A Day Without You

It’s a beautiful morning in Lagos State, Nigeria. Olufunke woke up with a bright smile on her face. She’s never been this happy all her life. She couldn’t wait a day longer to go to Korea, where she’ll study medicine.

Olufunke has always dreamt of visiting Korea, even if it’s just once. Ever since she’s been a kdrama and kpop fan, she’s always wanted to go there, and perhaps, get married to an extremely handsome Korean guy.

She has already packed her bags a day before, because she can’t afford to miss the flight.

She was done dressing up, and the door to her room opened, then her mum stepped in.

“Good morning Mum.” Funke greeted while kneeling down.

Mrs Thomas pulled her up, and smiled at her.

“How was your night??” Mrs Thomas asked, and Funke grinned.

“Daebak! (Awesome!) Jinjja daebak! (Really Awesome).”

“Come downstairs, and have your breakfast, darling. Your flight is taking off in an hour time. You have to be there on time.” Mrs Thomas, her mum said, and she smiled broadly.

“I really can’t wait to get there Mum.” She squealed dreamily, and Mrs Thomas smiled.

“Just don’t forget where you come from. Don’t get carried away by those creatures.” Mrs Thomas said, and Funke nodded.

“Trust your daughter.” She said.

“I trust you.” Mrs Thomas said.

“Is she not awake yet??” Mr Thomas asked from downstairs.

“Oh! She’s awake. I’m bringing her now.” Mrs Thomas said and they both headed downstairs.

“What took you so long??” Mr Thomas asked, and Funke hugged him in smile.

“Good morning Dad.” She said.

“Hope you had a good night rest my dear??” Mr Thomas asked.

“Sure Dad.” Funke replied, and they settled down to eat.

“Alright. Let’s eat.” Mr Thomas said, and they all grabbed the cutleries.

“Thanks for the food. May God bless this food.” Funke said.

“Amen.” Mr Thomas and Mrs Thomas said together before they start eating.

Minutes later, they finished eating and the maid packed the dishes to the kitchen to wash.

“Get your luggages and let’s go, else you’ll be late and you’ll miss your flight.” Mr Thomas said, and Funke furrowed her brows.

“Are you cursing me now or what??” She asked, and her dad smiled.

“I’m just saying.” Mr Thomas said, and Funke rolled her eyes before going upstairs to get her luggages.

She came downstairs fully prepared, and her parents were already waiting for her in the car.

“Aunt Funke, I’ll miss you so much.” Timilehin, the maid said as she pouted, and Funke smiled while pulling her closer.

“I’ll miss you too dear. Just take care of yourself and my parents, okay??” Funke said, and Timi pulled her into a hug.

For like three minutes, Timi didn’t want to let go of her, but she eventually did.

“Bye.” She said with teary eyes and rushed into the kitchen.

Funke heaved a heavy sigh before heading out of the house with her luggages.

“What took you so long??” Mr Thomas asked as she joined them in the car.

“Timi didn’t want me to go. She must be crying by now.” Funke replied, and Mrs Thomas smiled.

“I don’t know how that girl grew so fond of you.” She said, and her husband started driving out of the house.

✰

~LAGOS STATE AIRPORT~

The moment they got to the airport, the plane was almost taking off.

“Passenger 4021 is not on plane yet. If you’re in anywhere closer, kindly come forward now before the plane take off.” The pilot said into the mic, and Funke quickly rushed towards the plane without taking her luggages.

“I’m sorry I came late.” She said, and they checked her body before letting her in.

“Please check her luggages. She forgot it.” Mr Thomas said and Funke peeped out through the window.

“Oh! My bags! I forgot it! Thanks Dad.” She said, and Mr Thomas smiled at her.

“Don’t forget to get in touch with us when you get there.” Mrs Thomas said, and Funke nodded.

“Bye Mum. Bye Dad.” She waved at them, and they waved back.

