The Eighth Letter From Nayeon

June 12, 1995

Dahyun was fiddling with the new cellphone in her hands. This was all too new for her. She knew that her brother had one, and she used to play with it only because it had games but using it for anything other than that was definitely difficult for her.

But she was happy she was able to afford one, from the money that she saved, the money her mother gave—despite Dahyun’s protests from before she left for Taiwan—at least it was something she could purchase without worrying about not being able to pay her rent or worry about having no food on her table. But she might have to cut costs, not entirely keen on dipping into her savings if the situation needed it.

If only the world didn’t have to cost so much money. She just wanted to send Nayeon one message, maybe even call her, ask how she was, if she was still hurting or if she had any stories to tell.

Guiltily, Dahyun wanted to know what her voice sounded like.

The door to her apartment suddenly opened. Dahyun didn’t worry because the only person who had a key to her apartment was Tzuyu. “Sorry I’m late, traffic was so bad,” she said after a sigh.

Dahyun was still fiddling on her phone, not looking at her friend. “That’s fine, we still have time for lunch. I’ll just make a call.”

Oh. She could use her phone for that. She just needed to figure out how.

Wait. She couldn’t. She realized she needed to contact her cellular provider first about charging her to make calls. It was on, but how was she sure that she could send a message or make a call?

Guess she should just use the trusty telephone for now. Billing statements were easier to understand. She scooted over to the side, picking up the phone book before she grabbed the receiver.

“Hey Dubs,” Tzuyu called out to her.

“Yes?” Her eyes were on the phone book she picked up, trying to look for the contact of the restaurant Tzuyu mentioned.

“Who’s Nayeon?”

That made her freeze, the question was ringing multiple times inside her head, over and over until it finally registered. She whipped her head towards Tzuyu. “Why?”

Tzuyu suddenly picked up a small package wrapped in brown paper, and it was tied up with a thin twine. “She sent you something.”

She blinked, the phone book slipped from her hands, and it dropped onto her carpet with a soft thud. She shook her head. “Huh? That’s for me?”

Tzuyu walked towards her, handing her the package. “Yeah, I went to check your mail for you, and I saw this,” she explained. “Is she your new friend?”

Dahyun took it carefully from Tzuyu. It felt soft. “She is,” she replied, still feeling dumbfounded by this. Her hand gently traced the writing on the paper cover, seeing Nayeon’s familiar handwriting on it. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

“Oh, she’s the one who’s been sending you all those letters?”

She nodded weakly, starting to feel her heart beating out of her chest. “Yeah, she is.”

Tzuyu gave an amused huff. “That’s sweet. You should open it.”

Maybe she should.

Dahyun was simply staring down at the messy handwriting of her pen pal. The feelings that were brewing inside of her was new and she didn’t know how to make of it. Nayeon sent her something much larger and softer than a letter.

Her fingers started to move, feeling the gift, and eventually finding a thicker material, assuming that it was a letter. She pulled on the twine, unraveling it slowly, pushing the brown wrapper away to reveal a white colored scarf, with baby blue trimmings at the end of it. There was no design, just a simple white scarf with baby blue trimmings.

It was… perfect. Dahyun had never received a gift like this before. And especially from someone that she had just met.

Nayeon did this for her?

But why?

Why would Nayeon think about sending her a present? Let alone spend money just for this and then the extra fees to send a bigger package than their usual letters.

Her heart was spinning. But the soft, cottony material underneath her fingers made her blink and she indulged in it.

“Like a blanket,” she whispered, not knowing that she was smiling to herself as she admired the scarf.

Dahyun carefully went through the scarf and then found the one thing she was waiting for. She opened the letter and started reading.

Dear Dahyun,

I know I’m so late, but I don’t care. Happy birthday!

Is it weird I got you a scarf when summers in Taiwan reach till September? Maybe because I really don’t know what to get you. I wanted to send Choco Pie, but the post office said they won’t send food. And I wasn’t sure what else to get.

You’re probably going to say that I didn’t have to do this. But you’ve been nice since the start, you consistently send me letters on time, and I missed your birthday. I had to give you something.

But I guess I chose the scarf because it’s soft and the texture is nice. It has a blue trim too and I like the color. Especially in that shade. Maybe that’s how it’s unique? I’m not sure, I just saw the scarf and I thought of you. So, I hope when winter comes, you’ll wear it.

I’m glad you enjoyed your birthday though. Your friend and her family are amazing people, I’m happy they helped you spend the day that way. I had marked your birthday on my calendar, so I won’t forget it next time.

Are you wondering when my birthday is? It’s on the 22nd of September. But I urge you not to give me anything. Then again, knowing you so far, I feel like you’ll still send me something and I’ll have no choice but to accept it.

Dahyun’s eyes went wide when she realized there was another page.

I think if you just sent me a letter and it would arrive on or before my birthday, I’d be happy already. Material things don’t really do anything to me. Not anymore. It’s why your letters mean so much more to me than anything.

Is that okay to say?

Do you have a partner? Boyfriend? Maybe you're married. Is it okay that you keep receiving letters from me or something? I can’t believe I haven’t asked you yet. But I guess I’m here to share more things about myself and hoping to get to know you even more.

Keep talking about yourself. You’re my friend. I have to get to know you.

Anyway, I hope you liked my gift. Even if it’s weird and off season. Or if it’s not your favorite color. I still hope you like it in some way.

Take care, Dahyun. Happy birthday again.

P.S.
I loved the stamp. I won’t talk about prices anymore. But how did you know I loved rabbits?

Yours sincerely,
Nayeon