White paper cranes [part 1]
Title: White paper cranes [part 1]
Author: limmet
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: 2min
Summary: We tend to forget about what real happiness consists of.
" You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of.
You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. "
- Albert Camus
He's a dreamer so all he has are hopes and wishes. And there's the busy, hectic guy, that never has time to watch the world that passes by him.
It is said that if you fold 1000 paper cranes your wish will be granted.
Usually everyone wishes for health , forever lasting love, quick recovery, but the boy from our story didn't want any of that, his wish was different, special if you could call it like that, eerie or bizarre. But whatever you thought of it, it was in the end, a wish of a human being. Each of us has his own wish, we set our goal in life and work towards accomplishing it.
And so he did, or... not quite.
A park.
But in this park there wasn't neither a swing nor a sandbox.
In this park there weren't any children. There wasn't any laughter, so in the end happiness left.
Despite the warm sun that kept tickling the leafs, making them rock back and forth, the trees looked dull and inexpressive. They looked exactly like what they were. Trees. And nothing else. Not those fairy like nymphs that the children were imagining them to be, neither some dancing silhouettes or singing artists. Not even the giants that mistreated earth so they were doomed by the gods to live like trees forever. They weren't moving trees, wise trees or living trees at all.
They looked like they were brought from a painting of a depressed person, and that is a huge compliment to describe them.
Because the scenery wasn't sad nor happy, it was plain, colorless and dull.
This is why a little boy liked this park, because it was unusual. It was quiet, a nice comforting silence that embraces you, but at the same time you could hear in the distance a small noise made by cars, or the fake laughter of the students when they finally finished school. And occasionally you could see a person or two passing by.
But there was only one soul which you could see almost daily in that park. A lost little soul with pin straight, honey colored hair, a small waist, and a strangely skinny body, and in this season he always wore oversized sweaters that were dragging him to the ground.
He wanted to remain unnoticed, but as much as he wanted that, it didn't happen because, well... how could absolutely no one, eye him, since he was sitting daily on the same bench from sunset to dawn?
Like I said, a few people walked around the park and they were usually elder people, who grew older with the trees, they became rusty like the benches, and eventually they were forgotten like the park itself.
Although I said that, a new figure found the secret path to this specific place. He was wondering the streets in a hurry one day, because he was late for school. So he decided to pick another route, hoping that it will lead him where he needed. And it did.
Maybe it was luck, maybe he just guessed right, or maybe... the park itself wanted to help this new soul that decided to walk through it, hoping that it will rise again, that it will be full of laughter and happiness, just like the old days whom only the elder remembered vaguely.
Since that day, Minho took that route through the park. Even so, he was always in a hurry, so he didn't took notice of the leafs that were swinging back and forth every time he run in, the sun that wanted to give him a warm welcome, the fall breeze that tickled his black hair. He wasn't the type to believe in those fairy like stories, he had problems and a social life, a part time job, school to attend, and... something else. So why would be even bother to look at it? It looked just like the other parks. Benches, trees, trash cans, leafs, nothing special, nothing new, nothing extraordinary.
But there was one little boy that knew all about this. Our lost soul whom was startled at first when he saw the new presence in his sanctuary.
" What is this guy doing here?"
He thought at first, but he erased the thought, thinking that maybe he just got lost and won't come again tomorrow.
But that didn't happen. That guy came the next day and the day after. Our little soul wasn't scared or anything like that, he was just pissed. Because that tall figure with his keroro eyes was always stumbling in the morning, destroying even the most peaceful day and in the afternoon, his heavy breathing could be sensed miles away, announcing that a gigantic form was on his way there. This guy was always on a run, it was like he was on a never ending marathon, Taemin wouldn't be surprised if that guy was running in his dreams.
A week passed and the little boy was really annoyed. He had somewhere to go to for a couple of days, so he wanted at least a final relaxing day. And since it was Sunday maybe, just maybe it will be possible. But it seems like he wanted too much.
" Running again, figures. God, doesn't he know another path than this?" he mumbled and a folded sheet flew from his hands. He sit up kneeling to get it from the ground when he realized...
" Oh shit"
There was a bump and some indistinguishable mumbles coming from the two figures that were now both on the ground, grumbling about their injured body parts and one of them even had a pretty big bruise.
" Great way to start a day" the little boy said with one hand on his head massaging it slowly.
" Sorry, I'm in a hu..." Minho began, but was cut off.
" Hurry. Figures. Like always. You're always running around up and down with your heavy breath and dinosaur like weight that even the trees are shaking. I'm surprised that none of them didn't fall yet."
" Wha... What did you...?" he was definitely taken aback.
" You heard me! If you weren't so block headed and blind you would have seen me! I'm sure a herd of oxen would see me. And their eyes are smaller, compared to your big owl eyes. Why do you even have big eyes if you don't use them?"
" You were the one in the middle of the street. And from what you said you saw me. And what do you have with my looks now? Just so you know many girls from school want me."
" Oh, excuse me Don Juan for not being able to recognize a beauty, it seems that my standards are lower. But if this..." and he glanced at Minho ." .. is the the highest quality, then I'll pass."
" You sure don't know how to recognize the best slice of meat when you see it " Minho said proudly.
" Do you realize you just made yourself a raw slice of meat don't you? So I don't see what's the difference between you and an ox. Oh.. yeah, they can make use of their eyes."he said puffing in his face.
Minho was flushed, this little figure really knew how to play with him and it had some frustrating guts also.This was a first, and what the heck is his problem anyway with how he looks? His eyes are perfectly normal, or at least that's how he saw them.
" Well if you have such an amazing eye sight, then why did you came in the middle of the road anyway? "
" Well if I stayed still you would've run over this!" and he took out from underneath him a piece of white cramped paper.
" Oh.. a piece of paper, that's really worth risking your life for" Minho said sarcastically.
" It's not just a piece of paper, it's... Ah, forget it. You're not worth my time." the small figure sighed, trying to push the boy that was sitting on him. Now that he noticed they were pressed to each other and he a hard time breathing since a dinosaur was sprawled over him, that guy sure weighted a lot indeed.
" Well, excuse me for not being able to be as wise as you are your highness. But just so you know I'm an A student... umm..." he didn't even knew the person's name.
Even so they were quarreling over such a minor problem. Minho wasn't like this, not at all, but this person had something different, or maybe it was just because this was his first time quarrel with a stranger in the middle of a park, in the beginning of the morning. This was something new, thrilling, and surely strange.
When the person screamed in his ear, he acknowledged their current position.
" And why the heck would I care about that? Just get off of me you big ugly frog! "he said trying without any success to push him over. Great way to start a day. Squished by a gigantic frog.
" Ah, sorry I just..." Minho was mumbling and his movements were uncertain.
" Just get off already I can't breathe!" he finally said.
Then Minho realized that the person had indeed a very slim body covered with an extremely over sized sweater, he was surprised that he could even sit up, that those thin legs can lift his weight. Than again, the clothes probably weighted more then him, or her... He wasn't quite sure what he was yet, because he had the built of a guy, but he never saw a guy so slim and his hair was a little bit too long for a boy. It had a honey like color and it was definitely dyed but it really fitted her/him. And he couldn't take his eyes of those thin fingers that grabbed the paper and that pretty white skin which seemed like it was glowing in the sun light.
" Sorry again for what happened, I'm not like this usually. I..."
