“I’ll be back before dinnertime!” she shouted for her mom to hear, who was cooking in the kitchen. Their house wasn’t that big, so if you shouted from the entrance, someone in the tiny backyard could hear you. Her mom used the backyard to grow some fruits and vegetables so that she wouldn’t have to spend too much at the market. Her dad liked the idea, too, so he would help grow them as well, watering the plants regularly and making space for new ones. Their backyard was like a tiny vegetable farm now. Mei suggested to sell these vegetables to the neighbors once there are enough to, so they could do this as a side job, another source of income apart from dad’s job and Mei taking requests. So that was good. Mei also helped water the plants and stuff, just not as regularly as her mom or dad since she had her own schedule.
The streets were pretty much packed that day for some unknown reason, maybe because it was a holiday and people were out and about, but this many people? Mei felt like she was missing out on something. She didn’t mind, or paid attention to what they were all doing, and focused on finding Mitya and Rynah’s humble abode. It was still early so the sun wasn’t in its scorching mode, so she just walked instead of taking the bus. The address seemed familiar, but she couldn’t be too sure. It was in the type of neighborhood where the streets were so confusing to navigate through. When she got closer and closer to the given address, Mei asked the people she met on the way if she was going in the direction to make sure she didn’t get lost. She would probably have to do the same thing on her way back.
It was easier than Mei had expected. She reached the correct address and knocked on the front door as the front gate was open. A middle aged man opened the door, looking sleepy and tired. It was a familiar face, the bar owner. Thank God, she was thinking she had knocked on the wrong door since it took about three or four minutes for Mitya to finally show up at the door. “Hello!” she greeted enthusiastically while Mitya nodded lazily and gestured for her to come in. He seemed to know what she was here for.