Childhood Enlightens

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."

― Sarah Dessen

The school is open after the vacation and I'm back to my hectic life. I got assignments and homeworks on my first day itself and the classes were draining me as usual. I kept my composure and kept practicing problems again and again. The entrance exams were coming in three months and I couldn't risk it at any cost. My dream was awaiting me and also my ticket away from here. I've been working on it since I was in eighth grade and nothing can stop me from it. I guess I have to die on it.

"Mia Sherin," my Physics teacher called my name to come and collect my answer sheet.

I got up from my seat and made my way towards him nonchalantly as the students fell silent anticipating my score even more than myself.

"Full marks!" he said and smiled at me.

I was the only girl in the class who got full marks in Physics and yeah being a computer science major and toping the logical subjects like Physics and Math earns much respect from teachers and peers. In my class, only 10 girls are there while the strength of boys is 50. Great that I'm in the boys' department. Society and their useless stereotypes are still pretty much abundant but who cares. I do what I want.

The classes went by in their ordinary flow as I kept getting answer sheets and envy cheers.

I sighed at the final bell and swung the bag over my shoulder.

While walking down the stairs tiredly I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Turning around, I was met with a face I thought I would never see again.

"Heyy," he smiled.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Um, don't you remember me? We met at-"

"What do you want, Haneen?" I asked blankly, crossing my hands.

"Oh, you remember my name?" he was surprised.

"Can you tell me what YOU want?" my tone became ice.

"Um, you didn't give me your number?" he was unsure himself as he scratched his neck, "It was a mental counseling-"

"I was aware" I deadpanned.

"You pranked me?" he widened his eyes and backed away.

"Seriously? Did you think I'd give you my number that easily?" I rolled my eyes, "It's not"

"Woah...you are cool" he grinned.

"What?"

"No wonder girls don't hang out with you" he nodded to himself, "You are way cooler than them"

"Was that supposed to be a compliment or an indirect insult?" I huffed.

"Can we hang out?" he asked abruptly, "Some other times? Uh, when you are free?"

I sighed.

Is this some sort of prank?

"Do you want me to set you up with Liya? Or did you get another dare? Why the hell are you even talking to me?"

"No! The reason is none of them." he shook his head and put his hands inside his pockets, "I just genuinely wanted to talk to you. You seem pretty cool and you know...just chill"

Why does he keep saying I'm cool? What the heck is his intention?

"Look, there are hundreds of girls in this whole campus to swoon over you," I said, "Just go disturb someone among them, they'll be glad to. Now, bye" I said and walked away.

"Hey, you didn't even tell me your name!" he shouted from behind me.

I ignored him and walked away.

"Where were you? You are late!" Jimin came towards me worriedly as soon as I reached the school gate.

"An annoying fly caught in my way" I huffed and walked ahead leaving a confused Jimin.

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"Grandpa?" I whispered under my breath surprised at the sight.

"Mia, my Star!" he pulled me into a hug the second I reached him, "It's been so long"

My grandpa is a world traveler. Yeah, he travels all around the world, alone. It was and is his dream way long before he retired from his job as an Indian Ambassador. He is so kind and lovely that I'd never seen a unique human being like him. If I wanted to be like someone it would be him. I love him a lot and he has a sort of liking to me than my sisters or his other grandchildren. Well, I used to be his adventure partner when I was small, more like a partner in crimes. Though he is over sixty, the old man still has the mind of a small child. He is one of the people I adore the most in my life and here he was, at my doorstep after years of not seeing him.

"Where have you been?" I asked after breaking away from the hug with a huge smile.

"New Zealand!" he chirped showing me his precious suitcase.

I chuckled and shook my head.

"How was it?" I raised an eyebrow already knowing his answer.

"It was wiz-bang!" his usual line. Don't ask me what that means.

But amidst his laughter, did I imagine it or did his gaze linger on something behind me. I instinctively turned around and Jimin was staring at our exchange with a lost expression. I felt like grandpa was staring right at him, I think Jimin sensed it too because he shifted uncomfortably and moved aside but much to our dismay he was followed.

Grandpa then looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

I blinked. Huh?

"Oh Dad, what'd you like for dinner?" my mom asked cutting the tension.

"Anything dear. Usual food'll be much appreciable" grandpa said with a crinkled smile.

My mom nodded and my sisters chatted with him before they left too.

He turned to me with an amused smile.

"Come with me to the guest room, Star", he said and walked away but right when he reached the doorway he turned his head over his shoulder, "And call him too" he then went away with a smile.

I stood there dumbfounded.

Can he-

"Mia, who was that?" asked Jimin looking at my frozen figure.

"My grandpa..." I said still in my thoughts.

"Can he...see me or something?" he asked nervously, "'Cause I thought he just looked at me? Or is it just me?"

"Let's find out," I said and grabbed his hand.

