“Are you visiting someone here?” A lady with a lovely smile on her face asked me while serving tea and biscuits to people. It was when the first Christmas party was held that I attended since moving to the Garden Village. “No, I moved here a few weeks ago”, I plainly answered. “Did you? But you look too young to be here. How old are you?”, she asked me more intently this time. “I’m in my seventies”, I blurted out. She exclaimed, “So am I. I’m Carol G by the way. I was born in 19xx. What year were you?”

  British people don’t usually ask personal questions to strangers but her curiosity on me was rather innocent and funny. She too, looked young for her age and was only a few years older than me. Above all, she showed such a bubbly personality; very friendly, helping and welcoming to everyone that touched my heart instantly. Since then, we frequently bumped into each other in daily classes that were run by our town company. A few months passed and we became good friends exchanging our texts and photos on WhatsApp. She was keen on showing me the photos of her proud family. I once asked her to be my first contact in emergency and she said “Yes” without any hesitation.

  The advantage of living in a retirement complex like mine is having a chance to keep ourselves mentally and physically fit with daily exercises which is the common goal of our Garden Village as well. Participating in varied daily classes is quite time consuming and I can only take part in so much. Thus, I soon found out that there was no time to be lonely or frustrated of being alone. How much one can be content and enjoy living here though the dark side of the village is to see the frequent death notice(s) inevitably.

  A month ago, I visited Seoul. Before I was heading for the airport presumed that there would be some deaths while I was away. Carol’s last words to me were “Enjoy your holiday and safe journey” and she pleaded with me sending her good photos of Korea. I indeed took several photos when there was a chance and sent her and other friends. She used to reply me straightaway but I didn’t get any replies from her while I was over there. I assumed that she was rather busy and wanted to hear me in person when I’d returned.

  It took significantly longer than used to be in flying home. I learned that the plane had to take longer route avoiding Russian sky due to the Russo-Ukraine war. The food I had on the plane was interesting that combined with several culinary dishes. Alas! My stomach couldn’t tolerate those trendy menu and I suffered from it for days. My Dr prescribed me with antibiotics for food poisoning that eventually settled it down. I had to wait for several days to see friends in the town. A few days ago, I felt confident enough so went to the reception area where a group of people used to meet. As soon as they saw me smiled and gave me such a welcome back that made me feel I was finally back at home. While exchanging conversation, Irene the usual leader of the group asked me, “Did you know Carol died? Carol G in fact”.

  Carol G??? When I heard the name associated with the death, felt numb suddenly like being hit by a log on the back of my head. No way!!!! She didn’t, did she? I still tried to dismiss it wasn’t Carol G I knew but then there was only one Carol G in the village. Irene went on further that Keith had been unwell himself and hospitalised for a while. It was the final confirmation that Keith was indeed Carol’s husband. Septuagenarians here are regarded as young group as this is a geriatric community. And Carol appeared so healthy and was always on the move in organising, helping people and assisting the classes run. I never expected she would leave us like that so soon.

  Later, someone gave me more clear pictures what really happened to her final day. Carol was cooking and baking in the morning for the classes when Keith went to the snooker club. He then had a pint of beer, came back home and found her dead on the floor. She was apparently ready to go out to the Indoor bowling class as she was wearing the club shirt. Again, she had been so healthy and hadn’t seen a doctor for several decades. But the final verdict was that she had a massive heart attack that killed her. The funeral was quite grand that most of the villagers came out to say “Goodbye” to her.

  I figured out that she died just a few days after my day of arrival to Seoul. That was why I didn’t get her reply to the photos I had sent.

  When I moved here, anticipated to any unexpected events that could happen anytime because of the twilight substance of the village. However, losing a dear friend of mine within such short period of my living here makes me feel, once again, the sheer cruelty of mother nature in life and death.