How?

How did this happen?

How did shorty Dal Po grow into this lanky boy.

And while baby fat is still apparent on my plump cheeks, his seems to have evaporated into the breezy Hyangrin air, probably to make way for his newly elongated frame.

What remains constant, though, is his trot-ahjussi-like hairstyle, and in a way I'm glad he's still keeping it.

Elst the whole school will realise that underneath that weird exterior and old fashion hairstyle is one gorgeous human being.

Ani.

It's not like I'm saying he's cute or anything.

Hic.

He's not.

Hic.

He's obnoxious.

And weird.

In a cute way.

What? No hiccups?

Sigh.

How did this happen?

We were supposed to send him on his way.

Once haraboeji is well enough.

Thinking of it though, haraboeji is fine.

Whenever he chose to be.

Whenever Dal Po is around.

Yup, that's why we are still keeping him.

Hic.

Aishhh...

Ok, I admit.

On behalf of Appa and I.

We are keeping Dal Po because we chose to.

Because we wanted to.

Because we like him.

Or rather, we are keeping him because he is keeping us.

I peered from behind of the kitchen door as I munched on the hot potato Dal Po roasted this morning.

And can't help but to smile at the picture in front of me.

Dal Po and haraboeji happily having breakfast of rice and anchovies.

With Appa standing at the side of the wide bench Dal Po and haraboeji are sitting on.

Sipping the coffee Dal Po brewed earlier.

Dal Po is handy to have around.

He keeps the house clean, and sometimes cook.

He tends to Haraboeji's medication, and fixes things around the house.

He balances the family accounts, and helps me with my homework.

He can be annoying at times, but is mostly quite lovely to talk to.

He knew I dislike taking rice in the morning hence the sweet potato.

Sometimes he buys bread for me for breakfast.

It maintains the city slicker in you, he once said.

"What are you doing?"

! Where did he come from?

What was I doing?

Smiling into the sweet potato?

"Nothing."

"Ready to go?"

Did he have to sound so curt and gruff like that?

After all the generous thoughts I have of him just now.

"Deh."

"Half way or all the way this time?"

"Half way."

"Ok, suit yourself," he shrugged, making me want to hit him with something hard.

Urgh.

Did I say we let him stay because we like him?

And that he was lovely and handy to have around?

I take it back.

He's obnoxious.

And weird.

Definitely not cute.

I wave goodbye to Appa and haraboeji as I ran after him towards the wooden wagon attached to his bicycle.

Haraboeji's bicycle to be exact.

But one that has become his for the longest time.

We beem our expected smiles to Appa and haraboeji as we got ready to go off.

As I climbed up the wagon, I saw a nice wide plump cushion awaiting on the floor.

"Iki bwo ya?"

"Ehm? Oh, something old an ahjumma wanted to throw out."

I stare at him as he starts to use extra effort on the bicycle pedals before inertia sets in.

To climb the hill, before it slopes downwards.

It must be nice to lie through your teeth and not be caught.

I look again at the cushion that was making my bumpy ride a much more pleasant experience.

And see its obvious mint condition with a tell-tale prize tag still attached.

"Dal Po ya..."

"Emm?"

"I'll ride with you all the way to the pier, if you don't mind."

"Erm," came his affirmative answer.

I finger the cushion I know he had bought for my benefit.

Something old an ahjumma wanted to throw out, huh?

I don't think so.

And I smile, as I sway along the rickety roll of the bicycle and its wagon, enjoying the scenery of the looming sea coast beyond the flowery grassy hills.

Did I say we we are keeping him because we like him?

We are and we do.

I do.

-Fin-