At 5.30 am in the bustling city of Seoul, there is a clinic. Listening to the word clinic one is reminded of the smell of medicines and the awful smell of floor cleaning detergents. But as the little boy entered with his mother, crying he smelled a sweet smell of flowers. There was no smell of medicines only the smell of jasmines. Reminding the patients of warm atmosphere and coziness.
The mother took the child inside the clinic. "Hi." She greeted. The lady in white coat turned around. She was wearing a mask on her face. Her eyes narrowed on the kid. She smiled and her eyes got small due to smiling. "Hello, little one." She said sweetly.
She asked the mother about the problem. "His tooth is aching since midnight but he is not ready to get it checked." She said. The lady nodded. She made the child sit on the chair and made him comfortable.
"Okay so you don't want to get your tooth treated ?" She asked. The kid nodded in negative. "Okay I won't do it but I will just check it." She said. The kid hesitantly opened his mouth. "Well let me tell you a story." She said while wearing gloves.
"Once upon a time in a desert far away, there was a proud rose who was proud on her beautiful looks. Her only complaint was that she was growing beside ugly cactus. Every day, the rose would insult the cactus about his looks but cactus was quiet. All other plants nearby wanted to make her see sense but she was too swayed by her outer looks.
Once there was no water for plants, as desert became dry. The rose began to wilt. Her beautiful petals dried up loosing their lush colour. Looking at cactus she saw a sparrow dip its beak in cactus and drink water. Though ashamed, the rose asked cactus for some water. The kind cactus agreed and both spent the summer helping as friends." She completed and removed her gloves.
"So what is the moral of story ?" She asked. "Never judge one on outer looks." The boy said. "You are very smart kid." She smiled.
"Well, your tooth is treated now you are free." She said. The boy was surprised. "He was not at all ready to get it treated but you just treated him with such ease." The mother said.
"I called every doctor but none picked up. Then I got your no. from directory. I am thankful that you came so early in your clinic for my son." The mother said.
"Pain never comes while seeing time Mrs. Choi. These clocks are made for us." The lady said.
IN AN APARTMENT
An old man in his 50's opened the door of his flat. He scrunched his nose in disgust on seeing the large pile of alcohol bottles and non-veg outside of the flat which was directly in front of it. He took the newspaper from the basket and went inside.
A lady in her mid 40's was preparing breakfast. She came to him seeing newspaper. "On what page?" "Page 2. Your information about horoscope and matrimony is of only 2 pages." The man mocked.
"Your main thing is only of half page. This crossword. If I had this habit earlier I would have got more better husband." The woman scoffed and playfully grinned. The man smiled listening this.
She smiled happily. "Yes. This is good." She chirped. "Y/N." She called. "Sshe has already gone to clinic at 4.00 am. There was an emergency call so she..." Mr. Kang said. "She started the car and went." Mrs. Kang completed.
"Oh god ! I have told her so many times to keep her phone switched off at night. But she never listens. If she keeps helping others she gets taken advantage of." Mrs. Kang said. Mr. Kang just shook his head.
IN CLINIC
"What will you do of my tooth ?" The boy asked. The lady turned around and smiled. This time she was without mask. She had chocolate brown eyes with thin lips and straight nose. She had shoulder length hair. She was not stunning in beauty but her simplicity and natural face made her pretty and graceful.
"We will keep it under your pillow then a tooth fairy will come and grant you any wish." She said sweetly. "Anything ?" Boy asked excitedly. The girl nodded. "Ice creams and cold drinks. But no chocolates."
The lady turned around and placed her tools back. She removed her coat. "Please give him only ice cream for today." She said smiling. The mother smiled. "You are damn good with kids. How many do you have ?" She asked. The smile on lady's face faded. She smiled sadly. "Many. Those who come here are mine only." She said. The mother smiled.
The lady turned to leave. Her name tag kept on table read - Dr. (Ms.) KANG Y/N
She got a call from her mother. "Excuse me." She went out.
"Hello."
"I want you here at home right now. What was the need to go to clinic so early ? Don't you know where we have to go today ?" Mrs. Kang yelled. Y/N sighed. "I know mom. There is lot of time left for evening to come." Y/N said.
"You know today in your horoscope is written that somebody will come in your life today for whom you will sacrifice even your life." Mrs. Kang said happily. Y/N smiled. "Okay I am coming."
***
She reversed her car in parking lot but her car hit the car in back and the bonnet of car broke. Y/N got down and hurriedly checked the car. She panicked. "Hey you!" A loud female voice rang. Y/N turned around and saw a woman in her late 40's coming towards her.
"Oh my God ! You broke my car. At least 2,00,000 won damage is done. You girl, give me 2,00,000 won in cash right now." She said. Y/N eyes widened. "cash ? I don't have cash right now, ajhumma but I have cheques at home." She said. The lady nodded. "Go fast."
