6 months later

Zurich, Switzerland

“GenieBien Sie den Kaffee.” The waitress said as she put the cup of coffee on my table. Seeing me confused as I only understood the word “coffee” brought a smile on her face.

“Please enjoy your coffee.” She translated.

“Danke.” I responded as I radiate the same amount of smile. The only German word I’m so confident in saying to everybody.

“You’re welcome. Enjoy your stay.” And she left.

I lift the cup up inches away from my mouth and enjoyed the calming aroma sneaking up to my senses. I looked outside the window mindlessly watching people walking to and fro, vehicles constantly passing by, calm swaying of the leaves from the trees as cold wind blew, and of course my favorite view of Lake Zurich in its natural inviting waters. It’s been 6 months since I left. It sounded so wrong but it feels so right. My family and most especially, Yonghee, were always too worried how lonely I could get in here. I truly missed them during the first few weeks but I’ve never been so free from all the worries and anxieties that builded up ironically when I was way back home. The environment really helped it the most. New faces and full of strangers with no traces of familiarity to who I am. It’s like I pushed the restart button and had a little reputation that paparazzis could never let me. Healing at its finest. I heard the bells of the entrance door chimed and instantly looked over. I could never be happier than this and I concluded that my day was already completed by seeing them approaching my space.

“Auntie Ddunie!” Said the 7-year old ball of sunshine as she hugged me tight. 

“Baby, be careful. I’m holding a hot coffee, you might get hurt.” As I struggled to keep my cup away from the child.

“Ayva, say sorry to auntie Solar. Now.” Her mother, Wendy, said as she sit.

The child pouted and released me slowly. “I’m sorry auntie Ddun.”

I laughed and pinched her cheek softly. “It’s no biggie. Now come over here and sit.” As I hold her tiny hand and helped here got unto the chair.

“Is it really okay with you, Yong? Ayva could be really burdensome at times. I could just hire a baby sitter but I don’t trust anyone enough. Besides she’s really comfortable to you I, the mother, should be jealous.” She rolled her eyes jokingly and I laughed. 

“Come on. I’ve never been so prepared to be a fake mother. It’s just for 4 days. I surely can handle this. No hard feelings.” I assured her. Wendy’s the only contact person I have here.  She’s the one who helped me secure a place to stay here in the first place so baby sitting her daughter is nothing but a way of an earnest forever gratitude.

“Thank you, Sol. Really. What would I do without you?” 

“You have to quit work, cannot attend away from home business meetings and be broke.” 

“Truly twit.” We both laughed and was immediately interrupted by a small voice of Ayva.

“Are we not eating, yet? I’m starving!” 

And the day goes by.

I went back to my apartment that night not alone as little footsteps followed mine. I punched my code and the door opened. The child suddenly run past through me and went in front of the large windows. The twinkling city lights bemused her.

“Woah! Aunt Ddun is rich.” I heard her. 

I went to the spare room right in front of mine and deposited her things first. This would be the room Ayva occupying for the mean time. I took a quick pottering around the room and dimmed the lights. I really have no idea how to decorate a bedroom for a child’s liking so thank heavens for creating Pinterest. When I think the room is already composed I went out and join Ayva in her viewing.

“Aunt Ddun, can we go to the Tulip Festival tomorrow?” 

“Oh. You mean the one in Morges?”

“Yes, please. Mama promised to take me there together with you but since she won’t be here, can you go with me instead?” She looked at me eyes filled with credulous innocence.

“Okay.” She lit up and hugged my neck. 

“Thank you, Aunt Ddunie. You’re the best!” 

“But in two conditions.” She stared at me quizzically.

“One, Ayva should go to sleep now. And two, Ayva should behave tomorrow. We don’t want to get in trouble while your Mama is away, right?”

“I promise!” 

“Okay. Good. Let’s go and rest now baby.” I held her hand as we stood up from squatting and kissed her little head good night.

Ayva and I are currently eating our breakfast near the Independence Park behind