CHAPTER ONE – One Late Afternoon
1008 Words
It's late afternoon of such a fine day. Since it's a weekend, I decided to take a walk and enjoy myself on the new scenery. The weather is a little humid, but it didn't bother me as I appreciate the things around me. It is my first official rest day in South Korea.
I arrived a week ago, and since then I've been doing errands here and there for my new job and moving in to an apartment. I used up all the time just submitting requirements, doing preparations, and attending meetings and orientations. I came here to pursue my career as an ESL (English as a Secondary Language) teacher for a local school in Incheon.
Koreans really are into the English language, and this city aims to be their country's English speaking capital. It was quite easy for me to land a job here. Besides years of experience teaching, the fact that I'm of mixed races is a plus.
I find it funny actually. But hey, it's not my fault these guys (Koreans) prefer people of "international" origin. The apartment was actually provided by the school, and they get to pay some of the monthly bills too. Talk about benefits huh?
By the way, my name is Gabriela Mitchell. My mom, Laura, is a Filipina and my dad, Wayne, is Canadian. I have a brother, Maxwell (we call him Max), who's younger than me by five years. We used to live in Vancouver until I was thirteen years old.
I graduated with a degree in Psychology, but I guess teaching proved to be more fruitful for me as a career. I already had experience teaching in the Special Education setting and in an English Academy (for Korean obviously) back in the Philippines, where I spent most of my school and working years.
Dad died last year a few months after Max graduated from high school. It was really depressing that time. It made me decide to work abroad, so as to help mom with the expenses. We do have a catering business, because mom loves to cook, and she's really good at it. Of course, it isn't always a sunny day with regards to this type of industry.
I want to take full responsibility of my brother's schooling. Also, I need to divert my attention from missing my father. He always used to call me his "little princess." I cried almost every night during the first few months after he left. I didn't know what life would be for us then. *sigh*
Anyway, as I walk by a used-to-be-one-of-the-busiest streets of Incheon (especially during weekdays), I saw a guy sitting on a bench at a nearby bus stop. He's wearing this long black trench coat with matching cap and shades, his face down. He seems to have long legs, so maybe he's tall. He's get-up is almost all black, except for his sneakers that were green.
Why green, of all colors?! Well, it's better than orange, I guess... Orange sneakers?! Yuck!!
I never really intend to put much attention on him. But as I pass him by, I realize that he's crying. Huh?!
Instincts of a psychologist that I am; I approached him and try to be of help.
I sat beside him and asked, "Uhm... Hi! Is there something wrong? Can I help you with anything?" I don't know much Korean, so I'll just speak in English, hoping that maybe the guy can comprehend. It's the universal language, right?
Unfortunately, not a word came from him, not even a sound. He never even looked at me.
Is he deaf or mute?! Maybe he doesn't understand English.
I know I never gave much effort in learning Korean language. I assumed that knowing common words and sentences would be enough, thinking it's not that necessary to know the whole thing. But I'm starting to regret it now.
Well... Maybe, this guy can be my student! Talking about extra income...
Somehow, I still stood by my profession. I took out a pen and post-it notepad from my purse. (I always bring one whenever I go out, just in case. You know?) I wrote my name and number in Hangul.
I don't speak much Korean, but I somehow know how to write it. Weird aye?!
"Okay, so here's my name and number, if you need someone to talk to, you can call me. Whatever it is, I know it's going to be alright. You'll be fine." I tapped him lightly on his back as a farewell, stood up and went on my way.
I don't want to waste my time talking to someone who doesn't even bother. Heck! Maybe he didn't understand me at all.
Only a few steps were made, when I heard someone call.
"Wait."
I turned around and saw the same guy just crying a while ago, now on his feet walking towards me. My, he IS tall!
"You want to help me? Come with me." So, he knows how to speak in English all along? Why didn't he say so in the first place?! And I thought he can be a prospective student.
I never had to chance to object. He grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me to a place I don't have an idea where. There were times that I almost stumbled. I was feeling girly today so I wore a dress and a pair of heels. I wore my long black wavy hair down so some of it gets on my face because of the breeze and the amount of speed we're having.
Who thought that I'd be in an instant walkathon anyway?!
"Hey! Where are we going? I thought you want to talk? What's your name anyway?!"
Confused that I am, I tried to create conversation, firing one question after the other. Of course, he went back to his muted state. He has this air of authority in him, which stopped the words from coming out of my mouth.
The nerve of this guy! How can he do this to me?!
- Writer
