By Darius

Khalil Fong's life ultimately came to a close at the age of 41. The R&B genius, a respected figure both in the industry and among fans, left this world abruptly.

I remember being in elementary school, excitedly going to McDonald's after school with my grandparents. When I walked into the McDonald's, I heard Fong's song "This Love" played in the background. At that time, I didn't fully understand the meaning of the song; I just felt that the rhythm, melody, and lyrics were perfectly fitting, and I felt just right.

Yes, everything back then felt just right: my grandparents smiling at me when I was having a feast, classmates chatting in the McDonald's, the aroma of freshly made fries and burgers, accompanied by that calm yet soulful song.

Over the years, my grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep, and my grandmother's mobility has significantly declined, making it difficult for her to walk far from home. I, too, have transformed from a child into an adult working outside my hometown.

Now in Hong Kong, there are countless McDonald's, yet I have never relished a meal as delicious as that one, nor have I heard a song that resonated like "This Love," or experienced such a perfect moment again.

Fong's passing has now sealed that memory for me; the train of time does not pause for the past, and every moment can signify a farewell in life. Just last year, Fong released a new album, and I often thought about how fortunate I would be to attend one of his concerts.

However, neither of us was fortunate; fate played a cruel joke with me, while it took his life away.

Now, whenever I think of my grandparents or hear "This Love", I ponder: perhaps regret is a norm in life; everything in that memory, though gradually fading, constantly reminds me that I have walked step by step from that time, shaping who I am today.

To Khalil Fong, and my fading childhood.

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