I saw her again.
Her shining eyes,
small body,
and those small hands.

Her shiny skin,
the reflection of the shining sun.
Though it was hours ago,
I longed for her.

I wanted to play with her again.
And now, she was before me.

She was holding the teddy bear I gave it to her.
It was her 7th birthday.
I personaly chose the present from the toy shop with my mom.
She was waving at me.

"Jingyo! Come play with me! Remember, I promised to win in the marble game? Come!"

I remembered.
The last time I saw her,
she was crying out loud.
She lost in the marble game.

"Hunchae! Come here! Let's play again!"

I did not know whether this was a dream.
I recalled.

Jingyo! I hate you! You always win! You never give me chance! I am going to tell my omma! I hate you!

The words she told me this afternoon.
She was angry with me.

I felt guilty for winning.
I wanted to apologize but I was too stubborn.
I am a sore-loser.
Therefore, I let Hunchae go.

Next time when she play with me at the nearby playground,
I will definitely let her win.

Now, I see Hunchae.
She wants to play marble again.
She looked happy.
I guess she forgot what had happened yesterday.

This time, I should say sorry to her.
Even if she forgot.

Those hateful words,
it made me realized something.
In ten more years,
when we reach 17,
both of us will never separate.

We promised with each other to be the ultimate childhood friend.

As she was running towards me,
her legs suddenly vanished.

I was shocked.
Slowly, her body became invincible.

I could only see her upper part of her body.

"Hunchae! What is happening to you?"

"Jingyo! Wait, I am coming! I just bought new marbles!"

As she came nearer to me,
I could not see her.
Only her voice lingered.
She was gone.
She literally vanished into thin air.
Where is she?

"Jiyong? Jiyong? Wake up."

I opened my eyes.
I saw a big figure.
My mom.
She was beside me.

"Yes omma?"

"Honey, Chaerin."

"Omma, about this afternoon, I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt her. I will apologize to her the next day. Now, I want to sleep."

I pull up my Superman blanket and covered my whole body.

"Jiyong, your neighbourhood friend Chaerin. She is no longer here."

"What are you talking about omma? I just played with her this afternoon. She might be in her grandma's house. Don't worry. She will come back tomorrow. I know.

I got irritated for a moment.
Why was my mom panicking?

"Jiyong-ah~ Chaerin is not in this world. She is in the sky right now. Heaven."

"Huh? What do you mean omma?"

"Chaerin is dead Jiyong."

She is dead.
She is dead.
She is dead.

Those words, kept repeating in my head.
Though I did not ask my mom to repeat,
she kept repeating that hurtful words.
As if learning a new language.

It got stuck in my head.
Hunchae is dead.

I did not know why,
but the marble that I played with Hunchae was in my hand.
I clenched my fist with the marble in it.

"Hunchae is dead. My hunchae, it's too late to say sorry."

My mom left me alone in my room.
I could not breathe.
More likely I did not want to breathe.
I did not want to cry.

I choked,
and coughed loudly.
I could not stand it.
Tears flowed.

"Hunchae..."

I sobbed.

Closing my eyes,
hoping to get back to the dream.
I want to meet my Hunchae.
Get me back to my dream,
Please....

I want to say sorry.
What about our promises.
We could be the ultimate childhood friend.
Why do you have to leave me?

Did you hate me for not letting you win?
Hunchae?
Do you really mean it?
Do you really hate me?
 

"Jingyo? I am sorry for leaving you like that. No, I don't hate you. Can you hear me Jingyo? I don't hate you. You will always be my friend. My neighborhood friend. I am sorry for not keeping our promise. I did tell you that the sky is my favourite part of the world right? You said you wanted to be a pilot so that you can bring me up and see the sky. Though I can't play marbles with you, I am sure you will find another friend. You have Yongbae right? He lives near you. Can you really hear me? Please tell me you can. Why are you crying? Why are you sobbing? Wait, don't tell me you cried because of me? Don't worry, there are a lot of good people here. They are very helpful. They said I am in heaven. Like you said before, heaven is a nice place. Very peaceful. Jingyo, I will wait for you here. I will wait until you come and visit this place. I can't wait to show you around. Promise me that you will come here. Okay? I have so much to tell you. I will wait for you, even if it takes me a thousand years. Goodbye for now Jingyo. We will meet again, in the sky called heaven."