“It’s been a long time since you’ve played,” Wonyoung said as she let her presence known to the one who was playing the piano this whole time. She honestly thought that the older had put in classical music on the CD player again but as she got captivated by it, she looked for its source and voila! There’s none other than her lover playing it live in the living room. Afraid to interrupt the beautiful moment between her lover and the piano, Wonyoung observed quietly and waited for her to finish the song before taking steps closer to her. “Can I hear another piece, Unnie?”

 

Wonyoung is fascinated by those who can play an instrument. She knows how hard it is to master an instrument, of the hours spent in a day just to practice a piece or a song, and of callouses one could get especially if it’s a stringed instrument. When a person can play an instrument, that person becomes more attractive than the others in her eyes. It’s an unspoken standard of hers which is incredibly exceeded by her lover, Kim Minju.

 

Wonyoung can vividly remember the first time she ever saw Minju. It happened two years ago, during Christmas season. The university had put up a talent show just before the holiday starts, a way to celebrate the end of midterms and also of celebrating Christmas. It wasn’t like freshmen were required to go; it’s just that she was curious of what talent shows are like in a university. She didn’t want to miss an event like that in her life, for who knows what it could bring, or of what she could see. 

 

There were a lot of talented people in the university, she admits to that, but what caught her attention was the brown haired girl who played the piano.

 

Ironically, the girl wasn’t even part of the competition. While the organizers were busy tallying the judges’ sheets to know who gets to bag the first place, she was someone who entertained the crowd. However, with the way her fingers made contact with the piano keys, the dynamics, and the techniques used, it made Wonyoung feel like she could see the note’s colors and that she’s being transferred to another world. It was a soulful and emotional piece. She doesn’t know if other people felt it but she felt nostalgia and serenity brought upon by the music. Even though they are inside the university’s auditorium, it also made her remember a cozy atmosphere and hot chocolates, a huge contrast against the cold winter wind outside.

 

To Wonyoung, if she was a judge and the girl was in the competition, she would have a perfect mark on the judging sheet.

 

Minju patted the space next to her; thankfully, there’s enough space for two people on the stool. “Sure. What do you want to hear?” Minju knows that her girlfriend had already listened to quite a lot of classical music ever since they started dating. It wasn’t like she pushed the younger to actually listen to it; she only suggested some pieces for her to hear but she didn’t expect that Wonyoung would take a liking to it.

 

Wonyoung obliged to sit beside her, but also making sure that she wouldn’t get in the way when Minju’s left hand goes above and beyond when she’ll reach for the keys. “Anything would be nice.”

 

Minju turned to her and pouted, “There’s no such thing as anything in classical.”

 

“I mean, I’d like you to play whatever is comfortable for you. I don’t want to impose on you, Unnie.” Wonyoung frantically blurted out. She’s not even sure why she got on defensive mode but she really wanted to suggest a song for tonight while it’s raining hard outside. However, just like what she had said, she doesn’t want to impose on the older.

 

Minju scrunched her nose and gave the taller a pat in the head. “I assure you that you’re not imposing anything on me.” Wonyoung frowned because her hair is now messy. “But I think I already have a song in mind. Do you mind if I play this first?” 

 

Wonyoung shook her head no and it was Minju’s cue to turn to the piano keys and started to play the notes of the piece, which was miraculously remembered by her hands. It has been a long time since she played this but it was the very first piece she ever learned all because she had taken a liking to someone, and she finds it astonishing how her muscle memory is able to recall the notes.

 

Learning something just to impress another is what Minju never imagined she would do. She usually did things on her own because she actually likes it, for example taking piano lessons and photography.

 

Ever since her parents took her to see a piano concerto by a renowned pianist, who took a worldwide tour and had a stop in Seoul, she got inspired to dream of being on stage to share music at a young age. She had firsthand experience on the effect of music and she wanted to inspire others too. And so, she repeatedly begged her parents to let her take piano lessons, making them comply with what she wants for she did not stop until she got their approval.

 

Since then, her life revolved around home, school, and music.

 

Until one day, she woke up and knew in her heart that there was an addition to the group, by the name of Jang Wonyoung.

 

To be honest, Minju had her fair share of dates with other people but none of them passed to have a second date with her. And so, she just kept doing what she does best, of studying accountancy and practicing music when she has time to spare.

 

But then for Minju, love felt like rain. The first bit was just drizzle. It didn’t bother her that much, not at all when all that she felt was curiosity when her cousin, Chaewon, made her meet someone who was interesting enough to catch her attention. It clearly wasn’t because of the looks but it was because of the way the person expressed her thoughts about Minju’s performance back then at the university’s auditorium.

