It's you

Memories

There is no denying that from all the symphonic musical instruments, saxophones stand out the most.

The first time Taehyung saw it was when he was outside the musical store. He was not alone at that time. Accompanying the five-year old him was his older brother, clasping his hand tightly as they stood in front of the glass wall, ogling at the gold-plated instrument.

Even though Taehyung was only five, he was a prodigy due to his eidetic memory. He could remember where the shop exactly was and what year it was then. He could remember the clothes they were wearing, both having matching striped white-blue shirts and khaki shorts. Only Taehyung was wearing a hat because the sun was glaring hot.

"Hyung-ie."

The older brother looked down at the younger one who was pointing inside. "What is it, Tae?"

"That? That big one?"

"Ah! That is called a saxophone," the older brother chuckled.

The small boy's big round eyes were fixated on the object as his lips curved repeatedly, trying to say the word like how he heard it.

"Sa-sack- sofo-sex-"

"Hajima, hajima," the older brother laughed heartily, pulling the small boy to look at him. "Just call it handsome!"

The small boy pouted. "Wrong! Hyung-ie is wrong!"

"Tae," the older boy patted the smaller one. "You can never go wrong calling anything handsome."

The small boy batted his eyes in surprise. "Jinja?"

"Ne. Jinja!"

Taehyung smiles at the piece of memory. He is impressed of himself to playback that memory as if it was just yesterday. It is not something he always does every morning though.

How can he not recall that moment when he found his beloved saxophone sitting in the middle of the living room?

The only son of the Kim household is already dressed to work and in a hurry to the office but the sight of the instrument sitting on a red velvet cushion had him halted at the foot of the spiral staircase. He is now stood gazing at it like he was the same little boy 12 years ago. Although he is emotionally attached to it, he can hear the small voice in his heart that this is clearly a trap set up by his mother.

Speaking of the devil, Madam Kim appears in a floral dress carrying a tray of tea and cookies.

"Taehyung-ie! Good morning!" she sounds elated to see her son rooted to the ground unmoved. "Are you on your way to work? Why not have some cookies?"

Taehyung eventually tears his gaze off the instrument to look at his mother. Without questions asked, Madam Kim can read his thoughts clearly.

"Ahh! How silly of me! I forgot to mention that I found the saxophone that you played since you're a kid. And have no worries! I have it checked by our nearest musical instruments shop and had it cleaned and tested. They even polished it to look brand new!"

Madam Kim is excited with no doubt but listening to her makes Taehyung find the urge to dissociate himself from the instrument. She suddenly pulls out a black leather box from the sofa and opens it for him to see.

"I also shopped for the best suit to wear for performances! I got your favourite brand! Gucci!"

"Hajima," Taehyung raises his hand to stop his mother from coming nearer. "Please put my saxophone back at where I have kept it. I have to go."

Madam Kim is not offended and insists to give him a handkerchief in which Taehyung always uses to clean the mouthpiece before playing.

"Please, Taehyung-ie," Madam Kim beams with a large smile. "Play a song for me."