Dara raises her head after reading through the letter she wrote on the piece of paper, satisfied with what she sees. She then scrawls her full name on the bottom, right corner. Then with a maniacal glint in her eyes, she raises the piece of paper, up in the air while she lets out a creepy, villainous laugh.




-oOo-




Thirty minutes later, Dara’s ramblings could be heard behind some rocks by the beach.


“Why did I even go through with this idea in the first place? I shouldn’t have listened to that song. It got stuck on my head I ended up doing this. I mean there’s no way a genie would actually pop from somewhere right? I bloody hate you Christina Aguilera!”


Her forehead is covered with a sheen of sweat. Her arms and hands were getting tired. 


“Two feet is ok” She stops, wiping the sweat off her forehead, and looked at her work after concluding that the hole she dug was deep enough.


She drops the shovel aside, and then bends over to get something from her canvass bag. As she straightens she takes out an empty bottle and the piece of paper she was writing on earlier, which was now rolled up. She slid the paper inside the bottle and closes it up with a cork screw.


She has her hand, which was holding the bottle, hover over the hole. Pulling it back, she clasps the bottle with both hands, closed her eyes, and begins to mutter a prayer.


“I know I sound crazy, desperate, but please hear me out on this. I promise to be good.” 


Puffing a breath, she dropped the bottle into the hole and began to cover it back with the sand she dug up. Patting the sand down when it was well covered. 


Dara rubs her palms together to rid of the sand after she’s done. 



With the shovel being dragged from behind, she makes her way across the beach and onto the parking lot, halfway through the path she stops from walking.


“No one would find my bottle, right? I mean, it’s buried deep enough under the sand and I’ve had it covered well. Should I go back?”


Five minutes had passed before Dara shrugged her shoulders in a what-the-heck manner then treads her way again towards her car.


Closing the trunk after she placed the bag and the shovel inside, her eyes strays over the rocks where she placed her bottle.


“Aist! This is making me crazy!” She tangles both hands in her hair and pulls it back a bit.


She stomps over to the driver’s side of the car upfront. Grumbling things as she slides inside the car.


“I’m over thinking again. Yes, that’s it, I’m just too paranoid”


Dara starts the car, before she drives off though, she darts a glance towards the rocks.


“It’s safe. I know it is.”


Or so she thought





-oOo-




Three days later


“Gaho! Come here boy” A man calls out to his rambunctious dog as he runs after it along the sandy shore.


He has been running after his dog right after it ran away from him, after his hold loosened on the leash. Panting and almost out of breath, he sends a prayer of thanks when his dog stopped along the jagged group of rocks.

Collapsing on the sand near the rocks, he mumbles as he watched his dog dig up the sand while he catches his breath “I really have to enroll you in obedience school”


Jiyong rests his palms against the fine sand and stretch out his legs in front of him as he takes in the beauty of nature before him. Immersing his self in the sense of tranquility the beach provides him. 


“Hey! What do you have there?” He asks when he spots something glinting from the sun within the hole Gaho had dug up. He stands up and walks over to Gaho.


“A bottle?” Dusting the sand off its sides he sees something inside it.


He uncorks the bottle and takes out the scrolled paper. Crouching to Gaho’s level, he scratches it by its nape “Let’s see what you’ve found”


Amusement appears in his eyes, as the corners of his lips lift to form a smile reading the note written on the paper. He rolls the paper and shucks it back inside the bottle.


“She’s quite a character. Like her name.” Jiyong rubs Gaho under its chin for the last time, before he grabs the end of the leash and rose from his position.


Hiking back to his car with Gaho, Jiyong stares at the bottle in his hand, he whispered to the wind a name “Sandara Park”




-oOo-





“Dara, stop crying” Hye Sun rubs her back, trying to console the petite girl, bawling her eyes out. AGAIN.


Sniffing, Dara snatches a tissue from the box to blow her nose before responding “I don’t know what I did wrong this time. Kevin says I’m too giggly. Woo says I’m too timid. Tae Hwan says I’m too playful. Now, Jaejoong says I’m too motherly!”


Hye Sun throws an exasperated glance to the other two girls across the table.


Bom reaches out and clasps Dara’s free hand. “Dara, nothing’s wrong with you”


“There is!” Dara sniffs more again “If there wasn’t, they wouldn’t break up or stop dating me right?”


“Dara stop berating yourself over those guys.” It’s now Han Byul’s turn to speak up.


“It’s easy for you guys to say. Hye Sun has Min ho, Bom has Seunghyun. And Byul has Dong Wook. While I’m all alone” Dara lets out another wail causing the other patrons of the coffee shop to look at their table.


“Ssshhh….Dara” Hye Sun hugs Dara


“Don’t you think it’s time you stop this nonsense?” Bom’s starting to get annoyed hearing the same reasoning Dara’s giving them.


“What do you mean Bommie?”


“Stop acting pathetic!”


