CHAPTER II: Before I Met You~

Hello, Hello~ Nareumdaero yonggil naessoyo~ Hello, Hello~ Jamshi yaegi hallaeyo~ Hello, Hello~ Naega jom sodooljin mollado~ Who knows eojjeom urin~ Oh yeah~~~

From deep in my sleep, I can hear my ringtone playing. I tried to ignore it but it started getting louder. Now I’m not sure if someone’s calling me or it’s just my alarm ringing. Hmm. But I don’t remember setting an alarm last night since I don’t have anything important to do today.  Ah matta! My alarm tone was Bonamana… So yeah, someone is most probably calling me. “GAAAAH. Tsk”. --____--

First ring. . .

Second ring. . .

Third ring. . .

“Aaah! Shikkureo!!” I groaned as I reached for my phone which is somewhere in my bed. I tend to be low blooded in the morning so pardon me for being moody.

“Aigoo! Nae handphone-neun eodiga!!??” After rummaging through my fluffy comforter, I finally felt a slim cold thing under my palm. Still half asleep, I answered my phone. “Yeoboseyo?” There was nothing but silence. . . “Yeoboseyo?” . . . “Huh?” There’s something wrong. I looked at my phone. “AH paaabo.” My phone was upside down! Due to my stupidity, I answered my phone once again, this time I made sure it’s correctly done. *Beep*

“Yeoboseyo?” My voice sounded hoarse. It’s normal since I’ve just been unwillingly woken up.

“Noonaaaaa!! Good morniiing!!” A cheerful voice greeted me enthusiastically over the other line. “Jigeum eodieyo?”

“Oh, Chansik-aaaa~ jal jinaesseo~~? I’m in my apartment right now. Wae?” It was a freezing Saturday morning. It’s late autumn season. I stood up from my bed and walked to the window. I looked outside; the trees have already shed its leaves.

“Jeoneun jal jinaeyo noona! Noonaaa! Let’s meet up!! Neomuuu bogoshipeoyo~~!!” Hearing that he misses me, I can’t help but smile. Too bad he can’t see me over the phone right now. Aigoo. This cute little cousin of mine never fails to make me happy.

“Aww. Nado~ I miss you too my cute dongsaeng~ Hmm.. Okay! I don’t have anything to do today so let’s meet up!” I replied as I went to the kitchen to get some water.

“Yehey! Hmm, where to meet? Where to meet? Ah noona, you live in Apgujeong right?”

After drinking a few gulps of water, “Hmm, Un! Maja.”

“Then let’s just meet up in Apgujong~ It’s been a long time since I’ve been there. I wanna explore it!” Again he sounded like a kid who wants to buy a new toy.

“Gure? Well that would be nice! But is it okay for you? Isn’t it pretty far?”

“Aniyo noona! Kwaenchanayo! We don’t live that far! ㅋㅋㅋ! AH! I’ll be bringing along some friends~ I hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh! Are they your group members that ahjumma was talking about?”

“You talked with umma? Yeah! They’re great guys! I want you to meet them!”

“Un! The day before I moved to Seoul. Sounds great~ Okay! Then what time would we meet?” While still standing and holding my favourite bear mug, I looked up at the clock hanged on the kitchen wall. It’s currently 10 minutes before 8. Hmm, it’s still early.

“Hmm, before lunch maybe? Let’s have lunch somewhere there!”

“Okay~ I’ll wait for you in a coffee shop near Line 3, Apgujong Station.”

“Ne noona! See you later! Bye bye!”

“Neee~ Tto bwayo. Bye bye!”

*Beep* We hanged up. I felt really glad hearing the voice of my favourite younger cousin. He’s the closest cousin I have and I haven’t seen him for a year ever since he became a trainee. Back when we were still younger, he would always come to our house in our hometown in Suncheon and play with me, always following me around while tugging the back of my shirt. Whenever he gives me that “I have no idea” look, I just pull him into a very tight hug! ㅋㅋㅋ, he was really adorable back then! Aigoo, so cute~ I guess he wants to feel an affection of an elder sibling. Since he’s the eldest child in his family and I’m the youngest among mine, things just went that way. And I’m really glad we have this kind of relationship.

Apgujong station is just a 15 minute walking distance from my condominium building. Gah, I still have at most 3 hours to spare. What to do? What to do? Right now, I have a lot of free time and this free time I have bores the hell out of me!! I’m not used to having a lot of free time. Back when I was studying in the States, I’m always busy doing school works, running around the campus submitting requirements and helping in a lot of org works. I don’t even have the time to eat properly which I really hate! I LOVE FOOD! I LOVE EATING!! Now I’m asking myself why the hell did I join in those school organizations?! Now look at my body. My voluptuous curves are gone! “You’re too thin Suzy (it’s my American name)!” “You’re so skinny! What happened??” Yeah, I get that A LOOOT when I was still in California, and even when I came back in Suncheon. --___-- I’m tired of hearing it again and again. Hmpf people.

