The Festival | Kang Mira

"Have you heard of the Dolgolae festival before?"

I shake my head while staring at Sarang on the mirror. She's twisting the upper part of my hair into a messy bun, and attaching colorful clips and ribbons all over it. I have a slight doubt that I'm looking like a baboon right now.

"Ah, Dolgolae festival! Something we residents of Auoran cherish in our hearts. Though the craze is on an insane level between the old people of the society, but young lads like us also have their fair share. Want to know what it's about, Unnie?"

"Yes?"

"The creature, Dolgolae; or dolphin, is very respected amongst the local people here." Sarang combs down the rest of my hair neatly while speaking. "I heard the story of this festival's origin from my grandmother. Well, what she said was too hard to believe, but nonetheless. Let's begin!

"When heaven loved earth and earth loved heaven, the creatures between these two realms had a strong bond of friendship among themselves. The humans tended to help the mighty beings from the sky and the ocean; the other side did the same.

"So, one day, a young girl found herself by the shore of the Sacred ocean, where humans were not permitted to enter. It was protected by the ancient god of the sea, who was told to be cruel and harmful to those he thought to be inferior, in other words- humans." Sarang has a strand of hair swept over her eyes from the wind coming through the window, which she quickly brushes away. "And guess what happened after that."

"Both fell in love?" I add with curiosity. This is usually how every fairytale ends.

"Right. But after a lot of struggles." Sarang turns to face me and starts dabbing snow powder on my face. "It turned out that the said tale about the god of the sea being cruel was a partial lie. He was actually trapped in the body of a dead dolphin whom he refused to save many years ago, so the Almighty gave him punishment for his ego."

"Then?"

"The young girl was mute, and for that, only her eyes could speak. And the god trapped inside the dolphin couldn't see, because its eyes were hurt since before."

"Then how did they communicate?" this is turning fascinating now.

"They developed a sign language for communication. The girl would make noise by tapping on sea shells, and the dolphin would do the same. Soon, they started to tell each other the stories of their lives. The girl got to know how the dolphin ended up roaming in the same sea for the punishment for hundred years, and the dolphin got to know how the girl's parents always beat her for not being able to talk.

"Years started passing. The girl flourished herself and grew into a beautiful woman on her sixteenth birthday. She ran all the way to the Sacred ocean, giggling in joy because she mastered up a new sentence to tell the dolphin god. It was 'I love you'."

"Cute." I mumble while fidgeting my fingers. Sarang lets out a deep sigh.

"Yes, so terribly fairytale like story."

"Finish it first!"

"Yeah, yeah. Then the girl waited for the dolphin to emerge from the ocean, but it never came. She started going back there everyday, unable to believe that the dolphin was gone.

"She was torn apart by the sudden departure, and didn't even try to regain herself back. Day by day, she was losing the glow once she had in her youth, and turned into a gloomy, miserable woman. Her parents fixed her marriage with an old man outside the village some months later.

"When she heard the news, and realized that her life was going to be thrown on the hands of a complete stranger, the girl made her decision. She slowly crept out of her house, went to the jungle, found some datura flowers and swallowed them.

"But those flowers are so poisonous!"

"Yes. The girl then made her way to the ocean, and fell on her knees. The after effects of the poison in her mouth was lulling her to deep sleep. She was about to let go, until a pair of hands emerged from the ocean and held her tightly."

Creepy.

"They belonged to the god of the sea. He was freed from his punishment the moment she swallowed the poisonous flowers for him, meaning she was willing to sacrifice her soul.

"The god pulled her into the sea with him, both of them falling into the tranquility of the water and letting their pain wash away. The end."

Sarang takes the glass of water placed on the table and gulps it down within a second. "And yes, today is the day they got together."

"Truly endearing story it was, Sarang." I clap my hands to cheer her up, to which she scoffs. "Really good!"

"I don't believe in this myth, but I do believe that the festival is actually great and full of fun." Sarang holds my hands and makes me twirl on my spot. "Let's go then, Unnie!"