The plane took off and Funke started staring out of the window.

This isn’t her first time of traveling in a plane, but this one seems so special.

She’s finally going to her dream country!

Not for a week, but for years!

How’s that not special??

‘I really can’t wait to get there. Gøsh! I think I’m gonna die of happiness.’ She said to herself as she spaced out through the window.

Her mind wasn’t there though, she’s just staring at the sky but her mind was already in Korea.

Most of the passengers were already asleep because the journey is quite long. She didn’t blink an eye due to her anxiety.

For the entire 15 hours, 55 minutes, Funke didn’t sleep at all, though almost all the passengers are asleep.

“Get ready to get off. We’re at the South Korea, Seoul Airport.” The pilot said through the mic, and Funke’s face lightened up as she got prepared to alight from the plane.

The plane stopped moving which signals that it’s on the ground. The door opened and the stairs came out, they started getting off one after the other.

Olufunke was the last to get off as she descended the stairs slowly.

She was busy scanning through everywhere as she alighted from the plane. Her luggages were brought to her and she bowed with a smile before heading towards the car that her dad prepared to take her to her new school, SEVIT UNIVERSITY.

“Anyeongseyo Ahgassi (Hello Miss).” The driver bowed slightly before collecting the bags from her, and placed it in the trunk.

“Anyeong.” Funke respond to the greetings before entering into the backseat. The man entered into the driver’s seat and drove off to Sevit University.

Olufunke shifted to the window side to get nice view of the road.

“Woah! This is awesome! Jinjja daebak! (Really awesome).” She commented as she watch the busy road.

“You really understand our language.” The driver said and Funke smiled.

“I got to understand your language by watching movies, listening to music, and also learning from Duolingo.” She replied.

“Woah! That’s great.” The man said, and Funke smiled.

She resumed watching the busy road as she smiled at intervals. Her eyes caught with a food company which was filled with people.

“This company must be really famous.” She said.

“Oh! Go food. They’re the best food company here in Seoul. They rank the number one in all companies in the whole of Korea. Trust me, you’ll love their food. They supply for Sevit University.” The man explained, and Funke gasped with a smile.

“Wow! Their food must be so amazing.” She said as she salivate.

“Don’t worry. You’ll enjoy it when you get to the school. You should try the ttaekbokki first. It’s so delicious.” The man said and Funke smiled.

“Wow! I really can’t wait. Are we getting closer already??” She asked.

“Yes. We’re just three minutes away.” The man replied, and Funke smiled happily.

“Are you my personal driver sir??” She asked again.

“Yes.” The man replied.

“Okay. If that’s the case, then let’s get to know each other’s names. I’m sure you already know my name.” Funke said, and the man nodded in smile.

“You’re Olufunke Thomas, right??” The man asked, and Funke chuckled softly as the man pronounced her name wrongly.

“You’re right, though the pronunciation is wrong, but you tried… so what’s your name??” She asked.

“You can call me Mr Kang. My name is Kang Yeo-jun.” The man replied.

“Oh! Mr Kang or Mr Yeo-jun. Either of the two… anyway, let me have your number, so that I’ll be able to call you anytime I need a drive.” Funke said while handling her phone to the man.

The man inputted his number in the phone, though he couldn’t concentrate at all because he had to type the number and also keep his eyes on the road.

He gave back the phone to Funke and concentrated fully on driving.

Minutes later, they arrived at Sevit University, and Mr Kang drove into the school compound.

“I’ll lead you to your hostel, since you don’t know where it’s located. Then, we’ll go to the staff office where you’ll meet with your guardian.” Mr Kang said as they both alighted from the car.

“Okay.” Funke muttered as she took a look round the school compound.

“Woah! It’s large! So great and awesome!” She complimented as she placed her two hands on her waist.

“Let’s go Miss.” Mr Kang said as he carried the bags and they both started heading to her hostel.

