Short Story (Cerpen)

From Korea With Love

Category: Korean Cerps

Title: From Korea With Love

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'Joheun achimieyo (good morning). Annyeonghaseyo (how are you?). Naneun Miranda Adilla-imnida (i'm Miranda Adilla). I'm from Indonesia. Nice to meet you.' Today I started attending one of the Senior High Schools in Seoul. I'm following a student exchange and Korea is my destination. With Korean plus slightly chaotic English, I began to open a new leaf in this Ginseng country.

I sat down on my seat after I met you earlier. Apparently my best friend is a namja. I decided to get acquainted with him because I did not know any of the students in this class.

'Annyeongghaseyo, my name is Miranda. And you?' I politely asked him while extending my hand. He looked at me and accepted my hand.

'Annyeong, I'm Kang Jun - ha. You can call me Jun-ha. Nice to meet you.' What a beautiful name I think. Kang Jun-ha, my dear friend who I hope is fun.

Without me noticing the break bell ringing. I saw Jun-ha out of class with her friends. I don't know what to do now. I'm directional blind in the matter of a new atmosphere.

'Hi, Miranda. What was? You seem to be confused.' A girl my age greeted me.

'Ah, anyyo (no). I was just confused by a small problem. Where is the canteen located here? Can you accompany me there?' I asked him. It seems like only he is paying attention to me.

'Oh, arasseo (fine). Kajja (campaign).' He pulled my hand and we walked to the cafeteria.

'Oh, yeah. What's your name? I forgot to ask your name. Thanks for the help. Jeongmal gamshamnida (thank you very much).' I thanked him when we got to the cafeteria. He picked a nice bench by the window.

'Nde (yes). Han Hye - rin imnida.' He extended his name. 'What a beautiful name.' He smiled at my compliments.

'You're from Indonesia, huh? Have you been here before?' Hye-rin asks while stirring her order cola.

'not yet. This is my first time going to Korea. It still doesn't feel like being selected for this student exchange, ' I replied. Yeah, I really can't believe it. I think there are still many of the best students in Indonesia besides me. I am so thankful that I was chosen.

'Oh, yes. There are also students from Indonesia. There he is, Miran.' Hye-rin points towards one of the male students in the canteen. I saw him walking towards us.

'But, Hye-rin. Why is he heading this way?' my many. Hye-rin hasn't answered my question yet, the boy has already joined us.

'Ah, it's nice to have friends from the same country. Hello, I'm Fandy. What's your name?' Without further ado he asked me while extending his hand.

'I'm Miranda. You're from Indonesia, huh? How did you know I was from Indonesia?' I asked while returning his hand.

'Yeah, I know. You see, here is the first time to accept student exchange students. Especially from Indonesia. Most of the people here already know about our country. So, of course the news circulates quickly, ' replied Fandy. Oh, it's worth it. Since then I have felt as if I was being watched. It seems they are curious about Indonesians like me and Fandy.

'Yes, already. Nice to meet you, Miranda. If you're having trouble here, you can call me in the next class. I'll go first, yeah. Still have business with friends.' I saw Fandy leave the cafeteria. Hmm, I feel happy to be able to use Indonesian. Even with Fandy.

'Miran. By the way, your best friend Jun-ha also has Indonesian blood.' Hye-rin who had been silent had surprised me. Did ya? There must be something different about Jun-ha. Even though I don't know what it is.

'Jeongmalyo (really?). Are her parents from Indonesia?' I asked Hye-rin. 'No, her parents are native to here. But, his maternal grandfather was Indonesian. So, he got Indonesian blood from his grandfather through his mother, Hye-rin replied.

'Oh, so. Yeah, already. I will ask him in Indonesian. Maybe he can understand a little, ' my reply. 'Good idea, Miran. Haebbwa (try it out).' Hye-rin.

'Gamsahamnida (thank you). Accompany me to the perpus, huh?' I saw Hye-rin nod her head while pulling my hand.