Anyway, moving on. . . After munching a piece of apple I got from the fridge, I headed to the living room. I sat down, scanned through the magazines and found nothing fun to read. I took my iPad to read online news but all they’re talking about are political problems. Sigh. Since I can’t find anything productive and interesting to do, I just reached for the remote control and decided to just watch television. Good thing the cable was installed 2 days ago. National Geographic, one of my favourite channels ever, kept me company for 2 hours. They featured a documentary about winter animals! Squirrels, foxes, rabbits and many more~ Aww, these animals are so cute! I wish I could have them as pets. HAHA!

It’s nearly 10:00 o’ clock. Since I always take my time in getting ready before going out, I decided to hit the shower. I went inside the bathroom, entered the separate shower cubicle and opened the water. “AAAACCCKKKK!!!” Cold water splashed on me!! I forgot to turn on the water boiler!! Seriously, what’s wrong with me today? I’m not sure too. How stupid of me. Sigh. I wrapped myself with my bluish bathrobe, went out from the bathroom and the boiler. Brrrr. It’s sooooo cold!!

AAAAH. Refreshed!  A morning bath is the best way for waking up this sleepy brain of mine. Even when the floor heater is on, I can still feel the cold coming from the outside. Hmm. This will be a very cold winter season. I like the cold, but not too much. But still, I’m excited for snow! Heehee! Looking forward to the first day of snow!

After drying my wavy hair, I put on the clothes that I prepared, just the casual style that I always liked to wear: an oversized, off shoulder grey and white polka-dotted sweater with a red tanktop underneath paired with black thermal leggings and some warm brown UGGs boots. I’m not really a fashionista, which is a bit odd since I’m a Fashion design graduate, but my friends always mention how great my style is, simple but chic. Not bothering to put on too much make-up, I just patted some BB cream onto my face and glided a lip tint on my pale lips.

Buncha washiong~ Buncha washiong~

“Oh. I think that’s from Chansik.” I checked my phone and read it, “Noona, we’re on our way~ ^^”

I hit the reply button and typed “Arraso. I’ll be going too then. Tta bwayo~ Take care^^”

Another message came, “Neee~ Take care too noona~”

I grabbed the nearest bag I could see, which is a teal satchel bag, and put on the necessary things that I usually bring when going out. Checked my bag once again, looked at the mirror, brushed my hair a little bit and sprayed on the only perfume I’ve been wearing since high school. Lastly, I rummaged through my closet to get a coat and put it on before going out.

As I walk out from my condominium building, a cold gust of wind blew upon my face. I couldn’t do anything but react from that sudden situation, which isn’t really pleasing to look at. If I’m an idol right now with many paparazzi stalking me, they might be able to get a photo that will make every human being laugh at my disgusting reaction.

I checked my watch which I almost forgot to put on. It’s past 11am already and I can see the Apgujong station ahead of me. I walked past it and headed to a coffee shop 4 stores away. The waitress greeted me with a cheerful smile and an energetic “Oso oseyo!” I smiled back and scanned the café for vacant seats. There I saw a perfect place to sit beside the glass curtain wall. Perfect!

“I guess I’m a little early.” With that thought, I went to order a small sized iced coffee (I dislike hot drinks) and planned to drink it while waiting for them. I went back to my seat and sent a message to Chansik. “Chansik-a, I’m here at Gurunaru, seated near the glass window^^”

My phone vibrated vigorously. I switched it to silent mode since I don’t like having my phone ring loudly when I’m out. “Ne noona^^ Please wait for a while. We’re one station away^^”

With that, I crossed my legs, calmly sipped my coffee and looked outside the window.  There were many people of different ages walking by. It’s natural since it’s Saturday. I suddenly missed my parents who are still in California. But instead of being sentimental, I just thought about my excitement in meeting my ever sweetest cousin. All by myself, I wondered, Hah, at last I’ll be seeing my cute dongsaeng again. I bet he’s still handsome as ever. ㅋㅋㅋ. But alongside with that thought, I tried to deny my excitement of meeting his friends too. What type of people would they be? Either way, I hope we’ll get along well~

~~~~~~~ END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~ 

This is my first time writing a story so please be good on me. heehee~~

♥ Yoojin~