" Why are you even standing there? the small figure asked, taking a seat on his bench trying to straighten the piece of paper. " Don't you have somewhere to run to?"
" Oh shit, the soccer practice." Minho said looking at his watch he realized he was indeed late.
He began to run again forgetting to say goodbye to the stranger, but then again why would he? That was after all just a stranger and their meeting was an accident. That's all, a simple accident followed by a bitter quarrel. It wasn't as if they will meet again, or so he thought...
But a thought kept bothering him.
" Hurry. Figures. Like always.You're always running around up and down ..."
Does that mean that he/ her saw him? That she or he was there all along, in those weeks when he passed through that park? Then.. why didn't he saw anybody? Why didn't he noticed?
Maybe it was because Minho doesn't look at all at what life has to offer, he himself is not living, always in a run, with chores, with school, with his own problems, that he forgot how it is to just stay still and breathe, to capture the moment and immortalize it. He forgot how it is to enjoy the blooming flowers in the spring, the cold breeze in the summer, the falling leafs in the autumn and the white snowflakes that dance in the winter.
As strangely as it seems he was always in a battle with time, but time itself wasn't his enemy, it wasn't even a battle. He decided to make it. He was just lost, and so, time stopped for him too, at least for his living self.
On Monday's, Wednesdays' and Saturday's Minho went to the hospital. Not because he was sick, maybe it would've been better that way, he thought sometimes. It was due to his mother sickness, he would've stayed there and take care of her if he could. But she didn't allow it, she wanted her son to experience life. He was still young. While she had her time to live, she experienced a part of what life had to offer, and achieved happiness. She had an amazing son, a beautiful daughter and a loving husband. She felt sorry for them, she regretted the fact that Minho had to take a part time job at night just to pay her fees. And her husband had to go overseas soon, because Minho will graduate and their son must concentrate on studying. It was hard, but they managed it somehow.
She wasn't the melodramatic type of woman that transforms her life in a drama.
A life can look perfect from one's eyes but imperfect from another's.
It was Monday, the day after Minho's accident and he was rushing, like always, nothing new in this, to the hospital since his last class ended. But this time he wasn't running because he was in a hurry, he just wanted to see that person again and apologize for his rudeness. He didn't look at all at the path, if he would've he should've seen that little body in the middle of it.
He was stressed about it since he wanted to do this in the morning. Minho even woke up earlier, but no one came, so he hoped that maybe it was just too early and the stranger didn't woke up yet. But as he continued to presume, new explanations gave him new questions to think about.
" Why is he always there?"; " Doesn't he have school to attend?"; " Does he have a family?"; " Is he a poor street guy?"; " Is he starving?"; " Was he always there?" " Why wasn't he there now?"; " Is it because of our encounter?"; " Did he had an accident?".
He stopped his train of thoughts saying that he was ridiculous saying stupid things like these.
But when he arrived his concern grew, as he was greeted by an empty bench and the cold breeze of autumn. Then a thought crossed his mind." Maybe he changed his place, maybe he's somewhere around here, maybe..."
So he wandered around the park, but somehow he knew that no one was there, he was lying himself. But why? Why was it so important for him to apologize to someone he didn't even know. Minutes pass, and it's already been a half an hour since he was running around like a lost dog. He couldn't continue like this, he had to leave and go to the hospital eventually.
With a sigh he took one last glance to that bench when he saw something...
It was a little, white sheet of folded paper.
" It looks like a boat" he thought analyzing it. But why does it have this sharp little fold here then? It looks like a head. Maybe it's a pterodactyl or... hmm... a goose. It does look like a bird, or some sort of prehistoric dinosaur. "
He put it in his pocket. Somehow he felt warm inside, like that person's soul was with him, but then again he would've been happier if he had found the person in flesh and bones and not a shattered piece of his soul.
At the hospital, he figured his sister was tired of waiting for him at the entrance so she went to their mother's room.
" Hey mom. " he greeted the old lady, tossing his bag on the table. " How are you feeling?"
" Fine sweetheart. " was all she said, completely concentrated on her task.
" What are you two doing there?"
" Paper cranes! " his little sister said excited showing her brother a folded figure that he saw previously. He went to the zoo before he saw cranes, he saw pictures in his encyclopedia too, and that definitely didn't look like a crane.
" It looks more like a goose or pterodactyl to me."
" You don't know how to appreciate art Minho" she puffed cutely and Minho smiled ruffling her hair.
" Yah, stop that! You're ruining my hair."
" As if there was something to ruin."
" Mooom, Minho's picking on me again! "
" Aish, Minho.. leave your sister alone. " the lady said, making one last fold and looking at her crane proudly. " Finished! What do you think Minho?"
" Sorry mom, it still looks like a goose to me. "
" I told you before " just close your eyes but keep your mind wide open". she sighed.
" Bridge to Therabithia" Julie completed. " Mom when are you going to stop quoting from movies? "
" What? That was a great movie" she tried to defend herself.". You guys should live more, feel more, see more. " she puffed.
" Mom, life isn't one of your fairy tales! "
" Of course it isn't darling. I never said that. Life is the chance to create your own fairy tale."
" Mom! I'm already ten, dad's going to leave, Minho's going to go to collage soon." Julie shouted, tears forming in her eyes while her cheeks became red. "A- and... what if... you're going to leave too? What am I going to do? Grow up already!"
" Sweetheart. Come here" their mother said with her arms wide open and a tender, calm, lovely smile on her face. Maybe it was her kindness or the little child that never left her soul, either way she always had a calming effect on people. Sometimes she acted like a child, more than Julie or Minho, like a little four year old, telling them the strangest things. Stories about magical creatures like nymphs, brownies, pixies, faerys, hobs, and some of them gave them nightmares too, like banshees, the howlers, the haunts, adoros. She liked to believe in those sorts of things even at her age. But at the same time she knew when to act like a grown up, when one of her kids deserved to be scolded or on the rare occasions when someone will piss her off, well... then...
"When angels go bad they are worse than anyone else. Remember Lucifer used to be an angel." she tended to quote.
I'm not saying she's an angel on a daily basis, she's kind of annoying reminding you to eat your vegetables as if they're still 5. And it's not as if she's going to kill someone or anything like that, heavens no!
Just that... she can be really creepy and very very scary when she's mad, even the tone when she said that quote freaked Minho and Julie out.
" Sweetheart I'm not going to leave you any time soon. " she tried to shush her daughter's sobs, rocking her back and forth. " You have to grow strong and make your own life, I won't stay with you forever you know that. Sonner or later we all must part."
" I don't want to! I don't wanna..." she mumbled burring her head in her mothers chest.
Minho sighed, taking a sit on the bed and stroking his sister's back slowly.
" You gotta live/ You gotta learn/ You cannot quit/ Because it hurts"
July mumbled something, choking her last sobs. " Mom is contagious. She's quoting from movies and you're quoting from songs. God, people, read some books will you?! "
" There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another " - Alexandre Dumas. Ha! And you said I didn't read books. " their mother said triumphantly.
" Aish... mooooooom... "
" Come here you little... "
" And there they go again" Minho said giggling watching the tickling fight, and the result wasn't always the same, so he didn't knew what to expect.
So he just took a sit in the chair next to the bed watching the scene amused, with a wide smile on his face. That, until his mother decided that Minho was grinning too much so Julie and her attacked him with their experienced tickling techniques, that Minho didn't stand a chance.
