Wrong Number

Chapter Four

I hate witnessing all of this, I despise seeing how people just treat somebody badly just because they don't have anything. I hate being with my mom, I hate feeling this kind of way. I wish I could just move and live my life the way I wanted it to be.

The moment my mom walked back into the house, I inhaled a deep calming breath, gaining composure from the tears that I almost shed.

It was true after all, for the past few weeks I've been ecstatic. Maybe this is something to humble me down. Back when I was young, I wondered why people are so afraid to be happy. Now that I figured it out, maybe I am destined to sacrifice my feelings in order to be happy for a short moment.

I waited for a good 6 minutes. That doesn't seem too long as it was wasted with my occupied mind. I made my way into my house and was greeted with the smell of freshly cooked white rice. My mother, who I saw looking devastated just a while ago is now smiling, flashing her rows, unaware of the tears residue at the corner of her wrinkled eyes.

I hate her so much for doing this.

"You're back, come and have lunch. I've cooked your favourite side dish." I hate her so much for lying to me. I gulped down my tears as I looked away, her smile pained me. "Your dad won't be home tonight because he's out of station. So it will only be us for dinner."

"I have night shift tonight, but I'll try to be back early to have dinner with you." She nodded her head, I'm pretty sure she is not comprehending my words properly due to what just happened.

Night seems to come fast and I found myself stirring drinks at the cafe. Most of the customers tonight are working citizens. The yellow lights reflect on the window glass and I swear the moment I found my own eyes, I saw nothing but a walking robot.

"Are you not going to take my order?" Judging from her accent, I can tell that she's not a local. I smiled, even though it was invisible with my mask on. "Yes sorry, what can I get you?"

"I would like watermelon juice with no sugar and..." She nudged on--I believe-- her husband who is slightly shorter than her. He is scrolling on his phone with his index finger, completely indulging in it that his wife has to call out his name.

They seem to not be on good terms at the moment.

"Just get him a black coffee, make it 5 shots" She paused, "He's paying." And with that, she just left the counter leaving me with this old man, standing in an awkward distance and silent.

"Sir, that would be 15 000 WON" He fished out his card before placing it on the counter table. Give me more patience, God.

I swipe it before proceeding to prepare their drinks.

So many things happened today. I go from happy to being frustrated to getting tired, and now I have to deal with shitty customers that throw tempers at me as if I am the one that is involved in the relationship. Can't this day pass by faster?

After I finished preparing their drinks, there were no more customers left as it was almost the closing hour. I prepared myself to get ready for the closing not until this lady came back to me and before I could process anything, a splash of cold juice kissed my entire upper body, especially my face.

I had to inhale a huge amount of oxygen through my mouth from being shocked as some of the juice went into my nostrils. It hurts because I least expected it. My heartbeat became irregular and I stood frozen in place.

"Are you kidding me? I could die if I didn't smell this drink first. I've ordered Watermelon Juice but you gave me Passion Fruit! I am allergic to that fruit." Oh god, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.

What's going on in your head, Kim Nami.

Her loudness alarmed the whole cafe that they have no choice but to spare attention to what's happening at the moment. My other shift member rushes towards the counter and I swear at that moment, I knew I fucked up bad.

Jina, the other worker, pulled me back into the kitchen as Wooyoung, the only male worker, dealt with the lady. I could hear him repeating the word 'Sorry' every time the lady yelled at him.

Guilty, I am.

"Are you okay? Oh my god, let me get you something to wipe that off." I could only stand frozen in place. My body cannot function well and my brain is blocked. I swear at the moment, there is nothing going on in my mind.

Everything happened in just a blink of an eye that I can't process anything.

As they were busy in the cafe, I walked out from the backdoor and sigh. Tears, there are no tears left in me. I'm exhausted, and I swear at that moment, I just wish for a hole to just appear and suck me into a new galaxy.

The dripping juice from my hair to my shoulder icks me to death. Every drop reminds me of how fucked up this day was.

"Work for me, I need a tutor." A calm unfamiliar voice brings me back to my senses. As I lifted my eyes off the ground, the sight of Songkang filled my eyes.

Songkang, my freaking classmate is staring at me in this condition.

He is boring holes into my eyes, ignoring the purple liquid that splatter over my face.

"How long have you been there?" I thought I masked my voice but it came out as wobbly as my fingers. My body was numb and I couldn't feel my face. The cold passion fruit juice is dripping all over me, pretty sure I look horrible...doubt even ants would probably won't want to come any closer.

"For Korean Literature, 4 times a week, after school."

"How long have you been there?" I hear him clearly, but that is not the answer that I want.

"Long enough to witness..." He let his eyes speak when they scan my face, somehow feeling molested just by those sharp eyes. But rather than being judgy about it, he's actually answering me.

Getting the body language, I look away in shame. "You did not see anything."

How ironic it is that my biggest fear—someone from my school sees me getting embarrassed in public—is now happening before my eyes.

"I don't really poke my nose in someone else's business but," He paused, "The offer is still on, tell me anytime if you change your mind." His cold voice soothes my ears, as if the cold from the dripping passion fruit is not enough to make me shiver.

He didn't wait for my response as he walked away with left hand in his coat's pocket, leaving me staring at his back.

The only sight that filled my eyes is his broad shoulders that are slowly vanishing the further he walks.