Memories of Summer

Act 1: Meeting Summer

Valentines day. If it held any significance to me, it would only be because it marks 4 days before my birthday. It’s a holiday created by Hallmark just to fill the void between Christmas and Easter. Intended to make single people feel like shit. Sad. Lonely. And worthless. It's bad enough that you see couples everywhere being cheesy with chocolates, flowers and ridiculous stuffed animals.  They just had to promote it on television, radio, paper and any other media as if it were more important than a child dying in Africa.

On this particular bogus holiday, I woke up early like my usual Saturdays. Victoria gave me a call, asking me if I would like to have dinner later. Since I have nothing better to do I mumbled "Ok" and ended the call.

I went straight to my favorite café. Ordered my usual Americano and read the Saturday morning papers. Everything was just boring  and usual.

Then  I saw her  there. She was sitting alone, drinking her latte. I can smell cinnamon mixed with coffee and a hint of vanilla that must have been her perfume.

God,  she was lovely. No words can express really. Detailing her beauty would be a waste of time. Whatever I say, would be an understatement.

She looked sad. Her big brown eyes were watery. Sad… But still lovely.

Then she came up to me. I was surprised. It's not everyday that a lovely stranger just walks up to you  and says hi. And she did. She just did.

She sat across me and said. "Hi! My name is Summer.  Have we… have we met before? I swear you look so familiar."

"You hang around here often? I'm a regular customer here so.. So yeah… Maybe you've seen me before."

"Nah, its my first time here. They serve good latte. And the barista was quite nice. She got my name right too. Other cafés never got my English name right… But you really do look familiar. Maybe I'm just mistaken. Maybe we haven't."

"Now we have." I smiled and introduced myself to her. "My name is Changmin. Shim Changmin. 22.. Turning 23 in four days"

She smiled at me.

"Cool! I turned 21 four days ago. And today is Valentines day. Sandwiched between our birthdays and we meet. This is so awesome! It must be destiny." she chuckled.

Yeah.  Awesome. She was right.

Then I just did the craziest thing, I asked her.

"I hope this doesn’t come off as reckless and impulsive. God, yes, it is impulsive but… Would you like to go out on a date with me? Today. On Valentines day."

She looked at me for a long time and smiled.

"I would really love to. You seem like a nice guy and this seems like a plot for a romantic movie but….  I have to tell you.  I'm engaged. I'm getting married in three months time. Sorry." she bites her lips, looking at the table.

"I'm sorry. It was really rash of me to say such things. I dunno. It must be because it's Valentines day… Don't mind me. Forget about what I said." I laughed and drank my coffee. I don't know what I was saying.

"But if you want we can go out…. As friends. You know... No strings attached... No romantic undertones whatsoever. If that's ok with you."  she suggested with a smile but to me it was a command.

"Yes. Let's… go out. As friends."

And we did.