Everyone could be stubborn. In that sense, everything could be the same as well. Hence, Time, Universe, and Love along with the twins, Fate and Destiny, gathered together where Time has not ticked far enough, so Earth was still in pieces.

Time wanted to prove that time doesn’t just tick eternally. He could also be turned into a gate. That time could be trespassed.

Universe wanted to prove that she could be as beautiful as it could be cruel, that she could become heaven without exhaling your last breath.

Love wanted to prove that he could transcend even the barriers of logic. That love could pull through even in the face of eternal damnation.

The playful mischievous twins wanted to prove that even opposites could get along as well as they could, that up could dance with down so well that the curve of their limbs and the stretch of their skin as they move and sway would give birth to music.

Everything was persistent and, since they were all the same, they all agreed with one another; they set off to work with the others in mind.

Time moved first because it never stilled. It ticks and ticks and ticks.

So Time whirled its disproportional arms ‘round and ‘round until the pieces of Earth had gathered. Suddenly, Earth was born after lying on the galaxy for a span that Time only knew with the lush of green and the abundance of blue.

Since Time never stilled, the arms never did as well.

Earth gave birth to Life, then Life gave birth to tiny hearts that had differing shapes and sizes. Soon, humans walked. They were considered the youngest child of Heart because they were doted on either by the animals or by the plants. They were given food and shelter, but they’re prone to throwing temper tantrums as well; seen when some forest was mowed down by their own hand. But they were loved by many.

At one point, two women from one country became pregnant with each of their own child. Love shivered when he felt the pangs of happiness radiating from the to-be mothers while Heart sang out of joy as the empty space steadily became filled. Everything and everyone was alive and well.

Time took that chance to guard the two mothers so no harm will come to them and to their child, because if it did then everything will collapse.

So, Universe stepped up. She thought for a while on what to do to be of help.

One night, when the moon was a silver ring with the stars painted across the darkness in their shining beauty, Universe created strings that are as red as the blood that travels in the veins of a human, for blood is a path for creating connections.

The twins to-be playmates have to be connected, else they’ll get lost. The twins will be sad and when Fate and Destiny gets upset, Life is bothered until all becomes unwell.

Universe have been told by others that she was round; not perfectly round or smoothly round but round in a sense of fairness. So Universe became fair and created more strings; strings as long as the rays of the Sun and strings that are thick but flexible to be mold to any shape, just like the bond of the twins.

With a careful eye, Universe began to insert one end of the string into the expanse of space where gravity losses hold so she would carry the string for as long as Time continues to tick, then she tied a small knot into one human’s pinky then began a search. The destined owner of the other pinky was soon found with the help of Souls—Souls always did have problems with directions so it was more than happy to help Universe erect signs to point where to go—and the other end of the red string was tied into the human’s larger pinky.

Universe then watched what would happen, but it seems like humans can’t read the language she and Souls spoke. The humans, unaware of the guide around their fingers, continued on with their life.

Time, who saw them mulling over what to do, decided to help because the two mothers were currently sleeping and are safe in their respective abode. Unfortunately, he couldn’t directly do anything because if he hastened the movement of his hands then the growth of the mothers and of the two children will be missed and rushed. Everything will be upset.

So Time sought for Heart’s help. Heart was more than eager to contribute because she is large and giving. So, she created emotions, but since the heart always beats she was unable to stop in time. Soon, humans felt the lightness of happiness, but also the smoldering anger and the smothering sadness and the blinding madness. The humans were in disarray.

Heart felt a break from within. She was unable to help as she watched her youngest child, the humans, ran amok.

Since Heart was a child of Life among many, he was disturbed by the slowed beating of Heart. When Life gets disturbed, it rains but what came pouring down were not liquid.

Time rang in alarm when the mothers of the two children became swathed by problems, one after another as if it came from the sky.

The problem started with money, then it branched into material possessions, then came the arguing between couples that were supposed to be tied by their marital vows. Soon, the mother of one child fell ill and had to move to a different country; one that is miles away and separated by a body of water that can only be reached by a plane or a boat.

Time was distraught and started to panic. He was worried that the two children will be so far apart their gazes will never connect and will be lost forever. It was a good thing his hands moved involuntarily as if it was Heart herself. The bad thing is that Time kept on panicking.

