Priya's POV308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD8TgkuqiO
The alarm was ringing continuously. I opened my eyes and was shocked. It was 8 a.m., 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 somehow managed to reach it before the ceremony. We were welcoming new students into our laboratory.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO7BOQnSSE
After the ceremony, I was talking with the new students who would work with me when suddenly someone called me, none other than the director of the laboratory, Dr. Lee Wang Chung.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfch264cGGA
I think you all must wonder, "Who am I?" So let me introduce myself. I am Dr. Priya Shah, an Indian neuroscientist working in a famous research laboratory in South Korea.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQZ2oQ4h9e
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 were going to do with the project.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zJejSUtlh
In the evening, I was so tired that I didn't wait for the bus and booked a taxi. I reached my small, 1 BHK 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.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6KGDUPrV7
The next day, I got up with the alarm. The whole week was the same, from flat to lab and vice versa, only work. I was too exhausted from work, so for a change, I decided to go shopping on weekends.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJm83WzaNQ
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 and 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 liked 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.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQvj0CEomE
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, spent some time reading, and then slept.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYfyJjkjtC
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I was working in the laboratory when suddenly I remembered that today I had to attend the anniversary party of MiSun’s parents. So, I left work early and got ready for the party.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWFtaSh7f8
My days were going normally, but I was too busy with my laboratory work. One day, when I was listening to Hindi songs, a thought came into my mind to practice dancing. I had learned 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.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtbv1Wpul9
I was standing in front of the big musical shop in the market, hoping that I would get 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 was 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 was the same lady I met in the pet clinic. After a few minutes, that lady told me I could 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 of other options for buying it. That lady came to me and asked, “What happened?” I told her that I couldn’t buy it because it was too expensive. She offered me some money and told me that I could return it later. I was shocked at how this lady could offer money to a stranger and how she could be sure that we would 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, and that’s why she was 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.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNLvrm8ujB
After a few days, I got the money and was ready to return the money to the lady. I was thinking of transferring her money online, but I thought it would be rude to return it like this. I was in a dilemma, so I decided to ask MiSun. I called her and told her everything. She was amazed too and suggested I 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.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKQ8dwCq6x
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 met twice but didn’t introduce each other properly.”. She told me that her name is Kim Sumi Joon (Mrs. Joon) and she 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.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07BW4e9jEX
“Since when are you living in Korea?" She took one sip of her coffee.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadV6EBO27d
“For six years, I came here for studies and after my degree, I got a lab to start my research, so I stayed here," I explained308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAhtPZI7T2
“Where do you live here in Seoul?" I asked casually.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQoXNcV2sr
“My son lives here. 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.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CaQpxz78M
“Oh, I see. So you are not happy to come this time?" I asked as a curious kid.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaliTF8zRBn
“Well, in the beginning, I was complaining, but not anymore." She said this while smiling at me.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuJkXS9N9y
“I live in Ilsan. Have you visited this place?" She asked after a few moments.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO40xscHlUq
“No, I didn’t explore much. Whenever I visited any place, it was because of college activities. But yeah, I have explored some famous places near Seoul." I roamed my finger around the rim of the cup.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA6JwO3NWz
"Oh, then I would suggest you visit Ilsan once. It's a beautiful place." She sipped her coffee again.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmyAtfLhzs
“I would love to come if I get time," I said.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaeGRvZkcv
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 would be fluent in Korean. While we were talking, she asked me what I was doing with that ghungroo. I told her what the use of it was and why I bought it. And then we talked for a few hours, I returned the money, and then we left the restaurant.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkC8A1lEDF
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 had taken me in her embrace.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZGAv67NIs
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.
Penana
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