Chung woke up. It was Thursday. Thursday the twenty sixth. The day. He dressed up and went out. He wondered should he take the subway or walk there. If he takes the subway he might meet her… But today he couldn't talk to her. He had to go see him. But Chung couldn't suppress the urge to see her. He got on the train. As always she was there.
"Hello! You're early today."
"I'm going to a place…"
"A place?"
"An important place."
"Oh." She knew it's probably personal and she shouldn't ask more.
"How are you, Ara?"
"Same as yesterday. Normal."
"I'm glad."
"There is one thing on my mind…"
"What could it be?"
"Are you free on Sunday?"
"I think I am. Why?" He asked even though it was obvious.
"I want to see you… Outside the train." He smiled. Outside the train… it sounded nice. All of their previous meetings were unplanned and on the train – not that he minded – Chung loved these meetings, but having something arranged there was a special feeling.
"Sure. Where do you want to go?" He asked trying to hide the happiness he felt. Such a happiness that almost made him forget the sadness of where is he going.
"Somewhere." She answered mysteriously. He liked mysteries and he got more excited.
"Somewhere? A surprise?"
"No. It doesn't matter. A-As long as it's with you. I just want us to meet."
"So I'm special?" She blushed and didn't answer, but he felt her answer. Even if the time they spent together was short it was like they knew each other longer than they can remember. They both knew the words and feelings the other didn't speak of. There might be only one feeling that they share yet none notices. Or realizes completely.
It was time for him to go. The station he had to get off at was nearby.
"I need to go…"
"So that's all the time we have today…"
"I'll be here tomorrow."
"Okay…" She looked sad. It was always like that when he left her. No matter how much time they spent. With that look she made him not want to go. To stay by her side forever. He often wondered if that's how she really feels when they part or this is just his imagination.
"Goodbye…" He signed. She just turned these sad orange eyes towards him. Each time it was getting harder to leave her. He was getting too attached to her. And she couldn't deny she's getting too attached to him too. It's always hard to say goodbye to the one you love. Even if you're going to see each other again tomorrow. She smiled. But it didn't make going away easier. He left the train and watched it go away. For seconds it was gone.
He walked slowly. In front of the hospital door he stopped. These meetings were usually sad and painful. Chung closed his eyes and opened the white door. He walked in. His grandfather smiled when he saw him.
"You came today too." His grandfather signed him. "There is no need to trouble yourself to visit me. I'm alright."
"Grandpa…"
"It's only two more months." His grandpa signed with a sigh.
"I'll be here…" His Grandpa smiled.
"Is there something good in your life? You're a young person. I still remember my youth…"
"There is this girl I met…"
"Oh… Is she nice?"
"Yes. She's very kind." Chung knew his Grandfather was trying to make Chung think of something else, but his sadness was strong as always. Chung was having trouble holding his tears that wanted to pour out of his eyes.
"I'm glad… Now I don't need to worry about you when I leave." Chung finally let his feeling loose and started crying.
"No… You won't leave! You'll be here forever!" Tears were streaming down his face.
"Chung… Everyone has to leave. We're all here on a short stay. But there -" He pointed to the sky "There we're bound to be for eternity. There is our home. There your grandma is waiting for me. I think I made her wait too long… Do you think she'll be mad at me?" He continued crying and stood beside his Grandpa. He looked at him through his tears – there was a weird smile on his face.
"Chung… Do you know why I make you come only on the twenty sixth?"
'No…"
"That's the day I met your Grandma. It was while traveling in the train. It was a long ride. We were sitting next to each other. At first she was very nervous and just looked at me secretly. I was the first one to speak. This is my dearest memory of her." 'I guess meeting girls in trains goes in the family…' He thought.
"Goodbye, my boy." He said and slowly moved to hug Chung. Chung cried harder. "I know it might be painful. But I'm old… I'm even deaf now. I can't be near forever. But my soul will be with you. I'll be right here when you need me. Don't cry. Smile, Chung. Or else I'll haunt you." Chung laughed lightly. His grandpa smiled back. Chung left. His Grandpa's smile dropped. There was only one thing he didn't tell to Chung. There were no two months left. Only a week.
Chung couldn't stop his tears after he came out of the room. The sight of his Grandpa in the hospital bed with all these things attached to him… He knew that next month there might not be anyone to visit. His Grandpa was the only person that has ever understood and supported him. When he was sad he always went to him. When his parents were mad at him… When he was angry… And his Grandpa always solved all problems like with a magic wand. There was no one else he could trust like that. It hurt to know that there was a set time when he will be gone. It hurt that someone could say – You'll be dead in two months, and that to be the end of it. It wasn't fair.
Chung walked out. He was supposed to go to the university now. But he didn't feel like going. He walked home.
