How to be loved

Dance in the rain

HOW TO BE LOVED

29 –Dance in the rain

Freen's POV

After our exhilarating horseback ride, Becky was the first to spot a hidden stream nestled among the trees. With a joyful laugh, she urged her horse forward, her excitement radiating like sunlight. I followed close behind, grinning at the sight of her pure delight.

As we reached the stream, Becky dismounted with grace, letting her horse graze nearby. She wandered to the water's edge, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the serene beauty around us. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a golden shimmer on the water, inviting us to pause and soak in the moment.

I joined her, securing the horses before walking over to where she stood. Becky had already settled on a smooth rock by the stream, her fingers gently trailing through the cool water. The gentle flow added a peaceful rhythm to the scene, as if nature itself were playing a quiet melody just for us.

"This place is beautiful," Becky said softly, her voice filled with awe as she watched the water ripple beneath her touch.

I sat down beside her, close enough that our shoulders brushed, and looked out at the stream. "It really is," I agreed, my tone just as gentle. I turned my gaze to her, unable to hide the admiration in my eyes.

"No wonder you love nature," she said, glancing at me with a knowing smile. "You grew up surrounded by it."

I smiled back, nodding. "This place has always been my escape," I said, tapping a large rock beside us. "When I was young, I'd hide here to avoid chores—sometimes I'd even fall asleep right here," I added with a chuckle.

Becky laughed, the sound light and warm, blending with the soothing murmur of the stream. "I can picture that," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It must have felt like your own little world."

"It was," I admitted, my voice softening as I looked around. "And it still is, in a way. But today, sharing it with you, it feels even more special."

Becky's smile softened, and I noticed a gentle pink blush on her cheeks as her gaze lingered on mine. "Thank you for bringing me here," she said, her voice sincere.

"There's no one else I'd want to share this with," I replied, my words full of meaning.

She looked at me with a playful, questioning look. "Not even Nam? Your cousin?" she teased, emphasizing the last word as if to challenge me.

I widened my eyes in mock surprise. "Huh, don't tell me you're still not convinced she's really my cousin?" I chuckled, shaking my head.

"But seriously, not even Nam knows about this place. She's from my mother's province—we got close when we moved there," I explained, my tone softening as I shared the memory.

Becky's teasing smile softened as she absorbed what I said, her eyes reflecting the serene beauty surrounding us. "So, this really is your secret spot," she murmured, more to herself than to me.

I nodded, feeling a touch of vulnerability as I shared this hidden part of my world. "Yeah, it is. I've never felt the need to bring anyone else here before. But with you...it just felt right."

Her gaze met mine, and for a moment, time seemed to slow down. The gentle rustling of the leaves, the soft gurgle of the stream, even the distant birdsong—all faded into the background as we sat there, simply looking at each other.

Becky broke the silence first, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm glad you did." She hesitated, then added, "I've been to so many beautiful places, but this... this feels different. It feels like a part of you."