33.

The sound from the wind chimes hanged by the door fills the entire space of the shop, turning one’s head towards the direction with curiosity of whom comes visiting despite the sign on the door obviously read as ‘closed’. Yet the corner of the lady’s lips curl upon seeing the person standing by the door, as well as the wrinkle by her eyes that becomes visible every time she smiles. She sets the scissor and ribbon down on the table, rising up from the chair as she welcomes the young man in.

“Teacher Kim, what brings you here?” Her head then turns towards the wall for a quick glance at the calendar. “And I don’t think it’s time of the month yet.”

“No, Auntie. It’s okay,” the guy refuses – almost panicked – as he catches Madam Lee’s intention to get him some drink from the small fridge behind the counter. “And I’m not here for the flowers.” He pauses, checking the latter’s reaction that shows a bit of interest to what he is going to say next. Though he already practised several times before – only in his mind, Jongdae couldn’t help but to feel nervous. “I have a few things to talk about with you.”

“Oh, really?” The mother taps the counter in front of her, offering the stool that sets right across where is she at. “You should have a seat then.”

He curls an awkward beam, feeling the uneasiness grows in his heart with each steps taken towards Madam Lee. It is almost strange though, for Jongdae thinks that he should be familiar with the lady after all the years they were well-acquainted. Or perhaps because of that itself, because of how well-acquainted they are, that now the guy is scared to tell her the truth.

“I think I could tell what you have in your mind.” His flustered gasp is almost audible upon Madam Lee’s sharp guess that comes right next, “But if it’s about my daughter, you don’t have to worry that much. No mom in this world wouldn’t be happy to have you as their daughter’s boyfriend.” The mother chuckles at the sight of the young man’s flushed face. Now that she sees it, her old heart feels warm and delighted to see of how much Jongdae has grown right in front of his eyes. “You know I adore you a lot, right?”

Jongdae purses his lips, eyes down to his lap while scratching the back of his head as he hides a smile. “Miss Ga Eul was right, then. You’re really sharp when it comes to this.”

“That punk,” her eyes roll and she clicks her tongue jokingly. “But let’s be frank. I don’t have to be sharp to notice what’s going on between the two of you.” On the other side, the guy wishes that he could hide his face somewhere between the walls for he imagines how obvious they might be all this while. It is quite embarrassing to think that both of him and Ga Eul tried to tone everything down yet ones could see the love in air with their eyes closed. “Ga Eul, that kid. She wears her emotions on the face.”

Both of them then giggle in unison as if they have the same image of Ga Eul and her antiques playing in their mind.

“And I could tell she likes you a lot.” Jongdae’s gaze tears from the table that separates them to the elder’s face as Madam Lee slowly takes his hand, patting the back of it with a motherly, thankful smile, “Thank you, Teacher Kim. For adoring my daughter.”

He gives a half-smile for the words uttered, sensing conflicted emotions in his heart for all the affection that he received these past years and the truth that he is about to disclose soon. “Auntie,” he calls quietly, taking a deep breath in silence, “Actually, there’s another thing…”

“Jongdae?” And as if he is forcibly pulled back to the reality, the man snaps his head to the side in one quick move, blinking in confusion before tearing his gaze away from the lady, again focusing on the road. Meanwhile the latter sticks her gaze right on Jongdae’s side profile, her big round eyes shines especially bright at the moment like a puppy looking at its owner. “You’re okay, right? Or is there something bothering your mind?”

Half-supressed scoff escapes from the man, making Ga Eul thinking that her assumption might sound ridiculous to him. But from the one-sided smile that curls afterwards, she knows it wasn’t the case. The guy is simply amused by her, especially with the testing question that comes from him afterwards, “What made you thinking that way?”

“Just because.” Ga Eul pauses for a while, thinking of a way to loosen it up a little. “Or maybe because you didn’t ask me for kisses earlier.”

Their giggles then unite, filling up the small space before Jongdae pokes the lady on her waist, making she squeals in titters. “I told you that’s because the neighbours might see us, didn’t I?”

“I know, I know. Stop it…!” Her hand flies to hit Jongdae’s arm in between her giggles, ending it with a whine as she draws herself towards the door on her side to protect herself from being tickled again. “You better keep your eyes on the road, Mr. Kim.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tightens his grip around the steering wheel, playfully putting on a serious face as he speaks, “Your wish is my command.”