Heat burns my cheek.
Miraculously, I didn't stop walking along the long path of this alley. I drag my body so I can keep moving. But, I'm not sure where I lead myself to. I just stride into the emptiness.
"Karin!" I hear someone is calling. I look back, and I can see a glimpse of a person running towards me. It's a silhouette of a woman. An old lady.
"Gramy?"
I try to reach out to her. I pull out my hand so I can grab her. But, before she could even touch my fingertip, someone grabbed my hand from behind and dragged me away from Gramy.
Halt. My body stops moving. I can feel that someone is pulling me and turning my body around.
"You're mine,"
I lift my head and see a man staring deep into my soul. His reaction is savage but his eyes...
His eyes are glistening. Hooded.
"It's time..."
***
I open my eyes, drenched in sweat.
Another night, one more nightmare.
Slowly, I rose from my bed. The gear in my slumpy brain works like crazy. I try to patch up those segmented pieces of dreams that I have had since the accident. I grab my journal and scribble those words that I heard in my dream.
Since the day I woke up from a coma until tonight, the words remain the same. Almost the same.
YOU ARE MINE.
Tonight, those words were added.
IT'S TIME.
What does it mean?
The vibration from my phone wakes me in total. I yawn as I check the caller first.
JUN YEOBO
A huge deep sigh escapes from my lips. I calculate myself if I wanna answer it or not.
The call ends. I check the notification. 20 calls for the past 5 hours.
I decided to step up my game and call first. Two beeps and that's it.
"Where are you? Why don't you pick up my call?" he hastily spurs words on me. I fix my voice a bit.
"Sleep,"
"Jagi..."
"Call me back later. I have to get ready now," I try to cut the call.
"Jagi, we need to talk. Please,"
"I have a job today. Let's meet during lunch,"
Cut the call and that's it. I'm not gonna spoil my mood with some unnecessary discussion. Yes, it's unnecessary for me. It's all about work and nothing else.
Like I care much about it! Thought it hurt but I know I should stop overthinking.
***
"Come again!" I greet the customer with my business smile. It's manageable. Simple. A business smile is a smile that you put for the sake of others instead of your feelings at that time. Throw everything out of the window and stretch your lips.
That's what I call a business smile.
"Choco chip muffin, second batch incoming!" Hera places the basket on the counter. I smile as praise for her hard work in the kitchen.
"My girlfriend is hard-working today..."
"Of course! I need to work hard so I can support my baby...."
Here they go again, being lovey-dovey in front of me again!
"Not in front of my salad..."
"Fine. Let's take this at the kitchen," Hera drags Sweet into the kitchen.
"Fuck, guys! Shameless peep!" I curse them out loud. A tease. They knew I didn't mean it for real. And I know, nothing is going on in the kitchen except work.
The bell rings, indicating a customer is coming. I wear my business smile once again.
"Black Coffee and Tea... Welcome-"
"Hey, Karin!"
It's Ivry.
***
I let Ivry taste the chocolate muffin. Sweet serves her an iced mint latte to complete the taste.
"This is superb! Did you make it?"
"It's my baker, Hera. That's Sweet, my barista," Ivry waves at Sweet. The girl waves back at her.
"So, you got any idea to bake?" I ask.
"No. I think I wanna forgo the idea,"
"Eh, why?" I'm shocked.
"I guess it's better to do things that I can do besides doing something that can humiliate me. I have a high ego, Karin. I don't wanna clown myself just because I wanna impress people," Ivry says, casually sipping her latte and enjoying the muffin.
"This is bad..."
"Eyo, why?"
I stand up and fix my apron. I'm impressed with Ivry, I won't deny it. But, it doesn't mean she needs to give up just like that!
"This isn't you. I know you will fight with all your might. You love your boyfriend so much. You won't get unmotivated so easily!"
Her eyes stare at mine, her reaction somehow gloomy. I can see that she's on the verge of crying due to the ravage that she holds inside. That's when I knew she desired to be acknowledged by her future mother-in-law.
"Consider today is your lucky day! Right now, you're at The Black Coffee and Tea, where no one ever leaves unsatisfied and unmotivated!" Ivry blinks her eyes.
I stretch out my hand and give her my sweetest smile.
"Come. Let's make lemon pie with cream cheese..."
***
"Is this real? I mean, that's the pie, right?"
"Yes, that's the pie."
"That's the pie that I bake. Me. Baking the pie,"
"Yes, ma'am. That's the pie that you bake. You. Baking the pie,"
Both of us; Ivry and me, stare at the lemon pie that sits handsomely on the kitchen counter. The glistening lemon curd, with a golden crunchy pie crust and a drizzle of lemon honey sauce and creamy, fluffy cheese drops around the pie.
"The moment of truth..."
I grab a knife and slice the pie carefully. Then, I place the piece onto the small plate and hand it to Ivry.
"First piece for the baker..."
"I'm nervous..."
I pat her shoulder and hand her a spoon. She slowly scoops the pie and puts it into her mouth. After a few seconds of pause, she turns her head and faces me.
"Oh my God..."
"So?"
"This is it! This is the taste!!!!" Ivry screams in excitement. She flaps her hands and dances around the kitchen, out of tune.
"You did it! Finally!"
We celebrate the success with goofy and silly dancing while enjoying a piece of lemon curd pie. The kitchen resonates with our cheer and laughter as we successfully tackle the problem.
"You're a genius!"
"No, you taught me well. It's easier than following a YouTube recipe!"
Ivry throws a big hug and squeezes me in her embrace tight. I almost fail to breathe, plus the laughter takes my energy as well.
"Thank you, Karin. You're a gem..."
Ivry slowly releases me. She stares at me. I can see tears at the brim of her eyes.
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know. Somehow I feel overwhelmed.."
I chuckle as I softly wipe the tears from Ivry's eyes. I look at her, feeling proud of her determination. She is indeed a young girl who needs some encouragement in her life.
"Jagi..."
I turn my head to the side. Jun is standing at the entrance of the kitchen. I sigh, as I realize, it's time to talk about yesterday's incident.
"Who's that?" Ivry asks.
"Yeobo..." I wave a bit at Jun. He walks closer to us.
"Yeobo, this is Ivry. A friend of mine. Ivry, this is Jun Seo, my boyfriend," I look at Jun. His reaction is a bit off. I know that he got the point. So well.
This is how you introduce your lover in front of a person that they call a stranger.
They exchange a handshake. I smile a bit.
"Er... I guess I better leave now. See you around, Karin!" Ivry grabs her bag.
"Ivry, take the pie with you..."
"What about you guys?"
"I can make a new batch in no time," I pack the pie into a box and hand it to Ivry. She takes the box carefully and waves to me before she leaves.
Jun comes from behind and hugs me tight. I just let him do whatever he wants to. No fuss. I just want to start the conversation diplomatically. No scream, no anger.
Nothing.
"Jagi, I got the point. I'm sorry, okay?"
I pat his forearm softly. Lesson learned, at least from his side.
What about my feelings now?
"We need to talk, Jun..."