"Wait! How do I look?" I stop her for a moment before inspecting myself on the mirror. I have worn the dress Yeonjun has gifted me a week ago. It's been proved that Sarang can do pretty hairstyles and my hair doesn't look like they belong to a baboon. She hugs me from behind, eyes gleaming playfully.

"You're looking like my dream princess. Now, come with me!"

She drags me with her. We soar past the doors, the corridors, the oak front gate and the vast garden. Nature has decorated itself in majestic layers of beauty today; the sun above our heads smiles on the the royal blue surface of the sky, which is painted with white wisps of clouds.

Pleasant laughters are echoing around us as Sarang and me run along the road bursting with people; everyone wearing colorful costumes paired with pointed hats.

"The main attraction of the Dolgolae festival; Dress As You Like!" Sarang screams at top her lungs while pointing at a tent in front of us. "And look who are there!"

I peek over a group of teenage girls, looks like at the age of Sarang, chatting with each other. In front of them, stands a long line of people, who are dressed in different type of costumes.

One of them is dressed as a Banshee- that's what I can guess from the knee length white hair and pointed teeth smeared in red ink. There's a boy, around the age of five or six, dressed in a tiger's dress. He licks his lollipop while giving the Banshee a scared look very often. Then there are Monks, Shamans, Grim Reapers, Ostrich, Devils and what not...

"Oi!" Sarang waves at the crowd of teenage girls, who turn back at her voice. Their eyes light up in happiness immediately. The girls rush to Sarang's side and all of them puts her in a tight headlock.

"Missed you, Sarang!"

"Where did you get this dress from? Looks so pretty?"

"Who's this?"

Their surprised gaze turns into shocked ones as they look at me. Sarang frees herself from their strong headlock and grins.

"Punks, this is my new sister, Mira." she exclaims cheerfully and turns to her friends. "Unnie, meet my friend squad. This is Toro, the nuthead."

"Hello, Unnie!" a girl with dark lavender eyes and a pointed nose replies in a bright tone.

"And this is Rien, my little baby!"

"Good morning!" a brunette girl with doe eyes shows her thumbs up while clutching her purse. Beside her, a short girl with waist length black hair steps closer to me, a pleasant smile adorning her lips.

"Uhi, nice to meet you." she softly presses my hands together with hers. "Hope we get along well!"

"Thank you, Uhi." I nod politely at her. "I also hope we all get along."

"By saying that she's your new sister, what do you actually mean, rubberhead?" Rien pokes Sarang's cheek, and the latter angrily brushes her hand away.

"She's Yeonjun- ssi's wife."

"Gahhh? Do you mean Dr. Choi Yeonjun from the Central Hospital of Auoran?" Rien asks with much surprise, as the trio looks at me in shock.

"How many Choi Yeonjun do you know in your good- for - nothing life, Rien?" Sarang remakes sassily while rubbing her swollen cheeks.

"Oh. My. Goodness." the girls let out a squeak and bow down to their knee levels, making me widen my gaze. "Unnie, you're so pretty!"

"You peasants, get up!" Sarang holds my hands while turning me away and starting to drag me elsewhere. "We are going to treat Unnie all those delicious street foods of Auoran so she can never run away from here. Got it?"

"Yes! But, who's gonna pay?" Uhi interjects.

"We split."

"I'm going to pay, too!" I mutter hurriedly. All four of them shoot me an are- you- crazy? type of look.

"The table's on us today. Don't you dare paying a single coin, Unnie." Sarang speaks in a threatening voice. We stop in front of the pastel blue gate of the festival. Behind it, rows of shops are standing in a neat line on both sides, and the place is bursting with more people. Sarang drags me inside.

"Look, look! We should definitely start with the peanut- butter croissants!" Toro jumps on her feet while pointing at a display of sweets in front of her. "Wow, there are also strawberry jams! Honey syrups! Chocolate buns!"

"Sacrifice your pocket moneys right now, peasants." Sarang holds her chin up dramatically, and yells. "On the count of three!

"One!

"Two!

"Three!"

The girls dump all of the coins on the counter table, making the shopkeeper flinch. I can only watch them letting go of their last braincell with my mouth hanging open.

"I don't think I can even move an inch anymore."

