Is Everything Alright?

Treasuring Memories.

Chapter 17

Luckily our destination isn't far from our hideout so I was happy about that but I'm still blindfolded. Young Do guided me out of my car

and as soon as I get out the smell of cooked noodles hit my nose and I started getting hungry. "Young Do c'mon take this off! I want to

see where we are!" I demanded. "Aish! Ri-Ri you can't even wait." He complained and he took off the blindfold. "The NOODLE

PLACE!!!!! WOW! It hasn't changed at all!" I screamed excitedly. I saw Young Do smirked, "lets go in then" I noticed there was no

other customers other than us. Then there was a reserved table for us, Young Do pulled out a seat for me and I sat down and so did he.

He looked at me as if he knew what I was about to say. I smiled and said, " The usual please." "Same goes for me" The waitress smiled

at us, "I'm glad to see both here together again! You've both grown up as great adults!" "Thank you" we replied. A few minutes later

freshly cooked noodles came to our table with side dishes. I'm really happy to be eating my childhood favorites and I ate a lot of

noodles slurping one after another. Young Do started softly laughing as if he's holding it back. "YA! Why are you laughing?!" I said. He

replied, "Your still the same way back then. Eating Machine Ari" he said. I could care less so I kept on eating. I felt like I was in heaven!

This was extremely goood! Nothing compared to the restaurants in Canada! In a matter of minutes I finished 2 bowls and I ate a lot of

kimbap, I was so full so I burped. I couldn't care if it wasn't feminine so I did it carelessly. So Young Do was laughing so hard and said

"I'm so glad your back. I was so lonely back then." That turned this into a serious convo. The lady took our plates and bowls then

suddenly the lights were off except for the far corner in the kitchen and the christmas lights turned on blinking a bright yellow. The

atmosphere was a bit nerve wracking and I could feel my cheeks turn pink so I looked down. Without thinking, " I think we should

leave... The bill is here. " I got up from my seat just as music was starting. Young Do grabbed me by my wrist and turned me around. He

stared right into my eyes, " Ari, the...reason-that I brought you here... Is because... I want to tell you something" My heart was beating

faster and faster. "I--I..I still.. All those years.. I still ...like you." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. All those years of me being

clueless about whats actually my relationship with Young Do... I've been holding back."Ari, do you like me?" He asked. All my feelings

for him, tell myself that it wasn't right for him to like me. But now... His grip was tighter and suddenly he pulled me into him. I was so

overwhelmed with what I just heard, the next thing I knew I was centimeters from Young Do's face. Suddenly I could feel his lips

against mine, I didn't know how to react. He deepened the kissed and started holding me by my waist. Moments later I was indulged

with his warmth that I kissed back and I put my arms around his neck. We stopped breathing to catch our breaths and I looked at

Young Do. "I take that as a Yes" he then hugged me. I couldn't believe what was happening. My first kiss? With Young Do. He dragged

me out of the shop and I saw his motorcycle already there. "C'mon Ari" he said offering me a helmet, I took it and put it on. He got on

and I did too. So many things happened that I couldn't process everything and just followed. Young Do drove so fast that I had to clutch

onto his waist. He stopped at a park, which I recognized the one where we used to go to when we were kids. He helped me get off and

lead me to same spot we said goodbye to each other. We stood there remembering the treasured memories we had. Young Do held my

hands and said, " Ari, I know I took things a little too fast today. And your family is probably not going to agree with this specially Tan.

But please give me a chance. Please let me protect and hold you in my arms again. I can't promise that I won't hurt you but I'll try.

But I hope that things back then will be the same back then." I started to cry and I hugged him. "You don't need any chances. Your

already my knight in shining armour. But please wait a little longer." He answered, "I waited for 3 years I think I can wait longer." I let

go off my hug and Young Do instantly held hands with me. We started to walk around until we saw the our favorite oak tree. We went

up closer and we saw a carved heart with our names inside it.

*flashback*
Young Do:" jjang! Done!" I smiled when I saw the carved heart on the tree.
Me: "Young Do, why a heart?"
Young Do: its the best one!
Me: isn't that for our parents?
Young Do: I don't know! I don't want to do it again!
Me: but it doesn't fit though! We're just friends! We haven't even..."
Young Do: "what? kissed?" I was silent. I was only 8 when this happened.
Young Do: " I bet I can make you kiss me right now!" He closed his eyes and started forming the fish lips.
Me: Who do you think you are?! NO!
Young Do: fine! Lets make a bet!
Me: Ok. Whats the deal?
Young Do: In 10 years if I can kiss you, you have to me buy a new video game and a new dog house!
Me: what if you don't?
Young Do: I can be your slave for a month!
Me: Fine! Deal.
*end*

I started laughing remembering that silly deal we made almost 10 years ago. "What are you thinking about?!" Young Do asked. "This

was your idea.." I said, "its not that, i just remembered to buy something." I looked at my watch and it was already 10 o'clock. "I think

we should go" We got on Young do's motorcycle and drove home. I decided to let Young Do park a block away from our house. If

anyone sees this through CCTV I'm busted. I hurriedly went inside and decided to make a run up to my room. I was half way across the

living room when I bumped into someone. It was Eun Sang's mom. "Please don't tell." I mentally slapped myself. "Please ahjuma." She

nodded then I raced up to my room. I took off my heels, dress and washed my face. I got into my pajamas and slipped on my bed and

pretended that I was sleeping. Moments later I could hear the door opening. It was my mom, and she checked my room. She went

down when she noticed that I was sleeping. Phew! What a relief. I finally was able to process everything tonight. I KISSED CHOI

YOUNG DO! My hands went up instantly to my lips and I just smiled. I know I'm having a good dream tonight. But I wasn't prepared

for the next morning when reality hits me.