Stepping out of the elevator, Amina patted a hand down her outfit to get rid of the invincible crease there. Once satisfied, she lifted her head up, looking around in search of a familiar face. Upon spotting him, her lips slanted upwards into a warm smile while her legs moved on their own accord, carrying her in his direction.
He had his back facing her, but she was certain it was he. As such, with no reservations, she slipped her arm and hooked it with his, resting her head on his shoulders.
Her date for the weekend turned around, or as much as his movements were limited to with her clinging onto him like that, before he chuckled softly, "Are you ready to get going?" He inquired.
She bobbed her head, before lifting it and meeting his gaze. "Yes, let's get going." The excitement in her tone was impossible to miss.
He offered her a smile back, his happiness mirroring hers. He then removed his arm out of her hold, taking a few steps forward to come to a stand in front of her. He extended his other hand, which held a bouquet of fresh white lilies out for her. "For my beautiful date, as always."
Amina's smile stretched into a grin, as she took the bouquet from him, her happiness radiating. She couldn't help but feel like a cheeky teenager as she cradled the bouquet close, certainly about to treasure it just like all the others he'd ever given her before. "Why, thank you, Mister."
"Shall we get going on then?" He held out a hand for her.
She slipped hand into his, intertwining their fingers. "Why not?"
Together, they stepped out of The Bay Haeundae Hotel—where they will be staying for the weekend hands intertwined and lips adorned with smiles that's contagious. They hadn't made much plans regarding how the weekend will get going, they simply decided to wing it so in simple terms, they had no destination in mind.
At least, till Amina suggested one of the places she's browsed about, and deemed it the perfect place for them to stroll around and enjoy to the fullest.
"Let's go to Dalmaji Park, it's nearby. There are good reviews about it." She stated, excitement lacing her tone.
He simply nodded, on board with whatever she has in mind so long as it doesn't exceed his limits. Otherwise, he's all in.
So, they did just that. They strolled to the destination she's brought up.
Entering Dalmaji Park, their gazes were immediately drawn to the iconic Dalmaji Hill, which loomed majestically on one side. Its peak was adorned with a canopy of tall pine trees, their slender trunks reaching towards the sky. It was a sight that inspired awe and a sense of wonder.
Truth be told, it was the one thing that made Amina choose to go to the place to begin with. She wanted to see, and be around the famous Dalmaji Hill, and for sightseeing as well. The place was regarded to as the Montmartre of Busan for a reason, and it just happens she has a love for visiting places like that.
As they strolled further into the park, they encountered the charming Dalmaji Culture Village, a cluster of quaint houses and shops showcasing local art and culture. Vibrant murals adorned the walls, and artisans proudly displayed their crafts, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. They strolled down the village, admiring the sight there and even trying some of the things in display, buying a few as well for memory sakes.
The Haeundae Dongbaekseom Island Bridge caught their attention next. This picturesque bridge led to Dongbaek Island, known for its lush greenery and the iconic Nurimaru APEC House. The modern architectural marvel was set against the backdrop of the sea and offered breathtaking views of Haeundae Beach.
The stroll turned out to be longer than she expected, and before she realized it, time flew by in a flash, the day eventually passing by along with their date well spent. But, it didn't hold them back. If anything, they were too engrossed to even care.
Continuing their exploration, they reached Dalmaji-gil, a scenic coastal walkway lined with benches and artistic sculptures. This famous promenade provided panoramic views of the coastline and was a favorite spot for couples and photographers, especially during the cherry blossom season when the trees burst into a riot of pink and white.
With everyone standing there to get their pictures taken, they weren't left behind. She stopped a passerby, asking her to take a picture of them if she might. Luckily, the woman was kind enough to agree, taking way just enough pictures for them to keep for memory sakes.
When they were done, Amina retrieved her phone from the woman, thanking her then bidding her adieu. Amina didn't even stop to check them out. After swiping across a few of them, she deemed them good and hastily took his arm, light on her feet and excited for their next destination in particular.
Nearing the end of their visit, they reached the Dalmaji Hill Observatory, the pinnacle of their journey. From this vantage point, they marveled at the vastness of the sea, the bustling Haeundae Beach, and the cityscape stretching into the horizon. It was a view that left an indelible impression, a reminder of the beauty and grandeur of Dalmaji Park and its many tourist attractions.
