Flakes of Tears

Episode 11

Episode 11

Protect

"May tatapusin pa kasi akong thesis, Blanche. Kain ka na lang diyan sa apartment. Jeongmal mianhae... (I'm sorry...)," tawag sa'kin ni Michelle.

It was already 9 PM when I went to our apartment because I thought Mitch would be with me. I have a lot to tell her because of what happened earlier but I guess she was really busy. We didn't even have the chance to have dinner together because of her school works.

"No, ayos lang! Ingat ka riyan! And don't forget to eat and rest. Bye na." I ended the call because I'm sure she will say a lot of things again.

I fixed the tote bag on my shoulder as I was walking towards our apartment. Ang lamig na rin. Napapansin ko lang talaga na kapag walang snow, mas malamig. Snow served as humid in these cold surroundings and without it, it was harsh dry cold. Mas tagos sa balat.

I put my phone out while walking to just view the stories on my Instagram. Hindi ako pala-post at wala rin naman akong pino-post kaya nag-s-stalk na lang ako nang kung sinu-sinong mga artista. My notifications were even turned on for LANY's posts.

Hindi ako natatakot na maglabas ng cellphone sa daan dito kasi... sa Pilipinas lang naman 'ata 'yung matatakot ka sa paligid mo at parang laging huling araw mo na. The streets here were safe... as far as I can remember. Maingay kasi ang paligid lalo na at mag-d-december na at marami nang turista na dumadating. This is the winter season that I've always dreamed of when I was just a kid.

Dumiretso muna ako sa isang bilihan nang street foods nila. There were Kkochi eomuk or fish cake skewers, Hoteok or filled cinnamon sugar pancakes, Bunggeoppang or Red Bean Flavored Pastry, and... Tteokbbokki.

"Eolmayeyo? (How much is this?)," I asked the vendor about the Tteokbokki. I'm craving something spicy right now because of the harsh weather.

"300 won, agassi, (young lady)." The lady vendor smiled at me.

I could still remember the time where I just got out of Yiv's house and I couldn't eat anything that I was starving but I can't get anything from my pocket. I looked at it now and... I'm just happy that I'm taking baby steps towards a good life.

I don't want to reminisce the bad parts of my past. I wanted to be happy for once.

"Igeos jung hana-juseyo, (One of this, please.)"

Binigay ko sa tindera 'yung bayad at binigay niya sa'kin 'yung bowl na may laman na tteokbokki. Mainit-init pa kaya nagpasalamat na 'ko para makain ko na 'yun habang nasa daan pauwi.

I was enjoying the food here in Korea. Well, nothing beats the food in the Philippines but these foods were of different breeds. 'Yung mga tipo na hindi ka magsasawa kainin.

If only I hadn't experienced such misery from my previous boss, all of my memories here could be good or even better. I could earn big without getting mistreated. I don't deserve any of that. Kahit hindi ako nakapagtapos... I know my worth.

Napahinto ako sa pagkain nang makita ko na bukas pa 'yung isa sa mga convenience store malapit sa apartment namin. Gano'n na lang ang panlalaki ng mga mata ko nang makita ko na hiring sila ngayon ng part time workers!

I finished my food before entering the store. I needed more money to have a Christmas vacation with my family in the Philippines! Lahat ay gagawin ko para makapag-ipon.

After I have thrown the container in the trash, I entered the store that was greeted by the owner.

"Ajig opeuning-i ganeunghangayo? (Is the opening still available?)" I was getting more and more used to Korean each day.