On the other side of the glass a boy was smiling at the scene that was playing in front of him.
" They sure do look happy." a voice startled him from behind and the boy quivered.
" Next time announce me when you come. God, Krystal you always have the creepiest ways of showing up. Are you sure you didn't train to be a ninja before? Where the heck do you hide? If it's not in the shadows than I really don't know. "
" I'm not a creep." she puffed her cheeks, offended. " You're just a scary cat."
" You're going to give me a heart attack one day"
" We wouldn't want that would we?" she giggled.
" The doctor wants to see me?" he asked his gaze completely directed to the persons that were laughing and having fun together.
" Yes, he does. Is it someone you know?"
" Not quite. But I guess you could put it like that." he sighed and turned his back to the glass. " Let's go."
As they walked through the white corridors, people were going in and out from all the rooms. There were heavy coughs, people agonizing in pain, nurses and doctors running all over the place. It was noisy and sick and the boy hated this place.
" What's keeping your mind so occupied? Krystal asked looking in his eyes. " Or should I ask who? she said sheepishly with a wide smile on her face.
" Sometimes I wonder how did you become a nurse. Because that was the stupidest thing you said today. " he deadpanned.
" Oh come on, you have to fall for someone at one point. Plus you're at the age when you should get a girlfriend already. Aish.. you're too cute for your own good" she said cupping his cheeks.
" Keep insisting, it's not like it's going to get you anywhere. "
They walked in silence until they reached the elevator, but something was still on his mind and it tore him from the inside.
" What's wrong? "
" It's just... nothing."
She rolled her eyes. " Sure, and you think I'm going to leave you alone in your misery and ignore the fact that something is bothering you. Spill it or I'm going to cupp your cheeks until they become red. Remember what happened last time? "
" You're evil you know that. " he sighed. " You should take care of your patients not molest them ."
" Hey, I am. What if my patience had a heart attack or he encountered some new disease and he didn't want to bother anyone with it. See, I do care. "
" Sure you do." he giggled. He was indeed lucky to have Kristal as his nurse and also as his closest friend.
" So... Care to talk about it?"
" Krystal we have an emergency at room 12. " one of her colleagues shouted rushing quickly in a room.
" Sorry, I..." she sighed but the boy cut her off.
" Room 76 right? " he smiled.
" Like always. Thanks. " she hugged him and rushed through the mass of people. " and don't forget dinner at 7 at the canteen! " she shouted from the distance.
The boy giggled and stepped in pressing the button for the 5th floor. He guessed he had to tell her, eventually. Plus it wasn't such a big deal, it didn't seem like a big deal. But what if she was right... what if he was in...
" No. Definitely not. That can't be" he shook his head and took a piece of white paper from his pocked.
" 129."
After his usual check-up and his mother's pleading to the doctor that it would be better if he would stay in the hospital for further observation.
" I'm aware of your concern, but what he needs is fresh air and a more peaceful atmosphere. "
" But what if this happens again, what if next time he starts spilling..."
" It will happen. " the doctor said. " It doesn't quite matter if he is here or at home. It will happen again. It can't be prevented and we don't know either when exactly it will happen. "
" But at least he will be here... " his mother tried to protest.
" Listen. We can keep your son here. But that will probably mean to add depression on his medical list too. Do you want to take the risk?" he said blinking at the boy and he smiled.
The doctor always knew how to deceive his mother, although her intentions were for his own good. It wouldn't have made any difference if he was here or at home. Both places had that kind of dense atmosphere that he couldn't stand. Here everyone was rushing up and down, it was noisy and hectic. As for his home, everything was too quiet, everything was meant to look too perfect, too safe, as if he was on the edge of death. Everyone treated him too well, no one dared to shout at him, like he was some kind of fragile porcelain doll that would break at the tiniest scratch. And because of that eerie silence that everyone kept at home he preferred to stay in the park, where no one knew him. Even so, the elder people greeted him with a smile every morning. Would tell him stories about their childhood, about the changes in their life, and he would sit quietly and listen. They never asked for his name and neither did the boy.
" Soooo.... " Krystal began at the canteen placing her plate on the table." How did the check-up go?"
" Nothing new, nothing special." he mumbled eating his steamed vegetables.
" So your mom threw a fit again, huh?" she shove a spoon full of smashed potatoes in her mouth.
" Yup. Jinki had to stay another half an hour to convince her to discharge me. I still have to stay here another week though. "
" It sucks. "
" Tell me about it. " he rolled his eyes.
" So, are you going to tell me about what was disturbing you? "
" Thought you forgot." he sighed. He hated her memory sometimes.
" Never!" she said triumphantly rising her spoon, potatoes splashing all over the table.
" If you react like that when you don't know the problem..." he began throwing off the potatoes from his shirt. " ... then maybe it's better not to tell you. "
" Oh, come on, I'll stay still. "
" Ok" he sighed. " You know Mrs. Choi right?
" Sure I do. That woman sure has a pretty amazing imagination. I like her. She have me a lot of movies to watch. I never thought I could enjoy an anime again. I don't know how I missed Totoro. It made me feel like a child again."
" Your rambling again. " he giggled. " And I know you'll continue this until the canteen closes. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing because then you still won't find anything from me."
" Sorry... So what's up with her?"
" Umm.." the boy moved in his seat. "You saw the guy that was in her room right? That big, tall..."
" Minho. " she cut him off. " He's her son, around your age too. " then she realized and her eyes started glowing. " Now I see.. my little Minnie has a crush! Aww, it was about time you little furr ball. " she cupped his cheeks.
" Aish, stop that Krystal. " he shoved her hand from his face. " I don't have a crush on that keroro guy, he even squished me and gave me some ugly bruises..."
" He did what? he shouted, but she wasn't displeased, and to that the boy wasn't satisfied, she was more like excited to hear the story. Maybe I should've shut my mouth. " What did you do Minnie? My little Minnie is growing, awwww. Did he hurt you?"
" What are you thinking for God's sake! I didn't do anything he just crashed on me like a big dinosaur he is, and a blind owl also. He hit me to the ground and we started yelling at each other. End of story. "
" Wasn't there something more?" she asked with a all-knwoinng voice. " Like you know..."
" Krystal.. I swear I'm going to paint your hair blue one of these days when your sleeping. "
" I wouldn't mind. I would look good in blue too. " she said happily. " Now back to you. What happened after? Did he took you at a cafe? Did he wanted to meet again? " Did he propose..."
" I really don't know from where do you get all these ideas. " he shook his head disappointed. " Nothing happened. He run away to who know's where and I returned to my bench. "
" That's boring." she puffed. " You should've at least kiss or something. "
" Just shut up and eat." he shoved a spoon of his food in her mouth.
" Mom I'm going out" the skinny boy shouted startling her mom with the noise made.
" I would prefer if you would stay in the house for the rest of the day sweetheart. It's already 5 and it's going to be dark soon. What do you say if we watch a movie?"
He loved his mom, he really did, but she was too overprotective. She had her reasons though, but sometimes he hoped that she will start living again, she stopped doing many things because of him and somehow he felt responsible for the state his mother was in, he was sorry for what she had to put up through.
" Ok mom. I'll stay." he sighed dragging his feet to the living room.
The days began to be rainy and chilly. Almost all the leafs had fallen from the trees and the scenery became cold and obnoxious to everyone. No one liked to stay outside anymore.
