Promises Must Be Kept

"Ahjussi… it's boring doing homework by myself out here. Won't you come out and play."

She rested her forehead against his bedroom door and whined.

Truly, she was bored alone.

But more specifically, she yearned for his company.

He may not be as cutely amusing as Detective Lee, whom has been dropping by frequently to visit her at campus.

But in his quiet subtle ways, Ahjussi can be entertaining, she thought.

His intelligence kept her on her mental toes and his deadpan humour never fail to make her laugh.

"I think I prefer it at the old place, where there's nowhere he can run away from me," she muttered to herself.

It was about a week since their so called 'date'.

So-Mi had thoroughly enjoyed the day out with him, unconventional as it  was.

They started the day with a trip to the memorial.

(Flashback)

"This is So-Mi," he introduced her to his late wife and baby.

Pulling her forward by the small of her back, to stand beside him.

"She's been taking care of me and keeping me company," he continued. "She's also the one who's been bringing you flowers the last four years."

So-Mi snapped her head side ways to look at him.

How did he know that? She wondered.

"I simply want to introduce you to her personally," Tae-sik concluded his visit, staring at the picture of his wife.

-----

"How did you know I put flowers at Ha-ni-ssi's grave?"

"Your Dalseo-ahjussi told me."

"Aishh... He could never keep a secret," she said dejectedly.

They were sitting at a road side cafe, enjoying barbecued beef and vegetables.

Stopping for lunch before proceeding to visit Dalseo.

She looked at him seriously.

"Do you mind?"

"No," he answered, flipping the meat on the barbecue pit in the middle of the table. "I introduced you formally as a way of saying thank you."

So-Mi nodded, both for his explanation as well as his serving her the meat.

"What was she like? Ha-ni-ssi?"

He kept silent for the longest time.

Digging deep in the pockets of his mind for the memories of her.

Conjuring a sweet smiling face with short bob hair.

"Kind... and gentle," he said softly.

A complete opposite of me, she thought sadly.

A look that did not go unnoticed by the ever astute Ahjussi.

A vision so totally different from the one he saw in his mind a while ago.

Sharp, intelligent eyes set on a beautiful yet fiesty face, completed with a long straight mane of jet black hair.

"But in my old age, I think she would prefer someone more streetwise and tough, looking after me," he said nonchalantly, popping a piece of beef in his mouth.

Making young So-Mi smile once again.

(End of flashback)

He could hear her whining non stop outside his door.

And he admitted that for the first time in his life, he was acting like a coward.

Hiding in his room  the past week.

From her.

He also limited whatever interactions with her at the shop as best as he could.

He knew what was happening.

He did not predict it, nor did he wish for it.

And he has to put a stop to it.

And so he opened his door at last.

Making her lose her balance yet again.

To step out into the living room.

Much to her delight.

-----

He observed her as she focused on her work.

Silent at last.

She seriously just wanted me to be out here just so she can concentrate on her work, he mused.

Just like how he worked better at the shop whenever she was back from school.

But as much as he wanted the closeness to last forever, he knew it would not be fair to her.

A creature so fair and bright.

With so much potential in life and so much to experience.

A life that would be better, without him.

-----

“Bring him here."

"Eh?"

She looked up at him from her PC.

Despite the comfortable dining table or the study table in her room, So-Mi still preferred her spot on the floor by the coffee table.

With Tae-sik on the sofa.

"Introduce him to me."

He has put off his promise to Choi Appa for too long.

It was time to make good on his promise.

“Who?”

“You know who. I’d like to meet him again, if you don’t mind.”

But I don’t… want you to meet him, that is, So-Mi thought.

But why? She asked herself.

Because then it would be like I’m bringing home my boyfriend to meet my father.

And you are not my father.

You are…

... I don't know what you are.

To me.

Gosh, I’m so confused, she lamented.

“Do you still have that tub of ice cream I bought last week?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

She’s nervous, he thought. She must really like this guy.

And in a way, his heart sank.

“Do you like him?”

It was now her turn to keep silent.

Do I? She asked herself.

“I dunno? I suppose.”

“What do you like about him.”

She shrugged, not liking the conversation.

“He’s funny. Handsome.”

"And…"

"And?"

She looked up, to look at him questioningly.

He goaded her with his eyes.

And she was lost.

In those eyes.

And without thinking, she said softly.

“He makes my heart beat.”