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"Mr. Lee, you only have..." then silenced. Seok has been preparing himself for this announcement because he knows, he truly knows that this... He'll be nearing to ... "Mr. Lee, did you hear what I said?" and Seok just realized that he has been talking to himself. "6 months" and then all Seok can hear are the noises inside the hospital, the crying, the chattering, the machines. It was a very busy day again huh? he thought to himself.
He's just walking aimlessly. Grab the keys from his pocket and drive to nowhere. Drive to nowhere? Must be an exciting place, if you ask him. In his 28 years of existing, he never experienced to be just impulsive. He is very organized. He plans well and adjusts it if there will be emergencies. Leisure is at the least priority. But now.. knowing that he only has 6 months... It's making sense.
So he drives. He drove to nowhere and parked if he sees something unusual. Just like right now, he saw a long road along the seaside. He hops on the barrier and if ever this is wrong, he will know right away if someone will scold him. But at this moment, no one dares. Who will dare scold him if this person has 6 months to live? Of course, the people around him doesn't know. It's him and his soul would ever know. He wants to shout. He wants to scream about how things are getting unfair but see, he's just staring at the sea. He can smell the sea and the smell of mixed garbage on huge stones around where he is standing.
"Do you want me to shout for you?" someone in his left side talked and made him jolt. "Oh, I'm sorry. I think I should not talked like that," the man said while looking at the sea too. "Do you want to sit beside me?", but Seok didn't respond and just looking at the man who just shaken him up seconds ago. "Oh Well! Seems Mr.-Looking-From-Afar doesn't talk to strangers. My name is Joshua" and splashed a smile but smile so pretending, Seokmin observed. "I'm Seokmin," he finally replied. "It's not my business to pry but you see this place is like a dumpsite. People come here to let out their bottled emotions and I've been here for so long and you, amazingly just stand there and no commotions. You know wha-- and he stopped because Seokmin poked him. "Oh! I thought you are just an apparition! I'm sorry Mr. Josh?" "I'M JOSHUA! Why am I so worked up? So what I've been saying", Joshua stopped for the second time because some certain Seokmin bursts out laughing in front of him. "You're loud for a stranger, Mr. Joshua", he said while laughing. Joshua was very embarrassed. "Do I?" while pointing to himself and chuckled after.
"So, is this your place?", Seokmin genuinely asked. "Nah. This is everyone's place. It's just my meeting place when you know, things in my world is some drastic, messed up and whatever you call it. I just need a breather and this place," while looking sideways "is my favorite place even if it smells", he replied with utmost sincerity. "This is my first time here and I think it feels home," Seokmin said then suddenly looked at the sea. Home? It just slipped in his mouth but if you ask him, he's also unfamiliar with it. He just said it because he thinks it's peaceful and home is peaceful... right?
Joshua offered a space for Seokmin where he can sit. Beside him is Joshua's spot. They are just looking at the sea. No one urges to speak because the silence made them comfortable. And it goes in an hour. They both can sit there without talking and just appreciating what they can appreciate. "I've been preparing for a big event next 6 months," Joshua suddenly spoke. Seokmin looked at him with confused face. "They said that talking to strangers about feelings you can't share to your closest ones, will make you express what your heart truly says," then Seokmin scrunched his nose because it sounds cringe and Joshua knows what Seokmin is thinking that's why he laughed too. But he proceeds anyway. "My family, you see, is very strict. I'm 30 years old but the only thing they do to me is nag! You should do this, you should do that! Why did you do that? Like seriously," he says with exaggeration. Seokmin just laughed while looking at Joshua then turned his sight at the sea again. Why does he feel the sea is calm yet disturbing? "I'm planning to mess everything up!" and he saw the sea in Joshua's presence. "I know you're just a talk," Seokmin commented while getting little stones to throw maybe to Joshua's face. Joshua grinned. "How about you?" Joshua asked. "Oh! Did I just feel a strong wind blows?" then he laughed. The wind is strong and it's very calming. "Me?," Seokmin said. A question maybe for Joshua or for himself. "Continue living," he said straight while looking at the sea. "Nice! I wish you became a king someday. You sound like you can lead thousands of people in that phrase!", "Why do you exaggerate things, Mr. Joshua?" You can hear Joshua's laughed even while reading this. Joshua is very cheerful and friendly ... again for a stranger. That's why Seokmin was amazed to Joshua's social skill because if you ask him, he could do that too but not like Joshua's. "Don't messed things up, Mr. Joshua. You see that's an opportunity you only have. Don't messed it up... continue living," he said the last phrase looking to Joshua with full determination. The sun is starting to rest when Joshua stood up and shouted, "I AM READY!" then Seokmin stood up too and was about to go back to his car when Joshua called him. "Hey! You are supposed to shout I AM READY too!" and Seokmin doesn't know what to do so he indulged the boy and shout, "I AM READY!" and really, it feels freeing. Ready for what, he doesn't know and maybe he doesn't want to know anymore. Did they say goodbye? Did they saiy to meet again? I don't think they do but one thing is for sure, they will go home both ready and free.
