4. WISH YOU WERE HERE

🍁HEECHUL'S POV🍁

After nine hours of flight, I reached South Korea finally. It took me two hours long drive from the airport to reach home. The jet lag was killing me. My eyelids felt heavy and I soon drifted to sleep. I was woken up by the driver and he was calling me for five minutes. As I took my luggage and started walking to my house, I was stopped by the sight of the person I longed to see for the past few years; my mom.

" Eomma...!!!!" ( mom )

That was the only word that came out from my mouth. She still looked as beautiful as ever. I walked faster as she abruptly lifted her head to the direction of the familiar voice. She started running towards me eyes filled with tears. I dropped my luggage and sprinted as fast as I can.

She embraced me with so much love that I felt like crying. Soon my dad joined us and together we did a group hug. I really missed them a lot. I went to London with my sister when I was nine. The last time I came to S.Korea was for the audition for a boy band. I wasn't staying at my house during the training, so they haven't seen me for a long time.

Life in London was full of fun. Noona (elder sis) and her husband treated me like their own child. I didn't miss my parents much because I have an amazing family there. We talked a lot about my training and the things that happened in London. They were so excited to hear. After dinner, I went to my room and suddenly it hit me. I didn't inform my friends about my arrival.

I opened my phone to see tons of messages from my gang and from Noona. When I called them they started scolding me for not calling. They scold me so much more than my parents does that I had to keep the phone a metre away from my ears.

I really love these blabbering monkeys.

Soon after dinner, I set my alarm and went to sleep. There's a long day ahead.

--------

OH SHIT I'M LATE ...!!!

Again, I overslept. Today had to be a big day for me and it started off really well(note the sarcasm). I dashed like a flash to get ready. I'm meeting my members after a long break so I can't be late. The car to pick me was already there and I went straight to SM Entertainment, Seoul.

I'm a member of a boy band named Super Junior. After the debut, I took a break to spend with my family in London. I still remember the day of the audition. As usual, I was late, but the auditioners stopped leaving as soon as they saw me entering the room.

They asked me to sing but there wasn't any song coming in my mind. At last, I sang the first thing that popped in my mind; the national anthem of South Korea. But to my surprise, they actually selected me for singing the national anthem..!! I think they got impressed by my pretty face.

Not bragging but I'm proud of my face. Let's say it is my lucky charm.

Our song ' Sorry Sorry ' had become a huge hit all across Asia. We were so thrilled and happy when we got to know how much people loved our song. I was back with my bandmates in the studio and we all got ready for our next song practice. It was then I remembered that Yoobi had her eliminations going in X-Factor. She might be really tensed. Well, I decided to call her.

I inquired " Hey, how's it going ?"

" Yeah, it's...it's great. We're on the top of the list."

" It's a relief to hear. I'm sure you'll win. All the best, Yoobi."

"Thank you, Oppa. By the way, did you find him? "

That question made me surprised.

Does she still remember him? I can't remember such a boy who lived near my house. His face is a blur for me.

"I don't know where he lives Yoobi. I'll ask mom whether she has their current address. I'll call you when she finds that. Don't sleep late, I'm gonna hang up now. Siwon's treating us dinner tonight "

I wished her good luck and ran to catch up with them. I'm really hungry right now.

********

🌼KAI'S POV🌼

" Ya Jongina, get up !!! It's evening already and you're still sleeping? Wake up!"

I rubbed my sleepy eyes to adjust my vision. I saw my roommate Kyungsoo hyung* ( D.O ) standing beside my small yet comfy bed. He is my alarm clock. I got up fast so that he might not throw anything at me. I'm so tired.

My life is like a machine controlled by others. Music, concerts, awards, interviews, blah blah. It is not that I hate my work. Music is my passion and it is an immense pleasure to do the thing you love the most. But its also really tiring to do what others tell us to do instead of doing what we like. What keeps me alive here are my bandmates. They're my 'bros' who knows and cares me very well.

But nowadays we're really stressed. Tao, Kris hyung, Luhan hyung, and Lay who were the members of EXO's Chinese unit left. It made a huge impact on our band. The number of Chinese fans decreased a lot. We have to work hard more than usual. I'm sure we'll fight that together. We had to attend the MAMA awards this evening.

" I don't want to go... I'm tired." I wailed.

Baekhyun nudged me "Hey, Jennie will be there. Come on."

The mere mention of Jennie's name itself annoyed me. It's a rumour that we both have a crush on each other. But through my reactions, it is crystal clear that I don't have any interest in her at all. I always considered her my friend.

