Motorcycle Nights ✓

02 | misanthrope

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02

misanthrope

( a person who dislikes humankind and
avoids human society)

12th October, 2020

SEO WOO wiped the trickling sweat off his forehead with his handkerchief. Folding it neatly into the shape of a square, he put it back into the left pocket of his khaki pants. His eyes lingered upon the rusty screw driver for a few seconds before putting it down on the old wooden table. As he looked around, he realised that garage was in a mess. A sigh escaped his mouth as the thought of cleaning it popped into his mind. It was annoying how he had to handle everything single-handedly. 

Now that there was no customer to bother him about their old scooters or why their centuries old cars weren't starting, he realised that he was hungry. Taking a quick glance at the hanging silver clock on the wall, he decided to go out himself. The country side had only a few restaurants here and there. The food always tasted bland but they were pocket friendly. The seafood noodle shop was his personal favourite among the others. It was the only one which served good food. His taste-bud and stomach took a long time to get adjusted with Pyeonghwa's cuisine.

Grabbing his black helmet, he walked out of the shop and put the shutter down. He made sure to check twice that he had locked the shutter properly before getting upon the motorcycle. Petty thieves and pickpocketers were available in abundance in the area. It was a form of art.

The weather had been quite chilly lately. The autumn season had brought with it, different shades of brown. The dried leaves on the road crumbled as soon as his shoes made contact with them. The wind ruffled his cinnamon locks. It had been drizzling a while ago. The monsoon was yet to give autumn the full control over the weather. An unpredictable weather was enjoying her reign since last week. The motorcycle made a loud sound as he started it.

The road was almost deserted like any other day. He passed by a few fruit trucks. The main occupation here was agriculture. It was surprisingly peaceful. Silly people were only concerned about their silly family lives. Life was slow at the countryside. Seo Woo could barely notice any difference from what he had seen at Pyeonghwa when he was fairly new till the current date. It was easy to adjust to it.

There were rarely any tourist and he loved how the number of inhabitants were low. Most of the young girls and boys had shifted to Seoul for earning money. High emigration had left the area almost isolated. His stay at Pyeonghwa had proven to be both a good and bad choice at the same time from his side.

Everything worked in his favour here expect the nosy neighbours and other residents who showed interest in how his life was. He was well aware of how he was a hot topic of discussion to them. They circulated several unbelievable rumours around and eventually all reached his ears at a certain point of time. His attempt to maintain a low profile was an opportunity for them to raise their eyebrows.

Seo Woo was immersed in his own thoughts when suddenly he noticed a young woman standing on the road infront of him. She was waving her hands and jumping to signal him to stop.

He pressed on the brakes and stopped. With a frown dancing on his forehead, he looked at her as he unbuckled his helmet. If he didn't concentrate on the road, the girl would have been dead by then.

The woman's dyed hair was clinging onto her bare shoulders in wet tangles. She was soaked, the white material of her sling dress now almost transparent.  Seo Woo looked away as soon as he noticed it. He tried to look into her hazel orbs but failed. He stared at her forehead instead. It was the safest spot.