A Rhapsody in Blue

03. The Hassle Riddle

It was just like the other day. Bin would take care of Ayeon while waiting for Yejin to come home. But he read her a story with the finger dolls that evening.

At first, this made the 13 months old toddler sat still while watching her uncle enthusiastically impersonate a tiger from the storybook.

But being fascinated by the finger dolls, her eyes sparkled. So, Ayeon stood up and grab it from his fingers which made Bin really surprised.

'Don't move! Your aunt would kill me if I witness this alone. Yej, are you there? Come home now right away!'

'Why?' Yejin massaged her temple while picking up the phone from Bin.

But all she heard was Baa Baa Black Sheep song and Bin trying to make Ayeon standstill.

'Is everything okay, Bin?' Yejin worried something might happen to Ayeon.

'No! Ayeon suddenly stood up while I read her a storybook with finger dolls and I think she's about to take her first step!'

'Stop her NOW! I'll be home right away!' Yejin hang up the phone immediately and grab her purse.

She tried to drove as fast as she can but the traffic on Friday night made the usual twenty minutes ride into almost an hour.

When Yejin opened the door of the apartment, she saw Bin bounce his body up and down while carrying Ayeon in his arms. Little hiccups can be heard, which usually happened after Ayeon crying out loud.

Hearing her steps, Bin turned his body around so he can see Yejin.

'Look, Ayeon-ah! Aunt Yejin is home.' Ayeon's face lightens up a little bit and Yejin picked her up from Bin.

'Did something happen earlier?' Yejin asked him while the three of them sat on the sofa. And Ayeon sticks to Yejin like a koala.

'You probably would kill me if I witness Ayeon's first step alone. So, when she was about taking her first step, I'm sorry I jounced her just a litlle bit. That's why she cried earlier.' He said the last sentence with a really small voice, but Yejin still heard him.

'Hya! Did you push her? Do you want to traumatize her?' Yejin hit Bin with pillows and Bin trying to escape.

Because Ayeon sticks to her like a koala, Yejin wasn't able to catch him.

'I said I'm sorry, okay? I said it to Ayeon too, right Ayeon-ah?'

'Let's catch Uncle Bin, Ayeon-ah. We need to give him some lesson!' Yejin stood up to catch Bin around the living room, while Ayeon giggling hysterically due to Bin exaggerating his reaction. And the new 'family' ended up playing catching the monster game.

***

The Saturday morning was quite chaotic for the new 'family'. They have an appointment for Ayeon's DTaP shot at 10. But the thing is they never took Ayeon out before, so the 'all things you need to take when you bring your baby out' was really confusing for Yejin and Bin.

'Did you already put her changing clothes, Bin? What about wet wipes? Ah, I need to pack her biscuits too.' Yejin mumbling to Bin who zipped up the diaper bag beside her.

Yejin dressed Ayeon in a Kenzo daisy sweatshirt, and navy suspender skirt, with ribbed leggings to keep her warm too. She also braids Ayeon's long wavy hair into two braids.

'I put it earlier Yej, don't worry.'

They stepped out from the apartment with Bin holding Ayeon, while Yejin carry the diaper bag in her hand. But the realization hit them.