The Journey to Freedom
Today in 1945 on a Wednesday, the sun was setting creating beautiful shades of oranges
and pinks. In most warm days you can find birds flying above having no care in the world, but
today it seems like they have all disappeared leaving no trace behind. I slowly turned my gaze
down to the store across my house. My friends always tell me how lucky I am to live across a
store, but clearly they don’t understand how noisy it gets during rush hour. You can hear
complaints about how much the prices are going up, all the way to my front porch. I reached the
small store, glancing at all the goods. “How are you my dear,” says the cashier. “I’m good, Hana
Bit-na” I replied. The prices do seem to have gone up, so I just decide to leave. I headed home
exhausted from my long walk to school. When I open the door, I spot my mom making one of
my favorite dishes. It’s some rice and noodles with black bean paste. “How are you Hye, were
the kids good today?” Said my mom. “It was a bit rough although who said being a teacher was
easy. Plus we really need the money to pay our expenses!” I told her. “That’s what you always
say,” my sister, Areum Gangham, said. Ring, Ring, Ring! I picked up the phone already knowing
who it is. “Hello Mrs. Yong, are you at your house?” He asked. “Hello Yeong Yong! Want to
come over during dinner?” I asked feeling jumpy he called me Mrs. Yong. “Sure, I was already
heading to your house anyways,” he said embarrassed. Yeong and I got married about a month
ago when he was 24 and I turned 23. He wanted to buy a little hut for the both of us, but we can
barely manage to feed our family. It’s an impossible expanse we cannot afford.
“Knock, knock. I scurried to the door feeling anxious. Do I look pretty enough? “Are you
going to open the door or stand there like an idiot!” said my sister. “I’m going,” I yelled back. I
hold my breath as I open the door. He looked so charming why would he want to be with me? A
girl that can barely pay her bills on time. “Come in” I stutter. “You look beautiful as always,” I