This side of paradise ✅

❀ 2 ❀

Soo Min

I opened my eyes and got to consciousness. It's my first time waking up without someone shouting at me. I checked my phone and it was 9 in the morning, well, I got a pretty good sleep.

I decided that I'd have a morning stroll and stop by the convenience store to have breakfast. I wore my hooded jacket and some jogger pants and got outside my apartment.

I wore the hood since it was sunny but weirdly cold. I kept my hands inside my pocket and walked cautiously down the stairs. I knocked on Aunt Hyeori's door to inform her that I'll be going out, so she won't get worried.

"Good morning Auntie! I'll be going for a morning walk, do you have anything that I could possibly run? like something to buy in the store?"
"Hmm, actually none, but I'll call you if I remember anything, have fun and be safe"
"Yes Auntie, see ya later"
"And oh, if you need assistance around here, you can ask Jihoon to go with you"
"Ji-who?"

I did not clearly hear her since there was quite a distance between us so I just ignored her. But I think she was talking about asking directions from someone named Ji- something. Well, I'll be fine, the city is pretty easy to memorize. I got down to the ground floor and walked while looking around. It was such a big city for a no one like me.

I enjoyed the cold morning breeze hitting my face. It feels nice to have peace in the morning. No one shouting at me to cook breakfast, toddlers crying, my dad looking for the keys and my mom hurting me every time she doesn't like what I prepared. I'm actually lucky to be here, but I can't just be "lucky" I have to make my own fortune and find a job, a school or something.

But for the meantime, I'll get some breakfast. I spotted a nearby convenience store and got in there. I could've gone inside a café but I'm too broke for that, so I guess we'll be eating in the convenience store for today. I bought the egg salad sandwich with tomatoes in it because I love tomatoes and a chocolate milk. When I was about to pay in the counter, I noticed a strawberry lollipop in one of the hanging thingies that you see in the counter (I'M SORRY I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL THEM)

I felt like craving for one of those strawberry lollies so I bought one. I sat at one of the tables and ate the sandwich while I go through my social media. A text suddenly appeared in my notifications and it was from Aunt Hyeori. I read it quietly what it said.

"Hey sweetie, I hate to disturb your peaceful walk but could you please get me some groceries, come back home and I'll give you the list and some money. Thanks a lot"

I stuffed the sandwich inside my mouth and drank the chocolate milk on my way back home. I jogged on my way there and thought that this could be easy. I've been through worse case scenarios than this and I'm liking how life is chill here in Busan. The only thing that I don't like was how MANY stairs I have to go through before even reaching her room. (no seriously I don't like stairs)

She gave me her list; it was a very detailed list containing even the size and brand of the product. She approximated the amount of money and gave a BIG amount to me.

"Go get your lunch if ever you're still not finished by noon" she said while locking her front door. I think she's going somewhere but I didn't ask because I don't want to look nosey.

~~~

I went to the grocery and picked out all the stuff that she wrote on the list. It wasn't that much so I immediately finished before noon. I checked out in the counter and kept the receipt inside the paper bag full of groceries. I also left the change inside and carried it back home.

My phone rung inside my shoulder bag which I immediately picked up.

"Hello?"
"Min, are you done with the groceries now?"
"Uhm yes, I'm on my way home"
"Oh good, I was starting to worry about you"
"I'll see you later auntie, bye"