" Hi mom. " Minho greeted coming in like a tornado.
" Hey. Late as always."
" Sorry, I had some things to do and..."
" You know, you could tell me if you have a girlfriend... I would love to meet her. " she cut him, even so she didn't rose her head, wanting to finish her task first.
" I don't mom. I was just in the park..."
" See... I told you mommy, Minho has a crush." the little girl said excited, jumping up and down. " You know that old park a street away from our house? He's always staying there before school and after... and he has that look in his eyes that he's expecting someone. But I never saw anybody " she finished, sighing.
" You were spying on me little rabbit" Minho approached, grabbing her tiny waist and started to tickle her.
When they finished their fight, Minho didn't saw when she pulled something from his jacket.
" Ha! And you said that you didn't have a girlfriend. Then what's this?!" she said triumphantly shaking in the air the white paper crane that Minho was caring in his jacket since he found it on the bench. He wanted to give it back, so he kept it, like a memory, a good luck charm. For some reason he was determinate to meet that person again.
" Waaa, it looks so pretty. " his mother complimented taking it from his daughter." The old park you said huh? " his mother started giggling. " I understand now..."
" Mom it looks like one of his cranes... " she began but her mother shushed her trowing her gaze at Minho who was looking at them not understand anything. What did they found so fascinating at a crane? It was just a paper crane, nothing else, or a goose. It still looked like a goose to Minho.
" Are you conspiring against me or something? "
" No, of course not. " his mother said with a smile that Minho knew it didn't predict anything good. " You can leave."
" You know something I don't know."
" No, I don't. " her response was quick. " Now go."
" But, I just arrived."
" You're not going to meet whom you want here. Now go. The rain stopped. Go, or I'll kick you out."
" You're evil you know that."
" Some way to compliment your mother. " she said jokingly.
It didn't look like time passed or that it was passing in this exact moment, because... as strange as it may seem the scenery looked exactly the same as a month ago. Maybe it was after all a place created by gods whom forgot about it, but the park as the humans called it, didn't forget about them. The boy liked to believe in that. That he had found a place that wasn't neither heaven nor hell, it was like a little island, isolated by the real world but at the same time it was in the center of the world. That he was the one who woke the garden up when he came in the morning, making the leafs stutter grumbling because they wanted to sleep a little more and the wind who had to do his job and pick up all the leafs and make the park tidy and clean.
He didn't had to do much in the autumn and didn't had with whom to talk to. The doves had flown at the ending of August, with their snow white wings and feathers that scattered all over the place. How affectionate they were when they used to fly on the little boy's head stroking his hair and trying their best to make him smile, they used to sing for him as a thank you gift when he fed them. But there was one that the little boy got attached to. He named her Bell.
He found her sitting on his bench one morning with a dozen other doves around her that were making noise and flipping their wings. She had a little scratch on her left wing and also a little bell tied on a red ribbon, which made her long white neck to look so beautiful.
She resembled an angel. Doves always reminded the little boy of angels. There were times when he found that resemblance stupid and very unrealistic but when he returned home, he preferred to believe in it. Even if it was a lie, he wanted to believe, because those small white birds gave him hope.
They were also the symbol of freedom, gathering everyone's wishes, dreams and grief. They stretched their wings and flew to the sky. Taemin didn't know where, but he loved to imagine they they were the messengers of the Gods that still looked upon their world and wanted to help humanity.
Even if it seems like a lie to you, that's what he thought about those simple birds, and that's what his life consisted of... dreaming.
And maybe it was for the best, because we actually tend to forget about what real happiness consists of.
He thought he heard the cicadas with their acute high notes, their intoxicating music that sounded like a beautiful piece of vals. Closing his eyes he saw birds, little cute bugs, butterflies, and the trees that looked more expressive, happier, alive. He saw that summer... his last summer, as he decided.
Because he was caught in his memories the rough thump didn't make it's way to his ears. Someone stopped in front of him. Heavy breathing and a sweaty shirt, attention completely fixed on the boy from the bench.
" Where have you been this whole month?" he began desperate almost, then he realized that wasn't the best way to start a conversation with someone he barely knew.
The boy woke up from his daydreaming and opened his eyes surprised to see Minho standing in front of him.
" What are you doing here?" shock could be read on his face.
" Looking for the faerys" he said sarcastically." I've been waiting for you this whole month. Where have you been? "
He didn't understand at all the question. He looked at the tall boy and opened his mouth, tried to say something but no words come out.
" His been here a whole month? Since... that day?''
He lost himself for a couple of minutes until Minho started shaking his shoulder and asking if he was alright. He inhaled and exhaled and tried to regain his self again.
" What good would it be if you knew where I was? And why did you even wait for me in the first place?"
" Glad to see you again too. " Minho replied, smiling, taking a seat of the bench.
" I didn't give you permission to take a seat." he said puffing his cheeks like a little child.
" It's a public place, I didn't thought I had to ask for your permission."
" It's not a public place. It's a place that was created by Gods,whom everyone forgot about. And you stumble in like this... yah! I'm serious!"
" Suuuure . I didn't disapproved at all" he said with a wide smile, almost laughing. Minho ruffled his hair. " By the way, what's your name? I've been asking the elder's that came here if they knew anything about you, but besides the fact that you came here daily they didn't know too much either.
" Why where you here?" he asked ignoring the question. His voice was ice cold but his fingers started trembling as he continued on his task not daring to look at the older male beside him.
" I wanted to apologize." a change of tonalities could be sensed, he seemed more mature. " I'm sorry for what happened that day. I wasn't myself. And I'm deeply sorry. I was a jerk." he sighed.
" Mission accomplished. Now you can leave." He wasn't touched at all about those words, his tone was heartless.
" Sorry if I bothered you or anything. I thought maybe we could... talk." he said completely disappointed in the stranger's reply.
" No, I don't want to talk. I don't even know you." but that was a lie, it was such a big lie because he knew him. His beautiful smiles, and laughter that filled his empty heart, the kindness that he showed to his mother. He knew him because all this time he watched him, behind the blurry glass. He was like a ray of sunshine in that hectic crawded place full of people that were too dull to be able to show a real smile again.
" Why did you came to apologize to someone who you don't even know and could've forgotten you? he smiled bitterly while his hands where still shacking. " You just wanted a clean conscience, didn't you? It would be bad for your reputation if people presumed wrong things about you. You're a real Saint aren't you? Staying here day by day because of your sin that tears you apart. "
" I didn't do it because of..." Minho began but was cut off.
" Well, I forget you. Now you're free. You don't have to come here again. You don't have to look for me again. " he ended and a tear dropped on the crane.
This was stupid, why was he even crying over such a tiny matter?
" I didn't want you to presume wrong things about me. It looks like it's too late, you already did. If that's what you think then it's better if I'll leave you alone. This goose chase will finally stop. " he said rising from the bench , eyes full of regret and grief.
" What did I just said? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Say something already, he came here for you and you're still bitching around?"
" I'm.. Taemin by the way.Minho right?" he looked up for the first time uncertain of what to expect, wiping the tears from the corner of his eye.
" How did you...? Minho looked at him surprised that he knew his name.
" I have my ways" Taemin said sheepishly. " Maybe I would tell you but you said you wouldn't come here anymore right? Too bad." he grinned.
" You where the one who said that... and now you're... ah, you little! Minho was stunned, speechless and amazed so he started tickling Taemin until the latter gave up.