"Me, too, Sarang."

"Bro, we ate more pies than our stomachs could hold."

"Do you think mine is going to burst open?"

"There's a high chance that it can." I speak in a serious tone, munching on my vanilla croissant while standing. The girls give me a disapproving look.

All of them have slumped down on the ground after having three set appetizers consisting of honey bun, strawberry cake, mince pies, lemon candies and various juices; then two set meals including five large bowls of kimchi for each, then large croissants as desserts.

"Unnie, please, don't get mad- but how on the earth are you able to stand after eating all of that?" Toro asks me while clutching her stomach. Uhi nearly falls down on Rien's shoulder, burping loudly.

"I don't know." I answer in an innocent way. "Can I get another croissant?"

"You're a voracious eater!" Sarang hollars while punching her hands in the air. I shrug nonchalantly.  

"Then you all stay here, I'm going to get myself another croissant. An apple one this time!"

By saying this, I quickly make my way out of their sight and walk past the shops. Actually, I have another thing going in my mind. I hasten the frails of my dress and sprint faster.

Where is he?

Wasn't he supposed to meet me near this place?

A round clearing emerges before my view. In the middle, a large campfire is lit, and people in pairs are gathered around. They are slowly dancing with their partners on the spot, the soft rays of fire shining in their eyes, as if a mysterious spell has been cast on them. Wind rushes from the north sky and blows away my hair.

He should be here...

Or did he fail to come?

Well, by looking at the type of brothers and friends he has...

My cheeks heat up from embarrassment. What a stupid you are, Mira. I hit my head while mumbling under my breath. Such a stupid!

The couples are dancing to the tune of a violinist who is sitting on a bench near the fire. I start retreating from the place, feeling so little and hopeless as I hug my own body.

This continuous insecurity has never failed to overwhelm me. Twirling my hair with one finger, I look away and turn back to the fair, willing to leave the place as soon as possible.

"Where are you going, Mira?"

And I halt.

That voice. My heart drums against my chest, setting goosebumps on my skin. How sweetly he says my name with that voice.

"Thought I couldn't make it?" tendrils of warmth spiral up and down to my body as he slips his hand into mine. I can only blush in an vibrant shade of crimson. My hair and my face share the same color now.

"Look at me, Mira."

Again, that voice.

"Pretty." he ruffles my hair before holding my chin up, so I can meet his gaze. The universe of my reality lights up at the moment his charcoal eyes find solace in mine. I can only stare, my breaths sucked out from my lungs, nerves set on fire and my whole existance crumbling down by a mere glance of him.

Just what did I do to have the chance to meet him?

"Mira, you still haven't talked." Yeonjun chuckles at my astonished face. "I know that I'm looking handsome, but should you be staring at me this way?"

Cocky idiot.

I brush his hand away, flustered. Yeonjun only grins more and presses my right arm above his. His other hand slips to my waist, pulling me close to his chest.

"May I have this dance, my lady?"

I manage myself to nod.

And he does that. With his arms, he turns me away from the eyes of others, and stops after finding a less crowded spot. The bonfire is vanished from our views, only the twinkling stars and the silver moon in the sky showering us with light.

Beautiful.

The man holding me in his arms, slowly starts waltzing on the grass. His right foot taps on mine, and I also trip on his ankle some moments later. We both laugh at our silly dance, but nonetheless, we continue.

We lost souls, afraid of being found, continue.

"Ouch." Yeonjun laughs for the umpteenth time as I poke him with my heels again. My cheeks fume up.

"S-sorry."

"It's okay."

When I look up, I can already see his gaze burning above mine.

Yeonjun sharply inhales, his grip on my waist gets tightened. And the stars, the tiny stars above my head, seem to glint more bright than ever.

The man lowers his head. Breaths get hitched in my throat, as I feel his lips softly brushing over my shoulder. It's such a tender feeling; but vanishes away before I can fully get immersed in the daze.

Maybe he has felt my impatience. I hear a soft chuckle that sends tingles down to my spine.

"I'm yours." Yeonjun hums on my shoulder, placing his lips again. This time, more fierce. "Only yours."