Growl. I attempted to tame the monster in my stomach. My plan had been to stop by the market before heading home today to stock the fridge, but now it was too late. Night Gomi, correction, a hungry Night Gomi would be deadly in a crowded market filled with old ladies.
I slumped forward with tears streaming down my face and wailed loudly, “Another ramen day…!” I’d had ramen for the past week since I hadn’t had time to stock the fridge with the basic necessities.
A guy who'd been walking in the opposite direction jumped back in surprise at my sudden outburst. His shaggy brown tousled hair reminded me of the part-timer.
Glaring sharply, I felt the urge to smack my fist on top of his head just because they looked so similar to each other. “Nothing to see here. Keep walking, punk.”
He froze for a moment and scrambled away, but not before filching another look while he left with his cheeks and ears flushed like a peach as if he’d fallen in love.
'Sadistic weirdo… '
Despite being near the bus stop, I opted to walk home to blow off some steam. My new apartment wasn’t in the best area and I knew Dad would be upset if he found out about it, but it was the only place I could afford with our current monthly expenses, especially with the reoccurring medical fees.
“You did great holding back today, Gomi,” I complimented myself. “If you had smashed that gnome’s head in with the soju bottle, I’d have lost the job and not been able to cover this month’s expenses. You are truly a saint.”
The streets got narrower and the alleys a bit darker as street lights flickered from years of poor maintenance. I arrived at the rundown six-story concrete apartment complex–in the dark, it could be mistaken for the home of a deadly horror film. Skipping two steps at a time, I climbed the staircase to the third floor.
I flung the door open triumphantly. “Gomi has arrived!”
I knew nobody was home, but it was something I’d always say to Mom, and now the habit was deeply embedded, making it hard to break, even if I had a remote urge to do so.
A tugging ache pulled in my chest at the dark silence that greeted me back.
I leaned down and removed my shoes before heading straight to the kitchen. With the pot of water on the stove, it took four clicks of the gas knob to bring the fire to life.
The flames burst to life and tempered around the pot into a soft hug; I leaned my back against the counter and took in the empty apartment. I’d have to finish packing up the last of our belongings and organize the movers to deliver our furniture from our home in Jeonju if I didn't want to continue living like some vagabond.
It felt like just yesterday that we’d received the unexpected call for an opening in a highly sought medical treatment trial that had a history of having positive effects on Dad’s particular illness. I’d applied for him without having any real expectations, knowing that it would be a long shot to get chosen.
So when we received the call, it finally felt like our life might make a turn for the better after all that had happened.
However, accepting the spot meant we had to leave our home and move to Seoul, not to mention the added financial burden–luckily the money we received for selling our home covered the initial medical expenses.
And with me getting accepted into K University, we couldn’t help but feel the turnings of fate when everything aligned so perfectly.
Though our savings wasn’t anything to boast about, it would at least cover my first semester’s tuition and three months’ rent. Primarily because I had chosen an apartment in such a sketchy neighborhood, but compromises had to be made.
And I was more than willing to sacrifice a nice place if it meant Dad would get better.
The water bubbled, so I sprinkled the ramen powder and plopped the noodles in as it foamed to life. I’m sure I looked like a witch adding ingredients to her potion as the aroma made my mouth water.
Bzzt. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Mixing the noodles, I checked to see who’d message me.
Jenny: Gomi! I’ll meet you at the front gate tomorrow! Can you believe we’re starting college??? ^__^ <3333
Holding the chopsticks in my mouth to free my hands, I typed back a quick response, which I knew would not appease my overexcited friend, Jenny.
Gomi: Yeah, see you tomorrow.
I turned the fire off and leaned over and slurped up a mouthful of noodles without waiting, wincing through the hot steam. The first bite of ramen was always the best even if it meant burning my tastebuds off–I exhaled a hot breath of contentment.
Maybe, I was the sadistic weirdo.
Bzzt. I ignored the message.
Nothing was more important than my ramen right now.
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