Chain of Memories Chapter 17 - Speculation

Yunho looked around the room.

"What time is it?"

"It's ten minutes past six," Yoochun replied.

"Where the hell are those guys?" Yunho said to nobody in particular.

Jeff and Changmin are known for their punctuality. They never arrived late at any appointments or meetings or gathering or anything, and Yunho admired them for that. Even Yoochun, who almost always arrived late.

Chain of Memories Chapter 16 - Death's Turn

The brothers are on the way to Junsu's house. They reached the part of the road where it sloped downward then there's a sudden turn to the right. The people gave it a name: "Death's Turn". It's dangerous, yes, but fortunately, accidents are yet to happen in the place. The authorities made it sure that there will be lots of signs on the place to warn the motorists the dangers.

"Why did I left in the first place? Damn." said Changmin.

"You're always like that, you know. Forgetting to take your things," Jeff responded.

--------------------------

Chain of Memories Chapter 15 - The Beginning

"Sorry Robe, the beautiful," said Changmin, grinning.

"That's all. Min, you clean the dishes," said Jeff.

"Why me?" complained Changmin.

"Okay," Jeff replied. "Robedith, if you please-"

"Coming up!" Changmin said hurriedly, taking up their plates and glasses. Robedith laughed.

After washing the dishes, the three spent the rest of the morning talking on the garden at the back of the house. They talked mostly about Junsu's marriage tomorrow. They put up theories after theories when Changmin asked, "How did you think Neru fell for Junsu? I mean, he's the same as me. Immature."

Chain of Memories - Chapter 14

AT ZANARKAND

Jeff plugged his flash drive into his component, and, moments later, music reverberated throughout the house.

It's Sunday. This is routine. On Sundays, exactly 6a.m., Jeff plays music and turned the volume to the maximum. At first, Changmin was not used to this routine, which started only a year ago. Eventually, Changmin got used to it. The music is good, too. They aren't songs - there are no lyrics. Only instruments. Changmin doesn't listen to this kind of music. He thought that lyrics are the most important part of songs, and the instruments are just embellishments. But as he listened to Jeff's music, he began to appreciate it.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 13

MY DESTINY.

"Hi!" said Robedith.

"Aha! You're tons better than before, when we talked on the phone," Changmin remarked.

Changmin took her hand and led him into the garden at the back of the house. They took each step very carefully. It's 4:10 in the morning. Both of them apparently decided not to sleep.

"We'll walk into Junsu's party with dark circles in our eyes!" Changmin said.

"That's alright. We'll just tell them we are so excited," Robedith replied.

"Yeah, though I think no one will buy that," Changmin responded.

"Why not?" asked Robedith.

"Jeff-hyung."

"Ah. But he won't know, right? He won't."

Chain of Memories Chapter 12

4:05AM VISITOR

He woke with a start. Something's on top of him and it's quite heavy. The thing woke him up.

Changmin opened his eyes and felt something beside him. Slowly, he turned his head to his right. Something is in there. His vision is quite blurry.

"Maybe I should go to an ophthalmologist," he said to himself. He rubbed his eyes with his right hand, and his vision became clearer. Something is indeed in his right.

Or someone.

"Hey hyung!"

Chain of Memories Chapter 11

[if there are errors, sorry. it's 3:27AM, and i'm tired to read through all of this again to check for errors. maybe later. i'll sleep first. :) ]

GOOD NIGHT

He walked on.

Memories of Robedith still lingered in his mind. He clutched his chest, as if it’ll help. As if by doing so, the pain will stop.

He walked on. The water reached his chest already. Forward. The water reached his chin. He went on. The water reached his lips. He held his breath back and walked on. He walked on until he’s completely submerged.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 10

PAIN

And now he's in love with her. Deeply in love with her.

Love. It is the most wonderful feeling, he thought.

But this sadness -

As he leaned on the tree, he looked up to the skies.

"God, why?" he asked.

His hyung once told him that when adversities and problems were thrown in his path, it's because God knows he can overcome them all.

But this is too much, he thought.

He wanted everything to end - his tears, his pain, his sadness.

His life.

He remembered a line from his favorite video game.

Death is the ultimate and final liberation.

Then the tears stopped. He stood up. While doing so, he closed his eyes, and then he started to walk towards the lake.

The cool breeze in the area felt good in his skin, but he don't care.

The stars shone their brightest tonight, but he doesn't give a damn.

He removed his shoes and his socks, but kept his clothes. It will help, he thought.

He sensed the light of the moon through his eyelids. He decided to open his eyes.

"Beautiful," he muttered as he looked at the moon.

He stopped walking.

He stared at the lake. He smiled as he always did when he see the beauty of this lake.

Lake Serene, as he call it.

He started walking again.

Faster.

Faster.

He felt the water in his feet - cold, or at least it should be. He can't feel it. He can't feel anything at all.

Numbed by the pain maybe, he thought.

He walked on.

