Beginning of a new life…
My first day in Seoul still feels like a dream. The thing I realized now is, that whatever happens, be loyal and work hard towards your dream. That can definitely make you happier than anyone around you. A sudden doorbell ring made me flinch. I went towards the door and opened it, "Surprise!!". I was wondering if she got the wrong address. That girl came inside and hugged me tightly. I get startled. What's with her? "Did you miss me? Why don't you contact me when you've landed? I was waiting for your call but you didn't". she pouted. I feel like I forgot to contact her, Ohho! I screwed up. Guys, she is Arine. I was an intern at my same university but joined 3 months ago. When I got approval, the faculty gave her a number to contact. She is American but unfortunately, she was an orphan and got adopted 8 years back by a British family. Even though she was adopted, she wished to find her biological parents. We only chatted through emails and calls and became good friends. Most apt to address is, like my sister. The slight difference between us is that she is a little shy. When she comes to me, she acts like a baby.
"Why are you staring like this? Don't say you didn't get me?".
"No! No! babe, I got confused for a moment. That's it? "
"You're lying, aren't you?"
"No babe! how can I forget my sista, hha?!"
"I thought you forgot me." she pouted cutely.
"I'm not and I won't. don't look like this. Sit, I will get you some coffee. "
"Ok. wait!"
"What happened?"
You want to be on time. If we leave now, we'll be there on time.
"Oh no, then we can have coffee from the cafeteria. let's go."
"Okay, get your bag and come downstairs. I will wait for you at the parking lot and come fast." While stepping towards the door.
I didn't pack my bag yet. I needed to take my wallet, charger, earphone, some reference books, and pen and I rushed towards the parking lot.
Just half an hour's drive we reached the university and went towards the HOD's cabin. He is really a nice, friendly person too. He handed over my class schedule and warned me it was difficult to handle my students. They are very cunning and disrespect kids so they fight!!. so I'm gonna get a fresh experience now and I'm prepared too. We both greeted him and went to the faculty room. All staff is friendly. I feel so blessed. They also offered to teach me Korean. I'm so glad about that. As per schedule, I have to take classes for first and second-year electronic engineering batches and also for electrical engineering. The subjects I'm gonna take are the basics. And for 2nd years, it is a common subject for both departments. I feel that the subject I'm gonna take is the same as I need to work on for my Ph.D. This will help my studies as well. I know you all are worried about how I can pay. It's a secret I will tell you soon, ok? Now, let's head to second-year electronics class. Let's go.
Wow! so noisy. God, how I'm gonna handle them. Get ready baby, let's rock. I stepped into the class. It does not bother them to see me. They're still talking. Do they think I'm a student? one girl entered the class and she looked at me and said,
"Hi, I'm Jiwooh. new to this class. May I sit with you?"
Here we go, she really thought, I'm a student. Haha maybe the dress I wore casual or might be my height confused her. I really need to gain height.
"Excuse me?" She looked confused.
"Ya, but you can't sit with me. I'm your new teacher and, like you, I'm newly appointed. Just wait for a moment, okay?" She hummed.
I cleared my throat and with my firm voice "Good morning students". Everyone became silent for a moment and looked at me. I continued.
"Please sit at your place. I'm Natasha. You're in charge of the logical circuit". Everyone sat at their place and I welcomed Jiwooh and told her to introduce herself and she did. I told her to sit in the 3rd row.
"So kids today, I'm not gonna take a class instead of that. Let's chit chat okay." I can see surprised faces all over my class. Did I say anything wrong? And I continued. "I'm Natasha. You're new in charge, you are free to ask anything me. And I'm friendly too. Like you guys, I'm also studying with you all. So let's learn together. Don't feel bad asking doubts and for me, you can sit wherever you want but while I'm taking the class I don't like any disturbance from the side. We have a whole one and a half hours in one period. I will take 45 min to teach and rest to talk and for clearing doubts. By the way, you can take quick notes while I'm taking the class. At the weekend I will give you a ppt. And also some sort of work to do yourself. ok, any doubts."
Everyone is looking strangely. do have any problems? "Or do you all want the normal type class like strict 1 hr and 45 min class with exams and assignments? If you want that, of course, I can do it." "No!!!" The kids screamed loudly. I can see smiles all over there.