Love sighed at the sight of it all; the chaos, the noise, and Time panicking. For someone as powerful as Time, one would think he would function well in pressured situations. Well, there is always room for disappointment.

Seeing that help was needed, Love fluttered towards Earth who started to shake and rumble.

Earth was upset that Life was upset as well. The humans tumbled as the ground beneath their feet swayed. Love fluttered as fast as he could. Fortunately, he was able to soothe Life by a simple hug that melted the coldest snow and grew flowers flushed with colors. Life soon calmed despite the humans still running wild here and there. Earth huffed with air that created spring as she settled down.

Love then went to the humans.

They were lost. Every emotion was intense but their tiny bodies could only handle so much. So, Love gave them a piece of him because love needs more than happiness or sadness or madness alone to achieve. Love needs more but not too much, yet don’t give too less because soon there will be none. The complexity will act as the balance.

Sure enough, the humans regained their heads and blinked as they took in the world before them with a new set of eyes. Heart then regained her usual beating and this pleased Life.

Everything went back to normal.

Universe heavily thanked Heart while Heart heavily apologized to Universe. Love just told them to get on with it.

So, Universe hurried along to temporarily put a blindfold over every human’s eyes to avoid them mistakenly looking at another human with a gaze that were supposed to be received only by their respective halves except for the two pair that she had already tied together.

The two humans in question first felt the tug before the yearning. The two pairs of feet then moved across time as Time himself marveled at the sudden development—after he calmed down, of course—though ticks that he labeled as months have to pass before they found one another.

The wait earned its worth. The moment brown found brown, Love was suddenly drowned by the pulses that washed over Heart as if she was the surface of the ocean being caressed by the rolling waves.

Life couldn’t help but shed rains that helped farmer grow crops and where little children came running outside to play under the supervision of their parents because what Life saw was endearing. A human’s smile outshines gold.

Love is beautiful, everything decided. (Love would have turned as red as Heart if only he could.)

Everything was well.

Universe now knows that the strings worked even if it took a few ticks from Time for one to meet the other, but that is how Life operates so she polished every star until they all twinkled that could rival the Sun because she was happy as the new couple talked to the other in a quest to know more about their other half. Universe, however, was still finding a name that would suit the pure concept.

Time immediately told Universe of the dilemma regarding the two children. It was a good thing that Universe doesn’t panic like Time, or else a black hole would’ve appear and their fruits of labor would all be for naught.

With a steady hand and a keen eye, Universe started to sew. The ends of one line of the red string were tied around two pair of pinkies as if they were crowns. The number of strings inserted into her grew at the same time. Soon after, every human had another waiting at the end of their string and the blindfolds were removed.

Life pulsed the same time Love grew in size while Heart shuddered with every warm sensation that blew like a caress.

Time tugged at Universe then pointed at the two mothers. To his surprise, Universe said no. She cannot tie the red string. The twins almost burst into tears!

Universe hurriedly placated them with an explanation. She can’t tie the string around a pinky that is not there. It is also impossible for her to reach inside the two mothers because the energy within her will reduce the mothers into atoms. So, she told the rest of everything to wait.

Time can wait. Time was the concept of wait just as time was the concept of move.

The twins, however, had to be entertained because Fate and Destiny move at their own pace. If they want a progress now, then they would do so without asking for Time’s consent. So, they were temporarily given the task to see over the progress of the other humans with regards to the red strings.

The twins were about to decline since those humans were not designated to be their playmates but Love was patient while Heart was used to a child’s way. In the end, the twins sat at one corner of the universe and did as they were told.

Everything fell into silence.

Time rang when nine months was reached. Everything woke up but the twins were busy with their task so no reply came from them. One of the mothers were going to give birth.

Time began to fuss over the mother while Universe asked for Life’s aid into sheltering the woman from anything terrible so the child will be delivered safely into Earth. Life was hesitant because favoritism is bad, but the twins reminded him that they have behaved instead of going about with their usual mischief, so he eventually agreed.

Time’s ticks were audible in the silence that blanketed everything. Suddenly, there was a cry, so shrill that the twins almost cried as well, but then Life bloomed trees with branches that could tickle the feet of a deity and with leaves so green as if they were staring right at the eyes of Life. That’s when the twins knew that Life was happy. Heart was beating like a drum while Love became lost in a daze.