He thought of Robedith. He felt his heartbeat rate increased - its beating is abnormal, painful. So painful it brought Changmin down to his knees. Water splashed around him.

Tears fell down his cheeks once again.

He remembered their accidental first kiss. Their first lunch together. Their first conversation under the molave tree near Lake Serene. The first time he walked her home. The first time he walked with her to the school. The first time they shared earphones on his iPod. The first time they worked on school activities in pair. The first time he sang for her, and the way she reacted to it.

"It's wonderful! How come you didn't tell me that you sing so well?" asked Robe. She was sitting and leaning on the molave tree near the lake.

Changmin smiled. He touched the back of his head in embarassment. "Thanks," he managed to blurt out.

"Hey, can you sing another song for me?"

"What song?"

"Any song."

"Okay."

Maybe it's intuition, but some things you just don't question.
Like in your eyes I see my future in an instant.

Robedith closed her eyes as she took in Changmin's voice.

And there it goes, I think I've found my best friend.
I know that it might sound more than a little crazy but I believe.
I knew I loved you before I met you.
I think I dreamed you into life.
I knew I loved you before I met you.
I have been waiting all my life.

"Let's go home," Changmin said.

"Hey, you didn't finish the song," Robedith complained.

"Ha ha."

He smiled. This is one of the most memorable days in his life.

His heart fluttered every time he recall that day. But after the day when he confessed his feelings for her, he tried to avoid remembering that day. Heck he tried to avoid Robedith herself.

He cleared his thoughts, closed his eyes, then walked on. He felt the water rising up.

Death is the ultimate and final liberation.

The water reached his chest.

Death is the ultimate and final liberation.

Then his neck.

Death is the ultimate and final liberation.

Then his chin.

Death is the ultimate and final liberation.

He held his breath as the water reached his lips. He walked on.

Death is the ultimate and final liberation.

It's near, he thought. He'd be free of pain at last.

Then he remembered his pain.

It was lunch time. Changmin asked Junsu to practice the song I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden in his guitar.

"Why?"

"You'll know later," Changmin responded.

They practiced the song twice, then stopped when their classmates started to enter the room.

The duo sat at the table in front of the room. Junsu held the guitar, ready for Changmin's cue.

Then, she entered.

Robedith.

Changmin made the cue to Junsu, who started strumming. Changmin started singing.

There's just no rhyme or reason, only this sense of completion.
And in your eyes,
I see the missing pieces I'm searching for.
I think I've found my way home.
I know that it might sound more than a little crazy but I believe.
I knew I loved you before I met you.
I think I dreamed you into life.
I knew I loved you before I met you.
I have been waiting all my life.

"Robe, I love you. Will you be mine?" Changmin said, smiling.


Robedith just stood there, staring at her best friend. Speechless.

Then, Jaejoong entered the room and approached Robe. He held her hand and said, "Hey honey, what's up?"

"Eh?" Changmin uttered.

Robedith looked at Changmin and said, "I'm with Jae now."

Changmin felt numb, like his soul left him. Junsu placed his left hand in Changmin's right shoulder.

"Ah, that's.. okay.. then.. uhmm.," Changmin stuttered as he looked down to the floor.

"Please.. excuse me," said Changmin. He ran out of the room.

"Hey Min! Wait!" said Junsu. He started to follow his friend.

The whole class were silent. Nobody knows that Jaejoong and Robedith were going out.

"What was that about?" asked Jaejoong.

"Uhm, nothing," said Robedith. She sounded deeply troubled.

"Oh, okay. Let's sit," said Jae.

"Right."


---------

Next: Chapter 11 - Good Night
Previous: Chapter 9 - Reminiscence

Chain of Memories - Chapter 9

REMINISCENCE

"Excuse me," Changmin said, slightly irritated. Jaejoong's left hand covered the page where the names of the constellations they are assigned to look for are indicated. He seemed impervious to Changmin’s remarks.

Getting impatient and frustrated at Jaejoong, Changmin brushed Jaejoong’s left hand aside with his own hand with more force than necessary.

Yoochun didn’t fail to notice this. He immediately told Yunho what happened.

“I knew these kind of things would happen,” Yunho said to Yoochun. “In fact, I dreamt of something similar to this yesternight.”

“Oh, really,” Yoochun replied.

“He he. I know you don’t believe in what I just said,” Yunho responded.

“Good. We’re clear on that, then,” Yoochun answered, laughing.

Then suddenly, someone shouted. “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?”

Chain of Memories - Chapter 8

SINGLE?

Changmin navigated through his playlist and, seeing the song Tifa’s Theme, hit the play button.

He needed the music. Two hours ago, he was searching for his iPod Touch. He took almost half an hour in searching the gadget in his room where chaos ensued – books are scattered everywhere, candy wrappers littered the floor, bed sheets were crumpled. Changmin is very impatient when it comes to searching for things. He loses his cool when he’s taking too long in looking. After giving up the search for the gadget, he approached Jeff, who’s doing some paperwork in his room.

“Hyung,” said Changmin.

