Of A Lifetime

NOISE

No doubt spring has come.

A cacophony of cicadas has started to barge in Su Jin's ears.

Cicadas were fine.

But the constant banging noise of the construction going on at the lot beside theirs wasn't.

Day and night noises can be heard.

It was alright for the other Su members but not for the women closest to the wall.

Su Jin included.

The group of women who suffered from the noise retreated at the central pavilion which was far away from the west side wall.

Su Jin quietly sipped her tea as she listened at the heated discussion of complaints.

'I too, almost threw my gardening shovel at the other side of that wall from anger.'

She sighed, 'Goodness, I'm too old to get worked up.'

'Ah youth, I forgot that being young comes with such abrupt change in moods.'

She chuckled lightly.

Only to be met with her cousins ire.

For a while, they bombarded her with nagging and one-sided debate. Su Jin could only listen quietly.

Thankfully, the senior Su members came to save her in time. Lunch was served albeit with complaints.

"A new landlord has purchased the lot beside ours. It is only respectful to welcome them with patience." Grandpa Su said, he eyed the young ones especially the group of complainants.

"But grandpa, it's been half a month. It would have been fine if they only made noise when the sun is out but they're at it even at night! It's been half a month since we slept well!"

The other girls could only nod in agreement.

Grandpa Su sighed heavily, "Bear with it for a little while. The landlord has asked our forgiveness and promised to finish the construction by the end of the month."

"That fast?" the male cousins could only feel awe.

The house being constructed was as big as theirs. Normally, it would take more or less than a year but they already did half of it in almost a month. How cool is that!

The women could only sulk silently. Most of them camped at the men's quarters, the owners forcefully vacated to cramp in one room, thinking, 'We're family. We shall share the good and bad times.'

Su Jin also camped at her father's room. The men's rooms were at the east side so they were spared from the noise.

'Finally, the sleep I deserve.'