Author: limmet
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: 2min
Summary: We tend to forget about what real happiness consists of.
" You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of.
You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. "
- Albert Camus
He's a dreamer so all he has are hopes and wishes. And there's the busy, hectic guy, that never has time to watch the world that passes by him.
It is said that if you fold 1000 paper cranes your wish will be granted.
Usually everyone wishes for health , forever lasting love, quick recovery, but the boy from our story didn't want any of that, his wish was different, special if you could call it like that, eerie or bizarre. But whatever you thought of it, it was in the end, a wish of a human being. Each of us has his own wish, we set our goal in life and work towards accomplishing it.
And so he did, or... not quite.
A park.
But in this park there wasn't neither a swing nor a sandbox.
In this park there weren't any children. There wasn't any laughter, so in the end happiness left.
Despite the warm sun that kept tickling the leafs, making them rock back and forth, the trees looked dull and inexpressive. They looked exactly like what they were. Trees. And nothing else. Not those fairy like nymphs that the children were imagining them to be, neither some dancing silhouettes or singing artists. Not even the giants that mistreated earth so they were doomed by the gods to live like trees forever. They weren't moving trees, wise trees or living trees at all.
They looked like they were brought from a painting of a depressed person, and that is a huge compliment to describe them.
Because the scenery wasn't sad nor happy, it was plain, colorless and dull.
This is why a little boy liked this park, because it was unusual. It was quiet, a nice comforting silence that embraces you, but at the same time you could hear in the distance a small noise made by cars, or the fake laughter of the students when they finally finished school. And occasionally you could see a person or two passing by.
But there was only one soul which you could see almost daily in that park. A lost little soul with pin straight, honey colored hair, a small waist, and a strangely skinny body, and in this season he always wore oversized sweaters that were dragging him to the ground.
He wanted to remain unnoticed, but as much as he wanted that, it didn't happen because, well... how could absolutely no one, eye him, since he was sitting daily on the same bench from sunset to dawn?
Like I said, a few people walked around the park and they were usually elder people, who grew older with the trees, they became rusty like the benches, and eventually they were forgotten like the park itself.
Although I said that, a new figure found the secret path to this specific place. He was wondering the streets in a hurry one day, because he was late for school. So he decided to pick another route, hoping that it will lead him where he needed. And it did.
Maybe it was luck, maybe he just guessed right, or maybe... the park itself wanted to help this new soul that decided to walk through it, hoping that it will rise again, that it will be full of laughter and happiness, just like the old days whom only the elder remembered vaguely.
Since that day, Minho took that route through the park. Even so, he was always in a hurry, so he didn't took notice of the leafs that were swinging back and forth every time he run in, the sun that wanted to give him a warm welcome, the fall breeze that tickled his black hair. He wasn't the type to believe in those fairy like stories, he had problems and a social life, a part time job, school to attend, and... something else. So why would be even bother to look at it? It looked just like the other parks. Benches, trees, trash cans, leafs, nothing special, nothing new, nothing extraordinary.
But there was one little boy that knew all about this. Our lost soul whom was startled at first when he saw the new presence in his sanctuary.
" What is this guy doing here?"
He thought at first, but he erased the thought, thinking that maybe he just got lost and won't come again tomorrow.
But that didn't happen. That guy came the next day and the day after. Our little soul wasn't scared or anything like that, he was just pissed. Because that tall figure with his keroro eyes was always stumbling in the morning, destroying even the most peaceful day and in the afternoon, his heavy breathing could be sensed miles away, announcing that a gigantic form was on his way there. This guy was always on a run, it was like he was on a never ending marathon, Taemin wouldn't be surprised if that guy was running in his dreams.
A week passed and the little boy was really annoyed. He had somewhere to go to for a couple of days, so he wanted at least a final relaxing day. And since it was Sunday maybe, just maybe it will be possible. But it seems like he wanted too much.
" Running again, figures. God, doesn't he know another path than this?" he mumbled and a folded sheet flew from his hands. He sit up kneeling to get it from the ground when he realized...
" Oh shit"
There was a bump and some indistinguishable mumbles coming from the two figures that were now both on the ground, grumbling about their injured body parts and one of them even had a pretty big bruise.
" Great way to start a day" the little boy said with one hand on his head massaging it slowly.
" Sorry, I'm in a hu..." Minho began, but was cut off.
" Hurry. Figures. Like always. You're always running around up and down with your heavy breath and dinosaur like weight that even the trees are shaking. I'm surprised that none of them didn't fall yet."
" Wha... What did you...?" he was definitely taken aback.
" You heard me! If you weren't so block headed and blind you would have seen me! I'm sure a herd of oxen would see me. And their eyes are smaller, compared to your big owl eyes. Why do you even have big eyes if you don't use them?"
" You were the one in the middle of the street. And from what you said you saw me. And what do you have with my looks now? Just so you know many girls from school want me."
" Oh, excuse me Don Juan for not being able to recognize a beauty, it seems that my standards are lower. But if this..." and he glanced at Minho ." .. is the the highest quality, then I'll pass."
" You sure don't know how to recognize the best slice of meat when you see it " Minho said proudly.
" Do you realize you just made yourself a raw slice of meat don't you? So I don't see what's the difference between you and an ox. Oh.. yeah, they can make use of their eyes."he said puffing in his face.
Minho was flushed, this little figure really knew how to play with him and it had some frustrating guts also.This was a first, and what the heck is his problem anyway with how he looks? His eyes are perfectly normal, or at least that's how he saw them.
" Well if you have such an amazing eye sight, then why did you came in the middle of the road anyway? "
" Well if I stayed still you would've run over this!" and he took out from underneath him a piece of white cramped paper.
" Oh.. a piece of paper, that's really worth risking your life for" Minho said sarcastically.
" It's not just a piece of paper, it's... Ah, forget it. You're not worth my time." the small figure sighed, trying to push the boy that was sitting on him. Now that he noticed they were pressed to each other and he a hard time breathing since a dinosaur was sprawled over him, that guy sure weighted a lot indeed.
" Well, excuse me for not being able to be as wise as you are your highness. But just so you know I'm an A student... umm..." he didn't even knew the person's name.
Even so they were quarreling over such a minor problem. Minho wasn't like this, not at all, but this person had something different, or maybe it was just because this was his first time quarrel with a stranger in the middle of a park, in the beginning of the morning. This was something new, thrilling, and surely strange.
When the person screamed in his ear, he acknowledged their current position.
" And why the heck would I care about that? Just get off of me you big ugly frog! "he said trying without any success to push him over. Great way to start a day. Squished by a gigantic frog.
" Ah, sorry I just..." Minho was mumbling and his movements were uncertain.
" Just get off already I can't breathe!" he finally said.
Then Minho realized that the person had indeed a very slim body covered with an extremely over sized sweater, he was surprised that he could even sit up, that those thin legs can lift his weight. Than again, the clothes probably weighted more then him, or her... He wasn't quite sure what he was yet, because he had the built of a guy, but he never saw a guy so slim and his hair was a little bit too long for a boy. It had a honey like color and it was definitely dyed but it really fitted her/him. And he couldn't take his eyes of those thin fingers that grabbed the paper and that pretty white skin which seemed like it was glowing in the sun light.
" Sorry again for what happened, I'm not like this usually. I..."
