Put your head on my shoulder

Chapter 1: First sight

Flashback-The summer of my Senior year.

That day is still very much clear in my mind; I remember it as if it happened yesterday and not years ago.

That eventful day when I first saw her.

My first love.

It was always hot and humid in my hometown , Daegu during the summer season but that day was unusually hot. All around me people were sweating profusely and some( the lucky ones) had portable mini fans and their faces were literally glued right in front of the fans.

The less fortunate ones were waving a book or a newspaper or a magazine on their faces frantically like makeshift fans to find respite from the scorching heat.

I was listening to music (which was my way of finding respite from the heat) and scrawling away in one of the small pocketbooks that I always carried with me everywhere to writer rap lyrics and songs; whatever comes to my mind; wherever the inspiration strikes. That day I was on a writing spree.

Epik High- I was listening to one of my favorite bands which had given me inspiration to rap and sing; I was listening to Epik High's songs.

The bus suddenly screeched to a halt in front of the traffic light as it turned red.

I was immersed in writing down lyrics and had paused the music for a second. I would've missed her if not for the fact that an eight year old young boy sitting in front of me started shrieking with excitement all of a sudden,

"Mom what a pretty car! See see!" It was so loud, the child's high pitched yelling that several heads turned in his direction, all irritable expressions portraying annoyance. Even me.

His mother politely bowed to us all in apology and reprimanded the young boy,

"Hush! Don't shout in public places son, you are disturbing others."

"But mom-" He started protesting and pointing his finger at the car that had stopped beside the bus but one stern look from his mother shushed him. I turned my head curiously and followed his finger to look at the root of all that fuss.

A sleek black expensive looking car- it was a Mercedes. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before in my hometown. I mean sure, we did have our fair share of deluxe sedans here but nothing as expensive-looking as this one.

A few of the other passengers were staring at the car too, with their mouths agape and eyes filled with wonder and envy.

A car like this would surely be the talk of our small town and by tomorrow, this news will spread like wildfire all over the town- I thought.

We also had our fair share of gossip hungry ajhummas you see. They would drool at this piece of news. I myself had such  women in my life- my grandmother and my mom.

A window from the backseat of the car rolled down and at that moment, a young dark haired girl about my age stuck her head out from it. She was a pretty girl indeed; the prettiest I've ever seen with soft brown eyes, long flowing straight hair and a rosy and fair complexion.

The thing that piqued my interest in her and which made me stare at her though, apart from her beautiful face was the fact that she was wearing headphones like me and bobbing her head in sync to the music she was listening.

She had a giddy grin on her face and somehow I couldn't help but stare at her; utterly entranced.

I know it sounds incredibly cheesy but like it happens in those romantic movies and dramas, my eyes refused to stop looking at her.

It seemed as if everything had stopped and slowed down; but maybe that was just a figment of my imagination stemming from my brain, which at that moment had temporarily shut down.

She was mumbling something, her lips moving. I guess she was singing along.

I strained my ears to hear her voice. I could barely hear her low sweet and even toned voice because of all the traffic noises and din surrounding me but it was the most melodious voice I've ever heard.

She was singing an unfamiliar song and I think it was an English song because I couldn't understand the lyrics. I was and still am bad at English and Japanese.

She brushed tendrils of hair away from her face and I saw that she was wearing a silver charm bracelet.

"I wonder what all charms it has?" I thought.

Then the light turned green.