I haven't been in Seoul for almost a week. Today I set out early because I wanted to enjoy the beginning of spring. Cherry blossoms have been smelling ever since I left my flat. I'd rather walk than take the bus. In addition to saving money, I also want to exercise a little.

I stopped my steps when I saw an old man sitting in the street. My instincts said something was wrong with that grandfather.

'Excuse me, cake. Grandpa why? Can I help you?' I'm interested in using Indonesian. The grandfather looked at me for a moment while frowning his forehead. Maybe he didn't understand what I said.

'You're from Indonesia, huh? Coincidentally, grandfather's legs cramped so that grandfather could not walk. You want to stop that bus. Grandpa wants to go home now.' I was surprised when my grandfather could speak Indonesian. Could he be Jun-ha's grandfather?

I took my mind off about it. Relax, Ran. There are still many Indonesians here. It's not just Jun-ha's family.

'Thank you, son. Do you mind taking Grandpa home? Are you going to school?' Grandpa asked me. I was on the bus heading to his house.

'It's okay, cake. It's still a long time before the clock comes in. Don't think about it. I really helped Grandpa. We are both from Indonesia.' I saw the grandfather smiling.

'So you're from Indonesia, huh? You live here with your parents, son?' ask grandpa. 'No, cake, ' I replied. 'I was here for a moment. I was in a student exchange for three months, ' I said.

'Oh, so. Grandpa thought you lived here with your parents. We're here, son. Come on, stop by Grandpa's house first, ' Grandpa's pinta. I couldn't resist because I saw that grandfather's leg was still hurting. I walked towards my grandfather's house while picking up my grandfather.

'Yes, geez. Dad, where have you been? Why not leave a message if you want to go outside the house. We're all confused looking for Dad's whereabouts.' I saw a middle-aged woman scurrying down the stairs towards us. Maybe she's grandfather's daughter.

'Come, Ji-soo. You will know that every morning I always walk around the complex. Never mind, dad's okay.' The grandfather spoke in Indonesian to his daughter. The woman was just a beard.

'Oh, yeah. This girl helped dad earlier. It just so happened that Dad's leg was cramping so he couldn't walk. He is also from Indonesia, ' said the grandfather again.

'Really? Thank you, son.' The woman smiled at me. 'Yes, Bi. You welcome. Then I say goodbye first. Later late to go to school, ' I said.

'Wait a minute, son. Maybe you'll be late for helping grandpa. You'd better go with grandpa's granddaughter.' Grandpa offered. Actually I don't want to but rather than me being late, I take it.

'Betul, son. It seems Jun-ha has finished breakfast. Jun-ha, you take this girl, yes. He may be late for school because he has delivered grandfather.' The woman talks to a boy and it's Jun-ha. Yeah, God. So this grandfather is Jun-ha's grandfather.

'Arasseo, eomma (well, mother), ' Jun-ha replied. I saw him step towards me. 'Yes, geez. Miranda, so you helped my grandfather. Thank you so much, yes' I just nodded my head with a smile.

'You know him, Jun-ha?' ask grandpa. Jun-ha's mother is also surprised when Jun-ha calls my name. 'Nde, harabeoji (yes, cake). He's in class with me. Yeah, we've left first, cake.' Jun-ha replies while gesturing to follow her.

'Thank you Miran for helping my grandfather.' Again Jun-ha thanked me as we were on our way to school.

'Yes, Jun-ha. You welcome.' Knowing that grandfather was Jun-ha's grandfather, I felt so happy. I don't know, I don't know why either.

—

'Hi, Miran. Go home to school and you won't accompany me for a walk. You may not have time to visit tourist attractions in Seoul. How's it?' Fandy surprised me. I was confused whether I wanted to go with him or not. Kulirik Jun-ha and he is still engrossed himself.

'can't. He has an appointment with me. He wants to accompany me to the Han River.' Unexpectedly Jun-ha answers Fandy's question. He seems serious about his words.

'Really, Miran? Do you have an appointment with him?' Fandy asked again. 'No. I don't have any appointments with Jun-ha. Yeah, already. I'm coming with you.' I don't know why I'm following Fandy's request. Jun-ha looks at me sharply and I can't return her eyes.