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"So what's this spirit doing with you?" asked grandpa slightly leaning against his bed and arching an eyebrow at my what-the-hell-he-asked-just-now face.

"Y-You can see him?" I finally asked.

"Yeah, it's not my first time though," he shrugged, "Now, tell me who is this"

I looked over at a confused Jimin standing next to me.

"He says he can see you," I translated to him whose eyes became eggs.

"Oh, he is a Korean?" grandpa exclaimed clapping his hands excitedly. I know very well that South Korea is one of his favorite places to visit and it was not new to me. Oh, and a fun fact, he knows almost 27 different languages which you might have guessed being someone who travels around the world 24/7, "Hi, what's your name son?"

Jimin regained himself and gave him a smile upon hearing the old man calling him lovingly.

"Jimin, Park Jimin, sir " he eye-smiled bowing 90 degree.

At this, my grandpa's eyes widened and he froze. For what felt like an eternity, he stared at Jimin and slowly stepped towards him with an expression not readable to me. I thought he must've recognized him from BTS and the accident that shook the whole social media. But my mind however said it's not.

I watched silently as grandpa advanced towards a very confused-looking Jimin and stood right in front of him examing him from head to toe with an unknown smile tugging on his lips. That particular expression was almost like-

"It's been years," grandpa whispered still staring at Jimin's face, "You've grown so well"

Huh?

"Sir, do I know you?" Jimin asked now completely surprised and anxious.

"Of course!" grandpa exclaimed, "Do you perhaps remember uncle Moon?"

"Uncle Moo-" Jimin's eyes widened in recognition as he grinned widely, "Uncle Moon!!!"

Both of them attempted to hug each other but grandpa's hands went right through Jimin, both of them smiled sheepishly at that. Grandpa stood away from him and looked apologetically while Jimin shook his head saying it's okay. They both were smiling so wide that I couldn't understand what the hell just happened and was happening.

"Uh..." I stared at both of'em tilting my head a little.

"How have you been? I mean, it's been 13 years" Grandpa beamed at him.

"Yeah, I always thought about meeting you again. Now I'm so happy I don't know how to express it! I missed you so much, uncle" Jimin squealed and bounced on his feet.

"I missed you too, kid," he reached out to ruffle his hair but pouted after his hand passed right through him, "You've grown very handsome and muscular too, huh. You were such a chubby little kid"

"Uncle~" Jimin pouted and whined.

"Uh, can anyone tell me what's going on here?" I asked tired of guessing what they're talking about.

Both of them turned towards me and blinked.

"Star, do you know who he is?" asked grandpa.

"Yeah, he's a member of a world-famous boy band-"

"No no... you've known him way before he became an idol" grandpa shook his head.

"Huh?" both of us were confused.

"Aish~ these kids," he facepalmed, "You two were childhood friends"

I was beyond confused and shocked.

We both looked at each other. We stared at each other thinking something will come up recognizable but turned away not getting anything.

"Don't tell me you don't remember" grandpa eyed us both.

We shook our heads.

"I don't remember having a childhood friend like him," I said horrified at the thought.

"Of course you won't remember. You were only five," grandpa said, "But Jimin I know you remember. You always used to come in search of her to play. You were best buddies, your parents and I had to pry you off her at night for you both to sleep. Oh c'mon, don't say you forgot all of that"

Jimin blushed when he recalled, I think, and nodded.

"And Star, that necklace," grandpa turned to me, "Where did you get that?"

"Oh this?," I unconsciously tugged on my crystal necklace, "Um, it was always there with me from what I can remember. I got it from one of my old bags saying it was a gift from someone prec-" my eyes widened too.

"Yeah and that someone is Jimin," grandpa chuckled, "You used to call him Chim and he called you Star because he thought that was your name hearing me call you that."

Now both of us blushed and looked away.

"I know," I mumbled fighting the heat off my cheeks, "But how on earth did I even go to South Korea?"

"I took you there," grandpa said simply, "You wanted to come with me and both of your parents had some business together, they agreed, melting in your cute pout," grandpa giggled probably reminiscing the scene to whom I shot a look, "We stayed there for a month or so. Your grandma was with you"

"Oh, I forgot to ask where is Aunt Lilly?" Jimin asked.

I shot him a threatening glare causing him to shrink on his spot. I nervously glanced at grandpa who bowed his head.

"Grandpa..." I called.

"She died...three years ago" grandpa whispered with sadness laced in his tone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry uncle Moon," Jimin stepped closer to grandpa's slumped form.

"It's not your fault, Jiminie," grandpa said but shot upward abruptly causing both of us to flinch, "But I can bet she'll be jealous of me. I'd traveled vast places than her" he cheekily smiled to which both of us smiled in relief.

"Grandpa, how can you see Jimin now?" I asked to change the subject.

