Still With My Memories

40. Piece of the Past

It was that hot, summer afternoon in April, 19 years ago.

A normal day for a 7-year-old kid, Jimin, who's happily playing with a stray kitten in their neighborhood.

Few neighbors pass by and Jimin didn't hesitate to greet each one of them. Everyone knows him for being the cute smiling kid who always waits at the gate. "Hello, Auntie!" He waved with his cute voice and a wide smile even he just lost two of his front teeth.

He loves seeing people, watching how they walk, how they talk. He loves seeing smiles and so whenever he sees someone frowning, he'll immediately run out and give them a hug.

A kid that is pure and innocent.

"Are you excited too, huh?" He asks the kitten that is now lying on its back, enjoying the gentle snuggles of Jimin. "Mom promised to bring me a huge choco bar if I get higher grades from last time *giggles* and guess what?" Jimin excitedly pulls out the already crumpled test paper he hid on his back and shows it to the kitten. "I got an A!!!" He screams but in a whisper. "Woaaaahh!" He lovingly pulls up the kitten as if he's dancing with it. "🎶Choco! Choco! I'm gonna have a choco🎶." He sings as he lifts the kitten and gives it some kisses.

Few hours had passed and the sun started setting. The kitten on his lap yawns. Jimin still sitting by the gate patiently waiting for his parents. The test paper on his hands is now neatly folded in two. "Mom must be buying a lot of chocolate, don't you think so, Choco?" He smiles faintly as he fondles the softness of its white fur. He decided to name him Choco, his favorite.

"Meow.." The kitten mews as if it understands what Jimin says. "It's okay ...next time I get a higher grade, I'll ask for cat food and make sure to give you a lot." He said and gently strokes few strands of its fur. "Meow." The cat seems to be happy by what it heard and suddenly jumps off him and presses its face against the kid's leg.

Jimin giggles. "Shall we wait a little longer then?" He said and pulled the kitten for a hug.

The kid waited until the sun fully set.

But that day, his parents didn't show up.

Jimin's lips start to quiver. His chin pressing up and down as he tries to suppress the tears. "M-mom?" He called in a shrieky voice but only crickets answer him. The kitten beside him wags its tail and clings on its legs, its way of giving Jimin comfort.

Just then, a police car stops in front of him. His face lightens. It is his dad's friend's car.

"Dad?" He called with hesitation but still hopeful that his father would get out of the car with his mom. Before the car door creaks open, he hastily opens the test paper showing the A red mark on the paper. He forces a smile even he feels like crying.

Jimin's eyes sadden, instead of his parents, his grandma comes out of the car. Her eyes are tainted red. Her lips are pressed into a thin line as she bows politely to the officers and thank them.

No mom and dad come out of the car.

Jimin's shoulders drop. 'Why are his parents not coming yet?' He thought. Sadness filled his chest. Before he realized it, his grandma is already hugging him tightly. Her heartbeat is too loud that he can even hear it.

At that moment, Jimin can't understand anything but he starts bawling his heart out. He is just too sad. He wants his mom and dad so badly.

*****************************

Jimin wakes up with loud brawling outside the cave. "It's your fault, stupid! Acting as the leader, now what huh? Boss will kill us for sure!" The familiar voice hissed in between pants.