Mornings. I hate mornings. A whole night is not enough to calm all my sore muscles and tired body. But I don't have a choice. Working has to be my favorite hobby. It should be number one in my list if you ask me about my top 10 favorite past time. Maybe it will even occupy top 1 to 5.
I can hear eomma already preparing breakfast in the kitchen. She wakes up extra early everyday to cook and prepare for her small rice cake shop attached in front of our home.
Our house is just small. Enough for the two of us. My eomma had it repaired so she can have a small shop in front. She has a handful of loyal customers who order her rice cakes. Some for eating but most of them is for resell. I usually help eomma to deliver rice cakes every morning.
"Eomma! Goodmorning." I kissed her forehead. It already has a little sign of wrinkles. My eomma sometimes forgot to take care of herself because of too much work.
My appa is a jobless alcoholic. He left us when he learned that my little sister was sick. I kind of like it when he left because he just keep on hitting and hurting my eomma. He left us for another woman who owns a restaurant down town. The last time I saw him was during my little sister's funeral.
"Seokjinnie! Come here, let's have breakfast before your deliveries." My lovely eomma. Never in my 26 years of existence did she ever say something that will hurt my feelings. She is always sweet and with positive demeanor in life.
Even when my little sister got ill, she said it's just a test of faith and it will not be given to us without a purpose. When my sister died, she said my sister don't belong to us but to God alone so she's more than willing to give her back to Him.
She's always like that. She never speak of anything negative or show us her weakness. She is always strong and in high spirits.
Just as I'm about to eat, our doorbell rang. "I'll get it. You just continue eating breakfast." Eomma stood up to get the door.
Eomma's home made food tastes delicious. Well, i think I don't hate mornings after all.
While eating, I heard a loud voice outside. I can also hear eomma. Like she's pleading to someone. I got up to check and I saw our land lord, Mr. Lee. He is our old and always grumpy landlord.
"I will give you a week to pay for the rent. No more extension! I gave you enough time. If you failed to pay again, better pack your bags and leave." His voice booms inside eomma's shop before he left.
I can see how eomma's shoulder fell. When she looked on my way, her eyes looked tired and hopeless. I don't want to see her like that. It's been two months since the last time we were able to pay for our rent. We were struggling to get by everyday. We need to pay for our rent but we also need to buy for our basic needs. Everyday really is a struggle. I walk towards my eomma and hug her. "Don't worry eomma, I'll make sure we can pay our rent this week."
What a way to start my morning.
After my deliveries, I will cook our lunch. I always have my lunch packed so I won't need to buy one during break. Everything is on a budget. It's forbidden to lost a cent or I will go home walking.
I am working at a garments shop nearby. I was assigned with the loading and unloading of boxes of clothes and raw materials. I work there from 1 pm to 5 then will head to a bar to work as a waiter at night. That's a routine everyday. And I don't have the right to complain. I am grateful that I am working even part time.
"Did not get enough sleep?" Hoseok asked, he's my supervisor at the garments shop. He's very nice for a superior.
"I did. It's just that, Mr. Lee warned us again this morning." I said while piling small boxes of materials.
"Oh! The grumpy old man again. You need anything Seokjin?" Hoseok sounded concern. I think its about my gloomy looks.
"No Hoseok-shi. I'm okay." I smiled, fake smile.
Working is not easy. I think there's no easy work. But I do believe that everything seems easy when you are in a good company of superiors who understands you not just as a worker, but also as a friend.
I ask Hoseok if I can log out early. I need to meet my bestfriend Namjoon at 5. He is the son of a chaebol in Korea. Their company is the 3rd biggest in our country. We became friends during highschool and eventually went to a prestigious college. I was a full time scholar because of my excellent academics but when my sister got sick, I stopped school to work and help my eomma financially. I never get back to school after. I only focus on working.
Namjoon offered to help but I refused. He already paid for my sister's operation. Namjoon paying for everything will be a little of too much. He also offered me a job in their company. Once again, I refused. I told him that I want to be hired because of my own capabilities and not because I'm bestfriend's with the son's owner. I know that was bit too much of my pride but I want to prove that I can do things myself.
But sometimes, I need to break down my own motto. I am now waiting for him in a coffee shop. I asked if I can borrow money to pay our rent. With Namjoon, you don't need to ask twice. He will help and is always ready to help whenever I need him. Truly my best friend.
The waitress is already glaring at me from the counter. I don't know if its because of my handsome looks or because it's already my third glass of water. Namjoon is always late for our meet ups. This time, he said they just finished an emergency meeting.
Then a black car arrived and parked in front of the coffee shop. I saw the waitress' reaction when she saw the unexpected but very familiar visitor who unloads from the car. Namjoon is well known in our country and is listed as one of the most sought bachelor. All the females and males are dying to end up with him in bed. I thought, If you only knew that he's my bestfriend, you would have offered me a whole gallon of water. But since you're rude to me, I will not introduce you to Namjoon.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late." Namjoon smiled as he sat across my seat.
The waitress rushed on our table to give the menu, one for me and one for Namjoon. "I'll take your order sir."
"Two Caramel Macchiato Venti and two orders of Turkey Sandwich." Then he gave back the menu to the waitress who looks extremely flustered over Namjoon's presence. Namjoon did not even bother to look at her.
Namjoon reached in his pocket and push an envelope to my hand. "Hyung, I told you, just work for me. If you don't want in my office, I can place you to a different department. Just swallow your pride. You need it!"
I let out a deep sigh, "Joonie, just give me some time. I'll try to look for an office job first. If I failed one more time, I will call you."
Namjoon laughed, "I like how you made it sound like you're the one hiring me. Anyway, how's aunt Eun Ae?"
"You know her. She will not show it that she's sad. That's why I called you. I know she's so worried. She loves her shop so much." I said. Namjoon already called my mother, aunt.
"Okay listen. I heard KTH Conglomerates are looking for office clerk. No college diploma needed. Why don't you try submitting your resume there?" Namjoon suggested.
I looked at Namjoon, "You think I'll get accepted there? That's the biggest in Korea."
"What's wrong in trying? Just submit your resume. If they did not call, then call me and I am more than willing to hire you."
Well, that's not bad as an offer. I guess its time for me to have my resume printed and submit it to KTH as soon as possible.