That was Amina was hoping to see exactly, and she'd gotten it. She ended up taking one too many pictures, as well as getting videos for a reel she's planning to make and post on her Instagram—she's a fan of that recently, and it always turns out well.
When she was done, they decided to get something to eat before they call it a day. They'd spotted a few eateries around during their observation, and had picked out a few they might actually dine at. One of them was the closest to where they were, so they resigned to dining there.
Each ordered exactly what they want, from where they were seated by the balcony, by the beach from where they got a really good view of it. Amina couldn't help but snap the picture, and post it on her Instagram along with a picture of Bobas they'd both gotten with the caption, 'A date well spent', along with a red heart emoji.
After typing the 'share' button, she placed the phone down and then turned to the man seated opposite her. Together, they both picked up their straws and dipped it into the awaiting bubble tea, their faces instantly pulling into grins following the action.
Picking up the coconut bubble tea, she brought it to her lips to take a sip of it while he picked up his Thai Iced tea, taking sips of it as well. They both placed it down at the same time, nodding their heads in satisfaction.
"This is one of the best things you've ever convinced me into taking." He admitted, slowly becoming a fan of bubble tea as well.
Amina chuckled in a way that screamed 'I told you so'. "You should try other, lively, flavors to. You had odd tastes in your flavors, hence why you are yet to understand the full scope of the might of bubble tea."
He held a hand up to halt her, before she could give him a whole lecture on the type he should take and the ones he should leave aside. "Save me the speech. I'm still yet to finish the Bubble Tea PowerPoint you decided to send me a while ago." Following his admission to never trying Boba before, Amina took it upon herself to educate him on one of the best things to ever exist to man.
She made a whole 50+ PowerPoint presentation on it and sent it to him. He was certain that had they been in the same country then, she would've sat him down and lecture him through it.
He's still yet to pass slide 5.
The first time he tried it, he didn't like it. The Boba was too chewy, and the tea just felt bland. She later on convinced him that he got it at the wrong place, and the wrong flavor as a matter of fact, promising to take him to a place where he would drink good Boba, and eventually become a huge fan of it as well.
So, there they were. And, she was right.
He preferred that one to the one he had before. Maybe, she was right on the Boba thing.
"One day," She tipped her Boba at him, "I will convince you to widen your scope of Boba testing."
He only hummed, lightly chuckling while he shook his head. He brought it to his lips again, the two quietly taking sips of it while they await their food. He's convinced at that point that he will be full before the food arrives but well, they'll figure out what to do then.
"You know..." He started after a while, when the comfortable silence stretched between them. His head was tilted in the direction of the beach, finding comfort in watching the sun rays cast a warm glow on it as the sun sets. "...this whole thing won't make me forget what happened earlier today."
Her eyes instantly widened upon hearing that. Honestly, she was hoping dragging him through all that and bribing him with Boba at the end would make him forget it. Still, she folded her lips in, fully prepared to feign ignorance. "Uhm...I don't understand--"
"Dean, is it?" He slanted his gaze to meet hers, as it lost that playful spark it had in it earlier on. "Why did you two get off the bus together? He was even holding your luggage for you."
She swallowed thickly, thinking of ways to get out of this. "Abuwi..."
Amina's father gave her a stern look that showed he was not open to her dodging the topic. All he wants is the truth. There was no need for her to keep going in rounds when she can give him a straight answer instead. "You better not tell me there's something going on between you and that boy. He's that Aahil's brother, isn't he? Are you with him now?"
"No," She was quick to shake her head, dropping the Boba aside knowing she's in for some explaining and trying to convince him. "Dean and I are just friends, and we ran into each other by chance. I had no idea he's back in Korea."
He gave her a look that screamed he wasn't convinced.
She sighed, then added. "I'm serious. He's here for some other reason as well." He hasn't exactly told her what he was in Busan for, or why he was on that bus as a matter of fact and she didn't prod.
If Dean was on his own journey, who is she to perturb him? She's sure the truth would come out eventually. If he wanted space at the moment to do exactly what he wants, she would give him that.
