Calm, meditative music plays in the room. Smoke from incense sticks permeates every corner, leaving no chance to breathe in fresh air. The bright morning sun shines through the windows, filling the space with soft light and warmth and creating a sense of balance and comfort.
In this atmosphere, it's easy to forget your worries and troubles and immerse yourself in your inner world. SoMi took advantage of this. Her breathing is even and unhurried; her eyes are closed. The voice of the yoga instructor sounds distant, as if from the other side, echoing in her mind. The instructor gives instructions on breathing and tuning in to inner harmony.
"How quiet and peaceful it is in my head," SoMi thinks to herself. "I haven't felt this comfortable in a long time." But what's this?
She is suddenly torn from nirvana and brought back to reality.
"Oh no, not this," she says, curling up and clutching her stomach with both hands. "No, no, quiet, not here. Not now..."
But it's useless. Her stomach growls loudly, like a hungry beast in the jungle. The room grows noisy as those present can't hold back their giggles.
"Well," the instructor said jokingly as he turned off the music, "I think we've saturated our minds enough for today. It's time to take care of our bodies. You've worked hard today."
She approached SoMi with a smile.
"How are you feeling?"
"Good...even great," she replied, smiling openly. "I haven't felt this calm in a long time. Thank you."
"And I thank you for your trust. I'm glad you chose our meditation school." Here, take some brochures with tips. I'll be waiting for you next week. Remember, meditating for at least 15 minutes every day can change everything.
***************
SoMi took a deep breath of fresh spring air and headed to the nearest coffee shop without hesitation or remorse. She had decided to devote this morning to herself, to rest and recuperate. The smell of coffee drew her in like a magnet.
Warm rays of sunlight filtered through the thick cherry blossoms and tickled her face as she sat down by the window. Calm background music played, setting the mood like a scene from a drama. SoMi felt like the protagonist who had just begun a new chapter in her life.
On the table, next to a cup of coffee and a generous croissant, lay a notebook and a pen. With each sip of coffee, she jotted down her thoughts, emotions, and feelings—everything stirring inside her. For the first time in a long while, she could enjoy a leisurely breakfast in peace and quiet.
"How do you imagine your future apartment?" a voice asked from the next table.
"Spacious. With large windows and sunlight. I want it to inspire and create. I want a view of the city. I love looking at the lights at night and dreaming," the young woman replied to the woman who appeared to be a real estate agent.
"I have several options with a view of Seoul. I think you'll like them." She handed the young woman a brochure with photos of apartments. The women eagerly flipped through the pages, sharing their dreams and laughing while drinking coffee. Finally, they got ready and left.
SoMi was getting ready when she noticed the brochure that had been left on the table. She flipped through a few pages. Spacious rooms, modern interiors, and lots of light. Each photo was mesmerizing. She herself dreamed of such a home, but so far, it remained just that—a dream.
"Are you looking for an apartment, too?" the woman who had returned for the brochure asked unexpectedly.
"Oh, no. Just looking." SoMi hastily handed back the brochure, but the woman handed her a business card in return.
"If you change your mind, give me a call. We'll find the home of your dreams." She smiled and left, leaving SoMi alone with a new feeling. Something stirred within her, but she couldn't yet understand what it was.
******************
On her way home, as if by fate, SoMi noticed an advertisement hanging along the street she walked on every day. "Apartments for sale," it read, followed by, "This is your dream home." These words lingered in her mind until the street turned left. Her road was to the right.
SoMi stopped at the crossroads. She hesitated. It was as if something was whispering, "Go left." But her home was in the other direction. Besides, she wasn't looking for an apartment yet. However, the warm sun flooding the left side of the street and the delicate scent of cherry blossoms were so inviting that SoMi took a step in the opposite direction.
The street looked like a scene from a drama with blossoming trees, atmospheric cafés, and expensive cars parked near elegant houses. The ringing laughter of schoolchildren filled the air. It was easy to imagine being the heroine of a romantic story here. It was the perfect place to find inspiration.
SoMi stopped in front of a high-rise building with the same advertisement hanging on its façade and felt a slight tremor. The building blended harmoniously into the street panorama. Its windows offered views of a green park and the distant city, and there was a neat parking lot in the courtyard. A bus stop was not far away. It was the same one she used every day to get to work.
"Are you here for a viewing?" a man's voice suddenly asked.
A short, gray-haired man with a friendly smile appeared from behind the reception desk. He looked about sixty years old.
"Yes, I saw the ad on the way here..."
"I put it up myself," he said proudly. "I'll be happy to give you the keys. Take a look at the apartment."
