Bliss

"You look different. Did something happen last night?"

So Mi looked at her mother guiltily.

"It's ok," Choi-Omma smiled reassuringly. "Your appa and I knew this would happen. We are surprised that it took so long."

Mother and daughter rested on the sofa after finishing up with packing.

Uncle Jang had gone to the petrol station to refill for their long journey to the village.

Where Appa's ashes will be taken back to the village with Omma.

"We like him, very much, your Appa and I," her mother smiled again. "So, please be happy with him. Take care him ... I believe he needs you more than you need him."

"Omma..."

"Just make sure the two of you visit me in the village from time to time."

So-Mi smiled at her mother with fond sadness, remembering her years with her foster parents.

Loving yet unexpectedly short.

"I will, Omma."

"But, So-Mi..." her mother started.

"Yes, Omma?" her eyes wide in expectation.

"Perhaps you should start calling him something else other than 'Ahjussi'..?"

And mother and daughter laughed.

---

"How is it going?"

"Emm..ok," she smiled at his voice.

Tucking her phone between her ear and shoulder, as she went around tidying the house.

"Omma has just left. I'm cleaning up a bit. I should be finished in about an hour."

"Are you safe there, alone? I'll come over now, ok?"

"I'm ok, Ahjussi. Min-sung-ssi's men are still outside," So-Mi said as she started to finish the last of the used plates and glasses. "Come over in an hour, neh?"

"Ok."

A short silence followed, with both parties not willing to put their respective phones down.

"Ahjussi..."

"Hmm..?"

"Omma knows."

"Knows?"

"She knows what what happened last night."

"Oh? What did she say?"

His face warming up like a teenager.

"She said ..." So-Mi paused for dramatic effect. "That maybe I should start calling you Oppa."

Tae-sik laughed, at the unexpected statement, mentally kissing Choi-Omma on her plump sweet cheeks.

So-Mi grinned at Tae-sik beautiful laughter.

"What are you cooking for me, Ahjussi-oppa?" she teased.

"Well, you have to come home and find out, haven't you?" his husky voice sending delicious shivers down So-Mi's back.

"Neh, I'll see you lat .....upphh…!"

And then, all Tae-Sik could hear was the line going dead.

"So-Mi...? ... So-Mi!!!"