Perhaps, he was on the path to carve out his own story. She couldn't wait for that.
Abuwi stared at her for a few seconds longer, before he resigned, shaking his head in the process. "Are you certain there's nothing going on, and that it's all just a coincidence?" He wasn't a fan of the Tafida family as a whole since what happened. And though they've never spoken of it, he was sure of how she feels regarding it as well.
She nodded, in response to his question. "Yes, Abuwi. There's nothing going on other than rekindling old friendships, that's it."
He bobbed his head, seemingly satisfied. "Good. You should stay away from them; they aren't good for you."
Amina can confidently say that he's taken the matter more seriously than she does. He was holding onto the anger on her behalf, reminding her of her firm stance.
She found it comical as much as she found it amusing, really. It warmed her heart to know he was there for her, and that she could count on him whenever she wants to. It's a good feeling.
So, her lips slanted upwards into a warm smile, watching him grumble under his breath about how they will have to get through to him before they get to her again. She shook her head, just in time their food arrived.
"Dive in, Abuwi." She gestured to his food that was placed in front of him. "We still have a few things to do before we call it quits for the day. You came all the way here to spend the weekend with me. Let's make the most of it, hmm?"
He nodded, discarding his earlier thoughts aside. She is right, he didn't go all the way there despite his busy schedule to see his only daughter just to ruin it like that. He picked up his Boba, and stretched it out to her. "To our father-daughter bonding weekend."
She lightly clanks hers with his. "Cheers to a fun filled weekend." And a fun weekend it was.
***
Later on that night, Amina strolled down the cherry blossom groove alone, after had father had retired for the night. She had retired as well, but she couldn't bring herself to sleep and there was this nagging feeling she couldn't put a finger to.
So, in an attempt to rid herself of that feeling and to ease the worries and let them permeate out, she decided to take a quiet stroll down the cherry blossom groove. She's always wanted to do that, for it always seemed ethereal and she wanted to witness it for herself.
It didn't disappoint.
The night was slightly chilly, making her pull her overcoat closer to her body. There was still a mirage of people scattered around, mostly headed towards the cherry blossom festival held at Haeundae Park. She's heard some locals talking about it earlier, about how it's always a sight to behold.
Perhaps, she should venture there as well.
In the meantime, she would revere the moment of being under the cherry blossoms. She walked with grace that mirrors the blossoms' elegant descent, each step she takes is a whisper of the forest floor. The petals of cherry blossoms, bathed in the moon's tender light, fall gracefully around her, creating a delicate and ethereal snowfall. They twirl and swirl like celestial confetti, painting the air with a spectral dance.
Her eyes, reflecting the sheen of the moon, sparkle with wonder and admiration as she gazes at the blossoms. In her presence, the cherry blossoms seem to come alive, their petals emitting an otherworldly luminescence that shimmers like faerie dust.
She knows it was her mind making it more ethereal than it actually is, but she didn't mind. It was a wonderful feeling to stay there and immerse herself in such a moment.
At one point, she brought out her phone to capture the beauty, taking a few pictures and videos as well as keepsake for the moment. Once she was satisfied with how they turned out, she sighed, her lips slanting into a wide smile that made her eyes glimmer.
She slipped the phone into the pocket of her overcoat, before extending her hand out. A few petals fell on it, which she couldn't help but observe up close. It was like catching snowfalls on the first day of snow, only this time, there was something soothing about catching the cherry blossom petals.
She wasn't sure how long that lasted, but when she decided to move on to something else, she got rid of the petals in her hand, tucking it safely in the pocket of her overcoat to get some warmth as well. She then turned around, taking a few steps away. Upon tilting her head up, her steps came to an instant halt when her gaze fell on a familiar figure standing a few feet away.
Even in the midst of the crowd there, she could still pick him out. She could pick him out of a thousand people if she has to. She would recognize him anywhere, especially not with their eyes clashing like that.
She could swear her heart skipped a beat then, her breath hitching.
Aahil stared back at her, unmoving from where he had planted himself.
Amina wasn't sure how long they stood there, but at one point, she blinked and blew out a small breath, snapping out of the reverie. Her lips then slanted upwards into a smile, then her feet carried her in that direction.