" Why are you even standing there? the small figure asked, taking a seat on his bench trying to straighten the piece of paper. " Don't you have somewhere to run to?"
" Oh shit, the soccer practice." Minho said looking at his watch he realized he was indeed late.
He began to run again forgetting to say goodbye to the stranger, but then again why would he? That was after all just a stranger and their meeting was an accident. That's all, a simple accident followed by a bitter quarrel. It wasn't as if they will meet again, or so he thought...
But a thought kept bothering him.
" Hurry. Figures. Like always.You're always running around up and down ..."
Does that mean that he/ her saw him? That she or he was there all along, in those weeks when he passed through that park? Then.. why didn't he saw anybody? Why didn't he noticed?
Maybe it was because Minho doesn't look at all at what life has to offer, he himself is not living, always in a run, with chores, with school, with his own problems, that he forgot how it is to just stay still and breathe, to capture the moment and immortalize it. He forgot how it is to enjoy the blooming flowers in the spring, the cold breeze in the summer, the falling leafs in the autumn and the white snowflakes that dance in the winter.
As strangely as it seems he was always in a battle with time, but time itself wasn't his enemy, it wasn't even a battle. He decided to make it. He was just lost, and so, time stopped for him too, at least for his living self.
On Monday's, Wednesdays' and Saturday's Minho went to the hospital. Not because he was sick, maybe it would've been better that way, he thought sometimes. It was due to his mother sickness, he would've stayed there and take care of her if he could. But she didn't allow it, she wanted her son to experience life. He was still young. While she had her time to live, she experienced a part of what life had to offer, and achieved happiness. She had an amazing son, a beautiful daughter and a loving husband. She felt sorry for them, she regretted the fact that Minho had to take a part time job at night just to pay her fees. And her husband had to go overseas soon, because Minho will graduate and their son must concentrate on studying. It was hard, but they managed it somehow.
She wasn't the melodramatic type of woman that transforms her life in a drama.
A life can look perfect from one's eyes but imperfect from another's.
It was Monday, the day after Minho's accident and he was rushing, like always, nothing new in this, to the hospital since his last class ended. But this time he wasn't running because he was in a hurry, he just wanted to see that person again and apologize for his rudeness. He didn't look at all at the path, if he would've he should've seen that little body in the middle of it.
He was stressed about it since he wanted to do this in the morning. Minho even woke up earlier, but no one came, so he hoped that maybe it was just too early and the stranger didn't woke up yet. But as he continued to presume, new explanations gave him new questions to think about.
" Why is he always there?"; " Doesn't he have school to attend?"; " Does he have a family?"; " Is he a poor street guy?"; " Is he starving?"; " Was he always there?" " Why wasn't he there now?"; " Is it because of our encounter?"; " Did he had an accident?".
He stopped his train of thoughts saying that he was ridiculous saying stupid things like these.
But when he arrived his concern grew, as he was greeted by an empty bench and the cold breeze of autumn. Then a thought crossed his mind." Maybe he changed his place, maybe he's somewhere around here, maybe..."
So he wandered around the park, but somehow he knew that no one was there, he was lying himself. But why? Why was it so important for him to apologize to someone he didn't even know. Minutes pass, and it's already been a half an hour since he was running around like a lost dog. He couldn't continue like this, he had to leave and go to the hospital eventually.
With a sigh he took one last glance to that bench when he saw something...
It was a little, white sheet of folded paper.
" It looks like a boat" he thought analyzing it. But why does it have this sharp little fold here then? It looks like a head. Maybe it's a pterodactyl or... hmm... a goose. It does look like a bird, or some sort of prehistoric dinosaur. "
He put it in his pocket. Somehow he felt warm inside, like that person's soul was with him, but then again he would've been happier if he had found the person in flesh and bones and not a shattered piece of his soul.
At the hospital, he figured his sister was tired of waiting for him at the entrance so she went to their mother's room.
" Hey mom. " he greeted the old lady, tossing his bag on the table. " How are you feeling?"
" Fine sweetheart. " was all she said, completely concentrated on her task.
" What are you two doing there?"
" Paper cranes! " his little sister said excited showing her brother a folded figure that he saw previously. He went to the zoo before he saw cranes, he saw pictures in his encyclopedia too, and that definitely didn't look like a crane.
" It looks more like a goose or pterodactyl to me."
" You don't know how to appreciate art Minho" she puffed cutely and Minho smiled ruffling her hair.
" Yah, stop that! You're ruining my hair."
" As if there was something to ruin."
" Mooom, Minho's picking on me again! "
" Aish, Minho.. leave your sister alone. " the lady said, making one last fold and looking at her crane proudly. " Finished! What do you think Minho?"
" Sorry mom, it still looks like a goose to me. "
" I told you before " just close your eyes but keep your mind wide open". she sighed.
" Bridge to Therabithia" Julie completed. " Mom when are you going to stop quoting from movies? "
" What? That was a great movie" she tried to defend herself.". You guys should live more, feel more, see more. " she puffed.
" Mom, life isn't one of your fairy tales! "
" Of course it isn't darling. I never said that. Life is the chance to create your own fairy tale."
" Mom! I'm already ten, dad's going to leave, Minho's going to go to collage soon." Julie shouted, tears forming in her eyes while her cheeks became red. "A- and... what if... you're going to leave too? What am I going to do? Grow up already!"
" Sweetheart. Come here" their mother said with her arms wide open and a tender, calm, lovely smile on her face. Maybe it was her kindness or the little child that never left her soul, either way she always had a calming effect on people. Sometimes she acted like a child, more than Julie or Minho, like a little four year old, telling them the strangest things. Stories about magical creatures like nymphs, brownies, pixies, faerys, hobs, and some of them gave them nightmares too, like banshees, the howlers, the haunts, adoros. She liked to believe in those sorts of things even at her age. But at the same time she knew when to act like a grown up, when one of her kids deserved to be scolded or on the rare occasions when someone will piss her off, well... then...
"When angels go bad they are worse than anyone else. Remember Lucifer used to be an angel." she tended to quote.
I'm not saying she's an angel on a daily basis, she's kind of annoying reminding you to eat your vegetables as if they're still 5. And it's not as if she's going to kill someone or anything like that, heavens no!
Just that... she can be really creepy and very very scary when she's mad, even the tone when she said that quote freaked Minho and Julie out.
" Sweetheart I'm not going to leave you any time soon. " she tried to shush her daughter's sobs, rocking her back and forth. " You have to grow strong and make your own life, I won't stay with you forever you know that. Sonner or later we all must part."
" I don't want to! I don't wanna..." she mumbled burring her head in her mothers chest.
Minho sighed, taking a sit on the bed and stroking his sister's back slowly.
" You gotta live/ You gotta learn/ You cannot quit/ Because it hurts"
July mumbled something, choking her last sobs. " Mom is contagious. She's quoting from movies and you're quoting from songs. God, people, read some books will you?! "
" There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another " - Alexandre Dumas. Ha! And you said I didn't read books. " their mother said triumphantly.
" Aish... mooooooom... "
" Come here you little... "
" And there they go again" Minho said giggling watching the tickling fight, and the result wasn't always the same, so he didn't knew what to expect.
So he just took a sit in the chair next to the bed watching the scene amused, with a wide smile on his face. That, until his mother decided that Minho was grinning too much so Julie and her attacked him with their experienced tickling techniques, that Minho didn't stand a chance.
