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I reached the restaurant in front of the building. I would usually come over here for my meals during my time in Seoul. Throughout my trainee days till now I have had my food here and also since I spent most of my time in the practice room, this place was the only heaven for my stomach, and also not to forget the fact that they are very cheap. For my almost empty pockets, this place was the best. I remember those days when I first arrived in Seoul, a backpack hanging on my back, some cash, and a stuffed toy.
I used to live in this small dingy apartment in an underdeveloped urban area not that far from the city. It was a one-room flat with a small bathroom attached. The walls of the apartment had their wallpaper peeling off with water leaking from the ceiling. There was no space to fit the bed, leaving me to hardly fit in a mattress, a small desk, a stool, and a cupboard to keep my clothes inside. I used to cook, eat, and sleep all in the same place. The bathroom was so small that while showering with the hand shower I had to sit on the toilet seat. The number of bugs and insects that entered the house from the cracks on the walls was horrendous and the neighbors, let's just not start there.
I had to dance every day on the streets for money, even after training for the whole day to fill my stomach. Taking up odd jobs here and there I tried earning as much as I could. Being a middle school student not many wanted to provide me with jobs. It was very hard.
My childhood was very beautiful, I was born with a silver spoon. My dad was one of the top businessmen in Australia and we had a beautiful family. Even when I came to Korea, I was staying in a very nice place. My grandparents had a big house and half of the family lived together like a giant joint family. But living there was like a living hell for me. Indirect taunts and nasty comments were thrown at me at every step. They hated me. They didn't show it, but I knew they did and it was tiring. I was only a responsibility, nothing more.
When I first came to Seoul I was alone and had no one with me. I would only get a little money sent from my grandparents that only supported my house rent. I was still in Middle school, therefore keeping the studies and jobs and training all balanced was a headache. I had thoughts of giving up many times but at last my efforts showed up color.
As I entered the restaurant I could hear their voices. I walked towards them following their voice that could be heard throughout the small room. I saw all of them sitting at a long table happily stuffing food inside their mouth. They didn't even notice me coming until Jin saw me and yelled out happily
"Nona-ah come over, quick," he said waving his hand over the table. I jogged toward the table and sat between Jeongguk and Taehyung. They got me a rice bowl and all of us started eating, mostly them feeding me different types of food. They went on stuffing food in my bowl smiling seeing my stuffed face as I ate merrily.
Taehyung was bringing his chopsticks again closer to my bowl when I blocked it with my own chopstick. He put more force trying to put that chicken piece in my mouth. I shook my head pushing the chicken away from my mouth.
