Symphony • Jeongcheol

一 one

JEONGHAN

I live with my sister. She wakes up very early to set up our small café. I can hear the running water from the bathroom beside my room. I can also hear her singing to Twice's What is Love. Her voice isn't that good, but knowing I could hear it was a beautiful thought.

I rose up from my bed. I wasn't as careful anymore. I've grown accustomed to the darkness that I see despite the bright sunshine slipping through my window blinds. It's been 23 years anyway.

"Jeonghee?" I called out as soon as I got out of my room. My sister is younger than me but she's the one taking care of the café for the both of us. She's the one who budgets the money and the one who goes out to buy what we need. She stopped attending school at the age of 18 then we left our Aunt's house with enough money for us to continue.

"In the bathroom!" She shouted. "Do you want coffee?" I asked. "Yes pleaseee!" She answered back. So I went to our small kitchen. I've memorized where everything is placed. I just walk straight there and went in front of the small counter top to prepare our coffee.

Ever since we moved to this place, Jeonghee didn't change any placement of the furniture. She knows I'll hate that.

"Coffee's ready." I said, picking up my own cup. I heard her enter the kitchen and took the cup in front of me. "Thanks, oppa." She said.

"What do you see today, Jeonghee-ah?"

"Hmmm..." I think she's examining her surroundings. "Its a good weather. Its not sunny yet not rainy too. Not too cloudy as well. Its just right." She described. "I think we'll get plenty of customers today."

"Are you looking at the window?"

"Yes." There's a big window in front of our counter top. So basically, the counter top is attached to the window. I felt the soft morning breeze blow my face. It made me close my eyes. "I'll go ahead and set the café up, okay oppa? You finish your coffee there." She told me. "Time check?" I asked her. Its what I ask before she leaves the kitchen everyday. "6:34 AM" She said before leaving.

I was left alone in the kitchen to finish the coffee in my mug. This silent moments had me thinking of random questions like "What color would I wear to the café today?" "Green tea cupcakes or Red Velvet cheesecake for specialty?" "What should I sing today?" Right, I work as an entertainer in the café. It attracts a lot of customers but most of the time, I work in the kitchen with two other people namely Jihoon and Jun. We like to call ourselves the triple J thinking we're smart for coming up with that.

Soon, I finished my coffee and I walked to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

- - -

I called my sister so she can help me get dressed. "What color is it?"

"I put you on a pink and blue jeans. You like that?"

"Hmm, that's nice." That remark made me and my sister snort. "I think this will do."

I went downstairs with my sister. Yes, I've mastered walking on the stairs for the past years of my life. Downstairs is our small café. Its named Caramel Creme.

"Any customers already?" I asked her. "There are a few." She guided me to the kitchen where I usually work. "Hannie, Hee-ah!" Jun greeted as we came in. "Hello!" I greeted back with a smile.

"I'll leave him here." Jeonghee said before leaving us. "I'll take care of him!" Jun replied.

"So what can I do today Jun?" I smiled at him. Well, I assumed I was facing him. Let's start this normal day of my dark life.