My members looked at me with a smug smile on their faces. These idiots always tease me using her name and I hate that. A lot.

" Then I'm not coming at all..."

Suho narrowed his eyes at me hearing that. He's our leader; a dutiful and goofy guy. Let's say he's the 'Mom and dad' of our group. From his expression, I understood what he'll tell next...the usual. I counted on three...two ...one ....and...

"Jongina you must come to the awards. You haven't even enlisted in the military so it's a ' NO ' for you to stay here, listen..".He kept on ranting the rules. I smiled and acted like listening to the whole thing. After that boring lecture, I rushed to get ready.

When we reached the venue, I saw my friends from other bands. There was Jimin from BTS, Mark from NCT, Heechul hyung from SUPER JUNIOR. They greeted as soon as they saw us. I was searching for my other friends when I suddenly caught Jennie and her bandmates smiling at me.

I bowed at them. Even if I try to ignore or smile at them, the paparazzi will capture it and it'll lead to another rumour about us. We sat on our reserved seats. The award night was fun throughout the night. But Kyungsoo hyung was sitting far aside from us when we were swaying and enjoying the music.

After receiving the award, the program finished.

We all were really exhausted. Sometimes being a celebrity is tiring. We're humans too !!! I can't protest against these strict rules myself, it's no use. I just need to enjoy my life more. I already love my life but it isn't complete. When my fellow mates compel me to date, Jennie, I always deny it because she's not the right person for me.

After a hot shower, I made myself cosy in my bed, covered in a thick blanket. Soon I was drifted to a dream of my last meeting with the dearest person of my life.

*****

Today was the last day at Incheon. I need to shift my house by tonight. Since morning I have been waiting for her. I need to say goodbye and give her my new address if she ever decides to visit.

I was standing at the gate of my house hoping she would come across me. Mom called me to pack my luggage but I ignored her because I already did that so I could spend today with her.

Suddenly a thought strikes me. Maybe she's waiting for me at our ' Meeting place '. I wasted no time and ran outside to the field at the backside of the house. My heart was thumping due to anxiety and my legs were trembling. I sprinted as fast as I can. When I reached, I couldn't see her.

The sky turned crimson red as time flew. It was evening already and I was still waiting for her at our place. I looked at the small, yet beautiful pond nearby. The cold wind blew and I felt like it's consoling me by ruffling my hair.

The cherry blossoms were falling hastily, many of them were scattered at the grass like a pink carpet, she loves cherry blossoms. I closed my eyes and for a second, I thought she was next with me.

She came to my neighbouring house for two weeks. I haven't felt anything to a girl like this before. she was my first kiss, but to be honest, that dumb head was more than a friend to me. I felt the hot briny tears, flowing through my cheeks. So many good memories rushed to my mind.

It was then I heard my dad calling me "Let's go, son, it's late. "

" But I wanna see her Appa ( Dad ), Please. "I sniffed and pleaded with him.

" I think she's busy son. Everyone is waiting for you. Don't be sad, we'll meet her again. "

We'll meet her again...

I know it's not possible, I don't even know her real name. But hearing that I smiled weakly at him. He sighed and went inside the house. I looked at the house she's staying, for the last time. I remembered her voice screaming.

" Chingu* !! "

" Goodbye Tokki*, " I said turning back.

I walked back to the truck thinking about her cute 'rabbit ' like face. Dad helped me to get inside the truck. They were bidding farewell with the other neighbours. I kept on weeping, my eyes felt misty.

What happened to her? Is she mad at what I had done? We had promised that we'll meet.

" Chingu.!! " I heard the same voice calling me, but first I thought it was my mind.

Chingu !!!

The voice grew louder and louder as I noticed something running towards the truck far away through the side mirror. I rubbed my misty eyes and looked again. It was her. Before I could come out, the truck started moving. I put my head outside the window and saw her sprinting towards our truck. She was pale and weak in sight. No way she's having fever and still running and yelling.

" Anneyong ( goodbye) ... Chingu !!! "

She waved, eyes filled with tears. I cried by seeing her face.

I yelled back " Anneyong, Tokki!!! "

The truck was increasing our distance. She stopped running, panting heavily and yelled something at me, using the maximum of her energy but at that time the truck made a horn, which made it barely audible. She tried to smile but I can see the pain. I also waved back at her, wiping my tears. Those words which I needed to tell her when we meet kept ringing in my head.

I love you Tokki, I hope we'll meet again ...

☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘

Tokki*: rabbit in Korean

Chingu* Friend in Korean, but here it's a nickname