"Seventeen And You"

"You"

The smell of the ocean, the laugh of the children who are playing at the street, the ringing of the bells by an ice cream vendor and the cool wind I felt, while putting my left hand outside of the bus window. Oh how nice it is, to reminisce all the good memories I had, in this wonderful province.

It’s been 10 years since I left.

I let a big smile on my face while wondering what kind of a grown man did my old friend is.

Maybe, he is taller than me now. Did he get more handsome as time pass by? Did his voice changed a lot?

I can’t hide my excitement that I am feeling right now. Although I will never see his face literally, the fact that I will meet him today made my heart fluttered. A lot actually!

The bus stopped.

“Mom, are we getting off?” I asked my mom who is sitting beside of me.

“Yes dear. We are here at our hometown. Grab my hands and follow me,” she said in a calm tone.

I follow her, slowly, but surely. As I step my feet at the ground, I can sense from the sounds I am hearing right now, that there is someone who is walking toward us. Who is that person?

Is there a chance that he is… he is…

“Mingyu?” my mom asked.

Mi…Mingyu? Is it really Kim Mingyu?! Oh my gosh! My heart is pounding so loud!

“Yes Aunt, I am Mingyu – the little kid who was always staying at your house 10 years ago,” he replied with his very deep voice.

What am I gonna do? Is he looking at me right now? Do I look beautiful standing in front of him?! Gosh I don’t know what to say?! Although he is my very close friend before, I can’t think of any words to speak.

Instead, I swallow my saliva and said, while stuttering, the words, “ He…hello Mingyu.”

I waved my two hands as a sign of greeting, even though, I don’t know exactly where his direction could be.

“Hello Shane,” he replied.

Whether he smiled at me or not, I am sure that I am blushing right now.

“Oh Mingyu, you are very handsome! It’s been 10 years ago since I saw you. And now you are indeed grown as a real man,” my mother praised.

I am so curios about Mingyu’s looks. But the fact that I am a blind, made me afflicted.

“Thanks Aunt, but I am wondering why you look still the same as before,” Mingyu’s teased.

“Oh boy, you still teasing me with your unbelievable jokes. But I like that,” Mom laughed.
 

I also laughed along with them. But suddenly, I felt a warm hand holding my left hand. It is not my mom’s hand. Is it possible that it was Mingyu’s hand?

“Hey Shane,” he said, Oh? I think he is standing in front of me, about, 3 inches away?

“W…What?” I asked, curiously.

“I will give you a piggy back on the way to your old house. Are you okay with that?”

Am I okay with that? For about 20 seconds, I keep on asking myself about his suggestion. When we were 10 years younger, he always gave me a piggy back on the way to our house. But now that we are both adult, I don’t know what to say.

“Of course! Shane is okay with that. Right Shane?” my mom asked.

And before I could react by my mom’s decision, Mingyu suddenly put me in his back.