Y/N was about to go but Mrs. Kang came. 'Y/Niee what happened ?" She asked. "Mom money." she said. "For what ?" She said. "She broke my car so she has to pay." The lady said. "Mom., it was my mistake so.." Y/N said but Mrs. Kang made her stop. "You go I will handle her." She said.
"What will you handle ?" The lady yelled. "Stop yelling and come see." Mrs. Kang took her near car. "Your car is out of your parking area. So how car is broken is your responsibility." She said. "if you don't repay me I will break your bones." The lady said.
Mrs. Kang gasped. "You will break my bones ? I will call cops." She said. "You call whosoever I am going to get my payment." The lady said. "You are the one who should pay us. With that money we should purify the whole apartment. You drink alcohol day and night and even eat non-veg. You know it is bad for your health." Mrs. kang said. The lady yawned.
"Ajhumma your cheque." Y/N gave the cheque to her but Mrs. Kang snatched it. "Why are you giving cheque to her ?" She said. Y/N came besides her. "Mom we have to go right ?" She said. "I too have to go. This Kang made me late." The lady mumbled and was about to leave but snatched the cheque and then left.
"She ran Y/N." Mrs. Kang said. "Mom we have to get ready." Y/N said.
Mrs. Kang checked the dresses. "Mom, your stomach was paining in moring right ? Take this medicine." Y/N gave water and medicine to her.
"Y/N you wore this dress on Mr. and Mrs. Kwon anniversary, right ?" Mrs. Kang asked. Y/N nodded. "But this is too light. Let me check others." She said. She brought a blue floral printed belted sleeveless dress. "This would look pretty on you." Mrs. Kang said.
"Mom we are not going to my wedding." Y/N said smiling. "One day we have to do that too." Mrs. Kang said dearly. "This necklace if you wear...." She said but Y/N interrupted.
"What then mom, what different will happen ?" Y/N asked. "Don't argue with me just do as I say." Mrs. Kang said. "If they ask you questions give answers wisely and don't get nervous on stage..."Mrs. Kang said breathlessly.
"Mom, stop. It's not me who is nervous it's you." Y/N said holding her shoulders gently. "Whenever you get nervous you always scold me. It's not first time I am going to such gathering." Y/N said pouting. Mr. Kang smiled.
"Y/N, what is the word in which one has to wait long before getting something good ?" Mr. Kang asked. "Patience." Both Y/N and Mr. Kang said and laughed. "Oh god ! You are still playing this crossword." Mrs. Kang said.
"You both father and daughter duo don't value time. Go get ready we have to go in such important function. Everything is burdened on me only." Mrs. Kang kept nagging. "She is too much nervous." Mr. Kang said. "Yes, too much." Y/N said. Suddenly bell rang to their door.
Mr. KAng opened to see a man with trash can. "Sir, do you have any scrap or trash to give ?" He asked. "No." Mr. Kang said. "Oh you ! Why are asking for trash from trash oly. Take these bottles." The lady from before said mocking. Mr. Kang ignored her and went inside.
AT VENUE -
It was an event organised by an organisation which arranged marriages between people. Y/N illed out the form. She saw the coloumn of important information. She thought of writing the important secret of her. Mrs. Kang came and stopped her. "Leave it blank dear."She said. "Mom we have to write the truth." She said.
"Okay I will write you go and sit on chairs. Y/N nodded and left. Mrs. Kang wrote in the coloumn. "Dear, please don't write anything false." Mr. Kang said. "I know." She said and went to sit with Y/N.
"So, ladies and gentlemen, as you all know we organise this event every year and we have successfully formed over 100 marriages now." The host said. "First I would like to invite Mr. Jung kihyun."
A boy in his mid 20's came on stage and spoke about himself. As he was speaking Y/N turned around and saw the lady from before. She tapped her mother. "Mom, look bonnet" She said. Mrs. Kang widened her eyes.
"What is she doing here ?" She said. "She is alone." Y/N said. "That means she is here for herself. Oh my god." Mrs. Kang said with surprise. "Maybe she wants to settle again after divorce." Y/N said. "Divorce? No, I have seen her husband." Mrs. Kang said. "Maybe that is her brother ?" Y/N reasoned.
"No, that is her husband for sure. We have come in this apartment just a month ago but I have full doubt on her character from day one." Mrs. Kang said in disgust.
"Next I would like to call Mrs. Jeon Hae-won." The host said. The lady got up and went near stage. "Her name doesn't matches her loud behaviour anyway, now it will be cleared." Mrs. Kang said. (Hae-won means graceful.) Mrs. Jeon went up to stage. "Hello everyone. My name is Jeon Hae-won. In my house everyone calls me Wonnie. I am here to find a match." She said very cheerfully.
Y/N smiled and looked down. "I want a very beautiful, mannered, sweet.." Mrs. Jeon said. Mrs. Kang eyes widened. "Daughter-in-law." Mrs. Jeon completed. Mrs. Kang sighed. "I thought she wanted a girl for herself." She said. Y/N nudged her.
