We met up several times after the party and then, finally, he asked me out on a date. I spent hours getting ready for it, choosing my outfit, doing my hair, painting my nails; I wanted to look my best but not too extravagant.  I eventually settled for an indigo sequined top and skinny jeans complimented with a pair of heels. I slapped on some make up and topped it with some cherry lip gloss.  I felt beautiful.  I made my way down the hall towards the front door where my now boyfriend was waiting.  My dad wolf-whistled as I walked past him; cringing, I shook my head and said goodbye to him.  

I opened the door to find the love of my life standing, looking dashing as ever, holding a single red rose.  He handed it to me and kissed my cheek.  He told me we would be going to Wangbijib for dinner - the most romantic restaurant in the area.  I was speechless.  

We were shown to our table when we arrived and sat opposite each other.  He took my hand in his and kissed it softly and whispered:

"Nan neol salanghae..."

I blushed quietly and couldn't stop gazing into those beautiful big eyes of his; it was almost as though they lit up the room. The way he looked at me sent shivers down my spine.  They were so full of love and tender care; never had I ever experienced such a feeling before. He was the one for me. I just knew it.

After our fourth date, we were getting serious and decided it was time he met my father.  I'm not sure who was more nervous about it, me or him!  We had spent the whole afternoon in the park enjoying the sun and were now slowly walking back to my house.

"So, err, what kind of things should I talk about?" he asked.

"Just tell him about yourself, I guess..." I had no idea what to tell him.

"Do you think he'll like me?"  He asked me, sounding dead serious.

"I'm sure he will, now relax!"  I had to laugh at his seriousness.

We awkwardly chatted like this all the way back until we reached the doorstep. Suddenly he fell completely silent and all the color drained from his face.  I unlocked the door and let us in. I took him through to the living room where my dad was watching TV.

"Hi dad," I said  nervously.

"This him then?" he questioned, looking very serious.

I nodded. My hands were shaking uncontrollably. 

"Ha Jin, go get some tea." We both went to leave. "No, boy, you stay here."

His face was a picture, he looked like a rabbit caught in headlights. He stared at me as I slowly made my way out the door:

"Help me..." He mouthed to me silently.

I shook my head sympathetically and continued through to the kitchen.  As I stood making the tea, I stared out the window dreaming of our future...

"Will we have kids?" I asked myself.  "Will we even get married?"

Lost in my thoughts I forgot what I was doing.

"Ha-JIN!!" My father hollered from next door.  "The tea?"

I quickly fixed the tray and hurried back into the lounge half expecting to find my boyfriend stood awkwardly in the same place I left him but instead he was showing my dad pictures on his phone... I watched them, wide eyed.

"Come and see this," Dad beckoned me over. "Your man has good taste!"

'Your man..." I repeated that in my head, over and over.  Dad approved.  I leant over and looked at the picture they were practically drooling over.  A car.

I couldn't help but laugh inside.