By Jasmine Lau
Artwork by Keith Leung
In the car, you blast your favorite songs, singing along even though you are wildly out of tune and can never hit the high notes. I used to ignore you, looking out of the window at the tall shimmering buildings and the crowds of people in the streets. Now I sing along, like you, imperfectly.
The road hugs the side of the cliff, overlooking the ocean. Boats dot the glistening water, and the beach is full of people, just the way I remember. The last time we were here was three years ago when we lived near the old school. You pull the car up next to the apartment building. We get out, careful as ongoing cars pass. We walk past the gates and different complexes until we reach the little path behind the parking lot. The path is narrow, and I follow you closely, finding it kind of funny that you have to duck under all the low branches when I can just walk under them. Finally, we get the barbed wire fence, and you lead the way off the path in the soft dirt. We walk a little further until we reach the spot in the fence where you cut a hole three years ago. It’s been patched up with new wire, and you curse under your breath.
From your bag, you pull out wire cutters and begin cutting. The last time we were here, I was nervous, never straying far from my parents’ sides. Now, with you, I’m not so scared anymore. The summer heat hangs on us heavily, and it’s hard to stay still with all the mosquitoes buzzing around my legs. Finally, you remove the circle of wire and step through the opening. I place my feet on the stones gingerly as we cross the stream.
Things are just the way I remember. The steep rocky slope, a small stream and a rope attached to the side of the mountain.
You gesture towards the rope.
“You want to go first?” I shake my head.
“Nothing much has changed, huh?” You chuckle, grab the rope, and start climbing slowly up.
At a small ledge where the stream forms a pool, you stop. I sit down as you pull out some of our favorite snacks that we bought from 7/11 from your bag. We drink lemon tea and watch as the sun fades away. The sky is painted hues of pink and orange and it’s beautiful. I lean on your shoulder and wonder how many times I’ve dreamt of this moment.
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