Dear Name

3: Gift

The next day, you woke up all exhausted due to your jet-lag. It was already 2PM in the afternoon, and most of your family was out getting groceries for the huge dinner you were having tonight.

You grabbed an apple to temporarily satisfy your hunger, brushed your teeth and got dressed. You decided to take a small walk around the neighborhood and perhaps greet some of your neighbors along the way, considering that you haven't seen them for four years.

Perhaps you'd drop by Jin's house as well.

As you walked out, nothing much seemed to have changed, besides some of the new faces that may have moved in during your absence. Some of the houses have been repainted and even rebuilt. Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed you, causing you to scream.

"Y/N? Is that really you?" A familiar voice asked from behind. You turned around to find none other than your old friend, Bambam. Or so you've always called him.

"Bambam!" You exclaimed in shock as you gasped. "I swear I'll die because of a heart issue, and that will be all thanks to you." Bambam laughed as he apologized and embraced you.

"Sorry, I got overly excited. It's been way too long. I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too," you said, muffled as your face was buried in his chest.

When he let go, you noticed that your dear friend had obviously matured, and his voice was deeper but still recognizable. He had also dyed his hair gray, in which you commented that it made him look like a grandpa. Bambam accompanied you in your walk around the city, and the two of you talked non-stop. You did have four years to catch up on with one of your closest friends.

"Have you been seeing Jin around?" You asked curiously.

"Oh, of course! His visits have been more frequent ever since you left. I seriously think there's something growing in between you two..." he trailed off with a suggestive smile. You groaned and slapped his arm.

"It's not like that, you ding dong."

"Oh yeah? I bet you think about him all the time, especially at night." He winks at you.

Well, that was somewhat true, you admitted.

UH-

"Well, no duh? He's my best friend. It's been quite a while since I've interacted with him, too..." You said with a sad tone.

"Aww. How about we visit him then?" Bambam smiled.

"Really? Should I buy a gift before making our way to his house?"

"Uh, depends." Bambam shrugged.

You decided that you must, since it's been so long and you wanted something to make up for you absence. Bambam leads you to a nearby shop and you walked around.

"I don't know what he likes though... his tastes might've changed after all these years..."

"Doesn't matter. As long as there's a meaning behind the gift, whatever the gift is won't matter. That's what I believe anyway." Bambam commented as he gazed off into the distance.

"Is everything okay?" You inquired softly. He gives a slight nod before turning back to you. "Sorry, got lost in my thoughts for a little bit."

You give him an understanding smile, and averted your attention back to the issue at hand. Finding Jin a present.

Your mind flashes back to the adventures the two of you had when you were younger. How the two of you met, the times you've studied together, the pranks you've pulled together on your friends.

Good times.

Suddenly, something shiny catches the corner of your eye. A cherry blossom keychain.

Of course.

The memory of that small trek through the cherry blossom park, right on the day you were to depart for America. His eyes sad and filled with emotions, especially wanting and longing, as if telling you not to go. As the two of you stood on that hill and looked out over the city of Seoul, silent as you enjoyed each other's presence for the last time. You couldn't say anything, didn't say anything for you wanted this moment to truly last.

Maybe that was the day when everything changed for you.

"Y/N?" Bambam whispered as a tear trickled down your face. You stared at the keychain.

"I'll get this one." You quickly stood up, wiped your tears and walked to the cashier.