Chapter 33

We just smiled at each other after the incident. Phew. I’m drowning…

After another 20 minutes, we finally finished grocery shopping. I was carrying 4 bags and HyunAe got the other one. Good thing that I parked the car near the entrance.

+++

“Chagi, can you tie this up for me?” HyunAe asked facing her back on me, holding the loose ends of the apron. I was actually wearing the pink one since she doesn’t like pink but it was the couple apron that was on sale.

I quickly but surely tied a knot before asking her to do the same with mine.

She asked me to squat down to tie the ones around my neck. I was about to stand up straight again when she pat my shoulder down.

“Wait… you can’t go in the kitchen with that hair.” She said.

The next thing I knew is that she already tied up my hair at the back and putting a headband.

“You really looked like Amber.” She said before going to the kitchen to start preparing.

+++

“Donghae-ah.” She called as I was peeling the cucumber at the table.

“Waeyo?” I asked and stood up to go to her.

“Should I add a little bit more soy sauce?” she asked, pointing at the pot where the Galbi is simmering.

It’s already rich in color so I was really thinking that there’s no need to add more soy sauce.

HyunAe spooned down some so I can taste it and have my verdict.

“Hmm…”

“’Hmm…’ what?” she asked nervously.

“You can get married by the way of your cooking.” I said and laughed.

“I’m already married remember?” She said and smiled.

+++

As the clocked strikes 7pm, we were finally done with the food preparations, house cleaning, and rearranging of things. And in just a few seconds, the door bell rang.

HyunAe and I both opened the door to check who the special guest is.

“Umma?”

What the heck is my mother doing here???

“Hi son.” She greeted and handed over her things to me before going to HyunAe. “HyunAe-sshi, right?”

“D-de Eomeoni…” she answered nervously.

But my mom is not really the scary type. She’s more of the bubbly one that people can get used to in an instant.

“Are you scared of me?” she asked HyunAe.

HyunAe looked at me and I smiled. Teasing, I know, but that was my way of assuring HyunAe that my mom is not the scary one.

“Well, I think you are. Don’t be dear. I don’t bite.” My mom said and walked into the unit after changing into room slippers.

HyunAe and my mom sat down at the couch as my mom needs to rest for a bit since she came all the way from Mokpo. To think that I was there yesterday!

“Donghae-ah, would you mind taking my bag here and prepare us some drinks?” my mom bossed around.

I got her bag and was about to go to the kitchen when I heard HyunAe say something to my mom.

“Eomeoni, I’ll bring you a drink.” HyunAe offered to get one and was about to stand up when my mom stopped her.

“Let that boy get some for us and you should just stay here with me.”

I continued walking to the kitchen after hearing that. It seems that my mom prepared something for HyunAe and would spend the whole night getting to know each other.

When I came back, I heard my mom telling HyunAe, in her own words, ‘how a crybaby Donghae is.’ Plus a long laugh from her. AISH. Mom. Please. Stop it. You’re embarrassing me!

I handed over the bag and placed the drinks on the table before sitting down beside HyunAe and holding her hand.

HyunAe looked at me as if she’s telling me that I shouldn’t do that since my mom is around. But heck. I want to hold her hand in front of my mom to say something, to show something…

My mom pulled out a book from her bag. I nearly snatched it out of her hands but she knew me well enough, she kept it out of my reach.

If only I could hide my face or disappear right beside HyunAe…

It was my mom’s compilation of my old pictures. As in old pictures.

Crap. Why does the guest have to be my mom?