"So this is where you live?" Lisa roamed her eyes. She saw that there are new built decent houses around Irene's home. Once she felt satisfied enough to check the surroundings, Lisa couldn't help her gaze linger on Irene's house that had improved from bamboos to stone.
"Yeah, it's kind of small isn't it? I never want to leave this place so I saved money to renovate it. It was previously made from bamboos." Irene said smiling.
If it was the same place that Irene had live fifteen years ago, then it means a couple of meters away going downhill would be Lisa's old house. She felt knots on her throat.
"Do you want to come inside?" Irene offered.
Lisa was frozen in her position and her eyes were tearing up. She felt her knees weakened because of the flashbacks she's currently experiencing. The voice of her parents echoes on her ears.
"Are you alright?" Irene asked alarmed when she saw the crystals on Lisa's eyes.
"I- I should be get going." Lisa shakily mumbled.
"But- but you don't look alright." Irene said worriedly.
"I'll be alright." Lisa said and grabbed her helmet from Irene's hand.
"Miss? I didn't even know your name. I want to properly say thank you." Irene said shyly.
"I'll come to see you again." Lisa said, her tone was full of promise.
"Ah, like a visit? Uhm. Sure but you should tell me when because I'm always out-"
"Then does Saturday night next week sounds good to you?" Lisa asked in hurry. She put back her helmet.
"Oh, same time today? Y-yeah. Sure." Irene answered.
"Okay." Lisa said with her neutral robotic voice from her helmet.
"Thank you, stranger!" Irene shouted and then Lisa stormed out, with the sound of her engine, some people looked from their own windows.
Irene watched her canish at her sight. She was a stranger but something tells her that she's not. It felt like she knew her all along. Was she an old schoolmate? She's way too young.
"I guess see you next week." Irene mumbled.
Lisa should be going home but she turned around and stopped at the spot where her house was used to built. It's an empty spot now. Did Irene unnie ever stopped the people to demolish my home? It's understandable that it would be gone, no one one's living there anyway.
She removed her helmet and sat at the one side of her motorbike. She shut her eyes when the strong breeze of wind hit her face. The are few houses nearby but it was really silent. She can only hear her own breathing. Suddenly, she can see her young self playing in dirt as her mother nagged her to clean up and her father that laughs at them. She can see herself tucked in the blanket my her mother. She can see herself playing the flute made by her father.
Tears started flowing on her cheeks and her hands form into fist.
She saw Irene. That's what she came here for. But having a glimpse of what she used to have sent daggers in her heart. She held her chest and the silent sobs escaped her lips.
It's overwhelming to go back here, to see Irene, and to be reminded of her past with her parents.
Her phone rings and she quickly wiped her eyes and cheeks.
I cooked some meat, go home real quick monkey before I eat it all!
Lisa smiled. She quickly called Chaeyoung.
