Chapter 2

“It has been a while”

Young Saeng smiled as he helped Ji Eun out of the car and proceeded to collect 
his stuff from the boot. He was going put his camera into use again that day. It 
had been collecting dust in a corner of his room ever since he finished school and 
began work in his father's company a couple of years back.

“I haven't been here in ages”

Ji Eun said as she heard the sound of waves crashing and the light sea breeze 
that was blowing against her.

“I'll bring you here more often if you like it”

“It's alright”

She was already thankful enough to have met someone who was nice enough 
to bring her out, let alone ask for more.

“What do you see through the lens?”

“I see a pretty girl staring into the sea with a smile on her face. She must be really happy today”

“Yah… you know there are many other things out there to shoot…”

A little frown formed on her face as she gently berated him and he grinned as he 
released the shutter. 

It was moments like these he loved, capturing the beauty of the moment in time.

Young Saeng enjoyed himself so much that these little weekend trips soon became
a routine which usually ended with dinner at Ji Eun’s place with her parents. 
She would wait patiently by the side as he enjoyed the alluring world through his lens.

And perhaps it was the close bond they shared as a family made him feel warm,
and a sense of belonging that never existed in his own home.

“The lights of the Han River, Myeongdong is just right across...”

“What are they all doing… the people around?”

“They’re all enjoying the night scenery... oh, there's this elderly couple walking 
hand in hand amongst the crowd of youngsters”

“They must look really sweet”

She loved listening to him tell her about the surroundings and people around them. 
Through him she was able to imagine the beauty of what was going on around her, 
despite not being able to see.

“Ji Eun ah, why is it only me telling you about my troubles?”

“Me? As long as you face every situation positively there shouldn't be much to worry about”

“Really? Can I ask you something else?”

“What is it?”

“Have you ever thought of what you'd like to do if you could regain your sight one day?”

The smile on her face faded slightly as his question was thrown, and Young Saeng
silently reprimanded himself. He was curious, but maybe it was something he 
shouldn’t have asked, despite being as close as they are now.

“There are so many people on the list, I don't think it's ever possible… ”

“Yah, who was it who taught me to remain positive in life?”

“Well, of course… there’s so much more I could do. 
My parents are getting old, it’s really hard on them. 
I wish I could find a job and support my parents instead” 

“That's all?”

“Hmm… go to the mall to do some shopping? 
Watch the sunset and count the stars in the sky?” 

He looked at the girl in front of him as she went on talking about the things she
would like to do, the things so simple that one would have easily forgotten and 
neglected in the hectic lives of theirs. 

It was through her he learnt to appreciate life’s simplest pleasures.

“Bring my parents on a holiday to thank them for looking after me so well 
all these years and take care of them? And maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

“Nothing, that's about all”

“Yah, you have to finish off what you wanted to say. You promised not to keep anything from me”

“But… alright. You have to promise you won’t laugh at me”

“Why would I do that? Pali…”

“Maybe I could fall in love one day”

And experience love. 
It was something she still had a bit of hope for but dared not dream about. 
Something so simple, yet quite impossible.

“Oppa, are you laughing? You promised not to…”

“Aniyo. Yah, don’t you want to know how I look like?”

She nodded and motioned for him to move closer to her. 
He smiled as she gently ran her hands down his face, from his eyes to the 
tip of his nose and then lips and cheeks. 

“Small eyes, sharp nose, thin lips, chubby cheeks and dimples…”

Ji Eun’s hands were still on Young Saeng’s cheeks when he suddenly moved 
forward and kissed her on the lips, a move which made her sit back in shock 
and turn away from him.

“W-what are you doing? You don’t have to do this, you know you don’t have 
to take pity on me…”

Her eyes were b with tears as she stood up and attempted to leave 
but he hugged her firmly, ignoring the stares of the few curious onlookers.

“I’m not. Ji Eun ah, I’m serious about it. I… really like you”

“Stop playing, or I'll really get angry. It’s getting late, I need to get home...”