Closer

That Man

Ye Jin froze the whole time she was on the phone talking to her one and only idol since high school.  After their conversation, she came out of the room smiling and  humming at the same time.

Her nephew, Yu Jun  was staring at her  and was about to tease her "  Imo,  who rang you?  Why did you have to go inside your room, was that your boyfriend?" 

" Aish !  Yu Jun-ssi,  that was a customer who wanted to order the meat. And what do you know about boyfriends? You are only 8 years old?" 

"Ani, I always hear it when you talk to your friends, they have boyfriends but you don't have one." 

" Just do your homework, do you need help?" 

" I am finished with it, do you want to check it Imo before Eomma rings later?" 

 Ye Jin has been  looking after her nephew since he was 3 . Her sister had to work in an accounting firm in Seoul. She comes home  twice a month.  Due to less work opportunities in Jeju, she had to be away from her son.  Ye Jin  finished  computer engineering, she worked in Daegu for  a few years but when her mother started getting sick and underwent chemo due to ovarian cancer, she stopped working and focused on taking care of her. She also decided to help her father sell black pork meat at the market and delivering them to several restaurants. Their funds were wiped out  for her mother's treatment. They're not rich, their mother was a dressmaker, making uniforms, costumes, some others.  She and her sister Eun Hye worked as   school assistants in school and would sell  different home made rice cakes and cookies  in the market at their father's stall when they were younger. Luckily both were  performers  in school and if not for the scholarship they got in high school and  in Jeju National University they wouldn't be able to afford  school.  

"  There , you answered them correctly, oh you really got your brains from me Yu Jin-ssi. You will really shine my boy." 

" Gomawo Imo. Can we have dinner now? " 

" Yes we can, can you please call halabeoji?  " 

" Ye Jinah, who was that on the phone, I heard someone wants to order? We still have  15 kilos left, the rest are  reserved. "

" Oh, hmm the actor , he wanted to order 10 more kilos because he will be here for the whole month." 

"Aigoo, that young man loves it, I think the whole family does. I remember  going there frequently before when they have  gatherings. Arrasseo, so you will deliver it ?" 

" He said he wants to pick it up  from your stall." 

" Oh, but he will be recognized , does he realize that? '

" I will advise him,  so we have 10 kilos for him right?" 

" Yes,  just let him know or  better tell Manbok too, he can pick it up on his behalf." 

After dinner  Ye Jin  was contemplating on how she would tell Bin  not to come to the market.  So she followed  what her  father said. 

Hi Sir.  This is Ye Jin,  I already told my Appa about your order however he is just concerned about you getting recognized in the market. You can text me once you are outside and I can hand it to you, it's for your safety.

Message sent. 

Bin just had shower when he received the text message.   He is not fond of text, so he decided to ring her back. 

Caller ID: IDOL 

"Aish, ottoke, why is he ringing again. "  Yeoboseyo? " 

" Hi Ye Jin, sorry I am a bit lazy when it comes to texting, I use my phone for calling most of the time.  Hey don't worry about me I can wear something to cover myself, I am so used to this. I don't want you to be carrying the 10 kilos all the way to the car park. Let  me come, I have a chilly bin here, I will bring it tomorrow ok? I will ring you once I am there."