“When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts.”
-Anonymous
The high elms swayed with the passing of the early afternoon zephyrs. The breeze, cool, crisp, and invigorating, wrapped its long arms around the two girls who were now wandering aimlessly along the paths of a local park in Cheongju. Taeyeon and Tiffany held hands as they allowed themselves to be submerged in the blissful atmosphere that hovered in the empty spaces like a seabird. Beams of refined gold seeped through the foliage of the trees that paneled alongside the cemented walkways, painting their faces in orange and rose. As luck might have it, their vehicle had died down near the border of Cheongju, just a few feet away from a bus stop. Tiffany had advised that they abandon the car there; near a ditch beside the road so that maybe someone out there would decide to pick it up and bring it back to life. Taking the bus, and asking the driver for directions, the pair got off at the stop beside the street where the park and the train-station met. Deciding not to waste the perfect weather, Taeyeon offered that they go on a walk before taking the hour and a half train ride.
“Hey, this is nice” Tiffany started with a brilliant smile that matched the twinkle in her eyes. She swung the arm that held Taeyeon's hand; a form of heartfelt communication that didn't need any words. Turning their leisurely walk into a skip, she dragged Taeyeon acquiescently along the path that snaked alongside the trees enrobed in ambrosial pink.
The shorter girl giggled in a jovial manner seeing Tiffany's gleeful state. “See, didn't I tell you this was a good idea?”
“Yeah, it reminds of the first time we met”
“Ah, you mean the time when you made me cry?” Taeyeon teased.
“I was trying to befriend you!” Tiffany defended with a pout, “It's not my fault you were so sensitive. TaeTae just admit it, you were such a crybaby back then”
The shorter girl rolled her eyes in response before casually scanning the area. Her eyes stopped at a small shack that sold various treats and snacks. Taeyeon unconsciously licked her lips as she fervidly ogled over the ice-cream buckets that lined the whole counter. Instinctively she patted her oversized bag that was strapped across her shoulder and down to her waist before beginning to rummage inside for her wallet.
“Fany, want some ice-cream?”
“Stop changing the subject” her best friend retorted
Taeyeon sighed, “Fine, fine, I was a crybaby... and you, you were the bully who was victimizing an innocent crybaby. Happy? - Now let's go get some ice-cream” she exclaimed while dragging Tiffany towards the small stall.
After taking a few steps towards the shack, Taeyeon stopped abruptly after feeling a strong constricting pressure on her hand that was holding on to Tiffany. With a mixed expression of worry and confusion, she turned around to find a pale face. Her best friend's physical state changed so quickly, and it scared her.
“Fany, what's wrong?”
Tiffany let out a nervous chuckle, though it didn't sound like one at all; her breathing was shallow so it sounded more like a weak whimper instead. “I'm fine... I just got slightly dizzy for a bit”
“Maybe you should go take a seat” Taeyeon advised before gently leading her best friend to a nearby bench. Tiffany plopped down and leaned against the wooden board, allowing all her weight to be supported by the bench.
Taeyeon furrowed her eyebrows as she stared at the younger girl.
Tiffany sensed her friend's uneasiness and smiled up at her for assurance. “TaeTae, I'm fine”
