Chapter 6: Small Town
Lee Su Ho's Point Of View
Ahhh This is refreshing! I never thought I'd get to smell the fresh sea breeze of Mokpo. The wind relaxes my senses and drifts my spirit to serenity. I missed this.
I never thought I'd miss my hometown. Yeah yeah, it wasn't a random place at all. I chose to be here. Well, mainly because I bought a house here.
A decent hanok for a reasonable price. It was an old house and I had it renovated according to my style. I installed a heater and resealable windows and doors during the harsh winter. A terrace to see the overview of the sea and mountains clashing. And a garden at the back for some extra inspiration just in case I feel like I want to write a song.
I haven't seen the house before, only through the photos that the architect sent me. I bought it like a year before and had it renovated just 6 months ago. I was planning to come here this December but luckily, vacation started early.
As I went out to the balcony, I reminisced about the place where I lived for the first 17 years of my life, until I was kicked out that is.
It hasn't changed much. The people still moving on with their lives. I saw a couple of familiar faces earlier when I arrived. Some of them changed and some didn't. Well, that's normal... after all, it was 8 years ago since I left this place sooo... I'm curious in some way.
Hmmm, speaking of curiosity... How are my parents doing anyway? I haven't talked to them since that day. I cut off all of my communication with them. Even with my brother. The last time I heard, he went abroad 5 years ago and my parents are still living here.
I want to see them...
I want them to see how successful I am now. That I proved them wrong. And maybe, thank them for kicking me out that day.
It hasn't been a day yet but I'm already getting bored and stressed. I need to get out and take a walk to calm myself.
I unpacked my clothes and put them in the dressers. My shoes are aligned on the walk-in closet, and my accessories are placed in a locked cabinet. I love the house, it's fully furnished and not much furniture. I'd like to keep it simple.
I wore a hoodie with a thick inner layer coz it's cold outside and a face mask for safety purposes... I can't be too lenient even though it's already evening.
I walked towards the town and it's already 5.30 pm when I arrived (It was a 15-minute walk from my place). I'm getting hungry and hurriedly looked for a place to dine. As I was browsing through the street shops. I saw a familiar place.
Ahh, the coffee shop I usually hang out to after class. Their coffee concoctions are amazingly delicious. The owner's son is a schoolmate of mine when I was in middle school. We were pretty close, we used to play pranks with each other too.
I entered the place and noticed it is a little bit different now. The usual wooden chairs and tables are now replaced by a couch and a glass table. It's more modern compared to before. I sat on one of the empty couches and looked around a bit. The place gives off a relaxing night vibe with blue and white lightbulbs hanging in the ceiling. The blue walls are full of artworks and books. I knew then that the owner already passed this coffeehouse to my friend.
I looked around and saw 1 customer inside, perfect!
I browsed through the menu and see a lot of good food, I'll order some sandwiches.
I was feeling a little ecstatic to see my friend. But of course, as a prankster like we used to be... I think I'd like to greet him just like the old times. Hehe
As I called the waitress over, the prank begins.
WAITRESS: good evening sir, how may I be of service?
SU HO: do you customize orders?
WAITRESS: hmm... One moment sir.
The waitress hurriedly runs towards the man brewing a coffee... Ahhh that's my friend he's talking to! Haha, He's much taller now! Aww, he still has this cat/puppy face! When he smiles, he looks just like a puppy, and when he's serious? Just like a cat. With his good looks, he can even pass as a celebrity easily.
I knew it... This would be fun, he doesn't like to back down from any challenges.
As soon as he's finished talking, the waitress came over and told me they can take customized orders as long as the main order is on the menu.
SU HO: very well, then, I'd like to have 2 half-caf quad grande, 1 pump white mocha, 1 pump peppermint non-fat light water americano misto with curls.
WAITRESS: ... (She was shocked as expected) uh for the food sir?
SU HO: I'd like to have a foot-long chicken teriyaki half 9-grain and half wheat. toast the wheat side and I would like pepper jack cheese on it. oh, I'm sorry, could you put some butter on the bread before you toast it? ... Hmm, I would like tomatoes but could you cut them up a little more than they already are? they are hard for me to digest but I love them. Also, spinach leaves but please take off the little stems, that's too chewy for my liking. do you have any red peppers? I'll do a little green pepper and some jalapenos, try to take out some of the seeds on those, ughh seeds are too hot for me ok? some banana peppers and some black pepper, please. Thanks, can you add some of that sweet onion sauce for me too?
...
...
The waitress started to sweat profusely. In her mind, what the hell was that order?! I laugh at her demise...
WAITRESS: uhhh... Uhmm, Anything else si... (she didn't finish her sentence as if she made a mistake asking me if I want to order something more)
SU HO: I'd like to have... Hmmm
I looked at her doomed expression... It was fun looking at her like that. She's kinda cute too and she looks familiar too
SU HO: some water, please. Thanks!
She walks briskly to avoid any more orders from me. Haha
...
...
Ohh holy fuck. That waitress, no wonder she's familiar! That woman was the reason why I was kicked out! She left her fucking lipstick on the freakin floor at that time and dad found out! Ughh.
I trailed her with my eyes and follow her to give the orders to my friend. She was tasked to make the sandwich while my friend started to make my drink.
My friend looked in my direction but I avoided his stare by looking at my phone pretending to text someone. A minute after I gazed at him and saw that he's busy making the coffee.
I waited patiently, and after 20 minutes the waitress came over with my orders ready to be served.
I was impressed they didn't question it. I tasted the coffee first... and wow, it was delish! Just how I wanted it to be. And as for the sandwich, it was yummy! But my prank isn't finished yet.
I called over the waitress again...
SU HO: I thought I made it clear to remove the stem of the spinach? And why wasn't the wheat bread not toasted well? What about these jalapeños?! There are still seeds in it! Who made this?!
WAITRESS: (tries her best to answer while tears are forming in her eyes) ssir... I I made the sandwich... I'm sorry sir, I'll make you a new one.
I looked at her unimpressed.
SU HO: I already waited for almost half an hour and you still want me to wait?! I'm already hungry!
WAITRESS: I'm really really sorry sir, please I'll do it as fast as I can...
SU HO: No! Call your manager, now!
WAITRESS: sir please, I'm sorry!
I stood up and shouted to call the manager over. And to my delight, my friend came over.
FRIEND: what's the problem here Min?
SU HO: and who are you?
FRIEND: (he motioned to Min, the waitress, to leave and he will handle me himself) my name is Moon Bin sir, I'm the owner of this cafe... Is there a problem with the food? (He asks politely)
SU HO: did you taste this before serving this to me?! (I slightly raised my voice to make it believable)
BIN: no sir, uhm... We'll take this back and get you a fresh sandwich, is that ok with you sir?
SU HO: are you kidding me?! Sit down and eat it in front of me. So I will know your honest opinion about that sandwich.
I sit back and he sits in front of me. I looked at him intently as he inspected it and then took a bite of the sandwich... As soon as he finished tasting the food, he tilted his head...
BIN: sir, I don't see any problem with the sandwich... It's delicious. As I see it, she followed everything you asked for. (He looks at me kinda irritated)
SU HO: oh? Really? Haha, I didn't get to taste the sandwich properly.
His eyes widened and his cheeks started to turn red because of anger... He was about to shout at me when I removed my mask...
SU HO: hi Binnie... Hehe, miss me?