17 Just Friends
Lina arrived home to the clanging of pots and pans when she unlocked the apartment door.
The steam and smells of homemade food lingered in the air and she almost felt like she had entered the wrong flat for a second.
She stepped back outside and checked the number on the door, 20B.
Stepping back inside with a positively confused expression she placed her bag down on the sofa and wandered to the kitchen.
Mr.Liang was sitting on a stool laughing and watching their neighbor Mrs.Kim.
"Li Na!" said dad, waving a hand for her to join them.
Mrs.Kim stood preparing food, wearing an apron and with plastic gloves on her small hands. She was an older woman in her fifties but she had a cheerful round face.
"Mrs.Kim is using our oven because hers is broken," dad explained.
Lina nodded politely and bowed to the older lady, "So nice to have you over Mrs.Kim, shall I make some tea?"