The Future
“Just leave me alone Gran.” He opened another bottle in which his grandmother promptly took away also. “You want to drink with me too?”
“No, drinking is a bad habit.” She scolded him.
Tears fell from the man and his grandma stopped scolding him.
“He doesn’t remember me.” Kangin clenched his teeth to stop the sobs. “I thought it was a joke at first…it’s not.”
Heechul went home and saw Kangin crying. He went over and patted Kangin on the back. His grandmother’s eyes were welling with tears.
“Kangin, what I’m about to tell you is serious.” She said solemnly.
He looked up as did Heechul.
“Leeteuk…has Alzheimer’s…and the worst part is…he doesn’t know it himself.” His grandmother began sobbing and walked out of the room.
Chapter 8
Kangin sat there in shock. Alzheimer’s?! Leeteuk was so…young. It couldn’t be. Was this another sick joke?!
The man staggered a little as he stood up.
“Be careful!” Heechul helped him.
“T-t-thanks.” Kangin was still a little shaky from the shocking news. “I need to see Leeteuk.”
Kangin ran out of the house as little droplets of water fell from the sky. The rain began to pour and drenched the man, but nevertheless he kept running. He finally arrived at Leeteuk’s house and he pounded on the door.
“Leeteuk!” Kangin shouted.
The door opened and Leeteuk stepped out. “What are you doing here?”
Kangin hugged him. Leeteuk tried to push him away with no avail.
“Just let me stay like this for a while.” Kangin whispered in his ears. Leeteuk stopped pushing and stood there lifeless. As Kangin pulled back, his eyes looked wary. “Do you really not remember me?”
“I’m sorry.” Leeteuk whispered. Kangin bit his lips.
“I’m leaving tomorrow, so I guess this is good bye.” Kangin’s face was drenched with water and tears. If only Leeteuk knew how he felt…
Kangin sneezed and coughed. His nose was runny and he was shivering.
“Here.” Heechul handed out a cup of hot coffee.
“Thanks.” Kangin said and sniffled.
“This is what you get for being an idiot and running out in the rain. What are you, in some kind of drama?” Heechul scolded.
“He still doesn’t remember me.”
“I’m sorry about that.” Heechul whispered.
“Kangin, are you ready? It’s time to go back to Seoul.” His gran walked into his room.
“Yeah, I’m ready, let’s go.” Kangin picked up his belongings and Heechul’s giant suitcase.
They headed to the truck which had the engine already started. Kangin looked once more at the bright blue sky before getting inside the truck. He was going to miss the light breeze that graced his face in the morning; he was going to miss the sunlight that shone on his face as he sat down by the cherry blossoms. Most of all, he was going to miss the man who he poured his heart out for.
His Gran stepped on the gas pedal and they were off to the train station.
Leeteuk walked around his home and wondered who that tall boy was. He couldn’t recall ever meeting that guy…did he?
“Jungsuah, I brought some pretty cherry blossoms home.” His mother smiled and showed him the vase filled with pink flowers. The fragrance was overwhelming…
Leeteuk started having visions…
Kangin walked up to Jungsu and pulled out little bits of the sakura out. Jungsu’s cheeks turned as pink as the cherry blossoms and he whispered a quiet thank you.
“Have you fallen for me?” Kangin scooted closer to Jungsu.
“N-no.” Jungsu stammered.
Kangin looked at Jungsu seriously. “I have.”
“Jungsuah, are you okay?!” His mother was shocked at his appearance. Leeteuk touched his face and saw teardrops steaming down his cheeks.
“K-Kangin.” Leeteuk whispered as more tears streaked down his pale face. He ran out of the house and ran down the dirt road. He wondered if he could make it in time. Leeteuk prayed that Kangin had not left yet, don’t leave him here. Leeteuk’s vision blurred.
“Aish, what’s with this traffic?” Heechul complained. “Was everyone in the village going out or something?”
Kangin stared out the window and from the rearview mirror, he saw a figure approaching. He squinted to see who it was.
“Leeteuk?” Kangin questioned to himself.
“Kangin! Don’t leave!” Leeteuk shouted and ran.
The male got out of the truck and ran towards Leeteuk.
“Don’t leave me.” Leeteuk whispered as he held on to Kangin.
“I won’t.”
Heechul smiled at the scene. “Guess he is in a drama.”
“What?” The gran asked.
“Nothing.” Heechul said. “I guess we should go without him.”
“We should.” Gran said and they followed the traffic out of there.
“Gran, what should we do about his parents?” Heechul asked the old lady who was concentrating on driving.
“Parents smarents.” The old lady muttered. “I’ll talk to them.”
Heechul laughed.
Kangin grabbed Leeteuk’s hand and together they ran to their spot on the hill. Leeteuk leaned his head on Kangin’s shoulder and sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Kangin asked.
“I wonder how I had forgotten about you...” Leeteuk said softly.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I will worry about it! What if I don’t remember who you are? What will we do then?” Leeteuk sat up and felt his heart hurt.
The other man turned to Leeteuk and cupped his face in his hands. “As long as I never forget you, it’ll be fine.”
Kangin kissed Leeteuk softly.
Leeteuk was glad he remembered Kangin before it was too late.