The Scent of Life (1)
CHAPTER 14 THE BLOOMING OF CHERRY BLOSSOM
Twenty years later.
That afternoon, at a closed shop in downtown Seoul, a middle-aged woman was sitting peeling onions. There was no meaningful sound other than a television attached to the wall broadcasting the news.
After the commercial break was shown an economic news. The broadcaster brought news of a male CEO of a company owned by Kang Group. Once called Group Kang, the woman stopped peeling onions and her gaze turned seriously to television.
He saw Min Hyuk's figure holding a press conference. They will be launching the spring product. A man who is also his age.
The woman's eyes were nimble, unblinkingly looking at the TV. Her tears were flowing without feeling. His chest was rumbling, and his face was suddenly clouded. Until finally a woman opened the door of the store and entered cheerfully.
"Mom" said the girl, hugging her mother.
"Hye Bin, you've come home," greeted the woman as she wiped her watery eyes.
"Mother crying? What's up?" ask Hye Bin.
"Nothing, probably from peeling an onion," he said.
"I'll change my clothes and go to the cafe. I'm home the other night. Don't forget to take your medicine later before going to bed" Hye Bin said as she passed to the upper room.
The woman agreed and continued peeling the onions. It wasn't long before Hye Bin left the room and went down. Ahjuma who helped her mother in the store has come. Hye Bin told them. After Hye Bin died, Ahjuma nudged Hye Bin's mother with his elbow.
"Why don't you just marry your son?" ahjuma.
He just smiled. "Hye Bin still wants to continue his studies. He wants to be a doctor" he said.
***
Hye Bin is a sweet half-shoulder-haired girl. He worked part-time in a cafe owned by a Doctor every afternoon until night. Morning to noon he sometimes works at the laundry at the elderly house in Seoul.
He sat on the bus to work. Hye Bin opened her little backpack. He pulled out a savings book. It has a number of nomimals in it. His face brightened and then smiled. A little more money is enough to finance his college in the majors he wants. Hye Bin wants to be a doctor.
The savings book was closed, then put back in the bag. He's snapping a jacket. Outside is drizzling. Soon into spring. Hye Bin can't wait to see Cherry Blossom blossoms all over the city.
Hye Bin then got off the bus and walked in the rain to the cafe where she worked. Inside there is already his best friend, Hae Won, is preparing for cafe needs with other employees.
Hae Won Hye Bin's friend since High School. They haven't been able to go to college because there's not enough money. So they decided to work part-time first in order to finance their own college. Still lucky Hye Bin has an independent mother and runs a tavern with her friend. Hae Won only has a father who rarely comes home. Even if he came home, his father only asked Hae Won for money to buy liquor and a lottery.
***
The Cafe Promise n Memories where Hye Bin works belongs to Doctor Hyun. Senior neurologist. Hye Bin thinks of him as his own father. PM cafe is unique and cool, in addition to visitors can enjoy food, there they can borrow books and read on the spot. Provided internet access and cushions padded corner for those who really want to rest in the cafe. There is a comfortable desk chair to sit for a long time. The building is two levels, which above is used as a warehouse and office.
On the walls of the cafe there is a place for photos and writing memories for visitors. The cafe is colorful and modern, many visitors choose this place to leave a trace of their memories, especially the couple or family. Doctor Hyun provided a special warehouse to store photos and writings of visitors since the establishment of the cafe.
Hye Bin greets her friends and walks into the locker room to change clothes. Every weekend there will be a lot of visitors. Hae Won today is part of the waiter, while Hye Bin is part of the beverage provider. The sky was dark, the lights shimmering the life of Seoul at night.
The rain has been going down since the afternoon. A group of men and women entered the cafe. Seen from their makeup the type of people are. They looked a little drunk and a little noisy calling out to the waiter.
Hae Won came to them kindly. They were three boys and three girls. The chaebol parlente stinks of alcohol and the women of the night butterflies dressed up beautifully chatted while jokingly laughing out loud.
Hae Won gave them a menu. The oldest person took the menu and began to look through its contents. Hye Bin and other employees noticed them.
"Hey waiter, give us the most delicious alcoholic drink in this cafe."
"Sorry, we do not provide alcoholic beverages" said Hae Won.
The man was surprised and laughed.
Hae Won mengiyakan lalu pergi ke bagian dapur. Hae Won bingung harus menghidangkan apa. Disampaikanlah hal ini ke Chef Han. Akhirnya, mereka menghidangkan menu spesial hari itu. Tak lama kemudian terhidang berbagai macam makanan di meja. Laki-laki itu pun mencoba makanan yang berbahan sayur hijau. Merasa tak enak di mulut, makanan itu diludahkannya ke lantai.
"What food is this?" the man yelled at Hae Won while throwing the spoon he was holding onto the poor girl.
Hae Won was surprised, spontaneously avoiding the spoon throw.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Hae Won said.
The drunk man stood up, then raised his hand to slap Hae Won. A swift hand held back, and swung it backwards. Hye Bin deftly dropped the man with a single kick on the knee. Those who see are shocked. The employees immediately cheered in delight at the victory Hye Bin dropped the man.
"Go you guys, before I call the cops!" threaten Hye Bin who finally managed to evict the group of troublemakers.
They ran off the ridge leaving the cafe. Everyone in the cafe applauded.
"You okay?" ask Hye bin.
"Wow!" hae Won answered while giving her thumbs up.
They embrace and then return to the kitchen with a winning smile.
***
The night before the cafe closed, Hye Bin told Chef Han that he was called Doctor Hyun to the top office.
Doctor Hyun was enjoying his coffee on the balcony, when Hye Bin came. The man who has been half a century still looks dashing and youthful. His facial lines show he's a friendly man. Seeing Hye Bin coming, he smiled then waved his hand towards Hye Bin to sit nearby. Hye Bin approached and sat down next to Doctor Hyun.
"Drink coffee first. What did you do to the customer today?" doctor Hyun asked as he gave Hye Bin a cup of coffee.
Hye Bin stood up.
"Sorry" he said, bowing his body.
Doctor Hyun suddenly laughed chuckling at Hye Bin's fear, and felt guilty, for committing acts of violence against cafe visitors.
"They deserve a kick in the ass" Doctor Hyun said, demonstrating a leg kick.
Doctor Hyun's response surprised Hye Bin who thought that the man would scold her. Hye Bin smiled broadly.
"I'm sorry" Hye Bin said, bowing again.
"Here you go, here's your coffee" Doctor Hyun said, shuffling coffee at the table.
Hye Bin received the coffee and sipped it a little.
"There's something I want to tell you. I want to ask for your help," Doctor Hyun said beginning his explanation.
Hye Bin listened carefully.
"Can you help me take care of someone? He's been my patient for the last two years, he's been in a coma for almost twenty years. The nurse had previously resigned and I recommended that you take care of the poor woman."
"Well," said Hye Bin.
"Just wait later from the side of them who will contact you. I hope you can keep this a secret. Shut your mouth tightly lest anyone know about the whereabouts of this patient" Dr. Hyun explained.
Hye Bin nodded her head in understanding and sipped her half-living coffee.