On the other side of the glass a boy was smiling at the scene that was playing in front of him.
" They sure do look happy." a voice startled him from behind and the boy quivered.
" Next time announce me when you come. God, Krystal you always have the creepiest ways of showing up. Are you sure you didn't train to be a ninja before? Where the heck do you hide? If it's not in the shadows than I really don't know. "
" I'm not a creep." she puffed her cheeks, offended. " You're just a scary cat."
" You're going to give me a heart attack one day"
" We wouldn't want that would we?" she giggled.
" The doctor wants to see me?" he asked his gaze completely directed to the persons that were laughing and having fun together.
" Yes, he does. Is it someone you know?"
" Not quite. But I guess you could put it like that." he sighed and turned his back to the glass. " Let's go."
As they walked through the white corridors, people were going in and out from all the rooms. There were heavy coughs, people agonizing in pain, nurses and doctors running all over the place. It was noisy and sick and the boy hated this place.
" What's keeping your mind so occupied? Krystal asked looking in his eyes. " Or should I ask who? she said sheepishly with a wide smile on her face.
" Sometimes I wonder how did you become a nurse. Because that was the stupidest thing you said today. " he deadpanned.
" Oh come on, you have to fall for someone at one point. Plus you're at the age when you should get a girlfriend already. Aish.. you're too cute for your own good" she said cupping his cheeks.
" Keep insisting, it's not like it's going to get you anywhere. "
They walked in silence until they reached the elevator, but something was still on his mind and it tore him from the inside.
" What's wrong? "
" It's just... nothing."
She rolled her eyes. " Sure, and you think I'm going to leave you alone in your misery and ignore the fact that something is bothering you. Spill it or I'm going to cupp your cheeks until they become red. Remember what happened last time? "
" You're evil you know that. " he sighed. " You should take care of your patients not molest them ."
" Hey, I am. What if my patience had a heart attack or he encountered some new disease and he didn't want to bother anyone with it. See, I do care. "
" Sure you do." he giggled. He was indeed lucky to have Kristal as his nurse and also as his closest friend.
" So... Care to talk about it?"
" Krystal we have an emergency at room 12. " one of her colleagues shouted rushing quickly in a room.
" Sorry, I..." she sighed but the boy cut her off.
" Room 76 right? " he smiled.
" Like always. Thanks. " she hugged him and rushed through the mass of people. " and don't forget dinner at 7 at the canteen! " she shouted from the distance.
The boy giggled and stepped in pressing the button for the 5th floor. He guessed he had to tell her, eventually. Plus it wasn't such a big deal, it didn't seem like a big deal. But what if she was right... what if he was in...
" No. Definitely not. That can't be" he shook his head and took a piece of white paper from his pocked.
" 129."
After his usual check-up and his mother's pleading to the doctor that it would be better if he would stay in the hospital for further observation.
" I'm aware of your concern, but what he needs is fresh air and a more peaceful atmosphere. "
" But what if this happens again, what if next time he starts spilling..."
" It will happen. " the doctor said. " It doesn't quite matter if he is here or at home. It will happen again. It can't be prevented and we don't know either when exactly it will happen. "
" But at least he will be here... " his mother tried to protest.
" Listen. We can keep your son here. But that will probably mean to add depression on his medical list too. Do you want to take the risk?" he said blinking at the boy and he smiled.
The doctor always knew how to deceive his mother, although her intentions were for his own good. It wouldn't have made any difference if he was here or at home. Both places had that kind of dense atmosphere that he couldn't stand. Here everyone was rushing up and down, it was noisy and hectic. As for his home, everything was too quiet, everything was meant to look too perfect, too safe, as if he was on the edge of death. Everyone treated him too well, no one dared to shout at him, like he was some kind of fragile porcelain doll that would break at the tiniest scratch. And because of that eerie silence that everyone kept at home he preferred to stay in the park, where no one knew him. Even so, the elder people greeted him with a smile every morning. Would tell him stories about their childhood, about the changes in their life, and he would sit quietly and listen. They never asked for his name and neither did the boy.
" Soooo.... " Krystal began at the canteen placing her plate on the table." How did the check-up go?"
" Nothing new, nothing special." he mumbled eating his steamed vegetables.
" So your mom threw a fit again, huh?" she shove a spoon full of smashed potatoes in her mouth.
" Yup. Jinki had to stay another half an hour to convince her to discharge me. I still have to stay here another week though. "
" It sucks. "
" Tell me about it. " he rolled his eyes.
" So, are you going to tell me about what was disturbing you? "
" Thought you forgot." he sighed. He hated her memory sometimes.
" Never!" she said triumphantly rising her spoon, potatoes splashing all over the table.
" If you react like that when you don't know the problem..." he began throwing off the potatoes from his shirt. " ... then maybe it's better not to tell you. "
" Oh, come on, I'll stay still. "
" Ok" he sighed. " You know Mrs. Choi right?
" Sure I do. That woman sure has a pretty amazing imagination. I like her. She have me a lot of movies to watch. I never thought I could enjoy an anime again. I don't know how I missed Totoro. It made me feel like a child again."
" Your rambling again. " he giggled. " And I know you'll continue this until the canteen closes. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing because then you still won't find anything from me."
" Sorry... So what's up with her?"
" Umm.." the boy moved in his seat. "You saw the guy that was in her room right? That big, tall..."
" Minho. " she cut him off. " He's her son, around your age too. " then she realized and her eyes started glowing. " Now I see.. my little Minnie has a crush! Aww, it was about time you little furr ball. " she cupped his cheeks.
" Aish, stop that Krystal. " he shoved her hand from his face. " I don't have a crush on that keroro guy, he even squished me and gave me some ugly bruises..."
" He did what? he shouted, but she wasn't displeased, and to that the boy wasn't satisfied, she was more like excited to hear the story. Maybe I should've shut my mouth. " What did you do Minnie? My little Minnie is growing, awwww. Did he hurt you?"
" What are you thinking for God's sake! I didn't do anything he just crashed on me like a big dinosaur he is, and a blind owl also. He hit me to the ground and we started yelling at each other. End of story. "
" Wasn't there something more?" she asked with a all-knwoinng voice. " Like you know..."
" Krystal.. I swear I'm going to paint your hair blue one of these days when your sleeping. "
" I wouldn't mind. I would look good in blue too. " she said happily. " Now back to you. What happened after? Did he took you at a cafe? Did he wanted to meet again? " Did he propose..."
" I really don't know from where do you get all these ideas. " he shook his head disappointed. " Nothing happened. He run away to who know's where and I returned to my bench. "
" That's boring." she puffed. " You should've at least kiss or something. "
" Just shut up and eat." he shoved a spoon of his food in her mouth.
" Mom I'm going out" the skinny boy shouted startling her mom with the noise made.
" I would prefer if you would stay in the house for the rest of the day sweetheart. It's already 5 and it's going to be dark soon. What do you say if we watch a movie?"
He loved his mom, he really did, but she was too overprotective. She had her reasons though, but sometimes he hoped that she will start living again, she stopped doing many things because of him and somehow he felt responsible for the state his mother was in, he was sorry for what she had to put up through.
" Ok mom. I'll stay." he sighed dragging his feet to the living room.
The days began to be rainy and chilly. Almost all the leafs had fallen from the trees and the scenery became cold and obnoxious to everyone. No one liked to stay outside anymore.
