Memories of You

Chapter 4

After filling themselves up, as they both stood waving goodbye to the kids – they both stood still in their place as if disinterested in saying goodbye just yet. The awkwardness shared between the two was quite visible with their movements and expression but Changgu clears his throat before saying “I... I am new here so...” pausing a bit to look at the man standing next to him, before continuing “If you have time, I would be grateful if you can show me around”, smiling as he spoke softly. The taller man immediately reciprocated with a small laugh, as if he knew how they both felt nervous for no reason. A simple “Sure” is what he answered as he smiled and pointed with his hand saying “let’s go”.

As they roamed through the village, they garnered everyone’s attention and rightfully so. People enjoyed their company as they enjoyed theirs and Changgu could finally see the place he was to protect in the future and the people he is to serve. Not everyone looked happy but as they lived their lives Changgu found a sense of purpose in them – and he respected that. They walked side by side and everything seemed so perfect, they laughed together, enjoyed their time together, slowly got to know a few of their likes and dislikes - to both of them, it felt like a breath of fresh air.

Evening soon started to approach and they walked to the edge of the village borders, the edge of the forest caught Changgu’s attention. Huge trees blooming with flowers as far as his eyes could see from the distance, his entire heart was filled with happiness and curiosity. “That is the forest everyone kept mentioning?”, he said in a happy voice. “Yes, why don’t we take a closer look?” replied the taller man and it was as if Changgu was just waiting to hear those words. With a huge smile on his face he turned towards his new friend and said “Yes” before starting to walk in that direction. “Ah wait for me”, said the man behind him while laughing, trying to catch up to him.

It felt like heaven on earth as they walked through slowly, Changgu’s eyes darting left and right as he tried to take everything in. He had seen many a trees within the palace borders but this was something unachievable even to the beauty he was born into. As the flowers shed down due to the gentle wind, it made for a beautiful scene – something the taller man was fixated to. For even a second, he couldn’t look away from the back he saw in front of him. He only then realised how firm it looked, the man looked well-built but of a lean physique as he tread gently, his hand reaching out towards the petals that were falling down as if he was trying to catch them one by one.

“His eyes, his lips, his hands... what is it about him? What is this I feel every time I look at him? Even though I do not try... why do I still keep looking at him?”

“Beautiful isn’t it?” says Changgu in a radiant voice while looking at the man walking behind him. As soon as their eyes meet, it’s as if they went back in time. It was the same as the first time their eyes met, or like every time after – time seemed to stop, as if nothing mattered more than the figure that stood in front of him. Even if he tried, Changgu couldn’t avert his eyes from the man who had a warm smile on his face as he replied “Yes, it is”. Somehow, somewhere – they both knew what that meant. But right after a small pause, the man slowly started to walk towards Changgu.

It was something new. Changgu could clearly hear his own heartbeat, it was louder than ever before and it was as he was spellbound – he couldn’t move his body even an inch, more like it refused to, as if waiting for the other to reach him. As the taller man reached a close enough distance, he stretched his hand out and reached towards Changgu’s face. As they still both looked into each other’s eyes, contrary to Changgu’s expectation the man raised his hand higher and grabbed something off of his gat. He slowly brought his hand down in a fist and opened it to reveal two petals, strangely enough still tied together. “How about you keep it... as a reminder” said the man as he reached his hand out towards the prince.

“Of today? Of all I saw for the first time... or of you? Will we ever meet again or... is this the end of our adventure?”

Changgu couldn’t help but feel anxious at the other’s words, it felt as if this feeling or every feeling till then – the uncertainty of the future was eating away at him. He wondered, what is it that he wants... how does he wish this to continue. The silence was finally broken as Changgu spoke “Keep it, as a promise”, his voice gentle and warm yet no smile visible on his face. One could make out hits of worry and pain as he continued “Let us meet again, here where we stand together”. Even though the taller man did his best to force a smile, his eyes glistened as if close to tears while he closed his hand into a fist again to secure their treasure. He replied, “Someday”, his voice deep and grounded and his smile shaking. As the sun went down behind them, they looked at each other with intent and adoration so as to always remember this moment as they moved forward.

Although they had hope somewhere in the corner of their hearts, fate doesn’t always favour those who deserve it.