Upside Down

11. Soleless Shoe

After they got back, Yejin became busy working full time in the coffee shop across the university. Since the semester was over, she can now work full time until the end of the Summer term. She needed to save a lot this time, since she will be graduating the following year and didn't know if she will be lucky enough to qualify for another scholarship for med school proper. She just knew that competition will be tough this time around, with the best students coming from the other universities vying for the limited slots.

Working hard that summer took its toil on her favorite rubber shoes. One afternoon, while walking towards the station from work, the sole of her right shoe suddenly ripped off from where it's glued. She didn't notice that there was a problem the whole time because she was so busy taking orders and punching the cash register. At loss as to what to do, she stopped and tried to call Hali for help, since she cannot walk anymore at that condition, with only her socks on. Yes, she's not ashamed of being poor, but walking with just socks on her feet was too humiliating for her, especially here around the school's vicinity.

Hali wasn't picking up and as she was getting helpless, a familiar car crossed her sight. She tried to wave and catch the driver's attention, though she cannot tell if it's who she expected it to be. The car stopped and as the windows rolled down, that beautiful dimple greeted her,"Yejin! What are you doing there?"

"Bin! Gosh, lucky me, it's you! You're heaven-sent! Can you help me please?"

As he was about to ask what's it all about, she showed her soleless shoes and smiled helplessly, "Can you give me a ride to the nearest shoe store?"

With her eye-smile and the worn shoes on her hand, who else can resist such a request? Bin thought to himself.

He smiled and nodded, "Hop in, then, I'll just text someone."

Noona, I cannot come to your place tonight, maybe I can pick it up tomorrow?

He was supposed to meet his sister to pick up something that night. 

"I hope I am not disturbing you Bin. I'm so sorry, but I really needed help." Yejin apologized as she sat beside him and buckled up.

"It's okay, I'll just add this up to that kiss that you gave me last time. Hahaha!" Bin teased her as he began driving.

Frowning, she said, "Hey, this should be the payment for that! This is not even enough. You're my first kiss Bin! That should be worth a bar of gold." She smiled sheepishly.

To which he thought.. Yeah, it's indeed worth that much..I wouldn't have it any other way.. And he smiled.

"Okay, let's go to the nearest shoe store. There's Merlin Mall in the following street. We can go there."

As she was about to say yes, it hit her suddenly, the only cash she had was enough to get her home and buy a decent meal for dinner. She left her remaining cash in her safe at home. She has not enough money in her bank account to do a debit purchase. "Bin, sorry I forgot, can we go to a convenience store instead, I will just buy a set of slippers."

"Why?"

She blushed and looked at the window to hide her humiliation. "I just realized I left my money at home."

"Oh, is that it, maybe I can lend you now and then you can pay me later?"

"Are you sure? Okay, I'll just give you the money next time. Thanks Bin!"

"So that's number 3 on my list of what you owe me!"

Yejin just cutely smiled at him.

When they reached the mall's parking lot, Yejin realized her situation. "Bin, how am I supposed to go there and buy the shoes?" She's getting flustered with her helplessness in front of him. 

Bin turned to her with an assuring smile and nonchalantly said, "Just wait here, give me your size, I'll bring some shoes and you choose one and wear it. Then we can go together inside to pay. Will that work?" 

As he left the car, Yejin's gaze chased his rugged back. She sighed. What will she do without him? Over the past weeks, she seemed to behave differently with his presence. She had always been focused, but when he's near, it felt like her heart was pumping blood like there's no tomorrow. Yet, by the mere sight of him and the sound of his voice, she felt comfortable and assured...like home...as she had previously thought. What a paradox. Bin, what have you done to me?

Bin returned with three different pairs of rubber shoes. Amused by how he seemed to know her style, she picked the gray one with pink accent. But when she looked at the price, it was way beyond her budget. "Bin, are there shoes in there which cost below $50?" She shyly asked.

"Yej, you need to pay for comfort and quality. Let me pay for this now and then you pay me in installments, okay? So that's number 4 on my list."

"Are you sure? I'm really humiliated right now." She smiled shyly.

"It's okay Yej, what are friends for? If we switched our situation, what do you think you will do?"

She smirked trying not to form an eye-smile, "I will leave you here. Hahaha!"

Bin sighed and shook his head, what a cute naughty girl she really is.

"I'm starving, I haven't eaten lunch yet, and it's already past 6. Can we eat dinner? Don't be shy, I'll add this as your number 5 on the list," Bin said after they paid the shoes.

She looked at him and scolded him, "Seriously, Bin?"

"Yeah, so choose now what to eat because I'm really starving."

"I'm actually craving for sundubu-jjigae right now," she confessed, as she heard her stomach grumble. She might be just as hungry as him. 

Bin led her to a nearby restaurant and one thing she knew, their orders were being served. "Thank you Bin!" She exclaimed as she devoured the meal in front of her. Bin actually ordered a lot and she was just so happy to keep her mouth full of the different side dishes, some even new to her taste. As she was munching happily, she noticed Bin staring at her.

"Bin, why? Is there food on my face?"

"No, he smiled, by just merely looking at you, I already feel full. Haha"

"Why, do I look like a pig?"

"No, you're just cute." He smiled, making her feel the sincerity of what he just said.

She didn't know how to react, so she just grabbed another side dish and fill her mouth with it, avoiding his gaze. 

"Yej, I know now how you can pay for the things you owe me."

"How?" She curiously looked at him.

"Remember what I said during our trip? That I still need to know if the girl is my first love?" Bin recalled.

"Oh that, what about that?" She started to feel as if the things she just ate return back to her esophagus, so she drank her drink.

"Choi told me you were helpful when she courted Hali...so I thought that maybe you can give me some of that help?" Bin looked at her, as if gauging her reaction.

"Me, how?" shocked, she just kept her eyes on him, not knowing how to react or what to say at that moment. She was going to be the cupid for his first love? Ouchhhh!

"I'll just consult with you if my steps are right or wrong. Like a guide. Maybe just like that. What do you think?" Bin explained, flashing his dimples. 

She just continued to stare at him blankly.

"Yej, are you with me? It's okay if you're going to think of it, but hey, remember the list!" He grinned, jokingly negotiating using the things he'd done for her. 

At that point, while munching her food, what she thought was not the list, but his request. She can now confirm she feels something for him, because otherwise, she could have already accepted his request. She wanted to help, she being the reliable friend everyone knew... But that pang in her heart seemed to block her thoughts and suddenly, she felt like her world was turning upside down once more...