Dara’s lower lip quivered and was on the verge of letting out another cry, Byul intercepts on time “What Bom means to say, stop trying to be what the guy wants for a girl. Just be yourself” With a glare she faces Bom “Right, Bom?”


“Whatever. Oww...” Bom changes her answer after Byul discreetly pinches her arm “Yes, that’s what I wanted to say”


“What if, no one would like the real me?” 


“Oh brother” Bom mumbles under her breath, rolling her eyes. She sips her coffee instead, leaving the two figure out a way to deal with this.


“Dara, stop belittling yourself. You can’t transform yourself into someone’s dream girl. And wouldn’t it be better if a guy would actually fall for the real you?” Hye Sun steps up.


Dara’s sobs subsided. “You have a point”


“Finally!” Bom exclaims.


The girls were beginning to enjoy the atmosphere. 


“How many months are left until February?” Dara asks out of the blue.


“Three more months” Byul answers.


“Why are you asking?” Hye Sun looks up from her chocolate cake.


“Well, I just had a thought”


Bom stops eating her banana crème pie “Why do I have a feeling we won’t be happy to hear what you’ll say next?”


“Stop it, Bom” Byul gives a warning seeing Dara pout her lips”What is it?”


“I have three more months to find a guy to like the real me” Dara says with a wide smile.


“Ehhhh?” Hye Sun and Byul exclaims, staring with disbelief at Dara.


“I knew it” Bom says.




-oOo-





Two days later.



“Aist! I’m late!” Dara mutters as she rushes to the bus stop “Stupid car! It could break down any other day. No, it breaks down today of all days!”


She was looking down at her watch, failing to notice the dog running straight to her. When she did glance up, it was too late for her to move away from the dog. 


“Oomph” Was the only sound she made when the dog pummeled straight to her.


Next thing she knew she is lying down on the pavement with the heavy dog, her face. She must’ve rapped her head hard against the ground, Dara feels dizzy.


A man rushes to her side, getting the dog off her and cradles her head on his lap “Miss? Are you ok?”


Staring at the man before her, she sees his reddish brown hair. 


“Prince Charming?” She whispers as blackness envelopes her.




-oOo-





Dara begins to stir from the bed, opening her eyes, she strain against the blinding light. She’s now staring at a stark white ceiling, and her head feels like a herd of elephant stomped on it.


She tried to move, but something is anchoring her left hand down, slowly moving her head, gasping as she sees a person’s head resting on the bed, and clasping her hand. The person wakes up. Her eyes turning to saucers as she recognizes the man’s face as the one who rescued her and he’s gorgeous!


“You’re awake” 


Dara tries to speak, but was feeling too parched, her right hand moves to touch .


“You must be thirsty” Her prince stands up to fetch her some water. 


Dara braces her hands on the bed, pushing herself up to a sitting position. The guy is back and seeing her struggling to sit up, he sets the cup down on the bedside table, and then assisted her. Placing the cup under her lips, he positions the straw so she could take a sip.


The cold water felt so good to her dry throat, she drinks it thirstily. 


“Slow down” 


Dara blushes, sensing that the guy is staring at her face.


“Thank you. What happened?” Dara didn’t ask where she is, since it’s already obvious she’s in a hospital.


“It’s my fault. Actually it’s my dog’s fault. He ran and collided into you. You fell on the ground, hit your head hard, and got knocked out”


“How long was I unconscious?”


“Three days”


“Oh” Dara nods her head, as his words sink in her brain “What? Three days? Oh no!”


She started crying.


“What’s Wrong?”


“It was my last chance” Answering between her sobs.


“Last chance?”


“I’m supposed to meet someone last Friday and go on a date” Dara wipes away her tears and takes a calming breath.


“I’m sorry” The guy says quietly.


“It’s not your fault. I think I’m just doomed to being a spinster”


Her words catch the guy’s attention “By the way, I didn’t get your name, you didn’t have any IDs with you so I just made up a name for you for the meantime”


“Silly me, pouring my problems at you when we’re practically strangers” Dara giggles.


“I’m Kwon Jiyong” Holding out his hand for a shake.


Dara takes his hand, and with a smile she introduced herself “Dara. Sandara Park”


“Sandara Park” Jiyong smiles back.


For a second there was an odd moment of recognition that flashed through his eyes, but it was too brief she wasn’t sure if she did see it. And it’s impossible that he’ll know her when this is the first time they met.




-oOo-





Jiyong and Dara became close. It was also the first time that Dara acts like her normal, real self in front of a guy, She’s comfortable around him. He gives her the feeling that there’s no need for pretense, to be the ideal girl a guy would like to have.


One time, Dara is sitting down under a tree reading a book, while Jiyong plays with his dog, Gaho. She looks up from her book and gives them a smile.


He’s a perfect boyfriend


Dara went still with the thought.


Stop it Dara! He’s the first guy you’ve gotten close with being the real you. Don’t mess it up. He might not even see you as a girlfriend material.


The last thought made her sad, she heaves a deep breath and she lets out a long sigh.


