I Found You When I Was Lost

Chapter 4

It was around 8 am when Alishka woke me up by throwing a pillow to my face. Yes people, that's how my morning starts everyday.
" Come on! Wake up!" Alishka yelled naggingly.
" Huh!!" I groaned. " What! It's like literally just 8 am why the hell are you waking me up."
" Because I had to inform you that I've been called in for some important work today and I have to leave for the office. You have do to the sightseeing alone today." She said.
" What!" I got up from my slumber by this brand new revelation that I just got. " I thought you didn't have work until 3 more days.
" Yeah I know. But there's been a problem at the India office side and they've asked me to handle it personally at the HQ." She said.
" Uhhh! What do I do now. How am I supposed to get around the city without the language all alone." I cried.
" It's okay. You're smart. You'll figure it out. Maybe do some self exploration. Isn't that what you came for?"
" YOU'RE SMART.!...meh meh me...." I said mockingly. " Easy for you to say and leave after ditching me. Okay anyway I'll manage somehow. You go have a productive day."
" Huh sometimes I wonder how you're the elder one and I'm the younger one. Anyway take care. And any problem arises text me okay?" She said
" Yeah yeah whatever" I said dismissively and went into the washroom. I heard the door getting shut behind me while she left.
" Ahh! Y/N ! It's okay. Just go about your itinerary for today. It's all planned from before. We can do this". I reassured myself looking at the mirror.

I got ready. Took a shower, put on an outfit and took my phone, my little backpack and money obviously making mental checks. I went down to have breakfast and got ready to step out.

There was still a little voice in my head that was saying Don't go! Don't leave! But I shushed it and moved on about my day.
I went to do some more sightseeing. The Lotte tower and everything. Everything was smooth. I switched on the navigation on went on about. I was actually having fun. Getting to know the lay of the land. I grabbed some coffee, had real fun. By the time it was around 5 pm and my next destination was Seoul Tower. I thought of skipping it since I and Alishka had agreed to come here together but then I thought I can always come back again with her. Let's just check it out first.
So I went on to explore Seoul tower by myself.
I reached there. All thanks to navigation on my phone. The line over there was really long. Then I saw a lot of shops selling locks around. I couldn't figure out the significance so I just went ahead. As I reached the top I saw that there were a lot of couples writing names on locks and the railings were filled with locks. I was confused and was looking here and there looking for something or someone who could explain this to me. I saw a description plaque nearby and went ahead to read it.
" WELCOME TO SEOUL TOWER.
THE LOCKS ON THE FENCES REPRESENT ETERNAL LOVE. WRITE YOUR NAME WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER , MAKE A WISH AND LOCK IT ON THE FENCE AND THROW THE KEY AWAY. THIS SIGNIFIES THE EVERLASTING LOVE."
" Ohhhh! Okay. So this has nothing to do with me. I have no one in my life like that." I cringed at the cheesiness of the couples over there.
Call me an anti-romantic but I can never get the hang of love and all this drama. I'm definitely not a person who can ever fall in love. I don't believe in the idea of love. I don't think it's something for me. And today in this day and age where people are just deceiving each other in the name of love and just leaving or cheating I don't think things like eternal love exist anymore. Everything is just temporary.

I was lost in my trail of thought when a little boy came by and tugged at my coat.
I got down on my knee to be at his level so that I can talk to him. The kid was so adorable I just couldn't control myself.
" Hey little guy! How are you? " I said
He just looked at me blankly and waved. I was kinda confused thinking what if this kid is lost or something.
" Hello I'm Y/N. What's your name?" I asked.
"Jung" He said.
" Jung! Wow that's a cute name. What are you doing here Jung? Are you lost? Where's your mom?" I asked him worried.
He didn't answer he just pulled my hand and gave me a little red heart shaped padlock.
" What is this Jung" I asked him.
He pointed towards the fence with the padlocks on.
" Oh! Do you want to put this on?" I asked
He shaked is head in a no and pointed towards me. More like towards my heart.
" Oh you want me to put it on?" He nodded agreeing. " But Jung I have no one to write my name with and make a wish. It's better you do it okay."
" No. You put it on. Love yourself". And made a little finger heart with his tiny hands.
" Aww Jung! You're so smart and so cute." And hugged him.
An woman yelling came by calling out him. " Jung! Jung!" And then Jung turned around, started jumping and called " Umma! Umma!"
" Oh Jung! So you're here" Jung's mom came towards us.
" Oh so you're his mom! Annyeonghaseyo!" I said and bowed.
" Annyeonghaseyo!" She bowed back. " Ommo. So this boy has again come towards pretty noonas. I'm really sorry." She apologised
" ah! No no. He's so cute he kept me company here. He's the highlight of my day. I'm so obliged." I said.
" He is like this only, whenever he sees a pretty girl he runs to them. Oh but you don't look like you're from here." She said.
" Oh no no! I'm not pretty at all. Not amongst these beautiful Koreans. And yes I'm a tourist. I'm from India." I said shyly blushing. Embarrassed by the compliment.
" Oh that's why! I love India. Good to see that Indians are also taking interest in our country and visiting us." She said.
" Haha! Yes yes! What's not to like about in your country" I said.
" I know I know. Even our boys here are also incredibly handsome maybe a pretty girl like you can find the love of your life here". She said
" Hahaha! No no. I don't think I'm that pretty and I'm not looking for anyone right now." I said
" Ah you kids now a days. I don't understand why you'll are like this. Sworn of love and everything. Atleast remember to love yourself. You're a beautiful person. You should be more confident. I'm sure there's someone really good and waiting for you. Don't let him wait for long. Anyway I'm probably sounding more like a ajumma. We should get going." She said looking at Jung.
" Yes yes. It was nice to meet you" I said and bowed. I again bent down to Jung and said " Bye Jung. Nice to meet you." And I held my hand to shake his hand. He grabbed my hand with his little hands gave it a little shake and gave me a little kiss on the cheek while waving a goodbye and left.
I was so touched by his cuteness. My heart which had been feeling rather heavy with all these negative thoughts was filled with warmth and felt much lighter.
I thought about what Jung's mom said for a while while looking over the breathtaking view of Seoul from the top. It had almost become dusky. And the sun was about to set. The skies had this beautiful orange hue to it and amidst this you can see the pink from cherry blossom trees form an amalgam with it resulting in a picturesque scene. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
" Oh God Thank you for this. I wouldn't have missed it for the world." I said
I looked into my hand and saw the padlock Jung had given me. I wrote my name on it. Just my name. Made a wish. And locked it on the fence.
I felt so good after it. I vowed to myself to love myself and to have hope that good things will fall into place.
I took a photo of the lock and decided to retreat back.
I came to the bottom of the tower and decided to get back home.
I noticed my phone's dead. And it had gotten dark. There were fewer people around
I have no idea how do I get out of here.
Nobody knew English over here so asking them is difficult. I still managed to ask around but