The First Fall of Snow

The First Fall of Snow 

Yoonmi looked at the window and saw the first fall of snow. It was already the first day of winter. She sat down, eyes still pierced at the falling snow, she mumbled in her breathe, "Seokjin..." 

That was the first day of December way back two years ago when she went to Imjado, a province where she was born. It has been 3 years since she last visited her hometown. Her parents moved to Seoul when she was three so she every time she has free time, she makes it to a point to visit Imjado.  

"Oh, Yoonmi you're here. Welcome back! We missed you." Aunt El together with Uncle Hoon told her with happy faces carved on them. "It's a pleasure to see you again too! I missed all of you guys so much." Yoonmi told them. They had coffee, had a little chit-chat and catching up. She felt good, she was at ease. She then went to her room and placed her luggage, she jumped into her bed and said, "This is home." 

Yoonmi strolled down the beach enjoying the first day of her three-day vacation when she saw someone sitting by the sand. She looked at the boy, and to her calculations, the boy was at her age. She slowly approached the boy, who at the time, was looking at the beach. "You new here?" Yoonmi asked. The boy jumped out of his surprise, "Ye-Yes. Almost one year as I could remember." Yoonmi stared at the boy's face, from his innocent, deer-shaped eyes, his nose, down to his unique lips. "Ah, I'm Yoonmi. I was born here but moved to Seoul when I was three. But I visit Imjado very often. Almost all the people here know except for the new ones. You?" The boy gulped, "Uhm, I'm Seokjin, you can call me Jin. My parents transferred here from Busan. Nice meeting you." And they both smiled for the new friendship they got. 

Jin and Yoonmi talked for hours about everything, on how they both liked the sea up to how they both love ramen. Both were comfortable with each other's company and both have forgotten about the time. "Oh, I can't believe it's already 10PM. It's late, we need to go home." Jin wanted to talk more and spend more time with her but as he looked at the clock, it's already late. "I had fun talking to you Seokjin. I hope we could spend more time together, I only have three days vacation." Yoonmi replied with a smile on her face. "Yes, of course, of course, we can talk more. Let's meet here again if you want. I always spend my time here by the beach. And yes, time is indeed gold." Jin happily answered. 

Both of them went home recalling the conversations they had earlier. And, both of them can't help but giggle as they recall every detail of it.  

Yoonmi's second day started as she collects ripe cabbages for kimchi making that afternoon. She enjoyed interacting with the people there. It made her missed her hometown so much and wished she had to stay longer. After harvesting, she then went to the beach and looked for Jin. "Guess who?" Yoonmi giggled as she tried to change her voice and not to laugh. "You cannot fool me Yoonmi, I know your smell even 5 distances away from me". Jin answered but with a blank affect. "Seriously?! You must be kidding me...wait, Seokjin are you okay?" Yoonmi noticed it. "Im not feeling well Yoonmi but I'm okay no worries." Jin tried to smile. "Do you want to be alone? I can go back next time Seokjin", Yoonmi replied with a worried look for Jin. Jin held Yoonmi's hand.and gave her the puppy-eyed look "Please, no. Just stay with me, Yoonmi. Stay with me." Yoonmi was shocked with the look Jin gave her. Her heart melted, no, her soul totally brought it. "Ye-Yes, I will stay here if that's what you want Jin. But, we will be making kimchi later, you can join if you want." Yoonmi gave Jin the sweetest smile she could give. And as for Jin, this was the sweetest smile he has ever seen. "I like you Yoonmi," Jin said abruptly with no hesitation, "I really do", he added. Yoonmi was shocked and just stood still. "You make me happy with your existence even for just a day. Let's be happy for the limited time we have together" Jin smiled, his deer-shaped eyes turned into crescent moons. Yoonmi was out for words. Every word that came out of Jin's mouth left Yoonmi speechless. "You are so cute Seokjin, I like you too" Yoonmi tried to blurt out words. And then both of them smiled.