Sentience

02

He seemed not to be able to rid of the image he saw.

He still could feel the dampness on his thumb which was used to wipe out the tear under the woman's eyes who he now called, mother. He obviously couldn't replace the spot of her daughter, but he hoped he could help even a small particle to ease the longing.

The image that had been living inside his head was the expression on the mother's face. While they were in the restaurant, she had been staring at him, and the smile had never faded from her lips. That was how happy she was being accompanied.

"Roughly estimating, it has been 3 years since her daughter left the house," he pondered into a space with arms crossed over his chest. "She really doesn't have a heart."

3 years.

Such a long timeline. She must have graduated from some university and probably had been accepted into a great company. Shortened the long story, she must have already had a decent job. So what had stopped her from coming back to her mother? Didn't she worry about her? At all?

Unknowingly, Changmin had been too worked up on this matter. His patience was running thin and he had been thinking about it all day long throughout his class. While the professor was explaining the assignment in the front, he was scribbling in his notebook with a fountain pen. '3 years' written with a big circle around it over and over until the paper tore.

His action attracted his friend, Chanhee, who was sitting next to him in the class. For, it annoyed him the most.

So, Chanhee was confronted as soon as the class was dismissed. "Who is it now?"

It made Changmin ponder, not quite registering. His eyes blinked ever so furiously that almost drove Chanhee mad.

The latter crossed his arm as he turned his body in Changmin's direction. "Stop the play. Who is the person that you're attracted to help this time?"

Oh... Changmin internally gasped.

"You know..."

"Psh... I might know everything about you because we are friends but if you ask other people, they can easily tell too," Chanhee elaborated, shoving his books into his backpack in the process. "I'm worried, Changmin."

"Why?"

"Your sentience for other people... I mean, it's a good thing, good deed even," Chanhee paused, biting his lower lip before he continued, "But, it scares me if it will kill you one day. You know, a curiosity kills a cat."

Changmin cackled - heartily. Like this was some nonsense joke Chanhee was telling. But, the latter was serious - deadly serious, so, he couldn't understand why Changmin could laugh over a serious matter.

"What's funny?!" He was enraged, hitting Changmin's arm.

"You are funny," Changmin sniffled. "'Curiosity kills a cat'. But, I'm not a cat."

He laughed again, his stomach so cramped that he almost rolled on the floor.

"Ji Changmin!" Chanhee cupped his hip as he yelled, then only Changmin held back the laughter knowing that his friend was serious. "Listen here, you crazy boy... If one day I catch you getting into trouble just because of your kindness, you are dead!"

"Calm down, Chanhee... I won't," he sighed. "Besides, I couldn't stop this. I keep seeing feelings on people's faces."

Chanhee simply shook his head.

"That's what you do wrong," he huffed to the ground before he lifted his head back to find his friend's face. "Feelings couldn't be seen. It's all made up. You can ignore it in the first place but you decide to pursue it."

I don't think so... Changmin thought, he disagreed with his friend.

It was valid, anyway. Close friends, best friends or even normal friends couldn't feel the same thing as him. They couldn't understand the same feelings he was having. They were completely contrasting and that was what made them friends. Because the opposite did attract.

He wondered if there was anyone who was feeling the same as him. Anyone who could understand what he was saying. Which, feelings could be seen.

"What are you thinking about?"

A voice broke his stance, taking him back to reality. He blinked furiously, scanning the area. Lockers room. He had already been here after the class and he couldn't even realize because he was too deep drowning in his own head.

Ruffling his own hair, he then turned in the direction where he heard a soft voice approaching. Long brown hair, deer eyes, orangish shade lipstick, blue blouse and white jeans paired with white sneakers. Not to forget some books in hand after class. A girl.

The bulb above his head then turned bright. This girl wasn't only a girl. This girl was probably the one he was looking for. The one who could understand the meaning of feelings could be seen.

"Belle..." He greeted. "You've finished your class?"

She nodded, leaning against the locker opposite to him. "I was passing by and I saw you looked troubled. And... you do look troubled."

Proven.

Belle was the only girl he had grown closer to since his first year in university. The only girl because other girls had never succeeded in being closer to him. Changmin was one of the popular boys; his circle was formed from all the famous students. He spoke to other girls when they did but so far nobody other than Belle had succeeded in having him start the conversation first.

Because of that, they envied Belle the most. Rumours said they had something between them but close friends tried to dig in and found nothing. So, it had left mysterious.

"Let's talk while walking?" He proposed and Belle nodded, agreeing.

Changmin took the thick books that she was holding, leaving her with only her bag over her shoulder as they trailed down the hall. As usual, other students would turn their heads but the two could care less, ignoring them at their best.

"Have I told you about this one woman I accidentally met?" He asked, glancing over her. Belle slightly pondered before she shook her head as she couldn't recall any. If Changmin had told her, she must have remembered. Because she always did. "Ah... maybe I forgot."

"What about her?" Belle halted, turning her body to face him in the middle of the corridor, some passersby dodged them like they were some sculptures that couldn't be moved.

"I found her at the playground watching kids play and I thought she had a problem."

"Why? Did her expression strike out? Sadness?"

Changmin smiled. Too satisfied with the reaction given.

He nodded afterwards, confirming her guess. "Yes... sadness. Her daughter ran away from home."

Belle gasped, "Oh my god... how can a daughter do that? She's a mother. Her mother."

The smile on Changmin's face stretched wider. Yes, exactly... That's what I thought too, he confirmed in his head.

Finally, he could breathe out in relief. For, he found her. Someone who understood sentience.