Chapter 2 Chapter 2: A new friend

May I come in?; I said standing in front of the door of the registration office.

The woman sitting on a chair inside the office looked at me with disgust.

Well, what's so disgusting? I was wearing a casual tee and shorts and had my sneakers on. I tied my hair into a top-knot as it was too hot outside. But I didn't looked a mess, did I?

Come in; she said with disgust in her voice as well.

Or maybe, it was because of the humid weather. It made everyone sulk.

I went inside.

You name?; she asked sulkily.

Naomi Neo, gynaecology student; I answered.

She typed my name in her computer, looked at it for a while and then turned to me.

Room no. 10, girls' hostel; she said; Classes start from tomorrow 10am. Today you have rest and if you want, you can have a look at the campus. Rest of the rules you'll get from the other students.

Saying this she handed me a key, of my room probably.

I went away without any other words.

As I was strolling through the great corridors of the college, carrying my new backpack and pulling my trolley bag by my side, I noticed a bulletin board. It had a list of students' name.

I scrolled my finger through the list and found my name in the third position.

It was not just my name in third position, but the result of my hard work, Dad's perspirations and his sacrifices. I had promised myself to make a better life for my Dad who had done so much for me, not to pay him back, but to make him feel satisfied for his hard work.

All these thoughts were interrupted when a hand tapped my shoulder. I turned back with a jerk, and saw a familiar face.

'J'! ; popped in my head.

Remember me?; he asked.

He was looking smart, unlike the previous day when he looked sexy in sports outfit. He wore a casual Adidas T-shirt, paired with jeans and Prada sneakers.He still had the same lime fragrance, just like the previous day.

Yup; I said.

How could I forget you? ; said my brain.

So you're new here too, right?; he said, having a look at my luggage.

Yes; I replied.

May I help you with that?; he asked, taking hold of my trolley bag. Before I could say anything, he took the trolley from my hand. And gestured to walk as we talked.

And, what about you?; I asked as we started walking.

I'm new here too. I arrived early in the morning, had breakfast, made some friends and that's it. I was looking forward to see if you've been admitted here; he said.

Huh! He was looking forward to see ME.

To be true I was also looking forward to have him in the same college.

Oh! By the way, I am Jihwan Tao, gynaecology student; he said, spreading his palm for a handshake.

He was a gynaecology student, just like me! Which meant we'll be in the same class. I felt happy. Though I have met him just twice, I felt that I needed him with me.

I am Naomi Neo and I'm a gynaecology student as well; I said and shaked hands with him. His face also seemed to glow up.

So another name adds to my friend list; he said with a bright smile on his face.

We went on gossiping and got to know each other little by little. He lived in Busan, but insisted on staying in a hostel, because it was fun. His family had the finest business in the country and was quiet wealthy. No way he was wearing branded clothes, even on a casual day like this. But what surprised me was, that, even after being the son of such a wealthy family, he wanted to be a doctor. Why, he can actually sit doing nothing in his life.

It's not fun being rich, you know; he said, staring at the ceiling.

You're saying it because you don't know what poverty is. If you did, you wouldn't say like this; I couldn't help saying.

A person, who is rich enough to buy this whole college, says being rich is not fun. Is that tolerable?

Let's not quarrel about this. We've just been friends; he said coming to a halt. I noticed that the corridor has come to an end and there were two separate paths now. One took me to the girls' hostel and the other to the boys'.

Time flies really fast.

Yah, you're right; I said; let's meet at the cafeteria at dinner time.

Saying this, I took my luggage from him, waved a goodbye and turned around to move on.

As I moved on, I felt a sudden urge to turn around. I felt myself turning around automatically. I saw Jihwan still standing in the same spot, staring at my back. He waved again and this time, winked as well. I couldn't help but smile at him.