Chapter 1 Priya's POV

• The alarm was ringing continuously. I opened my eyes and was shocked. It was 8 am and I was still in bed. I got up hurriedly, finished my morning routine, and got ready for work. At the bus stop, there was no sign of a bus coming, so I started running. I was late but still somehow managed to reach it before the ceremony. We were welcoming new students into our laboratory.
• After the ceremony, I was talking with the new students who will work with me; suddenly someone called me, none other than the director of the laboratory, Dr. Lee Wang Chung.
• I think you all must wonder, “Who I am?” So let me introduce myself, I am Dr. Priya Shah, an Indian neuroscientist working in a famous research laboratory in South Korea.
• Dr. Lee and I started talking about the project that I wanted to start and today I even got the team. The whole day I was with my team discussing how we would start and what we are going to do in the project.
• In the evening, I was too tired that I didn’t wait for the bus and booked a taxi. I reached my small 1BHK rented apartment. I got freshened up and had dinner. While I was reading a book, I got a call from MiSun, my only Korean friend. She is very close to me and her family also knows me well. I picked up her call and started talking with her. She invited me to her parents’ silver wedding anniversary which was next week. I talked with her for a while and then slept.
• The next day, I got up with the alarm ring. The whole week was the same, from flat to the lab and vice-versa, only work. I was too exhausted from work, so for a change, I decided to go the shopping on weekends.
• While I was waiting for the bus, I saw a small puppy, struggling to walk. I picked it up and found that it was injured. I took it to a nearby pet clinic. There I saw a lady who was in her forties with pale skin, with a dog. The dog started to jump from her lap when he saw me. The lady said to me, “Why don’t you hold him for a few minutes? He looks excited.” I took the dog from her and the dog calmed down in my hold. The lady told me that the dog’s name is Molly and it seemed that he likes me. After a few minutes, the lady left with the dog. I too left the clinic after leaving the small puppy at the animal shelter, which is beside the clinic.
• As I didn’t have many friends, I was alone doing the shopping. I called MiSun to give me company, but she was busy with the arrangements for the party. I bought one dress for the party and a few necessary things. And then I went to watch a movie. After having dinner outside, I returned to the flat and spent some time reading and then slept.
• ******
• I was working in the laboratory when suddenly I remembered that today I have to attend the anniversary party of MiSun’s parents. So, I left work early and got ready for the party.
• My days were going normally, too busy with my laboratory work. One day, when I was listening to Hindi songs, a thought came into my mind to practice dance. As I had learned the classical dance in the past, so I thought it was a good idea to practice at home. I planned to buy “Musical Anklet” (Ghungroo) on weekends.
• I was standing in front of the big musical shop in the market hoping that I will get the ghungroo. I entered the shop and asked for it, but got to know that the shop owner does not know any other language except Korean. I was trying to explain by showing him a picture of it, but nothing got it. At the same time, one lady entered the shop that looked familiar to me, but I didn’t bother. She was looking for a guitar. She noticed how much I am struggling to buy something. So, she came to me and asked about the thing. I showed the picture to her. After that, she talked with the owner in Korean. While she was talking with the owner, I remembered that she is the same lady I met in the pet clinic. After a few minutes, that lady told me I can buy the ghungroo as the owner had it. In the end, I didn’t buy it, as it was too expensive. I was standing outside the shop with a sad face, thinking other options to buy it. That lady came to me and asked, “What happened?” I told her that I couldn’t buy it as it was too expensive. She offered me some money and told me that I can return her later. I was shocked at how this lady could offer money to a stranger and how can she be sure that we will meet in the future. I was not ready to take money but then she told me that she remembered me from the pet clinic shop that’s why she is offering money. I was in deep thought, and then the lady shrugged me off and said, “You can take my mobile number and when you get money, pay me back.” I was convinced and took the money from her. In the end, I got the ghungroo with the help of that lady. When I was leaving the shop, I saw the lady waiting for me outside her car. I went near her and thanked her for helping. She offered me a ride, but I refused politely, saying I was going in the opposite direction.
• After a few days, I got the money and was ready to return the money to the lady. I was thinking to transfer her money online, but I thought it would be rude to return it like this. I was in dilemma, so decided to ask MiSun. I called her and told her everything. She was amazed too and suggested me to not transfer money like this. She told me to meet the lady. I called the lady and asked for the day when she would be free to meet. The lady politely accepted and said that any day is fine for her, so I suggested meeting on weekends. We decided to meet in the evening at a restaurant.
• I was waiting for her outside the restaurant. When she arrived, she told me she had already reserved a table for us. I was stunned and embarrassed too because I didn’t think about this. We entered the restaurant and sat at the reserved table. I was feeling awkward sitting with her as I was wearing a very simple dress and she was in branded clothes. She read my situation and to make me comfortable, she said, “You are looking good.” I smiled at her words. Then she said, “We meet twice but didn’t introduce each other properly”. She told me that her name is Kim Sumi Joon (Mrs. Joon) and is a realtor by profession; her husband is Kim Wonbin Joon (Mr. Joon), an employee of Telecom Company. I also told her about myself and by looking at her expression; I could surely say that she was quite impressed with me.
• “Since when are you living in Korea?” She took one sip of her coffee.
• “From 2023, I came here for studies and after my degree I got a lab to start my research, so I stayed here,” I explained
• “Where do you live here in Seoul?” I asked casually.
• “My son lives here. After every 3-4 months, I come to visit him. This time I thought to spend some time with him, but he is always busy with his work.” She replied with disappointment.
• “Oh, I see. So you are not happy to come this time?” I asked as a curious kid.
• “Well, in the beginning, I was complaining, but not anymore.” She said while smiling at me.
• “I live in Ilsan. Have you visited this place?” She asked after a few moments.
• “No, I didn’t explore much. Whenever I visited any place, was because of college activities. But yeah, I have explored some famous places near Seoul.” I roamed my finger in the rim of the cup.
• “Oh….then I would suggest you visit Ilsan once. It’s a beautiful place.” She sipped her coffee again.
• “I would love to come if I get time,” I said.
• Then we talked about some random things. I told her that I can understand Korean but can’t speak it fluently. I am still learning. She assured me that one day I will be fluent in Korean. While talking, she asked me what I am doing with that ghungroo. I told her what is the use of it and why did I buy it. And then we talked for a few hours, I returned the money back and then we left the restaurant.
• While coming back, on the bus, I was thinking about Mrs. Joon. ‘She is very kind and polite and in the end, when she hugged me I got emotional because I felt like my mother took me in her embrace.’+
• That night I curled up on my bed, hugging a pillow, and wrapping it inside my mother’s blanket. I decided to call my mother the next day. I dreamt of my mother smiling and talking with me.