I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in an exhibition-like room. It was not a spacious room but is full of above reproach works of art. Paintings that seemingly come to life, paper Mache that doesn’t look like a replica and clay pots that could sell millions if you didn’t know what it’s made off; it was all indeed beautiful. Judging from the objects inside the room, I could infer that the one staying here was a Free-Spirited Artist. An artist who thinks and acts in a free way without worrying about the normal social rules. In other words, a person who is in contrast with me; me who is a slave to convention. If I were to switch lives with someone, I would choose the inhibitor of this room and give no care about the world as long as I do works that will make me happy. I was once like that though, before that accident happened.

“Ahh! Pretty-unnie is awake now~!”

I went back to my senses when I heard a kid-like voice calling me “Pretty-unnie”. Casting an eye over the whole room, it was really a little girl who called me that. She smiled to me widely while holding a glass of water and a couple of medicines. Is she the daughter of the one who took me in here? That Free-Spirited Artist who held me back when I was about to jump off in the edge of that old-building? This kid is one polite kid though. She looked like she was only Three-year old little girl but her attitude is one of those magnificent humans that long extinct in this world. If all the people in this world would have the same attitude as hers, then maybe this world would be harmonious and beautiful. Those pretty onyx eyes that looked at me with sparkle as she calls me. Those little hands that held the glasses and the medicines; I really couldn’t help but to smile at her.

“Hayeon-ah, don’t disturb Pretty Unnie” I heard a voice similar to the one I heard before I fainted in the rooftop. The dramatic soprano voice that speaks with such sincerity and purity that makes everyone who hears that feel at ease.

“But Tae-unnie~ Pretty-unnie is really awake now” the little girl whose name was Hayeon pouted a little as her older sister, who I presumed Tae, warned her about disturbing me. Really, this sibling could be the most sincere and nderstand people I met. First in place of my siblings and parents.

“Oh, you’re really awake” She walked near to me and smile. I swear by the living bread and flowing rivers that this girl is like a Goddess. She’s not too tall, not to short either. Her smile, somehow, reflects on what is inside of her heart. Such wholesomeness and uncomplicatedness indeed; her, being an artist, added points of her many reasons why people like her at first sight. I was a stranger to her and yet she stopped me from taking my own life. She laid me on her soft bed when I fainted. Her younger sister held a glass of water and medicines for me. I couldn’t help but tear up a little on the kindness she had showed me.

“I’m no Goddess. I’m just an ordinary person like you…” she articulated those words while smiling. Her annotations made my mouth agape. How the heck could she read my mind?

“Unnie~ I’m going back to the house to grab something to eat~ and I’m Hayeon by the way~ bye bye~” Hayeon dashed towards the door with a smile. I waved to her and smile as thanks for the water and medicine she brought. It was the least I could do as thanks.

“Aside from being a painter, or artist, I’m also indulging with photography. When you capture moments, you also capture on what’s in the heart of the person or people inside the picture. Since I’m doing all of these stuffs for some quite time now, plus I’m a Psychology major, I can definitely tell what’s on your mind as you look at me. No enchanted things involved” That statement of hers did it. She was really the one who could understand me in this chaotic world. The person I needed to release my pent up emotions. I could definitely open up to her without her telling a soul on what we discussed. The person worthy enough of my trust; a very trust worthy person.

“I’m sorry about that…” I hung my head low due to my thoughts being read by her. I was really embarrassed right now that I could dig a hole in the ground and stay there for infinity.

“No need. I totally understand you…” she sat by the chair next to the bed I was laying and held my hand with assurance. Like she was telling me that it was okay

“W-where the heck am I by the way?” I knew that this is an exhibition-like room but, where the hell in Seoul is this place located? Gangnam? Where?  

“You’re in my art room. This room is beside to me house not far away from the building you attempted to jump unto.” The very mention of “attempted to jump unto” made me remember everything what happened this morning; talking back to my older sister for the first time, leaving her in astonishment and trying to run away from my problems. I was ready for this person before my eyes scold me on the rash I was about to do. If that happens, I will let her scold me as she wants. This stubborn girl in the person of me needs some scolding and a couple of head bumps before I could comprehend things. And I think and sure of, that this person is the one who could do that, the only person capable of.

“I’m Kim Taeyeon by the way. I go by the name Taengoo though. When you first opened your eyes and saw my works, you presumed that I’m a Free-Spirited Artist, yes I’m Free-Spirited but not an Artist. I prefer to be called a Free-Spirited Painter, for the reason that painting is my forte.” Again, she showed that freaking beautiful-than-jewels smile.

“Tiffany. Hwang Tiffany” I grabbed her hands and shook it after that brief introduction. Judging on her current reaction, she seemed to know me and what happened to me. I hope that shoe could understand me after this.

“I wouldn’t question your actions earlier now that I knew your name. But, as much as possible, I want to help you get over with it… if you will let me” she rubbed the nape of her neck hinting me that it was quite awkward on her part to say those words to me. I wouldn’t mind if she does that, to be honest, I want that. For once, I need to forget about the past. Quite funny how I threw some tantrums early in the morning because of my career being ruined but quickly changed my preference and mind the moment I met Taengoo. This was the first time I met her yet it feels that I already knew her for years.

“I really don’t mind.” I showed my “oh-so-pretty” eye-smile to her. The eye-smile that I showed again for the first time in forever. The eye-smile that made my fans loves me more aside from my violin skills. The eye-smile that I inherited from my long-bygone mother. The eye-smile that never bothered showing up again after the accident. Who could have thought that this Free-Spirited Indie Painter was the one who brought back that smile for me just by her remarks? Enchanted isn’t it?

“hehe. You’re really cute when you smile. Hayeon was right about you being beautiful and all but, that smile just now, it’s even more magnificent than the paintings I make with inspiration. I hope I could bring that smile all over again as I get to help you and know you more” and one more thing about Taengoo, she was straight forward. She let me hear out her thoughts without a hitch.

“I’m looking forward to that”

“mm-hmm~”

And that was how I made acquaintance with the Free-Spirited Indie Painter. The person who understood me for the first time. The person who made me feel alive again just by her words.