Being Busy

"Where have you disappeared to these days? We hardly hang out. And now that I’ve transferred to Suwon campus, it’s even worse."

"Mianhe, Amber. Been a bit busy."

They were seated in their favourite campus café, having their breakfast.

It was one of the rare days when Amber has her classes at the main campus.

Amber was a few years older than So-Mi, and has the making of a talented surgeon.

“So, where are they?” Amber held her hand out.

“They? What?”

“Your new set of pictures. Which syndicate are you exposing now?”

“Shh...Amber…” So-Mi looked around nervously, pulling Amber’s hand down.

“You know I don’t approve. It's dangerous. And you don’t even take me with you, for protection.”

“No, I haven’t been taking any pictures lately, ok.”

“Then what have you been doing for the past month.”

Amber drummed her fingers on the table, waiting for her friend’s answer.

“My Ahjussi is out,” So-Mi confessed. “I have been keeping him company. Helping him to adjust.”

“He's out?” Amber gave a loud conspiratorial whisper. “How is he? Is he well?”

“Yes, he is,” she smiled. “Have been keeping himself busy with gardening and pruning bonsai and stuff. I cook for him sometimes.”

“Ok,” Amber sighed, blowing her fringe from her eyes. “That makes me feel better. At least you are not gallivanting in some seedy side of town somewhere.”

But So-Mi did not correct her friend, by saying that Ahjussi was staying in a similar seedy side of the town.