Chasing Stars, Chasing Galaxies

Coffee Stains

It seemed pretty colder than usual for autumn mornings, I mean it feels cold and kinda itchy.

Itchy?

Where am I?

"Crap"

I couldn't help myself. Yes, that's right, I fell asleep on cold and itchy grass.

Why am I here anyway?

Right!

We were together last night. I was holding on to Eunha as she was crying so hard.

Man, I can't believe I hugged her. Aigoo, my face feels hot.

Oh, speaking of Eunha, where is she?

"Young man."

Ah, that old man last time.

I immediately stood up and bowed at the sight of him. My hands were actually trembling, I don't even know why.

"Good morning, sir."

His eyes were forming crescents.

"Good morning. You're so early today."

Early...

"No, umm, actually I... kinda slept in here."

His face drew the what-on-earth-maybe-he-felt-like-camping face ... or that's what I wanted him to think. He remained smiling as if what I did wasn't weird at all. But you know, maybe it's not that weird after all.

"I see."

"Eh?"

I responded with my shocked face.

"Hmm? Why are you so shocked?"

"Eh? I mean... no.. err"

My tongue was getting twisted; words wouldn't come out.

"There's no reason for me to be shocked though. I've done much crazier things when I was your age."

I looked upon his eyes and I can't even tell what he's thinking or feeling. Somehow reminds of Eunha.

"It's good to be young, young man."

Creating an emphasis on that 'young man' he always addresses me. He patted my head and laughed. I've seen him a few times, even before we had our first conversation, he was always here every morning.

"Umm, sir, if you don't mind... may I know your name?"

"I'm Jon."

Eh? He's a foreigner?

"I'm not."

Did he just read my mind?

"I'm not a foreigner."

"I see."

I said with respect.

"That's what my wife called me."

I listened intently.

"My wife... she died years ago."

I don't know why he started telling his life to me, but I appreciated it.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

He smiled with probably one of the saddest smiles I've ever seen.

"That's right... I lost someone I loved dearly."

He stared off at nowhere in particular. His eyes weren't wavering, but I know he's lost. Lost for a very long time, and probably lost forever.

I couldn't think of words to comfort him. I didn't want to come out like I know how to help him, because it's hard to feel sorry when you're not on the same depth of waters.

"Young man, I'm sorry, it became emotional all of a sudden."

"No, you don't have to be."

"Go home; someone might be waiting for you."

I nodded.

Then, I left.

If ever I'll walk through the same path Mr. Jon had walked, will I be able to survive? These thoughts stained my minds like coffee stains on a chaste-like fabric.

Just then, Eunha popped out in my head.

"Coffee... stains"

---

I returned to our house, exhausted. I laid my body on the warm bath, hoping that it could erase the fatigue I somehow feel.

After that, I turned to write. Two paragraphs to finish another chapter – pretty fine. At least I no longer experience writer's block, or at least these recent days. Not to mention, my book's almost finished.

Hours later, we had lunch. The atmosphere was pretty much decent and hopeful. Hopeful that one day, my brother will come back and fill this one, big missing piece.

I returned to my room and wrote some lines.

"Coffee... stains"

That phrase continues to bother my mind like crazy.

Knock. Knock.

"Sir Jungkook? A visitor is here."

Visitor? I don't remember-

Oh, shoot! The doctor.

"Okay, just let her come in."

I totally forgot that was today. I slipped on pretty decent clothes, far from the comfortable ones I wear when I lock myself inside my room.

I went out of my room to see a woman with bobbed hair. Her back view reminds me of Eunha.

"Ma'am, here he is."

Her soft and bouncy danced as she turned to face me. I gasped, in surprise, to see someone very familiar.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Jeon Jungkook, I am Doctor Jung Eunha."