A few years ago, I had a dream. The same dream that appears in spring. A dream where I was in a field of wildflowers—where once the cold winds of winter dissipate, the gentle breeze of spring takes place.

Spring—a fresh start for new beginnings, as flowers bloom with hues of pink, white, and yellow, can be seen on the grassy field.

It is a breathtaking view, and I feel at ease in this world of serenity. I close my eyes as I let my thoughts wander around how beautiful and at peace this place is—or so I thought.

When I fluttered my eyes open, I noticed something—no, someone! There, a silhouette was standing mere inches away from the cherry blossom in front of me. I could tell that they were looking at me. I should be scared, yet their presence comforts me. I wonder why?

“Do you believe in soulmates?” the silhouette asked, a question that I have heard far too many times, to the point that it has become a broken record. “No, I do not,” I confidently answered.

Believing in soulmates is merely an illusion. It is believed that our pinky finger has a string attached to a person we are fated with.

In fact, why do human beings believe that having a soulmate means you have a connection? Are people desperate to have one in their lifetime? I do not know, but for sure, my perception of soulmates will never change.

“Really? I believe having a soulmate is beautiful since they are destined to be with you ’til the end of time,” the unknown figure replied. They sound happy, yet why is my heart pounding heavily? I can’t explain these feelings.

“One day, you will understand those feelings. Feelings of happiness and love without doubts.” Next thing I knew, the silhouette vanished along with the wind.

Those words echoed in my head for years, as if taunting me.

The seasons change, every shade of hue is seen, and yet every memory of that dream is slowly becoming a reality.

A sense of deja vu hits me while walking side by side with someone I have known for a long time.

“Say, do you believe in soulmates?” The moment we stopped walking, there was a pause as I pondered what to say.
“What about soulmates?”
“Yeah, you know, two people that have some sort of red strings attached to them, and they have to find their other half,” they replied gleefully.
Ah, the red string of fate theory.
“I don’t believe in silly things.” It is true, my ideology of this whole soulmate thing has not changed after I continuously have that dream every spring.

The latter laughed softly as they looked up at me with a gentle smile plastered on their face.
“Why are you smiling?”
“We’re underneath the cherry blossom tree.”
“So what?”
“You truly don’t have a clue?”
“I won’t be as clueless as a fly if I know.” Of course, I know; I would rather act like a fool in front of them than ruin their fun just because their ideals do not align with mine.

“My mom said if the tree is in full bloom and you are underneath it with someone you like, a red string is connected to your pinky that will lead you to your soulmate.” They held their pinky finger for me to see, and I even mimicked the gesture. Maybe I am imagining things, but it seems like there is a thread of red connected.

“Your mom still reads you bedtime stories?”
“Hey! It’s not a bedtime story, but a cute and romantic story!”

I admire how passionate they are when they talk about such things—the way their eyes shine like stars in the night sky, capable of brightening up someone’s day.

Their actions are adorable, and I feel at ease whenever I sense their presence.

What am I talking about? I feel nostalgic all of a sudden… I believe I finally understand what my dream meant and found the answers I sought.

Perhaps the unknown silhouette in my dream was you all along, waiting for the day we reunite as one.

I hope what you have said is true—that the person you are destined to be with is your soulmate.

But in this lifetime, I want them to be mine.
There may be a billion people around the world searching for their own soulmate.

That is the answer that I have been searching for.

Between heaven and earth, I will always choose them.
Past, present, or future—whatever the timeline may be, I will chase them in the end.

Because I want them to be my soulmate, bound by eternity until I take my last breath.