𝟬𝟱. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗦

                                    

                                          
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FIVE | THE BEST OF TIMES
                          
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HOUSES WITH FLOWERS and shrubs teased Soo-Jin for a quick smell of ecstasy, the aroma following had as she continued her plotted journey. The relentless slap, slap of her feet echoed each other, as her breath strained a little, while passing several more clusters of houses and buildings.
                          
It wasn't too long before she reached her old neighborhood, Ssangmun-dong. A smile carved its way to her lips as she realized a lot has changed in her old neighborhood. It thrived as people went about their daily business, some walking or packing loads, others pounding corn in hollow mortars. The sound of shrieking children mingled with flute music. The slanted morning light gave everything a hazy look as it passed through the moist air.
                          
Passing by the market, her smile furthered when she caught sight of the fish shop she always visited before. A familiar elderly woman with grey hair shining bright in the sunshine stood behind the cash register, searching around.
                          
"Just a second!" uttered Mrs. Cho, Sang-Woo's very caring and bubbly mother, wearing her apron before walking up to her. "Yes, how many -- Omo! Soo-Jin? Is that you?"
                          
"Good morning, imo." She bowed her head in greeting the woman she knew half of her life. 
                          
"Aigoo!" gasped the adorable Mrs. Cho, embracing the young woman in her arms then lightly slapped her shoulder. "It's been so long since I last saw you here! You never came back after you and your sister moved out!"
                          
Soo-Jin felt guilty. Mrs. Cho was like family to her since the latter and her mother were great friends. Chun-Hei often bought fish from Sang-Woo's mother and they would constantly talk about their children's success and how they are perfect for one another. Yes, ever since they were kids, there were already marriage plans for the two of them. 
                          
The young woman adored Mrs. Cho so much. She was kind, mirthful, and supportive. She was there when she and Sang-Woo graduated as co-valedictorians, when she received her acceptance letter from SNU, when her parents died, and when she moved out of Ssangmun-dong. Soo-Jin remembered the times she always stayed at Mrs. Cho's fish shop to help around. Whenever she and Sang-Woo came home to visit from SNU, they would always buy her a little gift to put around her shop. Soo-Jin felt remorseful for not keeping in touch with her.
                          
"Yes, it has been indeed quite a while." the young woman smiled. "I missed you so much, imo."
                          
Mrs. Cho broke their hug first and brushed Soo-Jin's hair aside. "I missed you too, you silly girl. What brought you here?"
                          
"I was just visiting. I had the time today, so I went here. A lot has changed here."
                          
"That is true. Oh, I am so happy that you came here, Soo-Jin. Look at you... you didn't age a bit."