 

Minju thought that the drizzle was harmless. She was sure that it would go away for it was only a light matter, until she realized that it was already raining. At first, she looked for an umbrella to protect herself against it, but there was none. She looked for a cover to turn to but in her mind, there was only an endless road ahead. When she realized that it was too late for her to return to her home to enjoy its comfort, she had already been long drenched under the sky’s downpour. That was when she realized that resisting against this foreign feeling is futile.

 

She found herself looking for the girl, wanting to know more about her, wanting to talk more with her, wanting to hold her, and wanting to impress the younger while also expressing herself through music. That was when she started to learn Liebestraum No. 3 by Liszt, which is also known as Love Dream. It depicted every emotion she had for Wonyoung. And when she played it for her the first time, it brought the taller girl to tears as the emotions were overflowing. Minju thought that maybe her feelings of happiness when they’re together, of her frustration because it took her some time to realize her feelings, of sadness when they got into an argument before, got to the younger, and she was right.

 

That was also when the storm turned into a drizzle but this time, Wonyoung was there, with an umbrella, guiding her to a cozy home.

 

Wonyoung was only looking at her lover’s hands which played beautifully as always and she recognized the piece’s tone and melody. She wouldn’t forget it as it was the very first piece Minju dedicated to her. The piece she wanted to hear was Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata 2nd movement but this is better. She realized that she was staring and wanting for more even when the piece is already done when Minju poked her cheeks. 

 

“Beautiful,” Wonyoung muttered under her breathe as she stared upon the older’s soft chocolate brown eyes. One that she never thought that she would have the luxury of gazing upon two years ago, and one that she never gets tired of looking as they already spent a year and five months together and counting. 

 

Minju smiled. “Does watching a movie right now seem enjoyable to you?” Minju redirected their attention to something else for there is still time to spare before midnight comes and it’s officially Christmas.

 

They both had been excited for this day because this is the first Christmas that they’ll spend together. Last year they spent it with their respective families, but now that Minju had officially moved out from her parent’s care, and is now working as an accountant in a company that pays well (she graduated with latin honors and is part of the topnotchers in the CPA licensure exam) and also studying methods to be able to teach the future generation of accountants, they planned this day very well.

 

They were supposed to go ice skating and eat at their favorite restaurant but everything went down the drain for it was pouring outside. Minju only had a driving license but she’s staring to save up to get her dream car, while Wonyoung still have no plans on getting a license because she’s busy studying biology in dreams of becoming a doctor one day. They both think that Wonyoung staying inside Minju’s apartment for the entirety of the holiday season is a good idea for they just simply did not expect this would happen, that they would be stuck inside for this occasion.

 

“Are we going to watch home alone or the Grinch?” Wonyoung asked as she watches the older walk away from her to search for some DVD on the shelf she had in the living room. She deduced that it could be the movie that they will watch for both are usually famous whenever it’s Christmas time. She can even reminisce when she was still young that her parents would call her and her sister, Jihan, just to watch it together on their living room.

 

“Neither,” Minju said as she held up a DVD case of a very familiar movie.

 

“No way, I’ve already watched that a million times before.” Wonyoung moved to sit on the couch while Minju was busy setting it up. 

 

“Touché but this is the first time we’ll watch it together and besides, we both love it,” Minju said.

 

Wonyoung only sighed for she knows that it was true. It is one of the things that they are similar with. 

 

When Minju had finished setting the movie up, she dimmed the lights and proceeded to cuddle with Wonyoung on the couch. The younger had her arms around her, and so Minju snuggled closely to the taller, feeling the warmth and comfort that she brings. “Did I tell you that I used to wait for my letter when I was eleven?” Minju heard her lover say.

 

“You’re not alone with that,” Minju whispered.

 

Wonyoung sighed. “I’m still waiting to be honest. And I think you are too but we’re too old for Hogwarts now.” Minju chuckled for what she had heard was true. Going to Hogwarts will be always be their childhood dream.

 

Halfway through the movie, Minju excused herself to prepare a cup of hot chocolate for the two of them, leaving Wonyoung alone to watch the movie for the meantime. Although Minju didn’t want to be away for some time she know that she should get themselves something warm, because although the apartment’s heater is working well, somehow, Minju still feels cold.

 

As she got to the kitchen and started to prepare their drinks, she couldn’t help but wonder if spending Christmas this way is fine with Wonyoung. This is nowhere with what they both had planned. They visualized of taking a walk when they’re done ice skating and going to their favorite restaurant while holding hands. They imagined that they’ll look at the Christmas lights that the parks have put up for this occasion together. Not that they haven’t seen it yet, but it’ll just hit differently tonight. She even had her camera ready to take memorable pictures of them together but then life happens.