The twins intently watched this tiny human who, apparently, can control everything.

The baby was cleaned then wrapped with a soft white cloth before being given to the mother. The mother’s smile as she looked at her child caused the twins to jump up in order to grab hold of Love and Heart because they began to float. The rest of everything was in awe.

The twins laughed but they too had tears at the corner of their eyes. Everything was so precious.

“I’ll call her Taeyeon, Kim Taeyeon. Hello there little one. It’s me, dad. I’ll teach you everything I know about sports! We’ll have a great time together and—“

The newly-turned father choked on a sob as he held his daughter with such gentleness that didn’t match his large, rough hands. The warmth that bubbled into his chest was like no other—he felt like he was watching his fiancée walk down the aisle once more—that everything he wanted to say compressed into tiny diamonds that continuously streamed down his cheeks.

The baby girl continued to sleep, unaware of the treasure she brought to everything.

Life is so beautiful.

Life bustled with green and blue at the praise that the humans couldn’t help but rejoice. More trees grew which resulted for refreshing wind to blow across either towns or cities and more flowers coated the otherwise empty fields while new animals, both on the land and in the water, were being discovered.

The baby girl, or Taeyeon, looked smaller than the word itself, the twins realized. It was as if a single blow of the wind could prove sharp enough to cut the delicate skin.

The thought of the color red staining a pure white canvas ignited a flare of protectiveness within the twins. Protect they must, but they have to do it without ignoring their duties or breaking any of the rules.

Could they do it?

The question hung in the air.

They could do it, the twins decided, as they nod at each other.

Everything went back to waiting for the other mother who was in another country. Time can’t stop worrying over the distance but the others believed in Universe so he eventually did the same.

To everything’s surprise, there was only one tick before Time rang. The other mother was giving birth. This means there’s a one-month difference between Taeyeon and this coming baby.

The cry, this time around, was a lot shriller than the last as if this baby has more powerful lungs than Taeyeon.

Everything was fascinated the second time. What added to their sense of wonder was the bickering couple regarding about the name of their baby girl as if they never truly discussed it.

“Stephanie!”

Everything’s interest immediately went to the woman who looked to have the Sun for eyes; as if she had not just given birth. Her gaze was fiery and burning as if she was willing her husband to burst into flames.

Everything felt like they were staring right back at Life.

“Tiffany!”

‘Ah’, Everything thought, ‘They’re meant to be.’

The husband may not be as strong-willed since everything could see his resolve crumbling just so his wife could finally rest but he was obviously sturdy, else he wouldn’t have managed to live a life with a woman that burned so brightly.

Much to everything’s disappointment, the couple have to continue their argument later because the wife and the baby has to rest. So, everything waited.

Much to everything’s amusement, the newly-turned father started mumbling to himself on what name their angel shall have, all the while holding his sleeping wife’s hand. It made waiting worthwhile.

Love and Heart almost floated away again, if it weren’t for the twins holding them down for the second time.

Soon enough, Time rang. The couple were back to arguing about baby names, but with softer volume, since the baby was asleep on her mother’s chest.

 “Stephanie sounds better!”

The wife went first again. Her husband fell into step with her right after.

“No, it sounds someone who can’t say no. I don’t want our angel getting taken advantage of, especially after she grows into a beautiful young woman! Kindness is good, but too much is always bad.”

That’s when everything realized that even though Taeyeon and this still nameless child will be together after Time ticked some more, they have no power over the kind of person they will become. Those do are their parents and the children themselves.

Everything took in the husband’s words. The wife, however, was not someone who easily backs down.

“Well, Tiffany sounds like a party girl! I don’t want my baby girl to grow too wild! She can have fun, yes, and attend parties once she grows up but she still needs to know her limits!”

Right after, the husband and wife sunk into a conflicted silence. Both knows the other was right, but they can’t think of a solution. Even everything became troubled.

The husband then sighed after another lapse of silence as he watched his daughter continue to sleep.

The wife gingerly caressed the smooth cheek of her daughter. The baby’s fingers twitched due to the tickling sensation. The smile she gave was as wide as the expanse of the sky and as bright as the Sun in her eyes.