"Is that okay?" SoMi asked in surprise.
"Usually, people come with an agent, but I trust you. You seem like a good person. Unfortunately, I can't leave the reception desk."
"Thank you." SoMi took the keys.
"You'll like it. The apartments are bright and spacious, and the neighbors are nice. I know everyone here. The vacant apartments are on the third, fifth, seventh, and eighth floors: They are apartments 305, 506, 701, 703, and 805. Each key has a number on it."
SoMi entered the elevator and immediately felt the contrast. It was spacious and clean with large mirrors and pleasant music playing. It was nothing like the elevator in her building, which was old and dirty with a flickering light bulb and a musty smell. The comparison began right there.
She pressed the "7" button. She chose the seventh floor because the keys to apartments 701 and 703 were the only ones that were a different color. The elevator moved smoothly: second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh.
The hallway was spacious and bright. There were only six apartments. SoMi stopped at 703, unlocked the door, and went in.
"Wow..." she blurted out unconsciously.
The apartment had a spacious living room with a large sofa, a bright kitchen with brand new appliances, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Everything looked cozy and modern. There was more than enough space for one person. But from the moment she stepped inside, this apartment radiated warmth and tranquility. It was the same warmth that SoMi was currently lacking.
She imagined herself sitting at the table by the panoramic window, writing her first book; cooking dinner in the perfect kitchen; and sleeping in a soft bed—just like in a TV series, only better.
She took the agent's business card out of her pocket. She sighed. She looked around the apartment again.
She didn't want to go home at all.
~~~~~~~~~
This time, evening came early. The first spring thunderstorm was approaching outside the window. Black clouds hid any hint of the sunset. SoMi tried to write, but her noisy neighbors—who came home early from work every Friday and immediately started partying—prevented her from concentrating.
The phone rang.
"Hello, SoMi, where are you?" Lee Hyun's voice sounded cheerful and impatient.
"I'm at home. I was just about to go for a walk."
"Great. Join us. MinJi and I are waiting for you at the café."
"Okay, I'll be right there," she replied. She put on her coat, grabbed her bag, and almost ran out of the noisy, old building.
On the way, she admired the cherry blossoms, as she usually did. Suddenly, the sky burst into rain.
"Damn, I forgot my umbrella," she muttered irritably.
She ran into the café, completely soaked.
"SoMi~ya! What happened to you?" MinJi exclaimed when she was the first to notice her friend at the door.
"I went for an evening run," SoMi joked, breathlessly taking off her wet coat.
"Are you serious?" Lee Hyun's eyes widened.
"No, of course not. It's pouring rain, and I'm an idiot for not bringing an umbrella."
She sat down at the table with her friends and shook the drops from her hair.
"Ajumma, could I please have some more napkins?" Lee Hyun asked the café owner. "Thank you."
"Coming right up," the woman replied from behind the counter.
SoMi silently took a glass and drained it in one gulp.
"What's wrong?" MinJi asked cautiously.
"I bought an apartment," SoMi said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"What?!" her friends exclaimed in unison.
"When did that happen?" Lee Hyun immediately began pouring everyone another drink.
"Today. After yoga, I took a different route for some reason. I saw a house with a 'For Sale' sign. I went in. I looked at one and didn't want to leave."
"Unbelievable!" Lee Hyun was thrilled. "That's what I call spontaneity!"
"I know. It was so beautiful, cozy, and sunny there. I thought, 'Am I really going back to that dark closet of mine?' The thought made me sick."
'When are you moving?'" MinJi asked.
"I'll start packing tomorrow. The landlady already refunded the rent."
"So, what's wrong?" Lee Hyun looked closely at her friend and noticed tears welling up in SoMi's eyes.
"I don't know..." SoMi stared at one spot. "Everything is happening so fast. It's like I don't have time to experience it all. It's like I'm not ready."
"You're doing the right thing," Lee Hyun said quietly. "Forget the past, when you simply existed for ten years without really living. Your time has come."
"She's right," MinJi agreed. "You've taken a step toward a new life. You shouldn't be afraid. You'll see—after you move, everything will change. You'll look back on this evening with a smile."
"Yes, you're right. I really need these changes," SoMi said, as if convincing herself.
"You know, maybe it's time to ask for a promotion." Lee Hyun narrowed her eyes slyly.
"No, no. I'm not used to having my own apartment yet!" SoMi stopped her.
"Okay, okay," Lee Yyun smiled. "Then let's drink to the new apartment!"
All three raised their glasses.
Like most evenings lately, that evening ended at the table with a considerable amount of alcohol. For SoMi, every day was a new reason to celebrate.