Buk. My heart feels like it's gonna fall out. Jun-ha rushes over her desk while looking at me sharply. Yeah, God. What's the matter? Is he angry with me? I saw him leave the classroom without looking at me.

'Miran, are you okay?' Hye-rin surprised me. 'I'm doing fine. I'm just confused by Jun-ha's attitude. She why?' ask her. I really don't understand Jun-ha's attitude.

'Actually, Jun-ha hates Fandy. For Jun-ha, Fandy is his rival since X class. Plus the girl Jun-ha likes prefers Fandy over Jun-ha.' I can imagine Jun-ha's dislike of Fandy. But still it has nothing to do with me.

'Then Fandy did not return the girl's love. I don't know why either. But, the girl still likes Fandy and eventually he dies.' Whahuh? The girl Jun-ha likes is dead. Wh why?

'Why did the girl die, Hye-rin?' my many. 'That girl is sick. But he was still chasing Fandy. Perhaps due to exhaustion or inner pressure, his pain became worse and he eventually died. I know little about the matter, ' Hye-rin replied.

'so, yeah. Then I can ask Jun-ha.' A good idea came to my brain. I just want to find out about it.

'Andwae (don't).' Hye-rin. 'You can make Jun-ha even more angry. Jun-ha always thinks that the cause of the girl's death is because of Fandy. Stop, Miran. Don't you think about that.' Yeah, I didn't think about it. I just feel sorry for Junha.

'Jun-ha's Love. It must have been hard for him, ' I murmured. It seems like Hye-rin is not listening to me. Wouldn't it be better if the girl was still here. Even if he likes Fandy. Compared to her death and Jun-ha can't see her anymore. I feel sorry for Jun-ha. Maybe more than that. I can't imagine that I'm in Jun-ha's position.

'Hey, Miran. That Jun-ha is back. You say what he is. I'm going out first.' Hye-rin leaves me and Jun-ha.

'Jun-ha's. I'm sorry, I didn't agree with what you said. We had no prior promise. I don't want to lie. I'm sorry, Jun-ha. Mianhae (sorry).' I apologized to him when he sat back down. He only caught a glimpse of me.

'Jun-ha, tomorrow you will accompany me. You made a promise.' Suddenly a girl comes and immediately invites Jun-ha to talk. Who her?

'Mianhae, Na-young (sorry). I can't, ' Jun-ha replied. I just listened to their talk.

'But tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of Ah-yeon's death. You should visit her, ' replied the girl. So, the girl Jun-ha likes is Ah-yeon and tomorrow is the anniversary of her death. I just found out about it now.

'I can't. I don't want to be bogged down with the past about him. Don't force me, Na-young.' Jun-ha looks at Na-young sharply. Like when he looked at me.

'But, Jun-ha.' It's not over Na-young talks I see Jun-ha has joined her male friend. I can only look at Na-young with pity. Jun-ha, why won't he go? Didn't he love that girl so much? I don't know, it's none of my business. Awake, Miran. Jun-ha only thinks of you as his friend.

'Because Ah-yeon is my best friend. Because I like you, I have to do this. Because I know that Ah-yeon is your whole world.' Na-young continues her sentence. And I just kept quiet hearing it. So, she likes Jun-ha. Suddenly a bullet hit my heart.

—

'Where are we going, Jun-ha?' I was really surprised this morning. Jun-ha comes to my flat and invites me to go somewhere. He just kept quiet without explaining anything to me.

'We have arrived. I just want to take you to this place. Sorry if that troubles you.' Jun-ha takes me to a tomb. I'm guessing it must be Ah-yeon's grave.

I don't understand his way of thinking. What'd he bring me here for? Is this the tomb of Ah-yeon? But, for what? Those questions ran through my mind. I want to ask him. But, when I saw him praying fervently, I paused my intention.

'Miran, what are you doing here?' I see Fandy is here too. Could it be, could this really be Ah-yeon's tomb?

