Chapter 3: New City

"Taxi!"

My flight was 15 hours long although I liked traveling by air. During this period I could see how beautiful our world looked form up high. I already read a lot about Daegu. It was a beautiful city. I was planning to visit Daegu as soon as I could settle down everything. I had already contacted with some owners of the buildings to rent a flat. I was thinking to pay monthly. It was called as 'Wolse' system in Korea.

I was damn exhausted. My back hurt due to the long flight. I was gonna get a long sleep before I went to my University and check out the flat tomorrow.

"How much?"

"2,800 won, Miss."

With a formal smile I offered him the money, "Here you, go."

I entered into the hotel. There was a mid aged beautiful woman sitting in reception.

She flashed a smile and asked me humbly, "Good evening, Miss. Welcome to South Korea."

I replied her in Korean, "Thank you. I am looking for a room with single-bed."

She looked surprised. She smiled and asked me in Korean, "You can speak Korean?"

Her beautiful smile reminded me of my Ma. She was crying during my departure. I knew it must be hurting her. I replied the receptionist politely, "Yes, Madam."

"Just give me few moments to check if there is any available single bedroom?"

"Sure."

I looked at her closely as she was checking in her computer. She was wearing a pink coat and had a plain bun and very slight makeup. She looked very neat. Seemed like she was self-conscious. Ma was like this when we were a happy family. She was always neat and tidy.

"Okay, there is one room available", Her voice pulled me in the reality. I offered her a polite smile, and she returned me one too, "Your room number is 106. Here is your key."

"Thank you."

I jumped on the bed and my body hit the soft mattress as soon as I closed my hotel room door. I was beyond tired. I couldn't keep my eyelids open anymore and I didn't remember when I fell asleep.

Next day of my arrival in Daegu, which meant this morning I was preparing for my first day at University. I wore a plain white shirt, a black jeans and a pair of black sneakers. I tied my hair in a high ponytail. I ate an Egg bread which costed not more than $1.6. It was so delicious. I didn't know how a simple street food could taste so good. I took a cab to reach at my University.

When I reached at the front gate of the University I was just, "Awe!". I explored the whole campus while I was going to my faculty building. It was absolutely amazing.

Classes went really well. I was already a fan of few amazing Professors. I met with couple of Korean boys and girls. I talked to one Girl named 'Eunjin' for long time. She seemed bubbly and cheerful. She was wearing the latest model of watch, a tight bike skirt with a white top. I guessed she had a strong fashion sense. She told me a lot about Daegu although I already knew this information from my little inquiry. She promised me to travel with me to some beautiful places around here.

I got my new home after 7 days of my arrival in Korea. It looked more like a colony. This was what I could afford now. I promised Papa that I would be on my own expenses. This was all I could manage. The flat had two rooms, one kitchen, one bathroom and one balcony. I didn't have lots of goods with me so I had to buy some necessary goods. I couldn't sleep on floor. That's why I bought a bed as well. My new friend Eunjin also helped me in moving into my new home.

After settling down, Eunjin and I visited many beautiful places. Daegu was an economic motor for Korea. This city was also known as 'Apple city' and 'Textile City'. It was currently focusing on nurturing fashion. Eunjin promised to be my tour guide for the whole month. We decided to visit to places in every weekend.

For that weekend we went to visit most well-known sight of the city. It was a stone Buddha called 'Gatbawi' located on the top of Gwanbong, Palgongsan. I saw lots of people came to visit the place.

"Eunjin? Are all these people Buddhists?" I looked around the whole place. Lots of people had gathered here. Most of them were praying.

"No, why?"

"Then why all of them are praying?"

"Oh, because they believe that the Buddha will grant one's single wish."

I looked away from her and glanced over the Buddha sculpture.

'I have lost my favorite person. Can you bring him back to me?'

Then I sighed and thought how funny and pathetic I was.

'Well, nothing can bring the dead back, right? If you can't bring back my Nabil to me then what else I can ask for?'

I stared at the stone Buddha for few moments. I was feeling uncomfortable as I had just thought about Nabil. It made me restless.

"Eunjin? Have you finished praying?" She was still praying, her hands were clasped, eyes closed.

"Yes." She opened her eyes and one more time pleaded, "Please Buddha, please."

"Oh come on. How long are you gonna pray?" I was starving.

She sighed, "I will pray until my dream comes true. I have to come here again." She was pouting the whole time.

I smiled at her cuteness, "Let's go then. I am starving."

"Fahami, have you ever eaten Cockle Bibimbap?"

"No, what's that?"

"Then you are missing an amazing dish. Come on, let's go. I just know the right place for it." Eunjin grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.

We also visited Dalseong Park, and Daegu tower. It was a fun day. Eunjin talked a lot. Which was good for me because I didn't talk that much. I was between of introvert and extrovert. Eunjin had her own car. She dropped me to my home. When I reached to my bed and I collapsed. Sleep was devouring me and all I could remember was that moonlight was falling on my face.