Forgetting You

I sat by the traditional pavillion where we used to meet, my rice wine by my side as always, ironically trying to remember every memory that is left of me with you.

I forget a memory of you each and every day, which brings me to tears at night, much more by the time I wake up. It seems like I've been waking up to a diary of our memories wherein precious pages are slowly being torn, right where the remnants of our love was written.

For the record, we do write something special whenever we create a beautiful memory, as if we have foreseen our present happening. We tried to treasure everything we have, and everything we could. But as much as I want to keep on collecting my thoughts, they slowly fade away.

I somehow get a glimpse of our past whenever I sleep, which is why I've been depending so much on alcohol. I try to remember everything we had, much more who you are.

I walk past the oak tree where in one of my dreams, we have made a promise; a memory which brought me into unexpected tears. I don't know if it's the alcohol remembering, or it's my heart aching for some unknown reason. Probably both.
My tears welled up only to find a carved print of a name that seems to ring a bell:

Myeong-Jin

I didn't notice my bead-like tears falling relentlessly right when I saw a rather familiar face standing right on the other side of the tree I was standing...

I was left, dazed by the beauty of this man standing right in front of me, he's left frozen as I am, drenching in the unexpected sight of each one, in an unexpected place.

I didn't know pain can be this bad even when you try to keep them buried forgotten....



I put my head down, unable to hold my tears anymore as they stream down my cheeks, and didn't notice how quick he just strode his way right in front of me, offering me a hanky.

"울지마요 (Don't cry)."

I gathered myself enough to wipe my tears.

"I'm just as hurt as you are." He muttered.

Pain kept piercing into my heart as I try to take a look at him and meet his eyes.

His eyes.

They're still as sparkly as ever. Like the first time I've met him. 

Like the first time we laid eyes on each other while I clumsily fell on my kiddie bike and he helped me up.

The ever-gentleman Kim Seokjin.

//flashback// //flashback// //flashback// //flashback//

I moved to the neighborhood due to mom's work, I won't deny it, I know I miss Seoul so much and how convenient it is, and especially my friends. Although, Gwacheon isn't bad. People in the neighborhood are very friendly, especially the ones next door who mom quickly made friends with.

They brought us food at home to welcome us while I was outside trying to learn how to ride a two-wheeler bike on my own.

My clumsy self, fell as expected. I tried to help myself up when a boy went up to me and helped me up with my bike.

He's rather cute. With fluffy cheeks and plump lips. He is really good-looking for a 7-year-old.

"괜찮아? (are you okay?)"

"Yes, I'm alright. Thank you so much!"

He gave me a polite bow introducing himself, and reached out his hand to me.

"Kim Seokjin."

I took them and shook hands with him, returning his kind gesture, and bowed to greet him.

"Eun Myeongji."

"Nice to meet you, Myeongji! I heard you are our new neighbor. My mom went to your house I am headed there. Should we get yourself treated also?"

I didn't notice the scratch I had on my knee.

"Oh, this is okay. Thanks for helping me out!"
"I hope we can be friends! It's really lonely living in this neighborhood without much kids. They are all grown ups. The playground is so empty only I get to play there. My hyung watches over me immersed in his own world."

He is quick building this rapport on our way home while he brings my bike for me. He is a charmer, I would say. And I don't know how my 7-year-old self gets to realize this deep enough. Probably because I have the same feeling as he?

And the rest is history. I basically grew up with him with his endless gentleman-manner. He walks with me to school, to and from. Helped me riding the bike, played with me 'til sundown at the playground, stayed over our house for movie and dinner, and played games on his.

Jin and I had rather a beautiful childhood. He has always been the one to watch over me. He is indeed reliable. Boys would tease him for liking me because he would keep on sticking with me and I with him. We were inseparable. Girls would get really envious and fight me because I am close to him and he would just shut them down. I relied on him so much and it is just the best thing ever.

One night, we decided to sneak up our rooftop and set up the telescope to see the upcoming shooting star. We wanted to see them so bad. Jin and I had always been so interested in a lot of things. And it is surprising for a guy to be interested with stars and galaxies like I do, and I admire him for that.

He stayed up with me 'til we finally got a hold of the shooting stars and together, we made a wish.

"I wish that our dreams would come true, and that I wish to live happily in the future, with a partner to be by my side always. " I whispered.

I opened my eyes only to find Jin's eyes locked into mine. Full of wonder and hope, and he smiled.

I never felt so secure and I would love to keep us this way for the rest of our lives.

***Jin's POV***

I never really appreciated the beauty of stars until she came.

Ever since that day she fell on her bike, I knew I had to be next to her. I liked being by her side a lot. As a friend.

She makes me happy effortlessly and I enjoy her company. Both our parents are very much happy of our relationship and so are we. I love hanging around her a lot.

I don't mind going to school with her and sticking by her side, no matter what the boys or the girls say, we are good together as friends and I enjoy it a lot.

We went up to their roof top to witness the shooting stars about to fall tonight. 

She loved the stars because it wasn't as bright like they were in Seoul.
And I think I would agree.

The stars came shooting, one by one. And she closed her eyes.
And I never knew a wish can be just by your side.

I stared at her long enough for her to catch me looking at her.
That moment I knew what I want

I want her wish to come true. And I want to be by her side, for the rest of my life.