Infirmitas

Chapter 14: My Guardian Angel

19 years ago

Little Jungkook was sitting still on the bench where his older brother left him. He clicked his tongue out of boredom. He roamed his eyes around and longingly watched the other children play. He puffed his cheeks and saw the empty bottle of banana milk left on the ground. He clasped his tiny hands on his lap. Then he noticed one of the swings empty. His heart tinkled. He wants to ride it. He hasn't been able to since it was always unavailable. He looked back at the bottle. His eyes went back and forth between it and the swing. He's getting nervous. He might lose his chance. So he hopped off the bench and quickly ran to the swing. He knew that his hyung will understand why he left the spot. He'll tell him about the swing.

He leapt to the seat and realized that his feet do not touch the ground. He tried to stretch it to propel and swing himself higher but he still cannot reach. So he got contented with the little movement he can conjure.

"Do you want me to give you a push?"

A boy in a shiny green jacket, yellow turtleneck and white pants went to his side. Jungkook glanced at him shyly.

"I will push you in exchange for something."

Jungkook kept his lips sealed.

"Play with me there." He pointed somewhere.

Jungkook turned to where he was pointing. It was the seesaw.

"Nobody wants to play with me there."

Jungkook thought it was a good deal. He has someone who will push him on the swing and will play with him at the seesaw. He doesn't have a friend with him. His hyung isn't back yet. He needed a playmate for the seesaw to be fun. So he feebly nodded his head.

"Okay. I will push you. Do you want me to push you high?"

"High." He replied in a tiny voice.

The boy started to push his back. He did it while singing 'wee'. On and on, he shoved until Jungkook was already swinging high. He laughed as he enjoyed the air on his face. And the boy chuckled with him.

"You're not scared. We're going to have so much fun."

He waited by the side until the swing slowed to a stop. Jungkook wanted to swing more but he thought that his playmate should have fun too. They can always go back after playing at the seesaw. So he hopped off and went to him. The boy took his hand and they marched.

"Why are you wearing a crown? Are you a prince?" He quietly asked.

He turned to him. "How old are you?" He raised his chin.

Jungkook showed him five fingers.

He flashed a boxy smile. "I'm seven. Call me hyung."

He was comforted by his smile so he granted him his. "Hyung, are you a prince?"

"I am. Because it's my birthday."

"It's your birthday? Do you have a cake?"

"Of course. Do you want to have some? Let's go to my house and eat after playing."

They reached the seesaw. The boy pulled the seat down and helped Jungkook to sit.

"Hold this tight." He placed Jungkook's hands on the handle. "So you will not fall."

Jungkook did as he said. The boy smiled at him and lightly patted his head. Then he walked to the other end.

He sat down and prepared to jump. But stalled, tilted his head sideward and pursed his lips. "I forgot to ask. What's your name?"