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As promised, Joshua was ready. He was ready with all his plans to the big event he said to Seokmin. "Oh!" then he suddenly halts and takes a mental note to himself that the second time they will meet, he will ask for Seokmin's number so they can meet up, eat and maybe became friends and what not. He chuckled just imagining telling what he will do in this event to Seokmin. Will Seokmin approve of what he will do? He doesn't know but he can't wait to tell it to the beautiful man. 6:00 pm is fast approaching. At 6:30pm, the event will start and he is expected to be there as a very important person. He has to make his family proud. He has to make his parents proud. He has to make everyone proud because he is Joshua Hong. And a certain Joshua Hong should only be successful and obedient son in the name under his parents (read: in their business). So here we are now. The visitors are coming in one by one until ...
"Mr. Joshua?" then Joshua looked because of the familiar voice and smiled.
It was raining hard outside. The road is very busy. People are preparing either making their dinner, buying stuffs needed to their homes, some are preparing to go home and some wants to go outside just because. But here, inside the hospital a certain area where a loving mother and father and a daughter are hugging each other. It was quiet for a while but suddenly, when you stepped closer to them, you will know they are grieving. "NOOOOOOO!!!" and you can hear the pain in their voices. "I'm sorry", the doctor said and left the weeping family. "Seokmin," you can hear the name as it echoes in the hallway.
"Everything's ready?," Joshua asked to his assistant and he hopped in the car at the back of the event place. He looked at the place for the last time and drove away. Far away to the place because he is Joshua Hong. He can't be controlled by anybody! He wanted to be a traveler and explore the world without being dragged by tedious work. He want to be tired while enjoying and this, being a traveler, he will do that! He will make it come true!
He stopped by the seaside. He's thinking if Seokmin visited here and he hopes he is. Then, decided to drive again and never come back to this place because now he is really ready. However, he saw a white rose standing proudly near to the place where they sat 6 months ago. Was it here? He doesn't know but he liked the white rose and why is there white rose anyway? He continued to drive because his flight is ready. He's excited to travel Asia!
It was stoplight and he saw a family, he thought, walking side by side, a loving mother and father guided by their daughter. Their eyes, it's red and seems like they cried too much. He can see it clearly and made a concerned face. He wished in his mind that they are alright. Then, he thought of his parents. He hopes that one day they will understand him. It's greenlight! It's a signal to go and move forward. Now, he will continue living with his dreams and aspirations.
The rain stopped that Joshua forgotten it stopped. The road was not busy anymore. It is calm. It is peaceful. Until his flight was called.
The years he spent here will be forever treasured but now, he has to be somewhere he can freely do all he wants.
He is settled on his chair and a thought came in his mind. "Seokmin." He hopes to meet him again and tells all his adventures. Next time. He will not slip any chances to know him more... next time.