chimchim's| pjm

one

ONE

fei clutched the plush scarf securely around her neck, protecting her immune system from the upcoming frost.  the heat within her body working overtime to regulate heat through her.

"good evening." bending her spine like that of a flower stem directed towards the elderly man passing her by. adjusting the fullness of her coat on her shoulders.

winter in korea was a blank canvas.a time where the snow washed out any and everything, the cool darkness of the late evening preventing it from an easy melt.

snow clung to her boots, adding weight. as she walked. the crunch of ice under her feet sending waves through her legs.

she glanced up from her sheltering scarf, halting in front of a warmly lit bakery.

"chimchim's."

the cursive of the bakery's sign read the name of the establishment and she took in a deep inhale of air.

glancing down at the piece of paper in her hand, wind whipping it around her pressed thumbs. it would tear if it continued to tussle so aggressively.

wrapping her mitts around the cold stainless steel handle of the faded forest oak door and pulls it,

a breeze bursts through the door while dragging her inside, a wave of heat overtaking the cool and she finally is aware of how numb she had been feeling,holding her arms.

cheeks flared from the valley of her cheeks to the hill of her nose. she pulls down her scarf and takes in a deep warm breath. suddenly aware of the rich scents dancing around her.

earthiness of the ground coffee beans,
the light spice of cinnamon and the warming, comforting sounds and smells of seeping hot chocolate being poured into mugs.
how it has a light whistle as it steeps up and foams in a design. and the loaves of bread, the crunch under the heat of the oven, feeling the entire bakery when it slips out, the crunch of the knife sinking into it and the tearing of someone pulling a fresh one apart to share with their families. or the sound of butter sizzling to a melt on top. she raises her chest and takes another deep breath in.

she steps up the the counter,smiling up at the man managing the cash register.

"how can i help you?" voice clear and sharp, but low and appealing. he raised his eyebrows which were half covered by his chef scull cap.

"i'm here for my follow up interview." his expression doesn't change but he felt him become warmer towards her.

"you can take a seat, you'll be able to be interviewed after we close." 

she bows, pivoting on her toes and taking to a small booth, she considered taking off her coat as she was feeling nice and toasty but the idea of having redo everything when it was time to go wasn't appealing.

she sat a while, twiddling her toes. each time a customer paid for their meal and walked to the door she made a habit of standing, opening the door for them and bowing.

"please keep warm." she would say to each family or individual as they left.

an hour had passed when the chef from the counter walks up to her; before him was a gift of hot chocolate in coffee cup.

"thank you for being patient. i thought you'd like a drink."

he passes is from his hand to hers, their fingers brushing as they transact.

her lips turn up and she thanks him, allowing him to return to his post.

she holds it between her palms, feeling waves of heat crashing into her throat, drowning any cold. and when she wasn't sipping she watched the steam rising up. she sits in the corner a while before she notices the dimming romance of the building lights, eyes drifting around she realizes that she's the last person left at a table.

several employees appear from the kitchen, each one wearing coats and carrying bags or other belongings.

they give their goodnight wishes to one another as they head out the door, the chef cashier following. turning to her his lips twitch,

"your interview is about to start, fighting."
his hands form supporting fists.

and she returned them, cheeks glowing with a new found energy. as he waves his final goodbyes and leaves.