“Hey! Why the long face?” Jiyong asks as he slings his arm over her shoulders


Dara angles her head slightly to the side, and stares at the guy, who’s too good to be true. She lets out another sigh


“Nothing”


He leans closer. Dangerously close. “What is it? Tell me.”


Dara knows how persistent Jiyong could be so she tells him the first reason that pops in her head “I still have no date for Valentine’s. I guess I really am doomed to be a spinster”


Jiyong was quiet for a moment. He was only gazing at her face, which made Dara flush at the scrutiny.


“What if I know someone who can be your date?”


Dara shakes her head “Don’t bother. I gave up on dating”


“Do you trust me?”


“Of course I trust you”


“On Valentine’s Day, there’s a nearby beach, go there before sunset by the rocks. Dress up pretty”


“Sure” Dara answers nonchalantly.




-oOo-




Valentine’s Day


Dara is pacing inside her apartment wearing out a path on the carpet, giving a glance at the clock on the wall every now and then. Bom, Byul and Hye Sun follow her with their eyes.


“Will you please stop walking! I’m already getting tired just watching you” Bom yells from the couch.


With worried eyes, Dara turns to her three friends “Do you think I should go?”


“Do you want to go?” Hye Sun asks


“Do I want to go?” Dara asks back


“Why are you hesitating in the first place?” it was Byul’s turn to ask.


“Am I hesitating?” Dara returns another question.


“Dara, I swear to all the corns in my pantry, I’ll take your Tamtam if you ask another question back!” Bom threatens


Dara stops walking and looks at her friends. Gathering up all her courage she gives them an answer.


“I’m in love with Jiyong”


“Then go tell him”


“I will but I’ll go to the date first” Dara grabs her car keys resting on top of the table, bolts to the door, leaving her three friends gawking with surprise at her.


“I could really never understand what goes inside her head” Hye Sun says.


“Me too” Byul nods her head in agreement.


“Why do we even bother? It’s Dara we’re talking about” 




-oOo-



Dara parks her car, and quickly makes her way to the beach.


Crap! Jiyong would kill me if I make his friend wait. 


As she nears the area where the jagged rocks are, she sees a man whose back is turned towards her, wearing a tux. His back looks familiar.


He’s like Jiyong. Well not exactly because Jiyong doesn’t have blonde hair.


“Ehhrmm…Excuse me?”


The man turns around, Dara’s eyes widens to see the man’s face.


“You’re late!” Jiyong grabs Dara’s hands and tugs her towards the rocks,stopping at a spot where a picnic is laid out.


“Did my date already left?” Dara prays that he did. “I can’t go through with it”


“Why?”


Dara takes a deep breath “Because I love you” 


Jiyong didn’t say anything.


“Did my date already left?” Dara asks to break the awkward silence.


“No. He’s here”


“Where?” Dara glances around, a frown on her face seeing no one else “I don’t see any guy, but you….”


Dara’s eyes widen as realization hits her “You’re my date?”


“Yes”


“Why?”


Jiyong gives her a smile “Do you believe in fate?”


“Huh?”


“I didn’t at first but then almost a year ago, I stumbled upon something on this beach.” 


It was only then that Dara sees a portion of the sand near the set-up picnic, dug up, and a bottle with a note inside “It’s my bottle!”


Dara picks up the bottle, a frown forms on her forehead, seeing the note inside, looking different from the one she remembers. She uncorks the bottle, and takes the paper out.


Her breath catches as her heart beats faster reading a different note. And it says

“How did you….?” Tears well up in Dara’s eyes, happiness starts to overwhelm her.


“I think Gaho is your genie or fairy godmother. He found the bottle, and he found you” Jiyong then produces a velvet box and opens it, revealing a diamond ring inside “So what do you say? Can I be your Valentine’s date forever?”


“Yes, I’ll marry you!” 


Jiyong takes the ring from the box and slips it on Dara’s finger, before he hugs her tightly.




-oOo-



Much later


After Dara swallows the last plump, chocolate covered strawberry, Jiyong leans over wearing a naughty smirk on his face.


“What?” For some reason Dara feels excited seeing that smirk.


“I’m going to claim my prize”


“Prize?”


Jiyong then recites a part of her note “I mean, is it too much to ask for a girl to spend one Valentine’s without any problems? I’ll kiss the one who can grant this”


“Aigoo…” Dara blushes 


“I believe you just had one successful date. And I’m the one who made this happen” Jiyong traps her body beneath his “I want my prize”


Dara stares into his eyes “I love you”


“I love you too” Jiyong inches his head closer until their lips touched.


“I’m still getting my prize” He whispers before claiming her lips for a sweet kiss.

to my appler friends  who are probably asking why i didn't join

the fanfic challenge, my demented brain likes ERSITY

i only thought of making this critter, the minute the clock struck

for the deadline... and wrote it on the morning of V-Day!

anyways, I did plan on making critters as my V-day gift prior to the 

announcement of the challenge.... LMAO