Sungmin was nervous. He was finally going back home, back to Korea where he had left his heart. He clutched on to his travel document tight as the plane played the final landing announcement and lowered its wheels to prepare for landing. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; Sungmin was never a fan of air flights and always hated the take-off and landing part the most. “Breathe Sungmin, breathe. It’ll be fine.” He could feel the pressure building up in his ears and he tried to swallow his saliva profusely to get rid of it. After what seemed like forever, Sungmin finally felt the plane’s wheels kiss the ground and he felt like he was safe again.

“Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking. We have finally landed in Incheon, Korea. The local time now is 3.40pm and the outdoors temperature is 26degrees Celsius. If you’re here as a tourist, have fun and enjoy your time in kimchiland. And to all Korean citizens, welcome home!”

“Welcome home,” Sungmin mumbled under his breath. “Welcome home… I like that.” He couldn’t help but smile a little, the fact that he was finally back in Korea after 3 long years finally sinking in.

He remained seated while the rest of the passengers scrambled to be the first one off the plane. He wasn’t in a hurry, he came back to Korea alone and he also wasn’t expecting anyone to pick him up. Sungmin took out his phone and turned it on.

Sunlight hit him in the face as he stepped out of the airport. “Ahhh!” Sungmin took a deep breath and arched his back, relieving the sore back from the long haul flight. “Korea’s sun! How much I missed it, this feels good.”

Sungmin was tired and hungry from dragging his luggage around. He hadn’t booked his accommodation; he had thought that he’d do it when he’s here but it turns out that the cheaper options were all fully booked.

“Omo, ottoke.” He thought as he walked along the streets of itaewon. “arghh I’ll just find a place to sit down first. I knew it, I shouldn’t have brought all these stuff back. It’s not like I’m staying here for good.” His right hand wiped the sweat that was forming on his forehead. His eyes sparkled as he noticed a sign on the door of a café. “Free wifi! I shall grab a cup of iced coffee there.”

Sungmin entered the café and ordered himself an iced coffee; he never used to drink them but it was a habit that he’s picked up while living in the states. He looked around the café, and finally decided on a table by the window. It’d be a good place to people watch, he thought.

His phone rang when he finally got connected to the internet. A facebook chat notification came in.

-Yah, you brat! Why didn’t you reply me!-

Sungmin chuckled. Things certainly had been different since he left for the states, but this is one change that he welcomed – the relationship between him and the one who had facebook messaged him.

-Aigooooo, you can’t stand being ignored now, eh? Even by me!-

He leaned back on his chair and sighed softly. He missed Korea, very badly. He had always dreamed of coming back to Korea but now that he’s here, things feel… different. Like he didn’t belong here, like he was a stranger in his own country. Minutes later he was still absorbed in his own thoughts, his phone rang.

-Yah brat, are you in Seoul???!!!?!?!-

Sungmin raised his eyebrow, he didn’t tell anyone he was coming back to Korea.

-Ehh? How did you know!-

-YOU BRAT! HOW CAN YOU BE BACK IN KOREA AND NOT INFORM ME ABOUT IT?! Facebook message shows your location, idiot! How else do you think I always know your whereabouts, pfft! Which part of seoul are you at right now?-

-Aishh, how can I forget that. I wanted it to be a surprise! And here you are ruining my surprise. I’m in itaewon.-

-Itaewon? You kidding, right? You’re really in itaewon?-

-Yah, pabo, why would I kid you? Of course I’m in itaewon.-

-Where in itaewon! I just ended my work in itaewon, I’ll go find you!-

Sungmin couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s excitement. J

-Café italico, I think that’s the name?-

-… you! I work here! See you in 5. :D-

Exactly 5 minutes later, Sungmin watched as a familiar face exited from the door behind the cashier area and walked towards him.

“Hi,” Sungmin started, rubbing his nape nervously.

“Hi,” his friend smiled at him. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

The two friends could only stand there smiling at each other. Yes, it’s been a long while.

3 years, to be exact.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you subscribers! You guys made me very happy tonight. pleasedo comment and upvote if you enjoy it:)