1 The Promise

On the shores of Busan, leaving our backpacks behind on the sand, we ran to meet the incoming onslaught of the waves in the evening tide. As we ran barefoot in the sandy shores, frolicking in the waves, we savor this carefree moment leaving the pressures of school and exams behind.

"Hye Jin, what are you doing???" I asked, as I saw her grab a stick and making a large circle on the sand.

"I'm making a promise ring" she replied readily.

" A promise ring?? What's that?" I asked. Seeing my bewildered expression she heave a sigh as she let go of the stick and came towards me.

"Come I'll show you" she said as she led me by the hand inside the circle.

"First both of us have to step inside the circle. Then facing each other, we hold hands and pledge promises to one another that would last forever. However if any one of us breaks a promise, that person will have to do whatever the other party tells her to do no matter what" she said earnestly.

"What kind of promises?" I was curious and intrigued.

"We'll make them up in turns as we pledge" she replied. "I'll go first and you follow"

"We promise to be our true selves, never room for secrets between us"

"We promise to stay by each other's side through thick and thin,

Be it a shoulder to cry on in sadness or laughing out loud in moments of joy"

"We promise to live life by our own rules, never to regret"

"We promise to stand by each other even if it means us against the world"

"We promise never to let anyone come in between us and our friendship"

"We promise to never let go even if we are miles apart"

"Whats yours is mine, whats mine is yours

This Promise we keep in hearts of ours

Friends forever, sisters at heart"

With the school year drawing near its end, no one knows what the future held for each of us. Today we may be together, tomorrow we might be miles apart as each of us pursue our paths in life. We were uneasy of the journey ahead, afraid of whether our friendship could withstand the tests of time. This Promise ring represented our innermost desire to at least preserve this piece of haven that we found in each other.

As I held her hand reciting the promises we made, I felt overwhelm with love for having a friend like her who knows me inside out and grateful for her unconditional love and support. She was truly my best friend, the sister of my heart.