" Hi mom. " Minho greeted coming in like a tornado.
" Hey. Late as always."
" Sorry, I had some things to do and..."
" You know, you could tell me if you have a girlfriend... I would love to meet her. " she cut him, even so she didn't rose her head, wanting to finish her task first.
" I don't mom. I was just in the park..."
" See... I told you mommy, Minho has a crush." the little girl said excited, jumping up and down. " You know that old park a street away from our house? He's always staying there before school and after... and he has that look in his eyes that he's expecting someone. But I never saw anybody " she finished, sighing.
" You were spying on me little rabbit" Minho approached, grabbing her tiny waist and started to tickle her.
When they finished their fight, Minho didn't saw when she pulled something from his jacket.
" Ha! And you said that you didn't have a girlfriend. Then what's this?!" she said triumphantly shaking in the air the white paper crane that Minho was caring in his jacket since he found it on the bench. He wanted to give it back, so he kept it, like a memory, a good luck charm. For some reason he was determinate to meet that person again.
" Waaa, it looks so pretty. " his mother complimented taking it from his daughter." The old park you said huh? " his mother started giggling. " I understand now..."
" Mom it looks like one of his cranes... " she began but her mother shushed her trowing her gaze at Minho who was looking at them not understand anything. What did they found so fascinating at a crane? It was just a paper crane, nothing else, or a goose. It still looked like a goose to Minho.
" Are you conspiring against me or something? "
" No, of course not. " his mother said with a smile that Minho knew it didn't predict anything good. " You can leave."
" You know something I don't know."
" No, I don't. " her response was quick. " Now go."
" But, I just arrived."
" You're not going to meet whom you want here. Now go. The rain stopped. Go, or I'll kick you out."
" You're evil you know that."
" Some way to compliment your mother. " she said jokingly.
It didn't look like time passed or that it was passing in this exact moment, because... as strange as it may seem the scenery looked exactly the same as a month ago. Maybe it was after all a place created by gods whom forgot about it, but the park as the humans called it, didn't forget about them. The boy liked to believe in that. That he had found a place that wasn't neither heaven nor hell, it was like a little island, isolated by the real world but at the same time it was in the center of the world. That he was the one who woke the garden up when he came in the morning, making the leafs stutter grumbling because they wanted to sleep a little more and the wind who had to do his job and pick up all the leafs and make the park tidy and clean.
He didn't had to do much in the autumn and didn't had with whom to talk to. The doves had flown at the ending of August, with their snow white wings and feathers that scattered all over the place. How affectionate they were when they used to fly on the little boy's head stroking his hair and trying their best to make him smile, they used to sing for him as a thank you gift when he fed them. But there was one that the little boy got attached to. He named her Bell.
He found her sitting on his bench one morning with a dozen other doves around her that were making noise and flipping their wings. She had a little scratch on her left wing and also a little bell tied on a red ribbon, which made her long white neck to look so beautiful.
She resembled an angel. Doves always reminded the little boy of angels. There were times when he found that resemblance stupid and very unrealistic but when he returned home, he preferred to believe in it. Even if it was a lie, he wanted to believe, because those small white birds gave him hope.
They were also the symbol of freedom, gathering everyone's wishes, dreams and grief. They stretched their wings and flew to the sky. Taemin didn't know where, but he loved to imagine they they were the messengers of the Gods that still looked upon their world and wanted to help humanity.
Even if it seems like a lie to you, that's what he thought about those simple birds, and that's what his life consisted of... dreaming.
And maybe it was for the best, because we actually tend to forget about what real happiness consists of.
He thought he heard the cicadas with their acute high notes, their intoxicating music that sounded like a beautiful piece of vals. Closing his eyes he saw birds, little cute bugs, butterflies, and the trees that looked more expressive, happier, alive. He saw that summer... his last summer, as he decided.
Because he was caught in his memories the rough thump didn't make it's way to his ears. Someone stopped in front of him. Heavy breathing and a sweaty shirt, attention completely fixed on the boy from the bench.
" Where have you been this whole month?" he began desperate almost, then he realized that wasn't the best way to start a conversation with someone he barely knew.
The boy woke up from his daydreaming and opened his eyes surprised to see Minho standing in front of him.
" What are you doing here?" shock could be read on his face.
" Looking for the faerys" he said sarcastically." I've been waiting for you this whole month. Where have you been? "
He didn't understand at all the question. He looked at the tall boy and opened his mouth, tried to say something but no words come out.
" His been here a whole month? Since... that day?''
He lost himself for a couple of minutes until Minho started shaking his shoulder and asking if he was alright. He inhaled and exhaled and tried to regain his self again.
" What good would it be if you knew where I was? And why did you even wait for me in the first place?"
" Glad to see you again too. " Minho replied, smiling, taking a seat of the bench.
" I didn't give you permission to take a seat." he said puffing his cheeks like a little child.
" It's a public place, I didn't thought I had to ask for your permission."
" It's not a public place. It's a place that was created by Gods,whom everyone forgot about. And you stumble in like this... yah! I'm serious!"
" Suuuure . I didn't disapproved at all" he said with a wide smile, almost laughing. Minho ruffled his hair. " By the way, what's your name? I've been asking the elder's that came here if they knew anything about you, but besides the fact that you came here daily they didn't know too much either.
" Why where you here?" he asked ignoring the question. His voice was ice cold but his fingers started trembling as he continued on his task not daring to look at the older male beside him.
" I wanted to apologize." a change of tonalities could be sensed, he seemed more mature. " I'm sorry for what happened that day. I wasn't myself. And I'm deeply sorry. I was a jerk." he sighed.
" Mission accomplished. Now you can leave." He wasn't touched at all about those words, his tone was heartless.
" Sorry if I bothered you or anything. I thought maybe we could... talk." he said completely disappointed in the stranger's reply.
" No, I don't want to talk. I don't even know you." but that was a lie, it was such a big lie because he knew him. His beautiful smiles, and laughter that filled his empty heart, the kindness that he showed to his mother. He knew him because all this time he watched him, behind the blurry glass. He was like a ray of sunshine in that hectic crawded place full of people that were too dull to be able to show a real smile again.
" Why did you came to apologize to someone who you don't even know and could've forgotten you? he smiled bitterly while his hands where still shacking. " You just wanted a clean conscience, didn't you? It would be bad for your reputation if people presumed wrong things about you. You're a real Saint aren't you? Staying here day by day because of your sin that tears you apart. "
" I didn't do it because of..." Minho began but was cut off.
" Well, I forget you. Now you're free. You don't have to come here again. You don't have to look for me again. " he ended and a tear dropped on the crane.
This was stupid, why was he even crying over such a tiny matter?
" I didn't want you to presume wrong things about me. It looks like it's too late, you already did. If that's what you think then it's better if I'll leave you alone. This goose chase will finally stop. " he said rising from the bench , eyes full of regret and grief.
" What did I just said? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Say something already, he came here for you and you're still bitching around?"
" I'm.. Taemin by the way.Minho right?" he looked up for the first time uncertain of what to expect, wiping the tears from the corner of his eye.
" How did you...? Minho looked at him surprised that he knew his name.
" I have my ways" Taemin said sheepishly. " Maybe I would tell you but you said you wouldn't come here anymore right? Too bad." he grinned.
" You where the one who said that... and now you're... ah, you little! Minho was stunned, speechless and amazed so he started tickling Taemin until the latter gave up.