"So why don't we start with a self-introduction? Not the same pattern of self-introduction. I want to know your name and your hobbies, passion, your likes and dislikes, and why you choose this field". My kids started introducing themselves and I loved to hear those. While hearing about their passion and hobbies I got goose booms. I can see their future in their eyes. Most of them joined this stream because of their parents. With my smile, I covered my worries towards them.
"Are you interested in knowing anything about me? If yes, I will give you a paper and write the questions you want to ask and I will answer them one by one." I passed two sheets of paper to them. Within 20 min, they returned the paper. "So many questions, ok!"
"So I will answer in flow. I'm from India. I am 26 and have 1 elder sister. She is working. Then about my hobby, I love to write and read, listen to songs and drive that's it. Is it I'm taken or not? So many of you asked that question, so the answer is I'm single. Some of you asked about my crush. Of course, I have one, but I won't tell you sorry." by saying that, the kids whined. "Ok, I will reveal that later." But someone in between "mam you're blushing." "Do I?". "yes," they said playfully. ``of course I do. I can't control that. Sorry, guys." I don't understand why others say it's hard to handle these kids. I feel very comfortable with them.
"So kids, who's your representative?"
"Me mam," one tall boy stood up.
"Oke your name. I'm sorry it's hard to remember all of our names."
"William".
"Please come forward. I need to ask you something,". he hummed. "So kids, we can start our class tomorrow onwards and bring notes. I will check whenever I feel like it. Take your notes every day, and William, would you mind coming to my office?"
"Sure mam"
"ok kids, bye.." at the same time the bell rang. Perfect timing, baby.
I headed towards my office. I asked William if there are any problems between students. He said nothing. While saying self-introduction I noticed the way native students were acting toward foreign students and also when one boy started self-introduction the entire class got silent. Some students mocking and disturbing a girl sat in the 4th row. Definitely, my assumptions will not be wrong. I knew that. I asked William once more. He lowered his head. Now I understand why other staff said it's hard to take care of them. But I don't care, I will.
"William, I noticed many things while I'm interacting with you all. Do you want me to point it out? So you won't say anything? Do I have to ask in front of everyone?"
At last, he said, some students are bullying foreign students and one girl in class is always bullied because it is rumored that she is an orphan. I'm still confused about why he is not saying anything about that boy. Soon, I will find it. I told him to return to class. I have one more class today in the electrical department, it's gonna start soon.
Later, I headed to the Electrical department, but this time they didn't misunderstand me as a student. I am so thankful for that. Well, the class went so smoothly. Like I did in my past class, I engaged everyone. After class, I went to the library. I noticed some literature books and something makes me more curious. I need to clear that from Arine. When I got back to my cabin; she was there.
"babe, you have nothing till now. Where would you be without taking your phone?" She is so angry.
"I was looking for some books and I get it,"
"even without having food. Do you know what the time is? It's already 4.15 pm. and you had nothing till morning,"
"I'm sorry" I don't think it's gonna help me. I need to act a little now.
I made little teary eyes and pouted. "Aish, this idiot always does this when I scold. Stop it brat. I forgive you now, but don't skip your food, understand?" I shake my head. "Let's have food on the way home, ok?" I nodded.
We stopped at a restaurant, wahh it's so beautiful, I loved it. The entire room is dark-themed with adding aesthetic design is so unique. There are plants in the room. That makes the beauty more mesmerizing. when I walked more inside, I found a large bookshelf with a lot of varieties. They are playing music not that loud but we can enjoy it while having food. I totally loved this place.
"babe, you like it?"
"I loved it," I felt so comfortable and loved when I roamed around there. I don't know what makes me feel like that.
We ordered food that was so delicious. A man came over to us and enquired "is everything ok mam. you seem like looking for something".
I shifted my gaze to him. "Yes, I have a doubt. I saw the bookshelf, but if you themed the restaurant as black, I think it's uncomfortable to read. Or else can we borrow it with us? "
"Mam we can't allow customers to take books home but we are planning to create a new reading area in the next room." "That's a pleasant idea and, well, your food is delicious. I loved that."
"thank you, mam,"
"Arine, thank you so much for taking me here. I loved this place."
"I know baby, you definitely gonna love this place."
"I brought you a gift." I slowly take a box from my bag. This gonna make her scream, I know that. "Open it, dear".
"Babe, what's it?"
"Open it, babe," she hummed
"WTH babe!!