Stuck in Another Time

Chapter 4: Childhood Best Friend

SO HEE

"F-fine!" I hollered.

Mrs. Yuheek's expression went back to her happy expression as I glared at myself. Why did you say that..?! I face palmed.

"Thank you!" She said, over and over again while hugging me tight.

I fake smiled at her expression as she hugs me tight. For a middle aged woman, she's pretty strong. Maybe she was an official before? Or maybe she had to learned combat because she's a widow? In fact, I don't even know if she's a widow.. I thought to myself. I sighed, as we pulled away from the tight hug.

"I'll make you a nice hanbok for tomorrow!" She said. "You also have training to do."

My eyes widened, curious on what she meant by it. "What do you mean by training?"

"The announcement was also held here in Goguryeo in 55 BC, but it didn't last that long. Now that today is 345 AD, the princes are eligible enough to marry a girl like you."

I blushed in embarrassment, I never dated anyone since birth. People may have likings for me, but I never accepted them. It's because I'm socially awkward, introverted and shy when it comes to love. What's so special about loving someone anyway? I thought. You meet each other, you like each other, you get to know each other, you go on a date together, you have your first kiss with each other, you love each other, you become a couple, you get married, you have kids, you get your heart broken, you leave each other, die. Repeat.

If I was dumb enough to get into that cycle, I'd be crying by now. But honestly, I want to finish my studies FIRST. People think I have a high IQ, beautiful, great personality, fun to be with, etc. but I really want to careful. I sat outside in the trees with my mom's handwritten book, enjoying the view while reminiscing.

As hours passed by, the moon lights up into a full moon. Even though it was just sunset a while ago, the village was still joyful. I sat on the cushion placed on the ground while waiting for the food that Mrs. Yuheek Ji prepared. After a couple minutes, she arrived from the outside kitchen with two bowls of noodles with shiitake mushrooms and corn nicely mixed and seasoned, Kimchi, and two porcelain cups of corn silk tea. She placed the food on the low table and seated on the cushion.

"Thank you for the food!"

We grabbed our chop sticks and started to eat the Korean delicacies. In fact, I never tasted corn silk tea before. I looked at Mrs. Yuheek who was happily eating her homemade food. I took a sip of my corn silk tea, ahh~ refreshing.. I thought.

"Mrs Yuheek," I said and straight looked at her. She looked back. "Do I look like...someone who could marry someone high? I-I never even dated anyone before.." I stuttered as she chuckled.

"So Hee, you must have confidence. It's rare to love someone who's very important," she said with a smile. But then it faded. "I understand if you don't want to try, it's hard to love someone you just met when you have to. But like the days that pass by, night and day always share days in our lives. Love is not a choice, it's a decision." She said.

I was silent. I was so touched and speechless. Suddenly, an idea popped in my head. I smirked, as she returned a kind smile. We continued eating until the plates were clean off and the cups were empty.

I touched my stomach in delight. I softly burped, meaning I was full. I sat on my bamboo bed as I looked out the window. It's almost midnight...the stars are so nice to gaze. I thought as I laid my head on the feather-stuffed pillow. My eyes carelessly closed, pulling me to dreamland.

NEXT DAY

I fluttered my eyes open as sunlight hits the room. I rubbed my eyes, feeling wide awake. It was noisy outside, it felt like there was a million women gossiping, talking and day dreaming about the princes. I never seen the princes anyway, but I wonder..what kind of princes are they?

I lazily got off my bed and slipped on the same hanbok that I wore yesterday. I then tie my hair into a fancy bun. I think I'm late! I then slipped on my flats and ran to the main place in the village. I passed by many ladies wearing more pretty and fancy hanboks more than my simple one. They gave me glares and weird glances since they never seen me around these parts.

I then got in line, bumping into many girls. I suddenly got nervous a bit, but half of me also had confidence. Okay let me explain you my plan: if I get picked, I'll be the representative right? Then I'll randomly pick a husband, try not to fall in love, force a divorce and use the Won that I've gathered to allow a monk or anyone who can help me find a way to get back to my time. I'm a genius, aren't I?

I suddenly bump into a girl who groaned in annoyance at me. "Watch where your goin—" before she could finish her sentence, her eyes widened.

"Soe Eh?!" She said, surprised.

"Huh..?" I awkwardly said, confused. I was also embarrassed since people were looking weirdly at us.

"So Hee, it's me! Ne Shun, Bae Ne Shun! We used to call each other Soe Eh and Un Sen when we were kids!"