On their way, Funke tried to greet many people she came across but it was all in vain as no one even give her attention, not to talk of responding to her greetings.

“Why are they not responding to my greetings??” She asked Mr Kang who only smiled.

“Oh! That’s because you’re new here. They know that they’ve never seen you before, so they don’t wanna talk to you. But trust me, once you settle with them, they’ll know that you’re now a part of them.” Mr Kang said, and Funke nodded with a slight smile.

“I hope so.” She muttered as they continued walking.

After walking for few minutes, they arrived at a well built hostel. It looks so expensive and fantastic.

“Wow! Is this the place??” Funke asked as she gasped at the sight of the house.

“Yes. Do you like it??” Mr Kang asked with a smile, and Funke squealed happily as she jumped around joyously.

“It’s perfect! I love it!” She said with so much joy, and Mr Kang smiled satisfactorily.

“I’m glad you love it. I was praying so hard that you like it.” Mr Kang said, and she smiled.

“I can’t wait to go in. Do I have a housemate??” She asked.

“Yes. Two house mates. Actually, it’s four people in an apartment, but your parents said they want only three in an apartment, so it’s a three bedroom flat.” Mr Kang explained, and she smiled.

“Are they Koreans?? Or from other countries??” She asked.

“They’re both Koreans, but if you want me to change them for you, then I will gladly do that.” Mr Kang said but she shook her head.

“No don’t worry. I actually want Koreans as my house mates because I love Koreans.” She said and Mr Kang smiled.

“That’s good. Okay, let’s go in.” Mr Kang said and they both entered.

There was no one around when they entered, so Funke got a bit disappointed.

“I guess they went out for something. Or maybe they went to receive lecture.” Mr Kang said when he noticed the disappointment in her eyes.

“Oh!…” Her voice suddenly trailed off.

“Okay, so let me take you round the house. First, this is the sitting room for the three of you. Let’s go to your room. Your bathroom is there.” Mr Kang said as he dragged the bags along with him.

Funke followed quietly behind him. She was really disappointed because she thought she would meet her house mates and they’ll have fun together to celebrate her arrival.

Mr Kang opened the door to Funke’s supposed room, and they entered.

“Wow! How did you know that my best color is blue??” Funke asked as she gasped at the sight of the room deco.

“Your mum told me to keep the room deco in blue. I first guessed that your best color should be pink, but she said I was wrong.” Mr Kang said and Funke smiled.

“Well, you weren’t totally wrong because my second best color is pink, comes purple, then white, and lastly black.” Funke said.

“Oh! Okay. Let’s check out the bathroom.” Mr Kang said and took her to the bathroom.

“This is completely awesome!” Funke gasped when they entered the bathroom.

It was as spacious as three rooms joined together, and it was all painted and decorated in ocean blue.

“Oh mah gawd! I love it! I really love it so much! Thank you Mr Kang. Thank you so much.” She said happily as she checked out the bathroom.

“Press this button for shower. To fill the bathtub with water, either cold or warm, press these two buttons. The one that has letter ‘C’ inscription is for cold water, while the one that has letter ‘W’ inscription is for warm water.” Mr Kang explained, and Funke nodded in smile.

“I get it.” She muttered.

“So let’s proceed to the kitchen.” Mr Kang said as they both headed out of the bathroom.

“Are we sharing same kitchen or differently??” She asked.

“It just one kitchen. You’ll use the same kitchen.” Mr Kang said and she nodded in smile.

“That’s great! They’ll teach me how to cook some meals.” She said happily as she followed Mr Kang behind.

✰

Few hours later, the door opened and two girls came in. They’re probably same age as Funke.

“Anyeongseyo.” Funke greeted with a smile as she sighted them coming in.

The two girls looked at her from head to toe as if she’s nothing, then without saying a word, they both headed to their rooms.

‘What just happened?? Did I just get ignored again??’ She asked herself as she watched them heading towards their various rooms.