Love Wins All (Chaesoo Fluffs)

13. Grocery mishap

The fluorescent lights of the grocery store cast a stark, white glow over the aisles as Chaeyoung and her older sister, Alice, wandered through, picking up items for dinner. The sisters enjoyed these outings together, a small respite from their busy lives. Alice was the more outspoken of the two, always quick to defend her sister, while Chaeyoung appreciated her sister's protective nature.

Chaeyoung was looking at the assortment of fresh produce, selecting the ripest tomatoes, while Alice scanned the shelves for pasta. They moved through the store with an easy rhythm, a familiar dance of communication through gestures and shared looks.

As they reached the dairy section, Chaeyoung noticed a man a few feet away, clearly agitated. He was gesticulating wildly and muttering under his breath. She watched him for a moment, her curiosity piqued.

Alice, noticing the man's increasing irritation, quickly moved to stand between him and Chaeyoung. "Can I help you with something?" she asked, her tone firm but polite.

The man's face contorted with frustration. "I've been trying to get her attention for the last five minutes!" he snapped, pointing at Chaeyoung. "Why isn't she responding? Is she ignoring me on purpose?"

Alice's eyes narrowed. "My sister is deaf," she said, her voice calm but steely. "She didn't hear you."

The man scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Deaf? What's she doing here if she can't hear? People like her should have someone with them at all times."

Alice's anger flared, but she kept her composure. "She does have someone with her. Me. And she has every right to be here, just like you."

Chaeyoung, sensing the tension and noticing the man's angry expressions, looked at Alice with concern. "What's going on?" she signed, her movements quick and anxious.

Alice forced a smile, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy for her sister. "Nothing important, Chaeyoung. Just a misunderstanding."

But Chaeyoung wasn't fooled. She had seen enough angry faces and experienced enough dismissive gestures to understand what was happening. She knew her sister was trying to protect her, but she also knew she deserved the truth.

"Is he mad because I'm deaf?" Chaeyoung signed, her eyes searching Alice's face for honesty.

Alice hesitated, not wanting to lie but also not wanting to hurt her sister. "It's not about you, Chaeyoung. Some people are just rude."

The man, apparently deciding that his point had been made, huffed and walked away, shaking his head. Alice turned back to Chaeyoung, trying to gauge her sister's emotions.

Chaeyoung sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I'm not stupid, Alice. I know he was upset because of me."

Alice's heart ached for her sister. She wished she could shield Chaeyoung from all the cruelty in the world. "You're not stupid, Chaeyoung. You're one of the smartest people I know. And it's not your fault people like him don't understand."

They continued shopping, the mood somewhat dampened. Alice did her best to lift her sister's spirits, cracking jokes and making silly faces, but she could see that Chaeyoung was still bothered.

As they approached the checkout line, Alice decided to address the situation more directly. "Chaeyoung, I know it hurts when people are rude about your deafness. But you need to remember that their ignorance says more about them than it does about you. You're amazing just the way you are, and anyone who can't see that isn't worth your time."

Chaeyoung nodded, appreciating her sister's words. "It's just tiring sometimes, always having to deal with people who don't understand. But I'm glad I have you."

Alice smiled, wrapping her arm around Chaeyoung's shoulders. "You'll always have me, sis. And we'll get through this together."

As they loaded their groceries onto the conveyor belt, the cashier, a young woman with kind eyes, noticed their conversation and signed, "Do you need any help?"

Chaeyoung's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. "You know sign language?" she signed back.

The cashier nodded. "My sister is deaf, so I learned to communicate with her. It's nice to meet you both."

Alice watched the exchange, a smile spreading across her face. This small act of kindness from the cashier seemed to undo some of the damage from the earlier confrontation. It reminded both sisters that there were good people in the world who understood and respected Chaeyoung's experience.

After they finished paying and packed their groceries, Chaeyoung turned to Alice. "See, not everyone is like that man. Some people get it."

Alice nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Exactly. And those are the people who matter."

They walked out of the store together, the evening air cool against their faces. Despite the unpleasant encounter, they both felt a renewed sense of solidarity and strength. As long as they had each other, they knew they could face whatever challenges came their way.

Back at home, as they unpacked the groceries and started preparing dinner, Alice caught Chaeyoung's eye and gave her a reassuring smile. "You're stronger than you know, Chaeyoung. Don't ever let anyone make you feel otherwise."

Chaeyoung returned the smile, feeling more at peace. "Thanks, Alice. I won't."

And with that, they continued their evening, regardless of what happened, Chaeyoung has her Alice along with her.