Everything wished that the baby will inherit her mother’s ability to give anyone a glimpse of heaven with a simple smile.

“Well, I do admit that ‘Tiffany’ sounds fitting for someone energetic since I’m sure our daughter will be jumping around the house once she learns how to walk.”

The husband smiled at the thought. “I also think that the name ‘Stephanie’ goes well for a behaved young lady, though I hope that she doesn’t give us too much headaches.”

The newly-turned parents laughed at the prospect of handling their daughter as she grows up.

Everything stilled. This was a sudden turn of events.

“How about we meet in the middle then?”

The husband raised his eyebrows at his wife’s proposal.

“Of course. What do you have in mind?”

The newly-turned mother only gave her husband a crooked smile he knows too well.

That proposal was the reason why in their daughter’s birth certificate, on top of the line where her name should be, Stephanie “Tiffany” Hwang is written.

The twins immediately liked Stephanie’s parents.

If everything could take a breath, everything would have let it out as a sigh of relief.

The children, Taeyeon and Stephanie, have finally been born and both are healthy. That leads to the next step; Universe have to tie their pinkies together with the red string.

It took a few more ticks, however, before Universe approached Taeyeon because she was afraid that the string might hurt Taeyeon in any way, especially with such small fingers in equally small hands.

Taeyeon had turned three by then. The small family had gone to the mall to celebrate the birthday of their daughter. Taeyeon took that chance to run everywhere her chubby little legs could carry her.

Those that saw her were unable to restrained themselves from spending a few minutes of their precious time interacting with the energetic toddler. Taeyeon could already speak clear words with the usual stutter and babble. She was as precious as she was brave because she never cried after falling to the floor. Instead, she gets back up, pats her legs with her chubby hands then resumes running.

Everything agreed with them.

Taeyeon is everything’s golden star.

Naturally, Taeyeon fell asleep on their way home.

Universe finally took that chance to approach Taeyeon but after much persuasion from the rest of everything.

Taeyeon’s room was painted sky blue with toy planes and cars placed on shelves and on top of cabinets with the cabinet itself as dark as the deep ocean. Her tiny shoes were placed beside the door so Taeyeon could learn how to wear them on her own, which she did by the way. A tiny hoop was screwed beside the cabinet which was in level with Taeyeon’s height while an equally small basketball, though it was bigger than her own hands, were inside a plastic basket where her other toys were currently placed.

Universe adored it all.

Universe then bent over the sleeping toddler nuzzled under the thick warm blankets because Life is in the middle of Winter. She gingerly tied the red string around Taeyeon’s pinky finger, not wanting to mar the delicate skin.

Everything hushed.

When Taeyeon didn’t so much as budge, Universe checked the knot before beginning to back away.

Suddenly, just as when she was about to leave, Taeyeon opened her eyes and stared right at her with startling clear brown orbs as if she held the fertile earth in her gaze, as if she was expecting Universe.

Everything froze.

Taeyeon began to sit up while Universe stared right back, lost on what to do next now that the child was wide awake.

To the surprise of everything, Taeyeon reached out towards Universe. Instinctively, she backed away because she was afraid what her energy could do to such a small child. Taeyeon, however, was stubborn; just like everything was before the creation of Earth.

Taeyeon continued to lean over the edge in an effort of reaching Universe. Universe wanted to back away more but she was scared that the child might fall from the bed. So, she did the only thing she could think of at the moment; Universe blew on Taeyeon as if she was blowing bubbles.

The force was enough to push Taeyeon away from Universe with a soft thud as she lied back on her bed.

Everything looked on in horror as the toddler stilled.

Universe immediately went over to check on Taeyeon. What she saw was the child back in the clutches of sleep.  She sighed out in relief as she draped the blankets back over the small body. She checked the knot around Taeyeon’s pinky finger one last time, bid her goodbye, then went to another country where Stephanie was.

Universe was surprised to see the two-year old Stephanie already awake and was dancing along with the music coming from the television. Moreover, there was no sign of Winter. There was only the warmth and bright lights from high above.

That’s when Universe learned about time zones, courtesy of Time.

The twins hissed all of the sudden when Time mentioned the number thirteen. The twins had deemed it unlucky. No one exactly knows why the twins had hated that number in the first place. Only the twins could understand the other.

