[taengsic] Moonlight

Chapter 11

In the dimly lit music room, Mrs. Baek discreetly observed Taeyeon as she poured her emotions into the piano keys, creating a hauntingly beautiful melody that echoed through the space. Positioned near the back door, Mrs. Baek felt a quiet melancholy hanging in the air, a delicate dance between the beauty of the music and the sadness it conveyed.

If Tiffany were to express her admiration for Taeyeon's voice, Mrs. Baek wouldn't be surprised. The ethereal atmosphere seemed to amplify every note, creating an enchanting yet somber ambiance.

As Taeyeon abruptly ceased playing, the lingering echoes filled the room, creating an eerie silence. Mrs. Baek approached, her footsteps barely audible on the polished floor. She placed a bottle of mineral water on the piano, the only sound breaking the stillness.

Taeyeon turned to her music teacher with confusion, her eyes reflecting the emotional intensity of the music. Their gaze met briefly, and as soon as they did, Taeyeon looked away, wiping away tears that seemed to be an inseparable part of the poignant atmosphere.

"Mrs. Baek? Why are you here?" Taeyeon asked, the words carrying a subtle awkwardness, the emotions lingering in the air.

"Nothing... just checking on you."

"I'm fine," Taeyeon whispered, her voice blending with the haunting melody that still hung in the room.

"Then, why the tears?" Mrs. Baek, who had known Taeyeon for years, wasn't easily deceived by her attempts to conceal her emotions.

Taeyeon chose silence over explaining, aware that Mrs. Baek already knew the depth of her feelings.

Mrs. Baek smiled, nodding in understanding. "I heard she got in an accident..."

The room seemed to hold its breath as Taeyeon hesitated to speak, a delicate tension mingling with the melodies that lingered in the air.

"How is she? Is she okay?"

Once again, Taeyeon fell into silence, the poignant notes of the piano still resonating.

Mrs. Baek chuckled, breaking the emotional spell. She reached out to touch Taeyeon's shoulder from behind. "Go visit her and then give me the answer, okay?"

With a gentle stroke to the back of Taeyeon's head, Mrs. Baek left, leaving the music room enveloped in its beautiful yet sorrowful atmosphere.

As Taeyeon pondered, a question lingered.

Should she visit just to find the answer?

-

Taeyeon slowly pushed open the door to Jessica's ward, revealing a room draped in melancholy. The pale light filtered through half-closed blinds, casting a somber glow and accentuating the emptiness that engulfed the space. The once-occupied bed sat untouched, sheets neatly arranged, and the vacant chair by the bedside echoed the absence of its previous occupant.

With a slightly bitter heart, she left the gloomy room and approached the hospital clerk at the receptionist desk to confirm Jessica's departure.

"Ms. Jessica Jung?" the female clerk asked, a little surprised.

Taeyeon nodded. "Where is she? I've checked her ward, but she wasn't there."

"Oh! Hmm, this morning her sister had brought her home."

"Her sister?"

"Yes. If I'm not mistaken, her name is Krystal."

Silence hung in the air, the gloom of the room intensifying the heaviness in Taeyeon's heart.

The clerk attempted to meet Taeyeon's eyes, sensing her gloomy demeanor. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, thanks," Taeyeon replied, offering a forced smile before turning away.