Curious Cat

Chapter 5: Sounds Familiar

Karma might not be kind, but time has been on Soojin's side recently. Over the last three days, she'd managed to avoid any cringe-worthy moments. Perhaps she had been lucky in not bumping into that woman she hoped to steer clear of.

However, Soojin couldn't deny the sleepless nights that had plagued her during this time. That awkward scene from the video had been haunting her relentlessly. It was painfully embarrassing, no doubt about it. It would pop into her head at the most unexpected times, causing her to shut her eyes tightly and shake her head vigorously, as if trying to shake away the memory. She can't stand her embarrassing moments popping on her mind. Soyeon once caught her doing this and gave her a strange look, but then asked if she was okay. Soojin just laughed it off and got a what-the-fuck moment with herself.

That particular bookmark in her life was deeply personal. It was her own image, a self-portrait taken during a restless 3 a.m. out of boredom. And to make matters worse, it was even a laminated one. Soojin had never expected it to go beyond her apartment, but now it had, and she was grappling with the unexpected consequences.

She had a routine when it came to using her personal image as a bookmark. Whenever she borrowed a book from the library, she would make sure to remove the picture after she was done with her reading. If, for some reason, she hadn't finished the book and wanted to take it with her to work, she would still remove the picture, relying on her memory to remember the page and the story part where she had left off.

So, why had she forgotten to do that this time?

It was a question that nagged at her, causing a growing unease that twisted her stomach into knots. Soojin had always been meticulous about these little details, ensuring that her personal life remained just that—personal. She couldn't fathom how she had overlooked this crucial step.

The experience had left her shaken to say the least. The idea of using her own image as a bookmark in a borrowed book felt more embarrassing than setting a selfie as her phone wallpaper. She vowed never to let such an oversight happen again, eager to prevent any more instances where her private life inadvertently seeped into the public eye leaving her exposed. Known.

Friday morning, the soft glow peeking through the curtains, casting faint shadows, hinting that the dawn was breaking. The world was still hushed, with only the relaxing chirps of birds breaking the silence. Soojin found herself reflecting on the week that had unfolded before her. It had been a remarkably smooth one, considering her daily work routine. She didn't feel overly tired; in fact, she enjoyed her job. However, there were moments when she couldn't help but wish that the need to work for money didn't weigh as heavily on her shoulders. The librarian job might seem breezy from the outside, but it's more than just shushing people to keep quiet. Managing overdue books, dealing with computer malfunctions, and navigating the ever-growing pile of administrative tasks were just a few challenges that made her job harder than it appeared. Her cat, Jinson, lay snoozing beside her on the bed, and Soojin couldn't help but envy his carefree existence.

Jinson, who had a knack for being mischievous in the wee hours of the morning, had somehow managed to let Soojin sleep through his antics at 3 a.m. She smiled as she watched him sleep, pondering the adventures he must have embarked upon while she slumbered.

As she stared at her feline friend, Soojin's mind began to wander, recollecting the events of the past week. It had been a turbulent roller coaster ride, though she couldn't help but feel like she was the only one aboard that tumultuous journey. She couldn't help but wonder if she could blame her cat for introducing her to someone who had no idea of her existence. Well, perhaps, but at least the encounter had been memorable.

There was one question that consistently nagged at her: Why had she chosen to attach a camera to Jinson's collar that one time? It was an odd decision, one that had unfolded into a unique set of circumstances. However, Soojin didn't regret it.