Chapter 6: Lucky
Chapter Theme: Lucky - EXO

Yoon Harin

Every day, my life has been like this. Running errands for my seniors is my usual task. I was glad earlier that Wooseok sunbae withdrew the task he gave me. The sun is scorching hot and I don't want to walk outside while the fine dust is pretty much.

"Yoon Harin!" Our manager called me using his scary voice. How I hate this man!

All of the employees don't like him and likewise. He doesn't have a favorite employee or a close one. He's mantra is we're not in school, we're at work, and friendship is not necessary.

I mentally rolled my eyes before standing up and pacing to his table. He doesn't have a personal office because he believes that there should be fairness. He's working too so why have another office for himself? It's only making a boundary and he can't easily call us. And that's the only thing I like about his personality.

"Ne gwajangnim?"

(Yes manager?)

He handed me a folder. "If you have nothing to do, deliver this to our main office." I bowed at him before walking away.

We should hire an errand boy for things like this but our company won't allow it. It could be easier and less hassle for the employees. The main office is 30 minutes away from our office and if there's heavy traffic, traveling can consume up to 2 hours. If only I have my own car.

I went back to my table to fix my things. "Hey, I'll be dropping this thing at the main office. I'll be out probably for 3 hours." I told my workmate who's sitting beside me and who's currently entertaining a customer.

We have different break times too so the employees that are working as of now are only three, including myself. Only 9 people are working, including our manager. Wooseok is away and the other three are currently enjoying their break.

I was about to go outside when an old lady came.

"Harin entertains her first," Gwajangnim told me. She's a senior citizen so she should be prioritized.

"Annyeonghaseyo," I greeted the old lady and she smiled back. "What can I do for you?"

"My husband died two months ago and we haven't received the money yet. I've been here a few times and they will only give me a vague answer. How could you do this to us? We paid on time but we can't get our compensation on time?" Her face was full of frustration. I was slightly taken aback and became uncomfortable.

"Please calm down ma'am, I will help you with your problem." I comforted her. I asked for her name and her deceased husband's name. I was busy looking at the computer and I asked for help from gwajangnim too.

"Ma'am you can proceed to our manager's table so you will have your transaction easily. He's the best in this situation." I accompanied her to gwajangnim's table. They were talking for almost two hours now.

The old lady stood up and came back to my table. I made a few checks on her documents before printing them.

"Jeogiyo.." I heard a man's voice and when I looked up, he was looking at the old lady who was talking to me.

"Ma'am someone is looking for you," I told the old lady and continued printing the documents.

I wasn't able to listen to their talk because I was occupied with my work. Until I felt that someone was staring at me. When I looked up, it was the man. His eyes cast a look of longing at me and it gave me chills and familiarity. I calmed myself and tried to act composed even if my inner self is acting otherwise.

"Uh.. do you need anything else?" I asked. I thought he will answer me but he ignored my question ad walked away. How rude!

***

The scorching sun made me flinch even though I'm using an umbrella to protect myself. I'm standing at a bus stop filled with waiting passengers. I fanned myself using my hand to lessen the heat I'm feeling.

Beside me, two middle school students were busy giggling with each other. From my point of view, they're obviously a couple. The boy seemed very fond of the girl because he kept patting her head like a puppy while the girl keeps on talking which reminded me of my relationship with Chan.

We used to be like them-- a cute high school couple who were fond of going to the arcades, wearing couple items, and going to school together, it was part of our daily life. Rather than a couple, we were like best friends. He always got my back and vice versa.

We're already legal on both sides so we're kinda open to our relationship. We got fewer fights because we understand each other and I'm not that kind of nosy girlfriend who's always checking his phone. That's why we end up agreeing that if the time comes that we'll fall out, we will have a mutual breakup. I smiled bitterly when Chan kissing the American girl popped up on my mind. It was offensive like he's not a man of his words. He should've tried to contact me and spill everything so I won't look a ninny in front of him thinking that everything was sailing smoothly. Maybe if he wasn't sent abroad for college, we would be together until now.

