A Moment With You

CHAPTER 2 | First Impressions

There are moments we never thought would come--
moments we thought we lost for good,
and moments left to be experienced in a way that would surprise us...
Moments that can change our life forever....

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Life has a funny way of surprising people, and Ray found himself in one. He sat in a small living room in front of a bright cheerful girl wearing her university sweater. She was motioning him to take some cookies and sip his tea. She just kept smiling at him as if excited to have him there. He smiled faintly and took the delicate teacup to his lips for a sip. Meanwhile, Mr. Kim was in the kitchen with Mrs. Kim, preparing food. He could hear their whispered argument about a beer Mr. Kim wanted to take out.

"You came from the city, don't you?" The young lady in front of him asked. Her smile was so wide and excited waiting for his reply. Ray only nodded.

She was about to ask again when Mr. Kim emerged from the kitchen with Mrs. Kim with a tray of mixed vegetables, rice bowls and grilled beef. "Let's eat a proper meal shall we?"

"He's from the city!" the young lady told them.

"We know April...don't get too excited and help me prepare the table." Mrs. Kim said and smiled apologetically at Ray. "I'm sorry my daughter's too nosy and talkative. Was she bothering you?"

"No" Ray smiled

"He's not bothered by me. I was just asking him...he just sat there quietly." April pointed out. "It was just one question, right Ray?"

"Silly girl," Mrs. Kim then warningly hit April on the shoulder. "Don't be rude. You're talking too casually."

"No, it's okay Mrs..---"

"It's alright with him, right Ray?" April replied before turning to Ray with a big smile "It's better than sitting there just smiling. That would be weird."

Ray nodded while Mrs. Kim sighed at her daughter. Mr. Kim, on the other hand, only laughed. "I'm sorry about this, we're just happy you're here Mr. Park." He said as he handed Ray a spoon.

"It's really fine and please call me Ray."

"Well, thank you Ray....We're happy you're here with us today." Mrs. Kim smiled and motioned him to eat. "We realized you haven't taken your lunch yet. You must be hungry after travelling all the way here from the city."

Ray was hungry. He didn't realize it until he took a sip of the broth served to him. He can't even tell if it was hunger or if the dishes made by Mrs. Park was simply delicious that he ate heartily. The family seemed pleased with his appetite.

A meal with the Kims was one of the most surprising moments of his visit. He was a complete stranger, suddenly taken in and invited by a family to join them for a meal. They cooked for him, served him tea, talked with him, laughed with him and shared with him stories about their family, especially of Eddie. That day, he met Eddie in the eyes of his family...They loved him dearly...

For Mrs. Kim, Eddie was his precious boy she cherished.

For Mr. Kim, Eddie was the son who seemed to be more responsible than him that he felt proud and blessed.

For April, Eddie was a big brother who she bickered with a lot yet loved dearly and missed the most...

"...then there's Irene...have we told you the story of Irene" April suddenly asked him. Ray had been laughing at Mr. and Mrs. Kim's story when April suddenly interrupted them. "You see, Irene is---"

"He has the book." Mr. Kim explained as if annoyed that his daughter interrupted his story. "I'm pretty sure he knows about her already...he's a fan of your brother after all." Mr. Kim suddenly brimmed at Ray and raised his bottle of beer.