8. More Beautiful than Stars
Starla gazed at Ha-neul with an expression full of curiosity, her face filled with an unmistakable interest. Ha-neul, with his mysterious smile, seemed to be inviting her into his secretive inner world. His eyes, like gates to a hidden realm behind the words. Starla felt drawn in, wanting to learn more about Ha-neul’s profound stories and thoughts. In that moment, beneath the tranquil sky, an unspoken exchange occurred, where a single glance conveyed more than mere words. They connected, filled with curiosity and interest that transcended physical dimensions, amidst the shimmering stars in the night.
“Yes,” Ha-neul answered softly, “they were stars in the constellations of Aquila and Cygnus. Each of them has such intriguing stories, entwined in a relationship that transcends time and space.”
“What makes this story so special to you?” Starla asked, trying to understand Ha-neul’s fascination with these stars. Starla fell silent, her eyes continuing to fixate on Ha-neul, who appeared captivated by his own narrative.
Ha-neul smiled meaningfully. “Their tale is about eternal love, about two souls separated by fate but connected through beams of light piercing through the heavens. Princess Orihime, the Star Vega, was a diligent weaver destined for the Sky King. Hikoboshi, who is the Star Altair, was a cowherd.”
“Altair, the herder, fell in love with Vega, the daughter of the Sky Goddess. Due to their diligence, the Sky King agreed to marry them. They lived happily,” Ha-neul continued. Starla listened intently to every word, her face illuminated by the twilight’s glow streaming through the window, as if embracing Ha-neul’s tale. “But....”
“But?” Starla asked, caught up in the narrative.
Ha-neul glanced at Starla with a smile before returning his gaze forward. “As with most love stories, their love story faced obstacles. Because of their happiness, they began neglecting their duties. Hikoboshi stopped tending the cows, and Orihime became lazy with her weaving.”
“Did they end up separated?”
Ha-neul nodded. “Altair and Vega were eventually separated by the wrathful Sky King to opposite sides of the Amanogawa River, which is the Milky Way Galaxy. Orihime was saddened and begged for mercy from the Sky King. The Sky King agreed but with one condition.”
“What was the condition?” Starla interjected, growing more enthusiastic about Ha-neul’s story.
“They were only allowed to meet on the seventh day of the seventh month by the riverbank each year,” Ha-neul replied.
“So, they could only gaze at each other? What about Deneb?” Starla inquired again.
Ha-neul nodded again. “Initially, yes. The Star Deneb, known as the Magpie Bridge, saw them grieving by the riverbank. Deneb then asked his friends to form a bridge so that Hikoboshi and Orihime could cross. Eventually, they met when that bridge was formed in the sky.”
Starla was lost in imagination. She envisioned those stars, exploring the night sky with eyes radiating eternal longing. “How can we connect with stories like these?” Starla asked, her voice trembling with growing curiosity.
Ha-neul smiled hopefully. “We connect by looking at the sky, contemplating the messages written among the stars. These stories remind us of the beauty of true love and the steadfastness in facing obstacles.”
Starla nodded, absorbing each word with an awestruck heart. In the waning night, Ha-neul seemed like a messenger of celestial tales to those willing to listen.
“Perhaps we are all part of a larger story, like the stars in the sky,” Starla uttered, gazing far into the increasingly starry sky.
Ha-neul agreed with a nod. “We are part of an endless continuum, woven by love and the universe’s miracles that transcend everything.”
In the quiet of the night, starlight bore witness to them. Ha-neul, with a gentle voice, whispered captivating sky tales. His words stirred Starla, igniting a longing to explore the mysteries of the world beyond. Beneath the boundless sky, their dreams floated freely like stardust. They felt connected to the vast universe, filled with wonders and secrets. In that moment, amidst shimmering stars, an indescribable bond formed, uniting them in an untold adventure.
Ha-neul smiled. “Their love never fades despite being separated by unimaginable distances, like stars in the sky that continue to shine despite being light-years apart.”
“Ah, so that’s why those three stars only visible in summer look so beautiful,” Starla remarked, her voice filled with empathy. A newfound understanding illuminated her radiant face.
“Yes, you’re right,” Ha-neul replied, his eyes focused on Starla’s face. “But there’s something even more beautiful than them.”
Starla was captivated by the sparkling stars in the night sky. Unintentionally, her eyes met Ha-neul’s deep gaze. Her heart raced as they locked eyes. Starla suddenly fell silent, absorbed in this emotionally charged moment. Ha-neul, with a serious look, conveyed unspoken warmth. They were both entranced in the silence of the night, under the starlight witnessing this unexpected encounter.
Starla furrowed her brow, intrigued by Ha-neul’s mysterious statement. “What do you mean?” she asked, curious.
Ha-neul smiled softly. “I believe there’s a greater beauty than the stars in the sky. There’s beauty hidden within someone’s heart.”
Starla was taken aback by Ha-neul’s profound response, laden with deep meaning. Her heart raced, trying to grasp the implied message behind Ha-neul’s words. Beneath the tranquil night sky, where the twinkling stars watched over them, Starla attempted to read Ha-neul’s mysterious expression, capturing the hidden signs between his words. In her heart, there was an emotional vibration flowing deep within, responding to Ha-neul’s presence with admiration and an unspoken curiosity.
“We are often captivated by the beauty in this universe,” Ha-neul continued, his voice melodious. “But the most beautiful thing is how someone can radiate the same light, illuminating the world around them.”
Starla smiled, touched by Ha-neul’s profound words. In the silence of the night, under the star-filled sky, they gazed at each other with an unspoken understanding. There, they found a beauty beyond just the twinkling starlight in the night sky.
“Like you,” Ha-neul added, this time leaving Starla completely spellbound.
Under the dazzling sky, Starla’s curiosity and admiration grew. The quiet of the night seemed to add mystery to their meeting under the horizon. Whether she misheard or it was indeed the truth, did Ha-neul just say that Starla was more beautiful than the stars? Starla tried to compose herself, not fully hearing what Ha-neul said, but why did her cheeks suddenly feel warm?