The life of Nusi

Chapter 9 Fireworks Festival

TW: Mentions of violence, blood/gore, mangled body.

It's October and everyone is excited. Nusi, her uncle, Mr. Lee, Ms. Heejin, The Chews, Nair and her family are all heading to Seoul for the fireworks festival. They loaded themselves on a bus and are heading out early. They are going to spend the night, so they have more time before and after the fireworks show. Nusi is so excited she can barely sit still. She loved Seoul. The lights, the sounds, the food, the shows. Seoul had it all. Nusi always saw herself living in Seoul. She would be a wealthy businesswoman working in a Highrise. She would live in a penthouse apartment and eat at the most expensive places each night. She would go to all the shows and exhibits, mingling with only the richest of people. People would bow and call her Ms. Ventus as she walked by. She would be wearing all the latest fashions from all over the world. She would be the CEO of the vast Ventus empire, spanning all around the world. Every word she said would make or break thousands of people and generate billions of dollars. She just had to figure out how she would turn the Bento shop into an empire.

Nusi was sitting next to Nari. Kwan was right behind them sitting next to Mr. Lee. The Chews were sitting across from Mr. Lee and Kwan. Nari's parents were behind the Chews, and Kwan's little brother and sister were sitting across from Nari and Nusi. Ms. Heejin and Uncle were sitting behind Mr. Lee and Kwan. Everyone was chatting and looking around. It was a great time for all. Nusi and Nari were playing some game only girls that age play. Mr. Lee and Kwan were talking sports. The Chews were busy tending to the little Chews while both of Nari's parents were on work calls.

Uncle was sitting looking out the window when Heejin leaned over and in a very low voice said,

"Are we ever gonna talk about it?" Uncle shrugged his shoulders. "I think Now would be a good time." She said in that same low voice.

"What's there to talk about?" Uncle said in a growl.

Heejin looked at him and rolled her eyes, then said, "Don't you dare try to shut me out."

Uncle looked at her for a long second and said "later."

Heejin looked at him and relented for the time being. "Ok later, But I will hold you to that."

Then she laid her head on his shoulder as she held his arm. She knew this always knocked his defenses down. The bus ride went quick, and before they knew it, they were there. The lights, the sounds, the smells, all there for the taking. As the bus door opened, they all stood up and walked off.

"Stay together," Mr. Lee said. Standing by a wall. The group looked at Mr. Chew as he looked at his phone to find the best way to get to their rooms.

"This way." He said with a smile.

"Wouldn't it be faster to go this way?" Mrs. Chew said. Now it's a well-known fact that Mr. Chew loves to look up the directions, and if he were on the water, they would be spot on. Yet, when it came to land, Mr. Chew was like a duck out of water. Mr. Chew smiled again, and said,

"Yup," then laughed. They made their way to the hotel, and all went to the front desk to get their rooms.

The man behind the counter said, "Mr. Ventus, your penthouse is ready." They all looked in awe.

"Thank you." Uncle said as he walked behind the bellboy. He looked back at the others and said, "are you all coming?" They slowly started to follow as they were led to a huge elevator. Its golden doors opened, and they all stepped inside. The inside was all glass, and the little Chews immediately pressed their faces on the glass.

"Stop that!" Mrs. Chew said to no avail.

"Let them be." Mr. Chew said with a smile. When the doors opened, a huge room appeared. Vaulted ceilings, plush, carpet and gold trim on everything.

"It's like a palace!" Nusi exclaimed. "Oh, Uncle thank you!" Nusi said. The rest thanked him, while Mrs. Chew complained about how it was too much and tried to give him money.

"MY TREAT!" Uncle said, "And not another word about it or you will offend me." He said again. Heejin leaned over to him and said,

"I love you," with a smile. They all settled in and relaxed for a bit before they started to get ready for dinner. Thankfully, Mrs. Chew had it all planned out since she grew up in Seoul. They all dressed and got ready to leave, when Mrs. Chew said,

"Make sure you pee before we leave." Everyone stopped and headed for the bathroom. Afterwards, they headed down and out into the streets of Seoul. The restaurant wasn't far from the hotel.

It was the nicest place Nusi had ever seen. Dinner was great: the food, the conversations and the atmosphere. After dinner, Uncle said,

"We need to get going."

"Where?" Nusi said.

"The best place in the whole city to watch the show." Uncle said. "Come on," he said. They all got up and followed Uncle. He led them back to the hotel and back up to the room.

"Why did we come back here?" Nusi said puzzled. "Oh, it's your belly" Nusi said. Then started to tell everyone about Uncles bathroom habits after he ate.

"NO!" Uncle said red faced, trying not to make eye contact with Heejin. "Follow me," he said. He opened a door and a staircase appeared. He led them up to another door, opened it and stepped out on a roof top that overlooked the whole city. There were chairs, a couch, and a bar and grill. Games littered the floor. This was perfect!

"But how?" Mrs. Chew said.

"Don't you worry about that" Uncle said with a smile. "Tonight's on me." They all watched the show as the ate and drank until the early hours of the morning.

Finally, it was off to bed for the group, and all fell into a deep sleep from the day's events. They were then woken up by Uncle,

"Come on, get up!" As they rubbed their eyes, waiters and busboys filed in with food, drinks and fresh cut flowers.

"THIS IS GRAND!" Nusi said aloud. "OH, THANK YOU UNCLE! THANK YOU!" After they ate, they got ready to tour Seoul before they had to catch the bus home. They walked up and down so many streets, Nusi's head spun. As they were walking, Nusi and Nari holding hands, they came to a tree that was growing in a plot in the middle of the sidewalk. Nusi and Nari let go of their hands to go around the tree. Nusi on the inside, Nari on the outside. Nari's foot caught the corner of the tree, twisting her ankle. She fell towards traffic. Nusi grabbed for Naris hand, caught it for a second, then it slipped out of her grasp. Nari fell off the sidewalk. As she did a metro bus hit her sending her flying about fifty feet from where the group was standing. For a split second no one moved, then all ran over to Nari. Blood pooled around her head. Her arm was awkwardly behind her and so was her leg. Nari's mother screamed as she fell to her knees next to her child. On lookers stared while the group encircled Nari. Screams and cries were everywhere.

An ambulance pulled up, two people jumping out, pushing Nari's mother aside. After what seemed like hours, the women from the ambulance covered Nari's face and looked at Nari's mother.

"I'm sorry." One of the women said in a sad voice. Nari's mother screamed and collapsed to the ground.

"What did she say?" Nusi said. Uncle tried to push Nusi's head into his chest, but Nusi pushed him away. "WHAT DID SHE SAY!?" Nusi screamed this time. "TELL ME!!!!" She screamed again. Nusi pushed her way past everyone to see Nari. The blood, the arms, the legs. The only thing she couldn't see was Nari's face. She grabbed the blanket off Nari's face... "WAKE UP!!" She screamed. "NARI!! WAKE UP!!" She screamed even louder.

"She is gone child," one of the EMTs said.

"NO!" Nusi screamed. "NO! SHE'S NOT!!" She screamed again. With that Nusi grabbed Nari's limp body, pressed it against hers and screamed, "YOU'RE NOT DEAD!!, YOU'RE NOT!" with a frightening speed, Naris' eyes popped open as she gasped for air. "I TOLD YOU SHE WASN'T DEAD!" Nusi Screamed, "I told you" Nusi said in a much lower tone as the EMTs picked Nari up and put her in the ambulance. Nari's mother was put in the back with Nari as they sped off to the hospital. No one in the group said a word as they made their way to the hospital.