Is Your Heart Not Shaken?

Reply… reply… reply, this had to have been my 14 time chanting this same word. “Damn it, Chaerin reply to my text.” The words spoken by me alone in my room to my cell phone may have seemed a little strange to most, but I was alone and desperate for company and the female was one of the only friends I had made during my week here in Seoul. I lay there closing my hands around my phone and rubbing it in my hands in a silent prayer.

 Oh! It rang, that’s my girl. “Good girl I knew you wouldn’t leave me hanging, so the mall or the cine-” “Sabrine come to the living room please.” I looked at my phone slightly confused and realized my mistake, oh it wasn’t Chaerin it was my dad.

 After a long sigh I shuffled into the living room where my dad was sitting working on his computer something I had gotten very used to, with him being and architect and all, if he wasn’t on his laptop he was sketching out a new design. It was actually his occupation that brought us here, he was actually working on two projects here, a art gallery and a museum both located in Seoul, it was nothing new to be moved to different places, not that I was complaining because of his job we were more than well off and I got to travel more than the average teen.

 We had moved here from New Zealand after my father was asked to be the consultant of a huge chapel project, we had been there a year and a half. The move here was not one of those surprise pack your were moving to a different country type you see in movies, I knew about the move to Korea for six months, it was always like that though, stay in one place for at least a year, and half way through the current project pick up a new one, and before we move learn the language so we can adapt, except this time in new Zealand my Korean tutor, a Korean native Kim Namjoon and I had spent more time practicing more French than Korean if you know what I mean. So here I was in Korea not being able to speak a of the language.

 “Sabrine sweetheart please help your mother in the kitchen we’ll be having guest here shortly.” The questioning look I gave my father made him explain further.

”I invited our neighbors the Kim’s to join us for dinner.” ”But daddy I wanted to go out with Chae, and besides that I can’t speak Korean like you and mom so I really don’t need to be here.”

 Disapproval. I saw it written all over his face, before he even replied. “It’s a family dinner so you will be staying here and you’ll like it.” I nodded with my head hanging low I hated to be scolded by my father because it was something he usually didn’t do. I hadn’t learned Korean but I did learn to perfect my cute act with my father. “Daddy I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you I just didn’t want to embarrass you in front of our neighbors.” As I was saying all of this I was holding on to his arm while rubbing my head on his shoulder, using my cutest voice, and with the sigh he released I knew I had got him.

 “It’s alright sweetheart I could never be embarrassed by you, but I really would appreciate it if you would help so we can all enjoy this dinner okay?”I nodded and got off the couch to head toward the kitchen to help my mother, but before I got too far I heard my father shout a quick think fast, I turned around in time to catch a back of assorted toffees. “Thank you daddy.” I yelled over my shoulder, while hugging the candies against my chest.

“Mom what do you need help with.” When I walked in the kitchen I was surprised to see all the food that was prepared. “I’m actually almost done here but it would be a huge help if you would set the table for me.” With a nod I went to cabinet to pick out a table cloth. “Mom is the turquoise one too bright?” I asked over my shoulder scrutinizing said cloth, sure it was nice but at the moment it seemed very loud to me. “You think so? Well I trust your judgment pick out the one you like.” I hummed in reply and set my eyes on a cream colored tablecloth my grandmother had sent as a house warming gift, with it in hand I made my way to the dining room and laid it out perfectly, and headed towards the china cabinet located at the other side of the dining room, but before I could grab any of the tableware a thought stopped me. “Mom how many members are there in the Kim’s family?” She poked her head around the corner to speak to me. “There are three, the wife and husband and their son, Seokjin I believe was his name.” I nodded in reply and grabbed the appropriate amount of tableware, and just as I finish placing down the last glass there was a soft knock on the door.

 “Sabrine can you get the door?” I headed to the door looking at the security monitor. “Are either of you expecting a package?” I inquired to the both of them seeing as the monitor displayed someone caring a large box. “They must have brought a few things with them.” My mother replied as she urged me to open the door for the mystery neighbor.

I peered into the box and saw an assortment of sweet snacks, my ultimate weakness and couldn’t help my excited squeal, but I still couldn’t really see the person holding it. “That must be heavy I’ll take it off your hands.” I hope he understood that, once the box out his hands he immediately bowed to me, something I couldn’t get used to.

He what I could only guess was introduce himself to me in Korean though I couldn’t understand it. He finally looked at me, and I noticed he was a good couple of inches taller than me and had the usual pale skin tone and black hair I associated with most Asian people, but his eyes, though they were just a dark brown were actually quite pretty for a man, they had a certain sparkle to them, after assessing the male I saw him waiting there kind of expectantly, as soon as I opened my mouth to speak I realized it would be pretty useless so I held up a finger and called for my father, who came instantly. There was a short conversation in Korean before dad finally let him in. I led the way through the house to the living room placing the box of sweets in front of me, completely uninterested in the conversation between my dad and the neighbor my gaze was focused solely on the snacks in front of me, just as I was about to swipe one my mother entered the room.

“The food is ready, but where are his parents?” my father quickly explained the situation to my mother; with a nod she too went to greet the boy.

 This is so pointless why am I even here if I have no one to talk to, if only Chae had answered her phone. I was brought from my thought by my father who pulled me up to stand beside him, my head was forced into a bow and another quick Korean conversation started, the boy said something that brought laughter from my parents, not appreciating being left out I elbowed my father to translate for me.

“He thought you were my wife.” “Is he saying I’m old or that your young?” my dad translated once again, I could see the boy pale visibly and look for words to explain himself, as his ears grew more and more red, I released the laughter I had been holding in, which led my father to also release his. I watched as my mom tried to comfort the squirming boy.

“My husband is so young look at the childish games he plays, so Sabrine your old looking.” My mouth dropped as my dad crossed his arms looking smug while my mom stuck her tongue out at me, just as I was going to reply the door bell rang announcing the arrival of the rest of our neighbors. I’m doing this for the sweets. I’m doing this for the sweets. I chanted this mantra over and over as I waited to be introduced to the rest of the Kim’s. Chaerin you this is your fault.