“Ha, why thank you. I promised my mother I’d pick up some bread before heading home and blanked about the time. The other pastries are for my father and I. The melon and chocolate bread are mine, especially with my morning coffee.” She said when Minah complimented her choices while handing over her payment. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Minah. I hope Haepung has treated you well so far. It’s quite different from the city which adds to the charm.” She smiled while taking the bags from her and assured everything was there before taking out a spare eco bag she kept in her work bag.
“Hopefully the next time we meet, it’ll be at a better time when the sun’s out.” She said, chuckling softly as she was usually better with time. “Better yet, when’s your day off? Were you able to get around the town? I can show you around, maybe introduce you to some good people I know especially at the market, if you need good deals.” She must have sounded insane or perhaps like an old lady but no woman can deny a good deal she thought. “Of course.. only if you’re comfortable with the plan. I don’t want to enforce it if you’re now down for it.” She said almost immediately, hoping she wasn’t making her uneasy.
“Think about it. Let me know what you want to do. Hmm.. here’s my number,” Sana said while writing her number down on a piece of paper usually provided for dedication cakes and folding it up before giving it to her. “I also teach in the kindergarten in the next street over if you want to come by.. not sure why I said that and why you would… but that’s where I work. Anyway, I should be on my way so you can close up shop. Thank you again for letting me come in at the last minute. Goodnight, Minah!” She said with a sheepish smile before turning towards the door and walking back into the night, still mentally scolding herself for forgetting the time.
@โงห m. sana Minah, though usually strict about closing up right on time, smiled softly. "It's okay. We close in a few minutes, but help yourself to what's left."
As the woman wandered over to the display, Minah continued to wrap up the last few loaves, turning her eyes occasionally to the customer. There was a certain amount of warmth from her that was hard to pass by, and Minah couldn't help but notice how the woman's eyes sparkled as she reached for a loaf of melon bread-one of Minah's favorites. Then it was like she read her mind when she went for the chocolate bread, too-another one of Minah's top picks. That formed an odd, unexpected connection with this late-night customer.
She came armed with a pair of tongs and a tray and carefully chose her things: sourdough bread, melon bread, chocolate bread, and a few pastries. The sight made Minah smile even more. It was something that seemed little too familiar. She remembered picking up those exact same items on her first night here, for comfort.
With that, Minah carefully placed the items in paper bags and began to sack them up without haste. "No trouble," she said, her eyes flicking briefly to the bread the woman had selected. "You've got good taste, by the way," she added with a slight playing at the corners of her lips.
Minah nodded, passing Sana the neatly packed bags. "Yeah, I've only been here a couple of months. I'm Minah." Minah hesitated for a moment, still unused to such openness, but she found herself relaxing into the conversation. "It's… different from Seoul, but I like it. It's peaceful here. And everyone's been nice—like you."
@โงห k. minah It had been quite the day for Sana. She ran around after her kids, cleaning up too, making sure no one got hurt and everyone had been picked up by their parents or guardians. She was on her own today as her assistant couldn’t come in but then it was something Sana could handle as it wasn’t her first rodeo. With that said, looking after 22 students was no easy feat but she managed— how she did, she didn’t know either. There was side work she could have set off for tomorrow but she was on roll that she had lost track of time as she glanced at the time on her watch. Her eyes widened at the sight and she hurriedly locked up and ran off to the bakery, knowing she’d have slim pickings at this time.
She caught her breath as soon as she got to the bakery’s door, taking a deep breath before entering. Sana smiled at the girl behind the counter who seemed to be finishing her side work. With apologetic eyes, she spoke up, “I apologize for coming in at the last minute. I won’t be long now. Thank you.” After one more deep breath, she looked at what few choices she had left then picked up a pair of tongs and a tray to put some pastries she and her parents might like along with a loaf of sourdough bread. She smiled in delight, thankful she had scored the melon and chocolate bread everyone had spoken about.
Satisfied with her choices, she went to the counter and carefully placed her tray on it. “Hi there, thank you for keeping the store open. I greatly appreciate it... I seemed to have lost track of time at work. I’ll try not to come in so late next time.” Sana said with a sheepish smile and let out a soft chuckle when she looked down at the things she had picked up. It was more than enough for a house of three people and two pets but a small part of Sana felt bad about her punctuality, something she was always on top of.
She patiently waited for the lady to pack the baked goods and studied her face more. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met before. You’re new here, aren’t you? I’m Sana, welcome to Haepung.” She said with a smile, hoping it didn’t wasn't weird. Sana had always been quite sociable so it came naturally to her. With Haepung being a small town, it was impossible for her not to know anyone and she could relate in some way to being the new person as she once was from many years ago. “Have you been able to settle in well? How do you like the town? I hope no one’s given you trouble yet.”
She was rambling again with the many questions but Sana saw this as an opportunity to make a new friend, especially one that was new and unfamiliar to her. She might be too friendly for her good but it added to her charm. One could only hope no one took advantage of her kindness.
@โงห m. sana The bakery was bathed in ambient lights that surrounded it with a warm aura, both cozy and graceful, as the night fell over Haepung. Kang Minah moved with a stoic sort of determination through what was now an empty shop. Only left with the soft hum of the refrigerator and the random creaks of the aged wooden floorboards. She delicately cleaned down the countertops, the cloth gliding smoothly over the cold, polished surface in preparation for closing up for the day, careful to make sure everything was in its place before she locked up the doors.
Air was still thick in the odor of bread, for although the last of the customers had gone out some time earlier, it would remain lingering in the atmosphere. Minah sighed softly, her eyes rested on the remaining bread that was yet catering elegantly from their set places in the display. It was something very soothing, peaceful, those quiet final minutes of the day. The quiet of space, freedom to let one's thoughts range to faraway memories and dreams yet unattained. She took out the warm loaves one by one, gently placing them in the waiting woven basket. What a waste to throw them out, maybe she should bring them back, they would still be good for breakfast tomorrow.
Just at the moment when she was preparing to turn off the lights for the evening, the bell situated above the door chimed melodically, shattering the silence that had enveloped the space. Minah lifted her gaze in surprise, taken aback to see someone entering the establishment at such a late hour. “I’m really sorry, but we’re closing-” she started to say, but her words suddenly faltered and trailed off as she locked eyes with the customer who had just walked in.
A sweet-looking woman stood smartly at the door, the softness of her features shimmered in the gentleness of the lighting that surrounded her. The kind expression on her face, she smiled warmly at Minah, a smile so natural that it seemed to dissolve away all the tiredness gathered during the length of the day.
“Just one last customer,” Minah thought to herself. She found herself smiling back. “We’re closing in five minutes, but please, help yourself,” she said, her tone inviting despite the lateness of the hour.
The lady walked a few more steps deeper into the warm bakery filled with sweet aromas. As the woman began leisurely to examine the remaining bread, Minah couldn't help but watch her with a quiet sense of curiosity and interest, wondering what it was that would bring her into the store so late at night. The bakery, itself always a rather bustling place throughout the day, held a sort of magic in its evening stillness.
