You’re Different When You are With Him

Amber came home with her to Ahjussi’s place one day.

A week after the Lunar party at Jongno Station.

So-Mi had spent the whole Sunday after the party to stay at Ahjussi’s.

And being with him the whole day somehow washed away her guilt of going out with Lee.

She did not tell her Ahjussi of her outing though.

And after a week, it was as if the date did not happen.

“Oh, I forgot,” So-Mi took something out from her knapsack and got up from the floor. “Ahjussi, Omma gave some us some kimchi.”

She went into the kitchen, where he was making them drinks.

“Please tell Choi-Omma thank you.”

“Make us some of your Kimchi Fried Rice, neh? Neh?”

She followed him around the small kitchen, nudging and coaxing him.

Until he stopped to look down at her.

They stared at each other, for the longest time, until she clapped her hands in glee.

Whatever silent conversation that transpired, was only comprehensible to the two of them.

But one could obviously see who won the battle.

Amber could only just sit and stare.

And the words ‘gave us some kimchi’ was not loss on her either.

“You're different with him.”

Amber looked at her, sitting cross-legged in her oversized denims.

“Eh? Who?”

“Your Ahjussi.”

“Different? How so?”

“I don’t know. More affectionate. More … free.”

“Aren’t I always?”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. Not even with me. You are always guarded, cautious, quiet even.”

So-Mi smiled as if in protest.

“But since entering this place, you have talked non-stop.”

“Chincha?”

“Yes, chincha.”

+++

A few days later, So-Mi announced.

“Appa wants us to go to the house for dinner.”

He just looked  up, questioning her with his eyes.

“He wants to meet you.”

Why do I feel like it’s going to be a boyfriend-interrogation session, he sighed.

“When?”