Deen-Hong Ahjumma

'Jungmo, did you say all those things?' the Principal asked sharply.

'I-I,' Jungmo stuttered. 'She's lying!'

'You can ask the cafeteria ahjumma,' Hae-Ra said adamantly. 'She will tell you the truth as well.'

'Hae-Ra, are you sure it wasn't Deen who started the fight?' the teacher asked. She was hoping it was lie.

'Yes, I am,' Hae-Ra said. 'Ask Hong ahjumma from the cafeteria.'

The Principal called in Hong ahjumma. A portly, middle aged lady walked in. Her hair was tied in a net and she had a gruff exterior. This is one lady I shouldn't cross.

'Hong ahjumma, do you know who started the fight at the cafeteria?' Principal asked.

'That fat kid over there,' Hong ahjumma pointed at Jungmo. 'He called the scrawny kid a bastard. And his mother a slut. The scrawny one was being polite by dumping the food on

the fattie. I'd have beaten the living lights outta him if he talked that way to me.'

The Principal looked at Jungmo angrily.

'Shame on you Jungmo!' he shouted. We all jumped. 'Blaming it all on someone else, when you were at fault. I will be calling your parents.'

'Principal Choi,' the teacher said. 'No need to be this harsh with him. He is just a boy. It was just a childish fight. I'm sure Deen forgives him too.'

No I don't. Funny how her concern did not extend to me.

'Let the boy decide on forgiveness,' Hong ahjumma growled. The teacher glared at her and she glared right back. I could feel that they disliked each other.

'Deen ah,' the Principal called me gently. 'Do you forgive Jungmo?'

Everyone was looking at me. I sighed.

'Yes, sir,' I said. 'Let him go.'

'Fine,' Principal Choi said. 'Teacher Jang, take the children to class.'

'We might need to feed this one first,' Hong ahjumma said. 'Seeing that he dumped his food on the fattie, I doubt he ate anything. And you don't want a child to starve on his first day. And let Hae-Ra come too. She threw up her food in nervousness.'

'Very well,' Principal Choi said. 'I'll make an exception for today. Deen and Hae-Ra, head back to class after you're done eating. Miss Jang, take Jungmo back to class. And please do clean him up.'

I nodded and bowed in gratitude. The whole ordeal left my stomach growling. We left the Principal's office. Jungmo and Miss Jang gave me nasty looks before strolling off to class. Me and Hae-Ra followed Hong ahjumma to the cafeteria. She put a tray of chicken soup, kimchi and rice in front of me.

'Thank you,' I told her and began to gorge down. Hong ahjumma and Hae-Ra were staring at me.

'Aigoo, for a scrawny kid, you do eat well,' Hong ahjumma commented.

'Is that a bad thing?' I asked curiously, drinking the soup. It was cold but delicious. Or maybe it seemed tastier after all the silly drama.

'No, its good!' she said. 'I like kids who eat well.'

'You are brave too,' Hae-Ra said, smiling. I blushed.

'Thanks for helping me,' I said. 'I was about to be busted for no reason if you hadn't arrived.'

'I knew Jungmo was upto no good when I saw him entering the Principal's office,' she said. 'And when I saw Teacher Jang taking you in, I figured he complained against you. So I went in to tell the truth.'

She smiled. I bit my lip.

'Why does everyone hate me here?' I asked. 'Did I do something?'