3

Somente um idiota morre de tedio

(only a fool died of boredom)

 

 

 

Moon Byul-yi. Lecturer. Modern Philosophy. 

So she’s working in the same university I attended… 

A sharpened pencil is kept between her fingertips as she reaches for a palette of assigned colors near the stand. The stained apron was tightly tied, and all Hyejin noticed was a large canvas staring blankly back at her. It's a physical manifestation of the project's two-week hiatus. The clock to deadline, however long, is still ticking, and before the whole homeless situation, she hadn't drawn anything.

She looks around the studio, looking for ideas. The studio is empty of students, as the project can be completed somewhere that is convenient for them, and Hyejin is certain she is well behind her peers. Never mind Wheein; that dwarf is a beast when it comes to art projects with abstract, insurmountable themes. 

All it takes for her to finally take the palette and strike colors on the blank canvas is untying and tying her locks (to buy some time) and retying her apron (to buy still more time).

I don’t think Byulyi knows that we were from the same university. 

It was something she told Wheein before they snuck back into class and carried on as if nothing had happened. Circles and forms begin to appear in fragments, jagged and perplexed, just like her state of mind.

I don’t know where to start unravelling this mess. Maybe going to the club has to come first.  

She slapped another color with vigour, uninterested in the pattern that had developed along the waves.

Crashing at a stranger’s apartment must have taken the cake. I really have to take care of my own problems. Searches for apartment listings will have to come next. Come to think of it, Byulyi looks adept among the students, so carefree. Like she’s not… blind. She can reach for her pen and stroll around chairs without difficulty— 

The brushstroke pauses halfway through, and Hyejin takes two steps back to look her work in the eye - a look that elicits a sigh and a curse for letting her mind wander. She sets the brush aside and reaches for a metal bucket that sits next to the exit. The water in it is murky from the remnants of painting oil used up and forgotten by other students.

She raised the pail, gaining strength in both sides, and sloshed the contents onto the canvas of her work.

 

-- 

 

Thanks to the lunch break, the RBW cafeteria is bustling. Students from different faculties are running back and forth, lining up to stock up on food and side dishes before sitting down in their cliques. Hyejin waits patiently and spoons the pancake, topping it randomly with chocolate sprinkles. Wheein looks at her with an accusing look.

“What?” 

Her friends hummed a dismissive tone and soon they found the most strategic table in the premise. Near the window, is just how Hyejin likes it. “Do you think she really doesn’t know?” 

Hyejin continued munching on her food when she got a poke in the stomach. "Ouch! No," she raised her eyebrows mockingly. "I don't think so."

She said it with every conviction she could muster. At least that’s what she can get from the older woman’s expression the night before: and she takes pride in her ability to read people. The flashback went on until she heard a splash and felt something wet covering her back. 

“Sunbae!” That shriek was filled with terror. Wheein turned to look in Hyejin's direction, and the two of them are now staring at a boy with strewn-up plates on the tray he's carrying. “I am so sorry!” As he pulled a bunch of napkins in a sloppy move, a barrage of apologies flew. Before things get even worse, Wheein takes the napkin from him. As she helped Hyejin, she realized the weight of the watching gazes on her. Apparently she only realized it now, and it wasn't out of malice. Just like her friend, drawing attention wherever she went. "It's not that wet. Hey." Wheein gave her unsuspecting friend a knowing smile. "What's that look?"

Wheein looks at the boy who steals glances from his seat with guilt, shaking her head. “You really are clueless, you know that?” 

Hyejin shrugs a rhetorical "What are you talking about?" and flutters her shirt before her phone beeps. It's the alarm clock for her part-time job. “I have to go.” Wheein exhaled, witnessing the same old routine of Hyejin cutting through the crowd at all hours of the day, most eyes watching her exit with undivided attention.

She chuckled slowly and continued her lunch. 

 

-- 

Roaming the town in casual clothes, Hyejin sneaks into the alley and opens the back door of the building. A heavy steel door swung open and a bombardment of red and confetti strewn across the floor soon released her as she walked with exaggerated steps. Hyejin, who was greeted with hellos and hi's from the women who were mostly busy with their skimpy outfits in front of the dresser, made her way cautiously before bumping into a familiar face in the room. A woman, perhaps even shorter than her in stature, contemplating which feather to wear on her head. With a smile in her eyes, she got to her feet and greeted her colleague with enthusiasm.

“Chanmi-ah!” 

Although a year younger than her, she possesses a maturity that is rare for her peers, especially when it comes to the nature of their profession. Her enthusiasm fizzles as she looks left and right, wary of anyone overhearing their conversation. "Hyejin-ah, that man didn't come this morning, but are you alright?" Hyejin gave her a grateful smile. There was no need to let her in on the whole story. " I'll settle this as soon as possible. Besides, the boss doesn't know about it, right?" She sighed gratefully as Chanmi shook her head in resolution. That didn't lessen the younger woman's worry, as was half open before she was called to her shift. Hyejin mouth I'll see you later, letting go of Chanmi's hand as she stood behind the curtain and shouldered her gaze.

“Next, we got Chungha, your dream girl of the century!” 

Some say the place she works at is shady, but Hyejin disagrees. The girls are all nice and supportive of each other and her shift as a model-slash-actress, which fills quite a space in her head and occupies her entangled thoughts. The sass of working here for the first time is unnecessary, because even the boss herself--

“Hyejin-shi!” 

She turned towards the caller. It was one of the models who just finished her shift. 

“Mama needs you in her office.” 

The blood in Hyejin's veins began to run cold.

 

-- 

 

A plaque with the words ‘Manager' rapped on the handle.

“Come in.” 

Hyejin sticks her head out and takes a seat near the desk, facing the woman she has a secret from. The manager, or as everyone calls her, "Mama", is a plump woman with a relaxed demeanor that usually strikes anyone with a cheerful disposition. Sitting across from her today gives Hyejin the dreaded feeling of being judged.

“Hyejin…” 

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry." The art student knows she's referring to the man who came into the club yesterday, and she wants to end it as soon as possible. She realizes she's been muttering that promise to herself for a while now. "There's a reason girls aren't supposed to pick a benefactor, Hyejin. This kind of affair has happened in the past."

A rock weighing inside the bottom of her stomach. “What happened to her after?” 

“She cut ties before it led to something more.” Mama said. “I know he can treat you nicely and perhaps pay for your tuition as well, but,” Hyejin bit her lower lip. “If it’s already out of the store’s bounds, we cannot ensure the girls’ safety to the best standard.” 

The tanned woman take