Sunset at Hamdeok

La Vita Nuova

La Vita Nuova

In that book which is my memory....
On the first page
That is the chapter when
I first met you
Appear the words...
Here begins a new life

-Dante Aligieri-

Chapter 1

Jeju's summer sun was always the brightest for Tiffany Hwang. Her pretty smile bloomed as she watched the blue wave of the northern sea kissing Woljeongri Beach.

    Woljeongri Beach was really crowded in summer. Tiffany wasn't sure whether her decision to visit Jeju in summer was the best decision she had ever made or not. She was hoping to see a more tranquil beach.

    As soon as the warm afternoon breeze gently stroked her hair, Tiffany breathed in. Although hundreds of tourists crowded that picturesque coast,  she could feel the taste of the fresh ocean in the air that filled her lungs. This world is such one beautiful place to live. She tried to get everything in her eyes as much as she could. Tiffany's feet kicked the sand in every step she made along the beach. There was only something missing right now.....

    Not very far from where she was, a young girl - around five or six years old - was crying all alone. Tiffany promptly approached the young girl with a pony tail. She knelt.

    "Why are you crying? Where's your mom?" Tiffany asked.

    That five year old girl shook her head.  She kept sobbing.

    "Did you get separated from your mom and dad?" Tiffany held the girl's hand. "Don't cry, Eonnie will help you find your parents. What's your name,  sweetie?"

    The girl with a pony tail didn't answer her. She kept sobbing.

    Tiffany sighed. She looked around her,  hoping to see someone who seemed to have lost his or her daughter. But as far as her eyes could reach, Tiffany didn't see such person. Everyone was pretty much busy with themselves or with their family and friends.

    "Little sweetie, can you remember where your mom and dad may be?"
That small girl nodded. Tiffany sighed in relief.

    "Can you see their place from here?"

    That girl shook her head even without taking a second glance.

    "Are you sure?" Tiffany bit her lips.
That girl nodded.

    "Oh," Tiffany mumbled. She felt sorry for that young girl. Wasn't there anything she could do to help her? Suddenly, her eyes caught a sight of a lifeguard.

    "Come with Eonnie, let's ask that lifeguard. He will help us find your parents."

    But before Tiffany moved her feet, that young girl pulled her hand. Tiffany looked at her.

    "You don't want Eonnie to ask for that lifeguard's help? No?" Tiffany saw the young girl shook her head for the third times. "Will you tell Eonnie,  why?"

    That young girl was reluctant, but then she whispered something that was barely heard.

    "What is it?" Tiffany moved closer to that girl. "Dubu? Dubu is your... Puppy?" Tiffany raised her eyebrow. "Oh, you lost your puppy?!"