"My son couldn't come here as he is in Busan right now. His divorce case started a year ago which will be settled in few months. He is shifting to Seoul soon." Mrs. Jeon said. "Four years ago he was a manager in company but after hard work he became CEO." She boasted.
"He earns in millions and is very handsome." She said. Y/N yawned as it was boring for her. "He speaks very sweetly and softly. His sense of humour is also very good. He smiles 24/7. If anyone is interested please take my no. and contact me." Mrs. Jeon said. The she noticed Mrs. Kang. "And we don't want daughter of some family which troubles us." She said and left.
Mrs. Kang scoffed. "Ms. Kang Y/N." The host said. Y/N got up and went on stage. "Hello, good evening everyone my name is Kang Y/N. I am a dentist by profession. I come from a middle class family. My dad was a senior doctor in the most prestigious hospital. My clinic also works qite well. My annual income and rest of details is in my form. So thanks." She said and went down.
"So you all can enjoy snacks and have meetings with the one interested." Host said.
Everyone was having snacks and disscussions. Mrs. Kang saw Mrs. Jeon. She was eating a whole plate of steak and bulgogi. "This lady will die of eating so much." Mr. Kang sighed. "Just igore her and see Y/N."
"No, I won't see Y/N. I will jinx her. Today I know for sure she will get hitched. In her horoscope was also written that she will meet someone with whom she will fall in love today." Mrs. Kang said.
Y/N and a boy were sitting and talking. "Ms. Y/N I read your form and we are talking from last 15 min. I think we have lot in common. Let me tell you honestly, when I saw you first my heart said this is the one."
Y/N smiled. "Do you beieve in love at first sight ?" The boy asked. Y/N sighed. "No."
"Even I didn't believed in this before but when I saw you my mind changed." The boy said. "Uh.. I want to tell you something." Y/N said hesitantly. "Yeah sure." He said.
Mrs. kang ad Mr. Kang smiled seeing them.
IN CAR
"Y/N you both were talking so much. You both looked so good together." Mrs. Kang teased. Y/N smiled. Suddenly her phone rang. "It's him." She said excited. "So fast." Y/N mumbled.
"Hello."
"Yes." Mrs. Kang put away the phone from her ear and whispered. "He likes you." Y/N was surprised. "But what ?" Mrs. Kang's face fallen. She hung up. "They said they like you but they are not looking for a working lady." Mrs. Kang said. Mr. Kang sighed.
Y/N smiled. "Mom, the boy said he likes my profession. The reason is that I told him the truth which you didn't wrote in form." Mrs. Kang was quiet.
AT HOME
"I told you to write everything in form. If he said yes to this alliance and would have known afterwards what would be the consequences ?" Mr. Kang reprimanded her.
"I thought that if boy and girl likes each other then this trivial thing won't matter." Mrs. Kang said. Y/N who was in kitchen came listening this. "Trivial thing, mom ? I can't become a mother. I can't concieve. Is this a trivial thing ?" Y/N said. Mrs. Kang looked down.
"What do you think ? That after seeing me he would fall in love with me and ignore this." Y/N's eyes got moist. "Mom, even hyunwoo liked me and loved me. You said we were meant to be and no one can seperate us. Even he knowing the truth just before marriage couldn't tolerate it. How do you expect someone else accepting it ?" Y/N said and went towards the door.
"Y/N." Mrs. Kang called. "Mom, I attend these gatherings just for your hapiness. I don't think we will get benifit from thiss. You know what type of proposals come to our house."
"Marriage isn't that important that I can't live alone in my life, mom." Y/N said. Mrs. Kang stood up. "What nonense are you talking Y/N ?" he asked. "It's not nonsense mom, this is sensible talk." Y/N said.
Mrs. Kang got sad. "Mom." Y/N gently turned her towards herself. "I will go to such gatherings until you say." She said. Mrs. Kang smiled with teary eyes.
***
"Mom, I am coming soon. There is so much traffic. You know that it is night time." Y/N said while taking ice-cream and coming out of shop. She saw a frightened puppy on road. "Mom, I will callyou later." She hung up.
She tried to get attention of the dog. She tried to go towards it but a car blocked her path. She saw a little girl coming towards the puppy. Y/N panicked. "Dear, Don't come closer." She shouted but the girl went towards puppy and picked it.
Even some people also gathered. Y/N saw a car coming at full speed. She dropped her ice-cream bag and ran towards the girl. She hugged her and closed her eyes. The driver saw them and applied breaks. Everyone gathered near them.
"Don't you see a little kid on road ? Are you blind ?" Y/N shouted. She crouched down and tugged the girl's hair behind her ear. "Are you okay dear ?" She asked. The girl was busy with the puppy and smiling.
"You didn't even think about your life for this girl, Miss ?" A lady said. "Are you her mother ?" Another lady said. Y/N looked at the innocent girl who was smiling at puppy. She smiled lovingly at her and felt connected to her. She remembered her mother's words this morning.
'It's written in your horoscope that you will meet someone with whom you will fall in love and will be ready to sacrifice your life.'
END OF CHP 1
***