Step 521st

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝐗𝐗

Choi Youngjae awoke slowly.

A blazing sunlight seeps through his window and it began to trickle in to the openings in the curtains. It hits his legs directly making him stirred up on his sleep.

He fumbled for the bedside table and turned off his alarm as it started ringing too. Still dazed, he felt someone's presence entered his room.

"Youngjae-ah! I have to get going now, I have prepared your breakfast already. Would you be fine?"

It is his mother, hearing her soothing voice never fails to make Youngjae felt assured. Youngjae subconsciously nodded and tries to get back to his sleep. His mother leaned in to plant a soft peck on his forehead. "I already put out your clothes too, and your walking stick and your-"

"Mom..." Youngjae held up his palm to stop his mother. "I'll be fine, go to work. I'll call you if I need anything." He heard a soft chuckle after.

"I love you more than anything. You know that."

Youngjae just humm in response to those sweet words.

"Have a good day." His mother said before he walked out.

A few minutes after his mother left, Youngjae made some rolls on his sheets but he couldn't seem to get back the sleep that was disrupted. He pulled himself up and slid his legs to extend it on the side where his mother always put his cane, and when he felt it, he grasp on the stick so he could stand up.

Youngjae swept his cane from side to side to clear his path he walks on. He has been blind since birth and his cane helps him to get about independently.
It is the reason why his mother is always too anxious to leave him alone but they had no choice as she had to work in order for them to eat. His father left them too early and his mother didn't remarry.

By living in a small apartment, Youngjae doesn't have much hard time on moving, since he already memorized each sides of their house.

After he did his morning routines, he gets ready to start his day. Despite being visually impaired, he is famed on their town for his musical listening skills. He gives some lessons on their church's orchestra, it's not much of a job but he earns a few bucks from this.

He took an early morning deep breath as he stepped out on their door. He couldn't see anything but he can tell that the day is fine. A few neighbors greeted him and Youngjae just waved his hand to them.

They're living in a small coastal town. Great surf, old pub with amazing rums are only the few things their place has to offer. The people are much hospitable towards the tourists too, that's why it's always on the top list of best destination every summer.

Another thing that he loves about their community is that the neighborhood loves him and his mother. Everyone treats them as their family and always looking out for them.

Soon as he started walking Youngjae began his counting.

When he was young and his father was still alive he taught him to count his steps everytime he walks out of their house alone, so he would know how to get back and until now he's still doing it.

1...
2...
3...
.....
20...
.....
....
....

100..

As he slowly walks through the pavement, the calm wind accompany him. He can feel the warm rays of the sun heating his skin. He can also hear the lively noise from his surroundings along with the sound of the tides, the scent of the ocean water are surrounding the area and he's smiling to himself as these things gave every one a significant amount of relaxation.

The people on the town greets him as he passed through their stalls and they make way for him knowing his situation. Everyone is kind enough to guide him as he walks, sometimes giving him free fruits too.