Dedicated to starkoreaneuropean
Happy birthday Sweetheart!! Enjoy the chapter.
***
Even though I like kids, I'm not much fond of babysitting but by God's grace the son of my neighbor unnie, Jihyo is an easy kid. I've been assigned to look after him for a lot of times since I've shifted to the same apartment building as them one and a half month ago and he's by far one of the favourite kids I've had the pleasure of knowing in my eighteen years of life.
And I've had the pleasure of knowing some really bratty kids.
Like my oldest cousin's daughter who's downright snooty and arrogant little shit or my neighbor's son back in my hometown, Daegu, who eats all the cookies whenever he comes at my home with his mom.
And then there was my maternal uncle's ten year son who, for some reason loved to called me ahjumma. And I loved him too but that didn't mean I didn't want to smack the back of his head every time he called me with that word.
But no, Pilgu is sweet sweet child who has never given me any problem ever since the first time I had to babysit him and I had a lot of those sessions because his mom is a nurse and her work schedule is a little unconventional for a 6 years old boy.
The mom and son duo doesn't live alone though. Jihyo has a younger brother who's out of country for a short time on some students program I never got to learn because I wasn't really interested.
All that mattered to me is that Pilgu's uncle was coming soon and this meant they won't need me around anymore and I will be, once again, a broke college student.
Well, it was high time I looked for a more stable part-time job.
I reach the apartment number 56 on the pre-mentioned time and I'm not surprised to see Jihyo shuffling around all over the place looking for something.
It's not the first time and actually it's the same scenario I see almost every time. Being a single mom is definitely hard.
"Hey unnie! Want me to look for what you are searching?" I ask.
However, my good intentions were in vain because right then Jihyo finds an identity card and secures it by putting it in her purse before she probably loses it again. She still smiles at me and gives a gentle pat on my back for my kind thought.
"I'm sorry to inconvenience you. My brother bailed on me on the last moment but I'll be back before ten I promise."
She's never back on time but I avoid correcting her as my attention shifts to another matter. She always pays me for extra time anyway.
"Your brother? He's back?"
"Yes. Came a few days ago actually."
Oh so that's why I didn't get a call for babysitting in the last four days. Now it's really really the high time I find a job!
Jihyo left not later after that, and Pilgu has been playing video games for two hours straight after that, without a care in the world. Sometimes I was jealous that kids didn't have to stress about certain adult things. Like finding a job. Oh! and cleaning after your roommate more often than you have to clean after yourself.
I could already see the cosmetic mess Yoorae would've scattered on our dressing table in the back of my brain and the load of clothes on her bed and floor while getting ready for party which I can leave it as it is but living in the same mess infested apartment somehow pricks at my neat freak heart.
"Pilgu, it's time to do your homework." I gently tap his shoulder and ready myself to hear the same response before he pauses his game.
"Already?"
I smile, which I've come to know is the best way to ask him to do something he doesn't want to. I've never had to raise my voice even a notch to get him to do something. Unnie is raising her kid well.
"Yes, you've been at it for two hours now. Let's first complete your homework and have dinner and then if we can squeeze some time before your bed time, maybe you can play it again."
He smiles like a blooming flower, eyes gleaming with an excited joy. Man, this kid has an extraordinary smile that can even melt a stone.
"Ok noona."
With a chirp, he flew off to his room. I was right behind him as well. Jihyo doesn't pay me to tutor her son neither it was assigned to me but I took it upon myself to help him when I once saw him struggle with maths.
He was a good student, with a high catching and memory retaining power. I usually don't have to concentrate hard on teaching him but only do so when he gets stuck somewhere.
After a while, leaving him to improve his Korean reading skills, I saunter off to kitchen, to make a good meal for Pilgu. I always make kimchi fried rice when I'm over because for some reason he loves it when I make it for me.
I make two portions, one for the kid and another as an extra. I had a generous meal in lunch, all thanks to my best friend and the food still sat in the bottom of my stomach. So I didn't feel like eating. But Jihyo might be in need of some food when she comes back.
At nearly 10 pm I get the call from Yoorae. She's probably back at the apartment door and too drunk to find her keys again.
But when I pick up, it's not her drunk grumpy voice that meets my ear. luckily, I know who this person is.
"Namjoon oppa?"
"Yeah. Sorry to call you this late Aera but I need your help." In the background I could hear music playing faintly and wondered what help he might need from me.
"Okay. What is it?"
"We're still at the party and I just got a call from my home. It's urgent and I have to leave now. Can you come and pick up Yoorae?"
Does he seriously expect me to come all the way to their silly party to pick up a grown woman while I'm still part timing? I felt the need to have a nice little talk with Yoorae about her boyfriend and his manners.
"Please, someone in my family died. I have to go now but Yoorae is a little tipsy and I don't want to leave her alone."
There was desperation in his voice and suddenly I wanted to take back my words. Why did I even doubt this gentleman in the first place? That's it Aera! Feel guilty for always thinking too ahead!
"Of course oppa but can you hold on a little bit? I'm still babysi-"
The voice of the door opening and Jihyo entering at the right time cut my voice off.
"It's alright. Just hold for ten minutes. I'm coming."
And I do that as quick as possible. I know it'll take me more than ten minutes to reach party hall they are in but I reduce the time by using some measures.
Like not bothering to change from my simple t-shirt and sweets. Oh and did I mention I didn't even bother tying my hair in a better mess than they looked right now?
Well who cares. I'm just going to pick a drunk girl anyway. Besides I hardly had enough time to take my phone and sling bag loaded with enough money to get taxi.
In the end, Yoorae got what she wanted. I had to come to party anyway. I definitely plan on having this sweet favour returned back in an even sweeter way.