Anyhow, Universe had to wait for Stephanie to fall asleep before tying the red string.

Universe picked the garden as the perfect hiding place, just in case the same thing with Taeyeon happens again.

The pitter-patter of little feet approaching the opened sliding door of the garden caught Universe’s attention. When she turned, young Stephanie was running towards the garden with a toothy smile and bright hazel eyes with Universe standing right at the doorway.

All Universe could do was fly backwards to avoid Stephanie’s touch.

Hearing familiar laughter, Stephanie’s mother looked out of the kitchen counter to see her daughter running towards the garden.

“Be careful, dear! Breakfast is also almost ready so don’t get your hands too dirty!” Stephanie’s mother advised, thinking that Stephanie was just chasing a butterfly; it wouldn’t be the first time.

Stephanie stopped running when she heard her mother’s voice. She then turned at the direction of the kitchen to smile at her mother to show that she understood. Her mother smiled back before going back to cooking.

At that exact time, with the toddler standing on the garden and in front of Universe, a ray of sunlight peeked out of the fluffy cloud which shined straight through Universe that then bathed Stephanie with warm caresses like her mother’s hug.

Stephanie cheered and danced as her skin soaked up the warmth. After her celebration, she stared right at Universe as if to silently convey her thankfulness.

For some reason, Universe was captivated by the toddler’s gaze, then Stephanie blinked.

Everything found the reason why.

In those hazel orbs was the galaxy, cradled by small hands, as if Stephanie held a piece of the Sun within herself.

Everything was overjoyed at the fact that Stephanie did inherited her mother’s luminosity.

“Breakfast is ready!”

Universe broke from the trance as Stephanie’s mother called for her daughter. Stephanie ran back to her home in a fit of high-pitched giggling.

“Do you want to wake daddy up?”

Stephanie didn’t need to be told twice. She immediately scrambled towards the sofa where her father was currently asleep on.

If Taeyeon was everything’s golden star, then Stephanie is everything’s sliver of light. She’s there to guide you back to the path, no matter how far you’ve gotten lost, with the Sun as your light.

“Da! Fud!”

That was all the warning Stephanie gave before diving right at her father’s stomach. The attack gave him quite the scare which caused his bearings to scatter. It was a good thing his instincts remained intact, else little Stephanie would’ve definitely fell—which would inquire the wrath of his wife.

Little Stephanie never stopped laughing at the silly sight of her father, especially when she was lifted into the air as mock punishment for waking him up so abruptly.

Everything was relieved to see that the two children were being raised by loving families.

Universe was more than content in watching how the family spends the day as Universe waits for Stephanie to fall asleep.

This time, no tick was heard. Time’s arms only moved for two millimeters. By then, the sky has been bruised black with the moon shying away from anyone’s gaze.

Universe steadied everything then phased through the wall.

As Universe stood there, Universe briefly wondered if little Stephanie had flown up the night sky when everything wasn’t looking to steal the stars so she can pin it to her walls, hence why tonight was eerily barren of their usual brilliance. The four walls were painted a bright pink. Actually, every nook and cranny held evidence of the color. The bedsheet looked like a cat with an equally pink bow in one ear. The pillow cases were a light pink with the same cat as the bedsheet.

There was also the amount of stuff toys (all were just as adorable as Stephanie), not just on the bed, but on top a pink, wooden cabinet, and on shelves that stationed toys ranging from ponies to dolls. Some of the stuff toys were even seated on small, pink plastic chairs settled around an equally pink table with what looks like a tea set.

Without the need to look, Universe already knew that the clothes by the hamper are made of pink threads along with the small house slippers by the bed.

The twins were delighted to see the not-so subtle hint in the difference of both toddlers’ personalities. Opposites always attracts one another, after all.

This time things wet smoothly after Universe had tied the red string around Stephanie’s pinky. But that was probably the reason why Universe opted to stay beside the toddler’s bed for a while longer.

Universe couldn’t find any reason. There was only the want to stay there. So, the rest of everything said no more.

At that night, Stephanie dreamed of riding a comet where she flew across space. Soon she was joined by one of her friends. She can’t see her face but she held her hand all throughout the journey. Her touch was cold, not cold like ice, like her father’s hands after they clean the car and she gets carried to the bathroom to take her bath so she wouldn’t get sick.

