1 Hi

II

'Ma!'

Two hands wrap around my shoulder. Such tiny delicate ones, they can easily fit into my palms.

'Please...I don't wanna go...' Her baby lips form into a pout shape as she continues to whine. Her soft brown hair dazzles in the morning glow, she looks as innocent as ever. For a moment, even I didn't want to let her go. Then I laugh at myself. When did I ever become so childish like this?

'No, Sujin. You need to go now.' My voice is sweet, but ordering enough, 'It's just a matter of a few hours, sweetie. You will love it after you get in there. Don't you want to make new friends?'

'But Ma...' she tightens her fingers laced over the hem of my top. My heart jerks a little for another time. Every time she calls me in that title, my blood never fails to stream faster. The first word she had learned to say, five years it has been still now I rest in quandary, that I don't deserve to be called that. Yet, it feels so, so warm, and complete.

I pull her tiny figure towards my chest, give a hug for the last time.

'Let's go now.' She reluctantly lifts her left pinky, to which I hold on and guide her towards the open gate. Several small children run in and out. Like Sujin, it's their first day too. Other parents have come to drop their kids like me.

'Go now.' I release her hand.

'Won't you come with me?' she pouted again.

'I can't, sweetie. Your teacher is standing there, she will get you to your class.' We proceed towards the young woman. She turns back to us with a smile on her face.

'Say hello.'

'Hello, ma'am. My name is Sujin. Nice to meet you.' Sujin parrots her earlier learned words and makes a small bow, crossing a small giggle over the teacher's lips and eyes.

'Aw, such a cute precious bun. I love being around kids here.' She ruffles her hair a bit and looks at me.

'If I'm not wrong, you must be her unn-'

'Mom.' I bring in the next word to her sentence. For a second, her eyes tick in surprise, but soon it disappears. Her protruded lips purse down to a thin line of greeting smile.

'Nice to meet you. I am Hwa Yang. Your daughter is in my class. I will be taking care of the kids and your one too.'

'Please take care of her well. Thank you.' I smile back. She turns towards the rest of the children gathered around and claps her hands.

'Alright children, time to head for the classroom. Who wants to get their first-day chocolate?'

'Me! Me!' Everyone chipped in joy.

'Then follow me.' Giving a last smiling gesture, she proceeds towards the main classroom leading the kids like the Pied Piper of Hamlin.

I stare at the group until they reach a distance away from my sight. My eyes shift to the wristwatch, and I mentally gasp. I am pretty late for the lecture already.

I motion my legs faster. My eyes move around the playground of the small school where the kids are dashing around in excitement, a few parents stand here and there getting a small talk to know each other. They are dressed up so nicely and all polished, enough to get me pointed out from the crowd who is the only one with a backpack, dressed in a simple top and jeans and an ID card hanging from the neck. Another reason, the reason why I stood out from everyone-

'Is she a parent?'

'I heard what she said to the teacher. She is.'

'Wow, what is her age? Looks like she's still a student? Blimey. Such a young mom.'

'Must be a single mom, I think.'

'Why would she get a child this early when she hasn't even learned enough to take care of herself?'

'I saw it's a trend in the kids now.'

'A trend? Woah! People really can't wait these days...'

I smile.

Hearing these gossips and words has become a part and parcel of my life by now. So it doesn't even bother a bit.

I scurry again. The last buses seem like have gone long ago. Reaching out through the gate, I wave at the leaving taxi to grab its attention.

'Ahjussi-' Just then, something hard slaps against my face.

I lose balance for a while but succeed to maintain my posture again the next second.

'Oh I am sorry, are you okay?' I rub my nose and look up, irritated. Two big, oceanic eyes are looking down at me. And a handsome face. As our eyes meet, his eyeline creases to a smile.

'Hi.'