It's been two weeks since the new school year started. I had been trying to get Ashu out of her shell for a while now. She was so shy that she hardly ever left her home, and I knew that she needed to experience more of life if she was ever going to be truly happy. 

One day, I have to go to the city to learn IELTS, I know that she learns IELTS in the city too so using this opportunity, I convinced her to come with me to come to the Vincom Plaza, which is near where both of us learn IELTS. I promised it would be a fun adventure. She agrees but on the condition that I would be there the whole time to offer support and guidance for her. On sister car to the city, Ashu looks outside of the window with curiousness:

- Woah, the outside world looks much more beautiful than I thought.

- It's sure is. - I replied with a smile.

When we got to the city, Ashu was clearly excited when she saw the scenery there. The vehicles running on the road, the children playing together in the park, the trees and bushes along the way, ... I know that Ashu is feeling disappointed because she missed a lot of cool stuff when she's staying inside her house all day. I gently encouraging her to try new things and take in all of the sights and sounds around us.

After the IELTS class, we go to Vincom Plaza on foot. It's been a long time since I last go for a walk.

- Oh wow, I've been in inside for so long, haven't I. So, where's the Vincom Plaza you said? - She asked.

- We're almost there! Just walk a little bit more, Ashu.

- Okay, but what's that Plaza about?

- Well, Vincom Plaza is kind of a big supermarket, like, a really REALLY big supermarket.

- It sounds very interesting! Do they sell books?

- Of course, they even have a full stationary in there.

- Perfect! From what I saw on TV, they have restaurants in there right?

- Absolutely! There're all kinds of restaurants for you to choose. Lotteria, King BBQ, and Dookki just to name a few.

A few minutes later, we arrived at Vincom Plaza. The surroundings still the same as I last visited this place. Still that bubble tea store, that fashion shop, and that Beta Cinema too. Ashu is looking around the outside of the Plaza, this is the first time she has come here, everything is still new to her.

- Shall we go in? I'm 100% sure that you will love this place! - I said.

We walk inside and she was amazed by the interiors of the plaza. But oh boy Ashu is on pins and needles again. I don't know but I guess that she is being scared because there's so many people here. Am I surprised? Absolutely no. If you were me, you'll see her like that every day at school so I'm familiar with this kind of reaction from her. Some encouragements later, she finally chilled out and ready to explore the plaza. 

It was half past 10 A.M. then so I'm feeling kind of tired. Luckily there's Highlands Coffee nearby so I told Ashu to come in for a drink and rest a bit. I got myself some cappuccino and Ashu call herself some hot Chocolate and some cake, and yes, I paid all of it. After a quick rest, we continued to explore Vincom and buy a lot of stuffs along the way. When we pass by the playground, Ashu's curiosity came up and she beg me to buy her a ticket for her to go inside the playground.

- Woah, this place looks interesting and fun! Can you get me a ticket please? Pretty please?

- Ashu, you are literally a 15 years old teenager, and this is literally a children's playground.

- Aww.... Buy me a ticket pwease...

Like, imagine a girl grab your shirt and beg you if she can come in the playground for children in the middle of a crowd, what else can you do? Decline?

- Fine, I'll buy you a ticket, and stop grabbing my shirt.

- Yay, I know you will never let me down!

- For God's sake...

Yes, I bought her a ticket anyway. I'm the kind of person who don't want to let anyone down, especially Ashu. She seems to be very happy when playing there while me just sat at a random bench there and look after her. I got a lot of funny photos of her when she's sliding into the ball house and playing with the kids there but sadly, I can't show them. After an hour or so, when I was scrolling through my teacher's message for my class:

- Hey Andrew, I'm feeling kinda hungry. Can we find somewhere to eat?

- Don't you just eat an hour ago? But okay I'm also hungry anyway.

We leave the playground and head to the upper floor to decide what restaurant should we eat, there are a lot to choose though. In the end, we choose Dookki because it got some tasty-looking Korean foods that Ashu always want to try once and it's near an ice-cream shop, too. We've got our seats and while the staff prepare us some hotpot soup, we go to the self-service bar to get some foods. Then, we came back and put those foods into the hotpot. Just looking at those foods sitting inside of the sizzling golden-brown soup and smelling the aroma coming from it make us feel even more hungry and want to eat them as soon as we could.

- I can't wait to try them! They look so good!

Not gonna lie, the foods here is so delicious as it looks. Although this is the first time Ashu eats something like these but looks like she's really enjoying them. While eating, we talk about how is our life, what we do in the past when we are having spare time, what we like to do and more. 

- Phew, I'm soooo fullll. These foods are farrr tastier than what I have ever eaten. - Ashu said in satisfaction.

- Yeah, me too. It's so delicious.

- If we're ever coming back to this plaza again, I'll always choose this restaurant!

- Woah, you changed fast, Ashu.

 - Huh? What have I changed? - She looks at me in confusion.

- Well, you're not the shy Ashu I met from the beginning of the school year anymore.

She silenced for a while and replied:

- I don't know but when being by your side, I could feel some kind of safety and protection. Maybe that's why?

I'm just don't know what to say, I'm surprised by her answer. Yes, I'm always go out at recess with her for a walk and a little chat. But I don't expect her to feel that way to be honest. She continued to tell:

- Everyone now thinks I'm not as weird as they originally think about me all thanks to you! I'm now can chat with them also by your encouragement.

- Please, it's just friends helping friends.

- That's what you thought. But what you have done meant a lot to me.

- I'll take that as a compliment from you, thanks.

We stood up and go to pay for the meal. It doesn't cost much because Dookki is a buffet restaurant. After that, we bought some ice-cream and packed everything up to go. By the time we were ready to leave, she seemed like a completely different person - confident, outgoing, and excited about life. But I'm not sure that her confidence is gonna stay around for long. Whatever, I'll make sure she will get better everyday. On our way home, she's fell asleep on my shoulders. This "adventure" was tiring but it's very fun and I'm happy that I've helped a friend feels better.