● JL의 한 페이지 영어소설 (5)
초단편 영어소설#5 (영어+한글)
<I Hear Your Voice 너의 목소리가 들려>
It’s been ten years, but the memory of that day still haunts me with guilt and regret.
10년이 지났지만, 그날의 기억은 여전히 죄책감과 후회로 남아 나를 괴롭혔다.
I imagined countless times how wonderful it would be if I could only turn back time.
시간을 되돌릴 수만 있다면 얼마나 좋을까, 수없이 상상했다.
It was the day I met up with Mina for the first time in ages.
그날은 내가 정말 오랜만에 민아를 만난 날이었다.
We were heading to a café after lunch.
우리는 점심을 먹고 카페로 향하던 길이었다.
That was when I got a call that my boyfriend had been hurt.
그때 내 남자친구가 다쳤다는 전화를 받았다.
I had no choice but to leave early.
나는 어쩔 수 없이 일찍 떠나야만 했다.
t's okay, don't be sorry. You should hurry, we can hang out longer next time.
"괜찮아, 미안해하지 마. 얼른 가봐, 우린 다음에 더 오래 놀면 되잖아.
Just then, Mina's bus arrived first."
그때 마침, 민아가 탈 버스가 먼저 도착했다
She smiled as she stepped onto the bus, and that was our final goodbye.
그 애는 웃으며 버스에 올랐고, 그게 우리의 마지막 작별이었다.
The thought that she could have avoided her fate if I had gone to the café with her tormented me for years."
만일 내가 민아와 카페에 갔더라면 그 운명을 피할 수 있었을 거라는 생각이, 오랫동안 나를 괴롭혔다.
Guilt consumed me, and it felt like everything was my fault.
죄책감이 나를 사로잡았고, 모든 일이 내 탓인 것만 같았다.
For ten years, I stayed close to Mina’s mother, sharing our grief.
10년 동안 나는 민아엄마 곁에 머물며, 함께 슬픔을 나누었다.
I treated her to a birthday dinner tonight, like I always do every year.
해마다 그랬듯, 오늘도 나는 생신저녁 식사를 대접했다.
After dinner, I was helping her into a taxi when a piercing scream rang in my head."
저녁 식사 후, 택시에 태워드리려던 순간 날카로운 비명이 머릿속을 울렸다.
– Mom, no! No! Don’t go! Don’t get in! –
– 엄마, 안 돼! 안 돼! 가지 마! 타지 마! –
It was clearly Mina's voice.
그건 분명히 민아의 목소리였다
Startled, I grabbed her arm and urged her to come out.
소스라치게 놀라, 나는 민아엄마의 팔을 잡고 차에서 나오시라고 재촉했다.
Please, come out! Hurry! I... I have something to tell you!"
"제발 나오세요! 얼른요! 저... 드릴 말씀이 있어요!"
Trying to calm down, I took her into a nearby café."
놀란 가슴을 진정시키며, 나는 민아엄마를 모시고 근처 카페로 들어갔다.
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
"뭔데 그래? 무슨 일 있니?"
I hesitantly took out a wedding invitation from my bag.
나는 머뭇거리며 가방에서 청첩장을 꺼냈다.
I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but it was the only excuse I had.
그녀의 마음을 상하게 하고 싶지 않았지만, 그게 내가 가진 유일한 핑계였다.
"Oh my, so you wanted to give me this! Is that why you stopped me?"
"아이고, 네가 이거 주려고 그랬구나! 그래서 나를 못 가게 한 거야?"
I got home and dozed off, exhausted, but the phone ringing startled me awake.
집에 돌아와 지쳐 잠깐 잠이 들었는데, 전화벨 소리에 깜짝 놀라 깼다
"Jiyoon, did you see the news?"
"지윤아, 뉴스 봤니?"
My heart raced as I saw the breaking news of a massive gas explosion at her apartment complex.
그녀가 사는 아파트 단지에서 대형 가스 폭발이 일어났다는 긴급 속보를 보자마자, 내 심장은 요동치기 시작했다
"Jiyoon, because you held me back, I wasn't there. You saved my life. Thank you!"
"지윤아, 네가 날 붙잡아줘서 내가 거기 없었어. 네가 날 살려준 거야. 고마워!"
I hung up and burst into tears.
전화를 끊고 나는 왈칵 눈물을 쏟았다.
The scream still lingered in my ears.
여전히 그 비명이 귓가에 맴돌았다.
– Mom, no! No! Don’t go! Don’t get in! –
– 엄마, 안 돼! 안 돼! 가지 마! 타지 마! –
It was Mina's voice, desperate to protect her mother.
그건 엄마를 지키려는 민아의 간절한 목소리였다.
'Ten years ago, I couldn't save you. But today, I’m so glad I could protect your mother.'
'10년 전, 나는 널 구하지 못했어. 하지만 오늘, 엄마를 지킬 수 있어서 정말 다행이야.'
'Thank you for saving me from another regret, Mina.'
'나를 또 다른 후회에서 구해 줘서 고마워, 민아야.'
Flash Fiction
<I Hear Your Voice>
It’s been ten years, but the memory of that day still haunts me with guilt and regret.
I imagined countless times how wonderful it would be if I could only turn back time.
It was the day I met up with Mina for the first time in ages.
We were heading to a café after lunch.
That was when I got a call that my boyfriend had been hurt.
I had no choice but to leave early.
"It's okay, don't be sorry. You should hurry. We can hang out longer next time."
Just then, Mina's bus arrived first.
She smiled as she stepped onto the bus, and that was our final goodbye.
The thought that she could have avoided her fate if I had gone to the café with her tormented me for years.
Guilt consumed me, and it felt like everything was my fault.
For ten years, I stayed close to Mina’s mother, sharing our grief.
I treated her to a birthday dinner tonight, like I always do every year.
After dinner, I was helping her into a taxi when a piercing scream rang in my head.
– Mom, no! No! Don’t go! Don’t get in! –
It was clearly Mina's voice.
Startled, I grabbed her arm and urged her to come out.
"Please, come out! Hurry! I... I have something to tell you!"
Trying to calm down, I took her into a nearby café.
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
I hurriedly took out a wedding invitation from my bag.
I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but it was the only excuse I had.
"Oh my, so you wanted to give me this! Is that why you stopped me?"
I got home and dozed off, exhausted, but the phone ringing startled me awake.
"Jiyoon, did you see the news?"
My heart raced as I saw the breaking news of a massive gas explosion at her apartment complex.
"Jiyoon, because you held me back, I wasn't there. You saved my life. Thank you!"
I hung up and burst into tears. The scream still lingered in my ears.
– Mom, no! No! Don’t go! Don’t get in! –
It was Mina's voice, desperate to protect her mother.
'Ten years ago, I couldn't save you. But today, I’m so glad I could protect your mother.
Thank you for saving me from another regret, Mina.'
Copyright © 2026 JL’s One-Page Stories. All rights reserved.