'I brought him here. Any problem with that?' I haven't been able to answer Fandy's question, Jun-ha has already answered him. I'm afraid that yesterday's events are happening again.

'It's okay. But, why would you take another girl to the grave of the one you love? Have you decided to forget him?' reply Fandy. I see Jun-ha's face turning red.

'That's enough. You guys don't fight here.' I try to separate them. Suddenly I was surprised by Na-young's presence.

'Jun-ha, you're outrageous. You said you didn't want to accompany me here, but you came with this girl instead.' Na-young directly corners Jun-ha.

'Do you like this girl? You've forgotten Ah-yeon, have you?' na-young said again. Jun-ha doesn't answer Na-young's questions. He just fell silent.

'Come, Na-young. Don't you corner Jun-ha.' Fandy tries to calm Na-young down.

'Actually, I don't like Miran. I just want to take her to Ah-yeon's grave so that Ah-yeon knows that I've forgotten her. This girl is just my escape.' I'm appalled. So, he was kind to me, desperately defending me just because of that. Just because of that, he was nice to me. I had expected more from him.

'What are you talking about, Jun-ha? Whatchu mean? So all this time you've only pretended to be nice to me just for this. You're so mean.' I ran away leaving them. It was in my mind how Jun-ha helped me understand the lesson, borrowed a book, accompanied me on a walk around Seoul. He defended me when I was bullied by other students, bought me food in the cafeteria. Everything about Jun-ha is shaking in my mind.

I don't know where to go. Mind confused. I don't know why I'm like this. My heart hurts. Maybe without me noticing, I already love Jun-ha. More than a friend or friend. I don't know, I feel a lot of pain in the bottom of my heart. Because Jun-ha. Could it be that I have fallen for her and I was hurt because she only made me an outlet for her love.

—

I smiled reading Fandy's letter. I have been back to Indonesia for a month. Since the incident at the tomb, I have never talked to Jun-ha again. Until I got home, he didn't take me away. Only Fandy and Hye-rin drove me to the airport.

In his letter Fandy says that he is close to Hye-rin. Thank goodness, I'm glad that she's forgotten about Ah-yeon. Fandy said he likes Ah-yeon too. But because he feels uncomfortable with Jun-ha, he ignores Ah-yeon.

Ah-yeon is lucky, my inner self. He loved two people who loved him very much. But I don't think he's too lucky because he's not here.

'Miran, the bells are ringing. Yuk's home?' Ana took me home. It doesn't feel like 14:00 yet. I will accept the invitation while walking out of class.

'That's a letter from your friend in Seoul, huh? Pleasantly. I'm envious of you.' Ana is my funniest friend. He always managed to get my attention.

'Yes, already. I'll have him introduce you to his friends there. Ana just smiled knot.

'Oh, yeah. Ran, we have a new student at our school. Boys, it seems handsome anyway, ' said Ana again. 'Then what does this have to do with me?' ask her.

'There's no one. I'm just afraid that you don't know the latest info. You're kudet, hehe.' Ana teases. But once he mentioned I was lacking updates.

'Miran, that's his new son.' I saw Ana pointing towards my side. I turned around and saw a stranger.

'Hello, Ran. Annyonghaseyo says. Sorry for everything. Mianhae. I didn't mean it that way. Will you forgive me?' I saw Jun-ha standing in front of me. So, he's in school now. Wh-wh-what for?

'I didn't mean to play you. I didn't make you a mere impingement. Looks like I really fell for you, Miran.' A rainbow suddenly appeared in my heart. Whahuh? So, she really likes me. Could it?

'Geojitmal (don't lie). You just made me your outlet, right?' I remain stubborn. I don't fully trust him.

'Anniyo (no). Saranghamnid, Miran. I really like you. Trust me. I moved here and school here because I wanted to see you again. I really miss you when you're not there for me anymore. Mianhae. I love you.' He said his last words in Indonesian. I love you. Is that really how he feels about me now? I really want to trust him now.

I, without ever realizing I had fallen for him. The one who can only say I love you. It turned out that the love I had brought from Korea finally approached me here.

I'm sorry if my novel is ugly