I let out a deep sigh after the things that crossed my mind. Moving on is the best way to forget him and the pain he inflicted on me. It doesn't mean that even if he has someone, I should look for mine too. I think I should probably enjoy being single because I've been with Chan all my life. I guess this is the time that I can self-reflect and do some things that I will enjoy. It was an eon when I only have myself. I'm already 24 so I should learn to be independent and be aware of solo duties.

The bus has arrived. I swiped my card then I sit on the seat behind the driver. My head was leaning on the window and I closed my eyes savoring the feeling of the running bus.

"Ouch!" My head bumped into the window. I glared at the driver for his unexpected halt. The other passengers were annoyed and gave annoying feedback to the driver.

"I did not do anything wrong. A child crossed the street suddenly so I halted." The driver said when he heard our comments.

I looked outside the window looking for the child who crossed the street. It was a boy running carelessly as if he were running away from someone. I gazed to the other side and saw a school. Maybe the boy was going home?

The driver continued driving the bus and it stopped after 10 minutes. I stepped out of the bus and opened my umbrella. I still need to walk for 5 minutes 'til I reach the main office.

My feet were aching due to the walk and the hot road. I wanted to stop for a minute but it will only delay my purpose. I took a deep breath to let out my exhaustion.

The coldness of the aircon welcomed me when I entered the building and it was refreshing. I went to the powder room first to fix myself because I feel sticky and dusty all over my body.

"Yoon Harin you're here!" Woohee eonnie approached me. We've worked in the same office before but it was only for six months because she was promoted and was transferred here to the main office.

We hugged each other because it's been a while since we saw each other. As usual, she's pretty in her office attire. It seems that she isn't aging maybe because she's so gullible and friendly.

I smiled at her and scanned her body. "You're the prettiest eonnie I know in this world!" I complimented her.

"Of course! I'm maintaining my sexy appearance so everyone will go after me," she joked and I laughed.

"Anyway, let's meet next time eonnie. I still need to pass this," I showed her the folder I'm holding. "I want to catch up with you. Don't worry I will contact you if I have free time. It's nice to see you again!"

"Bye Harin! Take care~"

***

"Eomma?"

The house is alive and I can smell something delicious from the entrance.

"You're home Harin?!" She shouted so I can hear her. We're usually like this when we are far from each other, we shout.

"I'll change first!" I shouted back.

"Harin-ah.. you look so tired.." Eomma said calmly while sympathizing with me. I hugged her to get some comfort and she hugged me back.

"I know what happened," she told me when she removed herself from our hug. I don't know where did she get the information. Mother knows best.

"It usually happens in a relationship. You're lucky that it happened before you invest all your emotions in him. Chan's not for you Harin.. you have someone who's waiting and more worth it. All you have to do is enjoy the path you're taking because one day you'll bump into someone who will love you dearly."

My tears started rolling because I was touched by my eomma's words. She consoled me very much and I'm lucky to have a mother like her.

I planned on telling her but I was a bit scared because she might tell me things that will hurt my pride. She liked Chan so much and I can't even imagine how much she will hate me if I'll announce that we broke up. But I thought wrong. My mother is always an understanding woman.

"You have me Harin. You can always come to eomma every time you need help and when you think that the world is against you. I will be at your side in all the battles you will fight. I will always cheer you up even if the slightest to be happiness is so thin. I will be your companion when you walk on downhills and sail on rough seas."

I hugged my mother for the second time seeking more comfort. I hugged her like there was no tomorrow. I need her hug. I need her words. I need her to be with me forever.

"Eo-eomma.." she hushed and combed my hair like she always do when I was young.

I've been yearning to have this moment with her. I realized that I got so much time for Chan but I had seldom interacted with my mother before. How selfish I am back then. I did not think about my mother.

"Eomma neomu kamsahaeyo.. saranghae.."

(Thank you so much, mother... I love you)

She wiped my tears even though she was crying too. She smiled at me like I'm the most beautiful thing in the world.

"Uri ddal... you will be always my baby."

(My daughter..)