Short Stories

Promises

 I slowly come back to consciousness when I feel someone lightly shaking me. Opening my eyes groggily. I squint, the morning light blinding me. The first thing I see is my best friend's face. I see him smiling down at me.

"Good morning!" He exclaims excitedly. I steadily get up from my bed. "It's so early. What're you doing here?" My voice sounds dry as I say that. He laughs and shakes his head. "We planned to go downtown!" I lay back down after hearing that. "Can we just go there next time? Let's just watch youtube or something." He shrugs and sits on my bed.

"Take a shower and let's watch and talk." He says casually. I try my best to stand up and head to the bathroom. I smile lightly to myself. 'Oh, how lucky I am to be friends with this idiot.' I thought to myself while preparing to shower.

I met him while I was on my daily walk. I was talking to Emjay on my phone while I was slowly walking. I didn't have any friends here in Korea so I always called my Philippine friends. One of the reasons that I'm lonely is that I haven't been to school yet. Though Emjay had to do something so she had to end the call.

I was about to go home until someone tapped my shoulder. I look back, hoping it wasn't someone asking for directions. The only thing I knew how to say was 'go straight'. When I turned around, I saw a guy a few centimeters taller than me.

"Uh... Hey?" I was a bit shocked that he didn't greet me with '안녕하세요. (annyeonghaseyo)' I awkwardly stand straight. "Um, hello," I said with a clear Filipino accent. That's how we met, he was very social. He asked me to be his friend since I was very lonely. I said yes. He said his name is Kai. We exchanged numbers and I left a bit hopeful. Starting from that day on we kept chatting. Slowly we started hanging out. It's like we have known each other since birth.

He usually comes with me and my dad when we go to the hospital. My dad goes and does the healing program while I draw or use my phone there. But now that Kai's here, I talk a lot with him. We laugh while we babble about something funny that happened in the past. I'm starting to enjoy my stay in Korea more. I feel less lonely. But I wanted more friends so I was waiting to go to school. Talking to him always makes me feel happy. He always hangs out with me and I'm thankful that I met him.

The time passes by really quickly and now I'm about to start school. If i'm going to be honest, I would rather keep my life right now the exact same it is. I'm already enjoying it. What more can I ask for? I can't escape school, I guess.

I'm sitting on the chair in my room while Kai is on my bed. My laptop is playing YouTube, a new video from our favorite YouTuber.

"Hey, Kristin?" My eyes stay focused on my laptop and I hum in reply. "No matter what happens, you'll never forget about me, right?" His question takes my attention away. I spin my chair to look at him. "Of Course! To be honest, I always feel like I'm the main character of a movie whenever I'm with you. You make me feel special and happy!" I exclaimed. "Besides, why would you ask that?" His question made me a little worried. "It's nothing. It's just because if you start going to school you'll make more friends and will be busy." He states. He sits still on my bed, seeming like he's thinking about something then he smiles.

"It's a promise then! I'll never forget you and you shouldn't too!"

I start to go to school. It is pretty hard when you can barely understand what they're saying. I always go home crying while Kai comforts me. He always tells me everything will be better soon, that it'll all improve, and to not give up. Slowly I start to be busy as the days pass by. Kai, trying to not disturb me and only visits me sometimes. Slowly, but surely my Korean improves. Making a lot of friends and trying my best to understand the lessons. I keep going and like Kai said I try not to give up and give everything my best shots.

I started to hang out with more people. I go to places with them and talk about the things I like with them. Just like what I always wished for. Time passes by quickly whenever I enjoy things. I like being inside, more than outside by now. Everything is looking up for me by now.

It's been four years. I made lots of friends and made tons of people around me proud. I realized that I feel a bit empty. Maybe it's because I forgot about someone. School distracted me so much that I don't remember clearly anymore. Though I only remember the first name and what we talked about. Especially our promise. When I started to remember him, I started feeling guilty. It was too late to remember him by now. I know nothing about him anymore.

I'm sorry, Kai. I know we made a promise. I'm sorry that I couldn't keep it. I wish you weren't my imagination. I wish you were real. I made up your name, how you look and how you act. I'm ashamed that I forgot about my own creation. Oh, how I always wished you were real, my dear friend. But dreams don't really come true, do they? I really miss you. I wish I drew you to keep you in my memory. Though I always thought you'd be here forever. My judgment was wrong. I'll try to remember you as much as I can. I'll try to give you a happy ending.

I'm sorry.