to recycle the old one.

He kept it as a memento.

From time to time, he would take it out and browse through the old days.

I never thought this phone would one day become so obnoxious.

He noticed my paused movement.

He walked over and leaned in, also seeing the phone.

He suddenly approached me, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

“We’ve been together for nine years, can you bear to let go?”

“Are you breaking up just because of a misunderstanding?”

“We’re finally getting married.”

“You want to get married in that church in C City, don’t you?”

“We can arrange it right away, okay?”

The word “church” was like a bucket of cold water doused over me.

It suddenly made me sober.

I disgustedly pushed him away.

Quickly picked up my passport and put it in my bag.

Then I took that phone from the drawer and smashed it hard on the floor.

The phone shattered into pieces.

The screen was covered with countless irreparable cracks.

His eyes were filled with intense pain.

I pulled my suitcase and walked around him, who was still in a daze.

“You’re dirty, and this phone is dirty too.”

Things that are dirty should be discarded.