The moon finally peaked from the clouds’ shoulder to look down at the quiet city. The darkness gained a few shades lighter. Universe must have liked the smile on little Stephanie’s face while she slept, or as the rest of everything concluded.

All that was left was for Time to tick away into the future so everything could see the fruit of their labor. That was until the twins tugged at Love and Universe to get their attention.

The twins were wondering about the lifespan of a human. Fate doesn’t want Taeyeon to return to ashes after meeting Tiffany while Destiny doesn’t want Tiffany to return to ashes before meeting Taeyeon.

The rest of everything agreed. Both Taeyeon and Tiffany are the fruit of their stubbornness. They can’t let it spoil just like that. A question, however, lingers. What could they do? What should they do?

The twins looked at the toddlers.

Fate and Destiny are similar in every existing way while Taeyeon and Tiffany are the opposite of one another in all possible forms. The twins liked them, but these humans are not toys. So, how do you keep what you like for as long as possible without causing mayhem?

The twins looked at each other.

Universe abruptly inflated like a balloon. She became rounded! The rest of everything became alarmed before coming to inspect what was happening.

Inside Universe was a necklace made from stringed earths. There was so many earths that the middle was nowhere to be found, much less looking for the start and end. But in each earth, every event happened all at once—starting from an inhaled breath then up to the exhale of a breath. It was like watching a single movie from numerous monitors.

Universe immediately knew of the culprit. The twins looked back at her before looking at each other. They made a mistake.

When Universe reverted back to normal the necklace has been replaced by a door with a surface so smooth it wasn’t visible to the normal eye. The door was as large as the earth itself. Curious, the rest of everything opened the door while the twins held on the other so they wouldn’t float away since it was their heads that became balloons. It was, after all, a job well done.

Behind the door was a vast room that has no light source. In the middle was another earth with the same door. The twins took the lead because the rest of everything became too confused to advance.

When the rest of everything followed the twins further into the room, the darkness morphed into swaying trees, tall grasses, dancing flowers, and laughing families. They were in the middle of a park. There was so much life.

The twins looked smug of their work. The rest of everything found the reason why in the form of a path that only they could see, according to the twins, which they followed. What congratulated them in reaching the end was the same earth they saw earlier.

Behind the door the twins opened was the same view; a dark room with the same earth and the same door. Night had come and warmth was everywhere.

Everything went through that door as well. Behind the door Universe opened was still the same sight but white had coated everywhere. It was the afternoon. Still, it was almost the same as the former.

Fate sighed when no one else seemed to understand. Destiny had to stop the rest of everything from continuing through another door they found at the end of the path since, according to her, it would be a waste.

The twins simply left the rest of everything at the third earth. They went back to go through the very first door then settled themselves in such a way that they get a nice view of the toddlers. Tiffany was still asleep while Taeyeon began to wake.

Time’s arms ticked for a while before the rest of everything found the answer.

The twins have created endless realms and in it was an endless stream of the lives of both Taeyeon and Tiffany. This way even if a Taeyeon or Tiffany had returned to ashes, everything could simply go to another earth through the door. Since there’s a door, it acts as the barrier between each earth. Not everything happens all at once which means not all Taeyeon or Tiffany returns to ashes. Another Taeyeon and another Tiffany continues to live.

These endless realms were soon called by the twins as Alternate Universes the moment they saw the look of realization settle on the rest of everything. This way, no rule is broken. No life is messed with. No other fabric was twisted. No change will turn drastic. There is only one constant; Taeyeon and Tiffany.

Here, in the alternate universes, no start is the same and the middle will flow freely, but the ending will never change.

A Taeyeon is for a Tiffany.

A Tiffany is for a Taeyeon.

The twins loved it.

Everything carved that into the fabric of existence and called it a declaration.

Soon afterwards, the other doors were closed until the first door is all everything could see.

Everything settled down to watch just as a plane flew across the wide blue sea.

The rest of everything saw that Time’s arms have moved. He shushed the rest of everything just as a small hand took a pink candy from an equally small hand.

A Taeyeon is for a Tiffany.

A Tiffany is for a Taeyeon.