It was the Lunar New Year holidays during the winter vacation when I was in the second grade of elementary school. My aunt, who had lived close at hand and moved to a remote city, visited our home. We were all smiles to see her family in a long time. Before returning, my aunt felt sorry to part that she wanted to take me and my sister to her home and show us here and there, and buy us some delicious food. I liked my aunt and wanted to follow her, but the school was about to begin and I got carsick easily that my parents stopped me. Eventually, my aunt took my seven-year-old sister only.
That day, I was a little lonely but good to be free from the duty of playing with my younger sister. A day, two days, a week, and a month passed since she had left. She did not come back even after a season changed. I missed her. One day, being reminded of her, I moved between rooms without doing my homework. Then I picked up the phone in my parents’ room. I wanted to call my younger sister but I did not know my aunt’s phone number. I just spoke to the phone.
“I miss you! Come back home quickly.”
Then, the phone rang. It was my dad. He asked me whom I had been talking with for so long. I didn’t know how long I was holding the receiver. Misunderstanding that he had heard my words to my sister on the phone, I burned with embarrassment.
A couple of days later, my sister finally came home. She had her hair permed and spoke in a Seoul accent. I was glad to see her again, but it was a little awkward. Soon, however, we got along better than before. It was no more annoying to play with her.
I’ve never told my sister that I missed her so much even after thirty years since then. When I see my sister next time, I’d like to tell her that with a smile. Now is the time for this blunt older sister to express love to her younger sister.