BLACK ROSE IN SEOUL

The rain in Soroti didn’t fall. It attacked. It hit the tin roof of our house and made it sound like drums. Like war. I was 17. And I was counting. 1,000. 2,000. 3,500 UGX. Not enough. Not for mom’s medicine. Not for David’s school fees. Not for the 5 mouths behind me. "Mama, the tomatoes are finished," I shouted over the rain. My mother coughed from the mattress in the corner. Her hands were shaking. "Sell faster, Anna. Your father drank the rent money again." I tied my kitenge tighter and stepped into the mud. Soroti Main Market smelled like onions, rain, and desperation. "Fresh tomatoes! 2,000 only!" My voice was hoarse. That’s when I saw her. She didn’t belong here. Heels. Black umbrella. Skin like milk. And eyes that looked at me like I was a math problem. "Are you Anna Akello?" she asked in English. Broken, but English. My heart dropped. Debt collectors don’t speak English. "Yes, madam." "I’m Mrs. Kim. From Seoul, Korea." She knelt in the mud. In her heels. "We run a mission. We... we want to adopt you." The world went quiet. Even the rain. "Adopt me?" I laughed. "I have 5 siblings, madam. And a father." "And a father who drinks," she said softly. "And a mother who is sick. And 5 siblings you feed alone." She handed me a photo. A big house. Snow. And a boy. 18. Cold eyes. "This is our son, Min-ho. He will be your brother." I should’ve said no. But my little sister Ayo was coughing inside. So I signed the papers with a borrowed pen. 6 months later. I landed in Incheon Airport, Seoul. Snow hit my face for the first time. Mrs. Kim hugged me. "Welcome home, Anna." Then the car door opened. And he stepped out. Tall. Black coat. Hair perfect. Eyes that looked through me. Min-ho Kim. My new brother. The most popular boy in Seongjin High. And the reason 200 girls in this city wanted me dead. He looked at me. From Soroti. In a hand-me-down coat. And the first thing he said was: "You’re the reason my parents smile more than they do at me." Then he walked away. Welcome to Seoul, Anna. Welcome to hell.