 

She just didn’t want to disappoint the younger but here she is, thinking that she had let them both down. She regrets of not checking the weather beforehand and making a promise to Wonyoung that this will be one of the best Christmas Eve ever in her entire life, but it seems like it’s not.

 

When she was done preparing the hot chocolate that was topped with marshmallows, Minju returned back to her lover’s side. Wonyoung’s attention turned as Minju got into her line of vision. And Wonyoung had that delightful smile on her face which made Minju forget all of her worries for the meantime.

 

Wonyoung had noticed the different aura Minju had when she returned from the kitchen. Wonyoung felt that maybe she did something wrong but the older is all snuggled up against her, so maybe there’s nothing to worry about.

 

As they continued to watch the movie in silence, with occasional reactions from them, they finished just in time for midnight. 

 

”Harry Potter or Hermione Granger?” Wonyoung blurted out suddenly.

 

Minju smirked. “Hermione, definitely.” As a kid she had this immense attraction towards Hermione for some reason. Although Harry Potter looked dashing and is the protagonist of the series, she just couldn’t help but to have a harmless crush on the female character

 

Wonyoung smiled. “I see. We are indeed women of culture.” They both laughed with Wonyoung’s remark and Wonyoung still has her arm over the older’s shoulder but this time, the accountant can feel Wonyoung’s thumb going in circles against her hand.

 

“Merry Christmas, Wonnie.” Minju said as she looked up to meet the gaze that she can feel on her. True enough; the younger was staring at her. 

 

Wonyoung’s eyes were nothing compared to any star that Minju had seen before. They held beauty and a universe of its own that will always leave her in awe while magnetizing her. It’s always full of emotions and when the younger uses her trump card, the pleading eyes, one just really can’t say no to her. But this time, what Minju saw in her lover’s deep innocent eyes was a warm kind of gentleness and love that pierced through her soul.

 

Minju watched the younger’s lip slowly curve upwards. “Merry Christmas, Minju-unnie.” As soon as she heard those words, she could feel the butterflies summersault in her stomach and go wild. It’s almost as if she’s a teenager who fell for the first time. She averted her gaze and it landed upon the Christmas tree that was sitting at one corner of the room. With this, she got reminded of the present that was sitting under the tree they decorated together.

 

“Oh right! I have a present for you Wonnie.”

 

“I have one for you too, Unnie.” Wonyoung uttered. “I’ll get it from our room first. Wait a minute.” With that, Wonyoung quickly dashed to get her gift for the older, leaving Minju to grin in amusement. Minju also took this as the time to turn the lights on again.

 

In no time, Wonyoung returned with the present in her hands. “This isn’t much Unnie but I hope you’d like it.” Wonyoung had saved up from her allowance and also from working part time at the convenience store near the university.

 

“You shouldn’t have bothered. You should’ve saved it for future use.” Minju didn’t want Wonyoung to waste money on her because she’s still studying and her finances should go on her materials more specially that biology costs a lot of fortune for all that matters, with all the experiments, laboratory activities and even outdoor stuff that they do. It also didn’t help that Wonyoung is on her 3rd year now.

 

Wonyoung heaved a heavy sigh. “It’s the least I could do for you, Unnie,” was all that she said as she gave her gift to Minju. “You keep on spoiling me, so let me spoil you too in some way.”

 

Minju was left to no choice but to accept the gift, she never thought of rejecting it anyway. She just wanted to let Wonyoung know to still have her priorities straight, that her studies will always be the priority before her. She doesn’t want to hinder the future saver of lives of this country. But she couldn’t help but just smile with how thoughtful and mature her girlfriend is.

 

Wonyoung was handed a rather moderately heavy box. “What’s this, Unnie?” Curious of what’s inside, she tapped the box.

 

“Be careful! It’s fragile so don’t drop it.” Minju frantically uttered when she saw that Wonyoung was about to put it down. And when she alerted the latter, Wonyoung slowly and carefully placed it parallel to the floor.

 

“Don’t worry; I’ll never drop your heart.” Minju could have sworn that she saw the hint of mischief on Wonyoung’s eyes when she said those words. Usually, Minju could come up with an awesome comeback but this left her speechless and she could feel her cheeks heat up due to embarrassment. “I swore to protect it, right?”

 

“Right.” 

 

Wonyoung is absolutely curious with her gift. It’s unbelievably heavy and she has no idea on what the content of the box. “Can we open our presents now?”

 

As soon as Wonyoung opened the box and saw its content, she squealed.

 

“What’s the problem, Wonyoung?” Minju’s voice was full of worry, afraid that the younger doesn’t like her gift. “You don’t like it?”