"I can see supernatural stuff. It's a traditional gift," grandpa now back to himself and I internally sighed, "Your mother didn't get it instead it was passed to you"

"What?!" I exclaimed, "But I've never witnessed something like that except for him"

"Yeah, I know," he nodded but tilted his head, "Your mother did some rituals to get that out of your self, I guess it's pushed to the back of your mind. But I don't understand how you can see him. Any explanation?"

My head struggled a little to process and output every data I got right then. Jimin being my long-lost childhood friend and me having a gift. It's a tinny bit too much.

"Anything?" grandpa pressed, "Or I'd have to assume things and I already know what's going on," he said with a sly smirk.

I sighed, "Yeah, it's exactly what you are thinking"

He raised an eyebrow as I glanced at the now quiet Jimin.

"Well..." I explained how things are.

Everything.

What's the point of hiding anymore. He'll know anyway, he's also a bookworm. And specialized in ancient and supernatural books. Of course, he'll know what we're talking about.

"So, you are telling me you both are soulmates," he's asking that for the third time.

"For the last time," I sighed angrily, "Yes!"

"I knew it!" grandpa jumped to his feet and ran towards Jimin but stopped abruptly, "Oh I can't hug you," he then ran towards me and hugged me so tight, "I always knew that you two were something special."

He then grabbed me by my shoulders and stood me next to Jimin. He retraced back wards and put a hand under his chin eyeing both of us with a wide grin.

"You two are cute!" he chuckled.

I immediately took three steps away and glanced at a blushing Jimin.

"I know you'll make a great couple-"

"Grandpa!" I warned with a blush rising to my cheeks again.

"Aww...you are even blushing together," he cooed like a girl.

I turned away from him and stomped out excusing.

Jimin's POV

"You like her, don't you?" uncle asked right after Mia stomped off.

I shot my head towards him wide-eyed.

He chuckled, "You don't have to hide from me. I can say from how you are looking at her"

I sighed frustrated, "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, a little," shrugged uncle, "She doesn't know, right?"

I shook my head sadly.

"She is smart and brilliant," he gestured for me to come to the bed to sit which I did, "But when it comes to human emotion known as love, she's very much dumb and clueless"

I chuckled a little, "I've noticed that"

"I don't know what's going on between you two but there is some sort of tension between you and anyone can feel it. Can I guess? She doesn't accept you to be her soulmate? She might have told you don't even want to talk about it?"

I looked at him in awe, "Yeah, how'd you know?"

"I know her more than anyone in this world, Jiminie," he said with a smile, "She always drew away from human emotions and never lets people inside her trust zone. She used to be like any other girl but one event in her life turned her to be like this; cold-hearted. She has built up layers of wall around her and is literally suffocating. There is so much inside that heart, Jiminie. You might have seen some but there's more. She has her own insecurities like every other human being and while others try to overcome them she is trying to keep it to herself and rot along with it. I've tried to talk to her but failed miserably. Her trust issues are in my way because of what happened before"

I frowned, "What exactly happened to her to be like this, uncle?"

"I can't tell you," he shook his head, "She'll tell you herself when she's ready. Now, I want you to know that in order to get into her heart you should break down all those walls. Make her trust you and trust me she'll come to you. You are soulmates, you can heal both ways. Don't worry, you'll wake up, she's not someone who'll give up that easily. When she's trying to heal you, you've to take the chance to heal her too, then only the process will be complete. The whole purpose of reuniting you'll be fulfilled. The almighty is not someone who does something without my reason. Believe in yourself. You can do it!"

He waved his fist in the air and I did the same.

"She's lucky to get someone like you as her soulmate" uncle smiled.

"No, it's the other way around," I shook my head, "I'm lucky to get an angel like her to be my soulmate. She's too good for me"

"You adore her so much," he wiped a dramatic tear from his eye, "You might've seen her habit of feeding poor people, I guess. She is indeed one. An extraordinary one. Make sure to make her yours or I'll kick you next time I see you" he threatened.

"I will, sir," I bowed with a determination building inside my chest, "I won't forget"

"That's my boy," he tried to touch me again, "Aish, I can't even give you a hug"

"It's okay, uncle," I smiled, "You can give me another time. When are you going back?"

"Midnight. My flight to Brazil is at 2 AM in the morning" he said.

"You are leaving today itself?" I was sad.

"Yeah, gotta go see the world, boy," he said smiling wide which caused his wrinkled face to brighten up even more. I like and adore this uncle so much since my childhood.

"I'm glad I got to see you again, uncle" I beamed.

"Me too Jiminie, me too" he said sighing, "I guess you'll be taking care of my Star?"

"Yes! Gladly" I bowed standing up.

"Then, I'm more than happy to leave her...in your hands" he smirked, "And no PDA please."

I blushed "Uncle!"

"Aish, too cute" he smiled at my blushing mess.

Just you wait, Mia.

I'm gonna earn your trust.

Now that I know you're the girl I've been waiting for for years, I'm not ready to leave you.

My angel.

My star.

Let me love you.