I never thought a smile could stay in my heart for four years. I never understood what the name of a relationship is when it is never spoken about.
For four years, we knew each other. We smiled at each other and talked many times, but I never understood what we really were.
Four years ago, when I came to Seoul as an exchange student from Busan. The classroom was noisy that morning everyone was talking before the Teacher arrived. I felt very nervous, my life is not the same as the other students. I grow up orphanage because my parents left me there. At that time, I was also very confused. The Teacher entered the classroom, and everyone stopped talking immediately.
He asked me to introduce myself to the class. My heart started beating fast.
"Please introduce yourself".He said. That was when i noticed him for the first time. A Sparky eye that can never ignore. I introduced myself.
"Hello everyone, I am Choi Jia. The Teacher pointed to a desk near the window.
" You can sit next to kim sihoon!"
" He is class president "
I went to my place and sat down. After the teacher finished the lesson, the classroom slowly become noisy again. I quietly opened my notebook, trying to not to attract attention.
Suddenly, a soft voice come from beside me.
"Are you new here?"
I turned my Head. It was Kim Sihoon.
He was looking at me with the same gentle smile.
" Yes .... I transferred here today ", I said nervously.
He nodded slightly.
"If you need help with anything, you can ask me".
I was surprised, no one had spoken to me so kindly before, maybe for him it was just a simple. But for me that moment stayed in my heart for long time. The classes ended. And i went to the shop where i work part-time. It's a small cafe near the school. My Manager, Mr. Park, is a kind person. He treated me like his own daughter. Maybe it's because he knows my story, since my parents left me at the orphanage, I have always felt that no one really cared about me, but Mr. Park always ask if i have eaten or i am tried. I don't why he cares so much, but he is the person in my life who worriers about me .
A customer entered the cafe, and i quickly walked forward to welcome him.
" Welcome", I said politely.
When she came closer. I looked at his place, it was Kim Sihoon. For a moment, i felt embarrassed and surprised at the same time. But his expression was calm, and the same smile appeared on his face. It was the same smile i have seen many times at school. And somehow, it made the cafe feel warmer. I tried to act normal and walked toward him.
"welcome". I said softly,
"What would you like to order?"
Sihoon looked at me for a moment and smiled.
" I didn't know you worked here".
I felt a little embarassed.
" Yes..... It's a part-time job after school. He nodded slightly.
" That must be tiring,School and work together ".
"It's okay ", i replied. "I am used to it".
Then he spoke again.
"You didn't talk much at school today".
I looked down at the counter.
" I am still new.... So I feel a little nervous".
Sihoon smiled gentle.
" You don't need to feel nervous. Everyone in class is friendly ".
I wasn't sure about that, but his words made me feel a little better.
"So .... What would you like to drink?" I asked again.
He thought for a moment.
"Just a cafe".
As i prepared th coffee, i could feel his eyes watching me. When i handed him the cup. Our fingers touch slightly. For some reason, my heart started beating again. That same simple smile. The one that stayed in my memory for a long time.
The cafe was quite that evning, only a few customers were sitting near the window. I was cleaning the after finishing my shift. Sihoon was still sitting the corner with his coffee cup. He had already finished his drink, but he didn't leave from where he sat, he watched me carefully. I looked tried, but still worked hard without complaining. When i carried a heavy tray, Sihoon stood up and walked toward me.
"Let's me help", he said.
I looked surprised.
"Your are customer you don't to do that".
"It's okay", he replied. "You look tried".
For a moment, i didn't know what to say.
No one had noticed me like that before.
After we finished putting the cups on the counter, Sihoon spoke again?"
"Do you work here everyday after school ".
I answered.
"Almost everyday after school ".
He was quite for a few seconds.
" You must be very strong ", he said softly.
I looked at him, confused.
"Why?"
Sihoon smiled gently.
" Because you always look calm, Even when thing are difficult".
I didn't know how to respond. My heart felt warm. For the first time, someone had seen the effort i tried so hard to hide. And without it, that moment stayed in Sihoon mind for a long time too.
I watched him leave the cafe that night. I thought it was just a small conversation, but I didn't know that from that day on, Sihoon would start visiting the cafe more often.