SCHOOL 101

The Lady Next Door

16 November 2017 | Sejeong's Class | 13.00

Daniel just got back from his peaceful break. He went straight to his chair and placed her head on his table. He was about to sleep when someone called.

"Ya Kang Daniel." He decided to ignore her.

"Ya! Kang Daniel" Sejeong's voice got louder and Daniel cursed her silently.

"Wae?"

"Neo...Chungha's partner in Science Club right?"

"Eum. Wae?"

"She said she couldn't do it today. She has something came up."

"Eo, geurae. Arasseo."

He ducked his head down. Sejeong felt a little offended by his ignorance, "Tch. Mwoya?!"

16 November 2017 | Han River | 16.30

Daniel put the bouquet he bought near the riverbank. It was white roses. Her mom's favorite.

Eomma, Daniel-i watta.
Eomma, how are you doing?
I miss you so much.

He took a few minutes to look towards the horizon. The sky was so beautiful. I'm sure his mom will love it if she was here. She loves to take him here when he was little. That's why Daniel came here every year on her death anniversary. He could feel her presence here.

16 November 2017 | Daniel's Home | 17.30

It took him 30 minutes longer to get home today. He didn't feel like going home early. He knew his father wouldn't be home and he didn't want to be alone either. So he got off 2 stops earlier and walked his way home.

He was a few meters away from his home when he saw her. The lady next door.

"Eo. Ahjumma!"

"Eo, Niel-a! You're home early today."

"Ah, ne. My schedule got cancelled so...yeah."

"Eo geurae? Did you eat already?"

"Aniyeyo."

"Your father's not home right?"

"Ne, he's working. He'll probably be home late. As usual."

"Let's go to my house! I'll cook you something delicious."

"A-ah...Thank you ahjumma."

"Let's go!"

16 November 2017 | Mrs. Ji's House | 17.32

Mrs. Ji went straight to the kitchen and took out all the ingredients she bought. She took out all the utensils too. So Daniel decided to wonder around the house. He knew she didn't mind. FYI, this is his first time to be in Mrs. Ji's house. She moved in 2 months ago and by the first 2 weeks, Daniel already felt like her son. She took care of him and he didn't mind at all.

Daniel saw a photo of a young girl in a seesaw. Eo? Who is this?
Eo?! She's here too!
Wow, there are a lot of photos of her.
Eo?! This woman looked like ahjumma...

"Ahjumma..."

"Ne?"

"This woman...on the photo...the one who wears a blue coat...she looked like..."

"Me?"

"Ne! Majayo!"

"It was I."

"Wow, you looked as beautiful as ever."

"Ah you made me blushed."

Daniel smiled as he walked to the kitchen. He helped her cut the carrots. "Mrs. Ji. If I may ask, who is the girl you're holding on that photo?" When Mrs. Ji didn't respond, he pushed, "I saw many pictures of her."

"She...is my daughter. Her name is Yeonjung."

Whoa, I didn't know she had a daughter. "Ah... I see."

"I was married once, you know. We were not doing well as a couple. My husband... He was... I couldn't bear to be on his side so I left. He wouldn't let me take her with me. So I left her with him, thinking that I could get her back someday."

Daniel could hear her voice trembles. "And now, as you can see. She's not here with me. I couldn't get her back. How foolish of me to think that he will eventually let her go. I should've forced it back then."

She shook her head and wiped away something in her eyes. "The broth's ready. Here, let me do the rest."

"Ah...Okay..." She took over and Daniel felt really bad for bringing up her daughter.

A few hours later, Daniel looked at his watch. Omo, it's 7.23 pm already?  "Ahjumma, I better get going now."

"Waeyo? It's only 7.23 pm. Your father won't be home by now."

"Yes, but I need to prepare a little feast for my mother's death anniversary."

"Ah... I see. Geureom, I'll pack you some of this. Wait a second, Niel-a."

"Ne, gamsahabnida ahjumma."

16 November 2017 | Daniel's Home | 19.30

Daniel set the table right away. He wanted it to be finished by the time his father came home. He did everything in 15 minutes. So he took his time to wash up.

After freshen himself up, Daniel sat at the living room. He was looking for the TV's remote thru the drawer when he found a box. It was his father's box. He opened it and found a lot of things about his mother. Her photos, her letters, her handkerchief and her gloves. He looked thru it. He found one particular letter, on a sealed envelope, with his name on it.

Her mother had left him a letter.

🐾🐾🐾

ANNYEONG YEOROBUN!!!
It's been a while since my last past and to be frank i was so shooketh to see the number of my viewerssss 😲😲

Never in my wildest dream that I thought this fanfic could get your attention 😢 jinjja wanjeon real deabak heol! neomu neomu gomawoyoooo!!! 💙💚💛💜

I promise to come up with Daniel's mom letter tomorrow! In the mean time, please continue to support my work by reading, commenting, and voting it. I love you guys to the moon and backkkk 9999999 times!!🌒☄🌏