Number Neighbor

1

After loading all my boxes into my tiny apartment in the city of Seoul, South Korea I pause to catch my breath.

The idea was crazy from the start. A new beginning, in a new part of the world. No, I wasn't running per se, but I was separating myself from a old way of life, an old way of thinking.

All of my family said I was crazy. Hell, I might be. But when he cheated, after not even a full year of marriage, everything around me just reminded me of him, of what could have been... it hurt.

So yeah, I was running from the pain of those could-bes, of the betrayal. But I was going to be positive about the change in my life going forward, and not keep living in the past.

****

It wasn't until dark, likely 7 or 8 pm, that I looked up from unboxing and realized I was nauseous from not eating for so long. Quickly grabbing the keys, the notes I had on the new apartment complex, and my wallet,  I headed out the door to find something to eat.

Just down the street there was a convenience store, and thought about all the videos of Seoul that mentioned how there is decent food in them and eating was common in these places. It felt a bit odd, as this wasn't something I experienced back home, but heck, when in Rome... or in this instance, Seoul. As I got to the store I notice that the phone store next door was about to close, and I hadn't replaced my old phone yet, so I quickly popped in there first.

An older man was behind the counter and looked up when the door bell jingled. Seeing a foreigner he shook his head. I guess he assumed I was lost or something because he raised his voice and said a lot of words I didn't understand, pointing back outside and down the street.

Shaking my head I made the universal sign for phone and walked towards him. After realizing what I wanted he grinned, rubbed his hands together, and locked up what he was doing to help me with getting a phone and service started.

****

With a full belly and a new phone I headed back to my apartment, my new home. Settling in to the couch I had delivered new that morning I looked at the rest of the boxes. Muttering under my breath I headed towards my bedroom, deciding to continue tomorrow. 

After all, school doesn't start for two weeks.