Of Hotdogs,Bagels and Basil

Lavander 26

It's nice to see you again, S-soojung...."

 

Ohhh.... you got to be kidding me.... the last person on Earth that I don't want to see ever again is in front of me and smiling.

 

Like she didn't do anything.

Maybe she forgot about it?

 

Should I remind her how she broke my heart that day?

Should I tell her how I cried the whole night when I got home with fever?

 

How I shiver and cry because my heart broke in a million pieces hearing those words she told me that day.

 

How she left me to Dad and told him she doesn't want me.

 

"S-soojung.. Honey..."

 

I flinched at what she said. That endearment I don't like to hear. That's why I call Amber 'baby' 'babe' 'llama', I don't want to hear that word again.

 

I stared at her disapprovingly, shaking my head on what she's doing now. This is all just a dream, a very very bad dream.

The short lady stood up from her seat and excused herself. "Tiff, I'll leave the two of you here and talk. I'll be outside.." she looked at me and bowed.

I clenched my fist and looked straight behind her. I don't dare sit on the same table with her. We don't know each other, right?

 

"S-soojungie.... have--"

 

"It's Chef Krystal, my name is Chef Krystal Jung... Only 'family' and close friends can call me on my Korean name. Chef Tiffany.."

 

I take a good look at the woman in front of me. She's still beautiful even though she's already on her 40s. But her face looks stressed and I see some dark bags under her eyes. Her skin is still flawless, heck she looked fabulous and young at the same time.

"Chef K-krystal... It's been a while since we saw each other.."

"I'm sorry Chef Tiffany but this is the first time we have met. I hope you had a fantastic meal.. Excuse me..." I have to turn around or else I'll lose myself and spurt out inappropriate words to her.

 

"Wait! Krystal!" I felt a hand on my arm stopping me to go. I know it's her. I can smell the same scent I love to smell back when I was small. Lavender scent... It's still her favorite..

 

All the memories of my childhood with her came back to me. Her loving smile and hug when I successfully baked a batch of choco chip cookies, how she ran her hands on my hair when I lay my head on her lap on nap time. How she peppered me with kisses everytime she goes home with a box of chocolates for me.

 

I shook my head to get rid of all those memories and faced her. Tears are already running down on my face but I didn't mind it.