I can't remember when was the last time since I visited this place. Maybe I was in college around that time. Thankfully it's not really crowded today. I am not an outgoing person. Besides, other than Yun Hee I don't have anyone else to accompany me.
" In case you get separated from me, just stay at a corner and give me a call. Don't panic." I patted on his broad shoulder.
" Okay Hyeon." Aalto replied with a sweet smile. I can feel his enthusiasm through his gleaming blue eyes. Honestly, his innocent smile gives me lots of positive energy. It's so refreshing!
Today we came to an aquarium. Aalto may have adjusted well into this world but he needs to go back to his home, where he truly belongs. He gets really sad when ever he looks at the sea. His face would become dusky. The smile would disappear as his heart cries in pain. It would be so selfish of me if I don't help him out in this situation. This sort of egotistical thinking is beyond my reach. Therefore I begun to search for answers.
There are tons of fishes in here. So many varieties from different places. Maybe they can help Aalto or give him some information.
We stopped in front of a tank which was not crowded. If anyone sees us talking with a fish they will definitely feel awkward or think that we are some freaks.
Yikes! Don't want that to happen here.
" Try talking to them." A yellow fish came near to the glass. Probably a Butterflyfish although I'm not sure. The fish stayed still meanwhile Aalto was actually trying to talk with the fish. Wow!
" That's sad." Aalto bewailed with a sigh, making me wonder what did they talked about. I hope it's not a bad news.
" What did it say?" With a tensed voice, I asked him.
" His wife is upset with him. So he wants some advice."
" Huh?!" I was dumbfounded by his unexpected reply. As I came back to my senses, I continued to speak, " Uh.... okay? Umm... why is she sad?"
" His wife thinks that he is cheating on her. But she misunderstood the whole thing. He was just trying to scratch the back of that lady, then suddenly his wife came there and got angry." Seriously? Even fish has problems dealing with their wives. Anyway I should help that poor guy.
" Tell him to talk with his wife. Beg for mercy. Give her lots of compliments. Try to impress her with gifts or maybe flowers if only that's available in here." The fish flapped his fins as if he understood my words. I thought only Aalto can speak with them.
" He said thanks." Aalto translated the meaning.
" Does he know something about your home?"
" Sadly no."
" Then let's move on." Can't believe we wasted our time in here. But it was worth it. I hope they make up soon. We went to the next tank and there was a clown fish. My mind tells me that this clown fish will definitely help us out.
" Don't worry. Just tell her about your feelings." Looking straight at the glass wall, Aalto spoke to fish. Oh god! Don't tell me that he wants advice too.
" What is he saying?" I asked in hurry, hoping that my assumptions were wrong.
" He likes a girl but he doesn't know how to tell her about his feeling. In fact he never got a chance to talk with her."
Ah shit.
" Jeez! What's up with this fish and their love troubles!" I yelled out in frustration.
" He said, many couples come here and mate with each other-" My eyes opened wide as his words hit me like a truck.
" Mate? As in for sex?"
" ... no, just kissing."
" Oh okay."
" He wants us to give him advice because humans knows a lot about love."
I cooled down my head. It's true that people come here for dates. But who would have thought that they are sitting a really bad example in front of other species.
" Listen here you wimp. If you really like her then you should just go and tell her your feeling. Don't be afraid. You will either receive a yes or a no. There's nothing to loose since you aren't even friends with her."
" He said that he will confess to her and thanked you for advice."
" Sure no problem little fish."
After that we failed for three times. All of them had no clue regarding our problem. But they had their own troubles, aka love troubles.
This is going to be the last tank. Let's hope that this fish knows something or else this whole trip would be a failure.
" Hey miss can I ask you something?" Aalto asks the fish. " But why?" Unlike other times the reply came different. This one seems to be a girl.
" What's the matter?"
" She doesn't wanna talk to me because I'm a guy."
" Why ?"
" Because men are cheating bastard. Her lover left her for someone else. Since that day she hates men." Oh boy! I can't believe that fishes have this much dramas in their lives.
" All men aren't cheating bastards. In fact women can cheat too. It's up to the person not their gender. You can not assume that everyone will be the same, based on your past experience." I tried to correct her judgemental thoughts.
" She said that she just feels so angry especially with the humans. She saw the same guy bringing different girls in here for dates. Uh... and...." Really not surprise to know that guys often come here for dating. It's a common spot. But why is he hesitating?
" What?"
" She thinks I'm like that and I'm only fooling around you. When the time comes I'll break up with you." Now I get it. Basically Aalto just felt embarrassed as she mentioned something out of the blue.
" Did she really said all this?"
" Hmm." He nodded his head in reply.
" Look, we aren't dating. We are just friends. Besides Aalto is a great guy, way better than those jerks. Don't you dare to say bad things about him. You should change your way of thinking instead." Why am I even bothering to explain everything. It's a fish, just a tiny lil fish. I grabbed his hand tightly as we walked away from there, " Aalto let's get out from here. I don't wanna waste my time."
Even a fish can be toxic.
We were walking in the streets. I have parked my car nearby. It feels nice to take a stroll. But I wanted to buy some food from the stalls. Street food is always the best!
" Let's try some new snacks today."
" Hyeon, is this a date?" Suddenly I was baffled. What did he just say?
" W-what are you saying dummy? Of course it isn't." Actually it kinda is a date, right? I mean everything seems to turn up like that.
" Oh. You know those fishes were telling me that we look like a couple on date." Crap. Those fishes were only a pain in the ass. They didn't even helped us instead we had had to put up with their bullshit.
" They just assumed it. A boy and girl can go out as friends. It's normal."
" Really?"
" Yup."
Deep in my heart I knew that I was only trying to end this conversation. The topic of love and dating is irritating to me. My past relationships were never good. I fear that I may end up talking rudely with him if I continue this topic.
I'm not giving him false informations, I guess.
It's not his fault to be curious. I'm the one who's at a fault since I can't restrain my own anxiety. These are the scars that I want to hide from everyone. So please don't give me that look. Don't ask me more.
~ to be continued