Ace of Hearts

Back and Forth

A few minutes later, spitting laughter, Hwayi slapped the round table they'd grabbed on the restaurant patio. A dark blue umbrella shaded them from the early afternoon's heat. Any passerby hearing him would interpret him as a cackling maniac.

Gripping the chicken wrap she'd only taken one bite of Namjoo eyed him appalled. Unsure what he found hilarious over her story about Jin's visit.

Choking, Hwayi coughed. Covering his mouth, upper torso on the verge of snapping from the rest of his body, he hoarsely made low throaty dying sounds. Recovering he reached for his lemonade drinking it greedily. Gasping deeply, he sighed, wiped his dewy lips with a pure white sheet napkin, and settled back into his steel chair acting like it never happened.

Then on the other hand, Hwayi was a man of another world. Never perceived the seriousness of any situation. Always laughing, making light of a situation like life, insignificant or not, was some big joke. Namjoo could understand why some people stayed away from him.

He was annoying as heck. No matter his age Hwayi refused to grow up.

"Where were we?" he asked.

"Jin came over." Namjoo flatly told.

"Ah...yes," Hwayi nodded. Just as quick a sharp mousy smile climbed onto his face. He seemed overly humored for some reason. "That guy wasn't too happy, huh?"

"How would you know that?" Namjoo questioned.

Hwayi didn't ask. Instead, he went with, "Then how do you feel?"

"About what?"

"Jin and the father of your baby," Hwayi clarified. Raising a brow, he cocked his head toward her, "You are pregnant, aren't you?"

Namjoo hesitated before bursting with a laugh. "Isn't that why I'm married?"

Hwayi gave her a blank eyeful that made her edgy. The thin of his lips curved up toward his ears in a full upside-down U.

"Why, I'd say you talk as if your baby's daddy should reunite with his ex."

Nervously blabbing another laugh, Namjoo stuttered, "Is...is that how I sound?"

His head moved in sync with the shrug of his shoulder. "If it were me, I'd be very uncomfortable letting my husband meet his ex-girlfriend." He purposely added, hinting with a connotation he knew better, "But then, every woman is different."

"Of course," she uneasily agreed trying not to shift in her chair. Ending the abrupt conversation that had taken a strange turn Namjoo took a huge bite of the chicken wrap.

Quickly devouring her meal Namjoo made an excuse of the urgency to return home. Snagging her bag, she exited the restaurant. Hwayi came with her. Sighing as he stretched by her side on the pavement. Anxiety fizzled through her like roaring waves, one after another, colliding and combusting.

Was he onto something? She hadn't said something that gave her fake pregnancy or the marriage away?

Namjoo's malfunctioning brain was unable to pedal back. She'd forgotten the entire conversation already. Just had a feeling she'd said something he might have read too much into.

Pointing down her right she excused, "I go this way."

"Too bad," Hwayi complained too lightheartedly. Flirting with a smirk, "Wish I could walk you back."

"No need." Namjoo brushed him off. "I'll see you next time."

"Wait, I forgot." He stopped her when she began pivoting. "Our class is arranging a reunion. Why don't you come?"