“Yes?” replied Jeff.

“Have you seen my iPod?”

“Yes. It is in the sala, on the couch.”

“Oh, great,” said Changmin, with a note of frustration in his voice that Jeff didn’t fail to notice.

“Let me guess. You searched on your room for hours, right?” Jeff teased.

“No, just half an hour,” Changmin replied.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 7

THE CALL

As Robedith prepare to sleep, she smiled. She stared at her ring finger, where a plain gold ring beautified it. As she stare at it, she noticed that there are carvings on the ring.

Yours forever . . .

She blushed.

“Honey, you’re so good with these things. I love you.” She kissed the ring.

She decided that it was the best evening in her entire life ever – for the time being, anyway.

Her phone suddenly rang. She let her eyes linger on the ring for a moment, and then went to pick up the phone.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 6

A WALK UNDERNEATH THE STARS

Robedith cannot speak. She just let the tears flow as he listened to Changmin.

When Changmin finished, she said, "Why do you always make me cry, honey?" she whispered, smiling. She then touched his face with his hand. "I've never been good with words. I think it’s impossible for me to say to you the things that you said to me. But remember that even if I can’t say it properly, I'm always making it sure that you feel how much I love you."

She continued, "Don't worry, I won't ever leave you. Even if you don't want me to. Even if you forget about me. Even if you don't love me anymore. Even if --"

Changmin cut her off by hugging her. "You know that I won't ever stop loving you. No matter what happens. That's our promise, remember?"

Robedith sobbed. "Yeah, I know. That's why I said 'if', you dummy."

Changmin laughed.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 5

AS LONG AS THIS HEART OF MINE BEATS

After finishing their dinner, the manager re-entered the VIP room.

"Sir, all is prepared. The limo's waiting outside," said the manager.

"Thank you," Changmin replied.

"Where are we going?" asked Robedith.

"It's a secret," Changmin said.

The pianist finished playing 'Tifa's Theme'. Changmin and Robedith applauded.

"That's beautiful," said Robedith.

"Very," added Changmin.

"Thank you," replied the pianist. "Here, sir."

The pianist handed Changmin a black cloth.

"What's that for?" asked Robedith.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 4

MAYBE IT'S THE SOLITAIRE

The fans are screaming in unison:

Changmin! Changmin! Changmin!

Changmin closed his eyes for a moment. He breathed deeply to calm his nerves. Then, he signaled his manager.

The manager said, "OK!"

On stage, the lights went out. The fans became quiet. The atmosphere is tense.

Then the lights went on.

Changmin was met with a thunderous welcome by his fans - much to his amazement.

"Finally," he told himself.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 3

LOVE

Jeff and Changmin waved their hands as Junsu’s car went.

“I missed them,” Changmin said.

“Yeah,” replied Jeff. He turned to face Changmin. “Jae... he’s still...”

Changmin sighed. “He just needs more time.”

“It’s been two years,” Jeff reminded him.

“Remember when he lost his sister during our first year?”

“Yeah,” Jeff said. “Wish he’d let us help him. I always felt useless whenever I see him weak.”

Changmin’s phone suddenly rang.

“It’s probably Robe. I’m going in,” Jeff said as he entered the house.

Changmin answered the phone.

“Hello honey,” Changmin greeted.

“Honey, how are you?” Robe replied.

Her voice – music in the ears of Changmin.

“I’m well. Did you know, Jae and the others came here earlier?

“Oh. Actually, Jae paid me a visit this morning.”

“Really.”

“Yeah, I though he looked manlier now.”

Changmin said nothing.

Chain of Memories - Chapter 2

A REUNION


Changmin jumped out of the car. He still can't believe it.

"It's beautiful. Thanks hyung!"

Jeff touched his brother's head and ruffled his hair as he made way towards the house. Changmin followed.

Changmin's eye caught something.

"That's an iPad."

"Hmmmm?", Jeff said as he place the gadget in his lap.

"YOU RICH DOG!" Changmin yelled. He tried to wrestle the gadget from his hyung.

"Haha. This is mine. Didn't you saw your laptop in the car?"

Changmin rushed out the house and into the car.

It's a Lenovo Ideapad. Changmin wanted a Macbook Pro, but he's not complaining. He got the freakin' car!

"Hyung, how did you get all this money?"

"From work," Jeff simply replied. "Didn't I tell you that they pay great? I've been saving for two years."

"Hyung."

"What?"

"You're the best."

Chain of Memories - Chapter 1

THE TWIN'S DAY


Changmin woke up with a start. He reached for his glasses and, putting them on, he stopped the ringing of the alarm clock.

It's 8:00AM.

"I thought I told Jeff-hyung to wake me up at 6," Changmin told to himself, yawning.

Changmin felt disturbed. He felt like he's forgetting something important.

"Hmmm, oh well. I'll probably remember it later.

When he got out of his room, he was surprised to see that his hyung is still at the house.

"Good morning," Jeff said.

Changmin replied, "Don't you have work today?"