 

Wonyoung shook her head no. “It’s not that I don’t like it. I love it actually but,” Wonyoung trailed off. She felt that this gift of Minju is too much for her to take. “This is too much, Unnie. I can’t take everything here. And also, just how much did you spend for this?” Wonyoung said as she took another look inside the box.

 

It contained a microscope and some important reference materials that she had heard from her seniors before. The microscope is helpful to conduct some of her research works at home instead of doing it at the university’s laboratory. It in itself is already helpful in a thousand fold but the additional reference materials seriously did it. These books can cost anybody some fortune, and also these books are thick and its contents are also no joke. That’s why seeing all of these inside this box overwhelms her and made her feel a lot of things, one of the prominent emotions that Wonyoung feel are shock and guilt.

 

“No, take it all.” Minju sternly said. “If it makes you feel at ease, I actually got the books free from Chaewon. She’s your sunbae, right?” 

 

Minju recalled asking Chaewon for help regarding what to get Wonyoung this Christmas, and her cousin told her that getting the younger things that can help her in her studies would be great. One of which is the microscope. And when Minju asked about possible reference materials she could get for Wonyoung, Chaewon simply gave all of the important books for free without hesitation. Chaewon said that it’ll only collect dusts if it’ll stay with her, at least with Wonyoung, it can prove itself to be useful.

 

Wonyoung’s jaw dropped with the information that she had heard. “Chaewon-unnie gave all of this for free?” Minju nodded. Chaewon is known at their department for she had graduated with latin honors too, like Minju, and she’s on her way of becoming a neuro-surgeon. Being able to use someone’s reference material is enough to fuel Wonyoung’s passion towards learning. Wonyoung will never put these gifts into waste. “I’ll put these into good use, I assure you.” Wonyoung’s eyes were twinkling as she said those. “Thank you for these, Unnie.”

 

Hearing Wonyoung say those words, made Minju’s heart warm and full. At least, she’s become of help of a future life saver.

 

On the other hand, Minju was smiling ear to ear as soon as she opened Wonyoung’s gift for her. It was a black umbrella that she can keep on her bag, and an elegant long black wool trench coat. The future doctor surely knows Minju’s predicaments. She knows that the umbrella is there so that she won’t lose and forget it anymore at a random place. And the trench coat, that’s because Minju once ranted about wanting to try being fashionable but at the same time look professional. And there she has it, solutions to her problems.

 

“Wonnie,” Minju said ever so sweetly. “Thank you.” Minju once again got reminded of how thoughtful the younger is. It is evident with the way her gifts screamed of care and how it was chosen with thoughts of Minju on her mind.

 

Wonyoung smiled brightly towards the older. She feels happy that Minju appreciated her gift. And then suddenly, she was tackled into a warm hug by the accountant. Wonyoung was taken aback with the unexpected move that it took her some time before returning the hug.

 

“Thank you, Wonyoung.” Minju started and caressed the younger’s hair. “I’m sorry if things didn’t go as planned today, but I hope this day made it to your one of the best Christmas Eve ever.”

 

It all made sense to Wonyoung now. She can’t believe that it took her long enough to finally get what Minju was feeling. She remembered now that the older plays the piano whenever she’s distressed, of the aura her lover had when she returned back from the kitchen, and of the seemingly sad eyes that bore unto her when she stared at it moments ago. It was all because of the worry she feels.

 

“This already belongs to that list, Unnie. You know why?” Wonyoung unclasped herself from the hug and stared at Minju’s brown orbs.

 

“Why?”

 

“Because you’re here by my side.”

 

That could be the cheesiest line Minju has ever heard from the younger and she is internally screaming due to embarrassment. “But seriously, this night is perfect. With you playing the piano, to watching a movie, to drinking hot chocolates, and exchanging gifts with you. This is actually better than going out.” Wonyoung paused. “Although going out is also nice, but being stuck with you here is better.”

 

Wonyoung doesn’t know if she actually helped the older feel at ease now, but in hopes that she really is, Wonyoung gently put her lips against the accountant’s forehead, letting it linger for a few seconds before pulling away and hugging her again.

 

This time, they both take comfort in silence, of the warmth they both bring to each other, as well as with how even though they don’t say anything they are already aware of what the other wants to say.

 

“It’s getting late now. We should sleep.” Minju said, breaking the silence that enveloped them for quite some time.

 

Wonyoung did not falter with what she had heard. “Let’s stay like this for five more minutes.”

 

Not wanting to break the hug, Minju stayed still inside her lover’s embrace. For all she knows that Wonyoung is right. It is indeed better than what they had originally planned. All of those turmoil and storm inside of her was once again brought to peace by Jang Wonyoung. 

 

This rather stormy Christmas Eve is better all because they’re by each other’s side.