UNEXPECTED TEENAGE

Twenty Two

Revealing the book unveiled a treasure trove of memories! As I delicately wiped away the dust from each photo, I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions. The old, dusty cardboard box held a lifetime of moments captured on film. As I gazed at those pictures, a flood of nostalgia washed over me, transporting me back to the days of my blissful childhood with my loving parents. My eyes fixated on a particular photo where my tiny self was cradled in my father's arms. His beaming smile radiated pure joy, and in that instant, I realized it was the day of my birth! What an extraordinary day it must have been! And then, there it was, a snapshot of my mother guiding my wobbly first steps, followed by another of my parents helping me conquer the art of riding a bicycle. I won't deny it, those were the truly magical days that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

As I sat in the tranquil garden, surrounded by the nostalgic melodies emanating from the old albums, I couldn't help but immerse myself in the blissful recollection of cherished memories. Lost in the enchanting tunes, I was completely unaware of the impending task that awaited me. It was then that I suddenly realized that I had been entrusted with the responsibility of locating the Christmas decorations.

With a sense of urgency, I made my way to the storeroom once more, determined to fulfill my duty. I meticulously scoured every nook and cranny, my eyes scanning the shelves and boxes in search of the festive ornaments. Finally, my gaze fell upon a spotless corner of the room, where the decorations lay neatly arranged.

Without wasting a moment, I eagerly seized the Christmas adornments and hastened back into the warmth of the house. The anticipation of adorning the surroundings with festive cheer filled my heart, as I embarked on the joyful task that awaited me.

I went to the living room and kept all the decorations on the table.

"아빠, I brought the decorations!" I screamed so that I could be audible enough. ( Dad )

"Good! I am also done with cleaning." He replied.

"아빠, Can I please go to meet Jamie? I am done with my work." I pleaded.

"Hmm, sure!"

"진짜? 감사합니다!" I hugged my dad. (Really? Thank you!)

With a joyful heart, I eagerly headed towards my room to switch up my attire, for I believe it holds utmost significance! I carefully selected a vibrant yellow crop top and paired it with a trendy pair of denim shorts. Leaving my luscious locks cascading freely, I slipped into my trusty yellow Snickers. After bidding a cheerful "goodbye" to my parents, I hopped onto my sage green bicycle and embarked on my journey. Riding a bicycle brings me immense joy, as it provides a sense of comfort and tranquility. Whenever I pedal through the picturesque landscapes, I feel an indescribable connection with nature, for I am an ardent admirer of its beauty.

I was leisurely riding my bicycle down the street, enjoying the warm breeze against my face. As I pedaled along, my eyes caught sight of a child, tears streaming down his face, crying out loudly. His olive green shorts and sky blue shirt stood out against the backdrop of the bustling street. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be around seven years old.

Curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but wonder what had caused this young boy such distress. Without hesitation, I brought my bicycle to a halt and turned towards him. With genuine concern in my voice, I gently asked, "Why are you crying? What happened?"

To my surprise, the child remained silent, his sobs continuing unabated. I felt a sense of helplessness wash over me as I struggled to comprehend the situation. The passersby, their gazes fixed upon us, seemed to assume that I was somehow responsible for his tears. It was an uncomfortable feeling, being scrutinized by strangers who had no idea of the circumstances.

Determined to offer some solace, I mustered all my efforts to console the distraught child. I tried everything within my power to make him stop crying, offering comforting words and gestures. Despite my best intentions, his tears persisted, leaving me feeling even more perplexed.

As the child's tears finally ceased, a wave of relief washed over me. It seemed like the perfect moment to inquire about the cause of his distress, which had consumed him just moments ago. With utmost care, I posed the question once more, "What happened? Why were you crying?" His voice trembled as he struggled to find the words, and I could sense his vulnerability. Despite his evident struggle, he managed to utter, "I-I came here with my mom, but she's not here." In that instant, it became clear to me that his mother was either missing or they had become separated.

"Do you have your mom's  picture or a phone number?" I asked.

"A picture" he replied.

The young boy, who seemed lost and alone, cautiously opened his wallet. To my surprise, this child possessed a wallet of his own, while I, a seventeen-year-old girl, still did not have one. Curiosity piqued, I watched as he carefully extracted a photograph from within and eagerly presented it to me. As I glanced at the picture, my astonishment grew, for it was none other than our school's principal captured in the frame.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I inquired, "Is your mother's name Hae Won?" The boy nodded in response, confirming my suspicion. Fortunately, I was familiar with Miss Hae Won's residence, which presented an opportunity to help this lost child.

With a gentle touch, I grasped his tiny hand and guided him to sit behind me on my bicycle. Together, we embarked on a journey back to his home, where his worried family awaited his safe return.

As I entered his family's home, I was warmly welcomed with an abundance of delectable sweets, presented to me as a kind gesture. They expressed their gratitude and insisted that I stay longer, but I couldn't forget that I had to make my way to Jamie's house, and I was already running thirty minutes behind schedule! The thought of how furious she would be crossed my mind, and I hurriedly bid farewell to everyone in the house, except for Miss Hae won who was not present at the time. The family informed me that she had stepped out. With that information, I left their house and resumed my journey, only to be interrupted by an incoming call from Jamie. I braced myself, anticipating a scolding from her. Without hesitation, I answered the call.

"여보세요 Jamie."  [Hello( in a call)]

"Where are you?"

"Ah, I found Miss Hae won's child lost in the crowd so, I helped him by taking him back to his house." I explained.

"Miss Hae won?"

"예" ( yes)

"Whatever, I am leaving now."

"Where?" I asked.

"To the beach." She replied.

"Oh!"

"See, I waited for you but now, I have to go." She explained.

"Okay, i guess bye!"

"Bye" she replied.

I pedaled back to my house, the events of the day swirling in my mind. It had been a day filled with unexpected twists and turns, and I couldn't help but feel that the remaining hours held even more surprises in store for me. As I approached my home, a sense of unease settled over me.

Opening the door, I stepped inside, hoping to find solace in the familiar surroundings. But to my dismay, there was no sign of my parents. Panic began to rise within me, memories of a similar incident flooding my thoughts. It was like that one time when I had feared the worst, only to discover my parents enjoying the view from the rooftop.

However, this time was different. I meticulously searched every nook and cranny of the house, including the rooftop, but they were nowhere to be found. Where could they have gone? The question echoed in my mind, growing louder with each passing second.

Fear gripped me, and I hastily retrieved my phone, trembling fingers dialing their number. The phone rang, but there was no answer. My heart sank, and a sense of dread washed over me. What had happened to my parents? The uncertainty gnawed at my soul, leaving me desperate for answers.