"You're early today, honey."
I heard mom speaking to someone downstairs. I snatched the ps4 game she recently bought for me and ran to the door.
"Dad!"
"Hey, Seokminie!"
We did our little handshake then pointed our finger guns to mom.
"Sooooo corny. You two are hungry." Mom rolled her eyes and walked to the kitchen.
We followed her slowly while I show him the game and said
"Look at this! It's a horror-action game. When are you free?"
"Whenever you're free. That looks scary. Can you play that?"
"What do you mean? Of course I can. So tonight?"
"Seokmin, my dear. Let your dad rest." Mom called.
"Honey, it's been a while since I got out of shift at exactly 6. I want to make the most of my free time."
We sat down the dining area and realized that it's true. Dad doesn't even have a decent time to sleep and relax.
"Yeah.. Let's just play some other time. But I'll start this alone." I smiled.
"Oh, dear. Then I'll play it with you." He said.
"No, really. It's okay."
"It's not. I will not sleep well if you will keep on screaming at jump scares."
They laughed so hard. I bowed down and chewed on the beef stew alone. Then they started eating, too.
"What's the plan?" Dad asked.
"What plan, hun?"
"Seokminie's birthday, what else."
"I'm thinking of a dinner at the restaurant. Then on the weekend, let's go on a short vacation at Jeju Island. How's that?" Mom looked at me.
"Vacation's expensive, though." I answered.
"Are you not excited? Wooow Jeju Island!" Dad nagged.
"Are you good with that?"
"I am so down for it!"
"Then, it's booked!"
I am very lucky to have my parents. My dad is a surgeon at the Gangnam General Hospital, while mom is a full-time house wife and a part-time chef. She only cooks every time there's an order.
She makes everything from savory to sweets. That's why I look forward to my birthday, because she makes really good cakes. But my favorite is her pizza.
"Leave the dishes. Go to the living room and set the ps4 up." Mom fixed the plates on the table.
"Yeeey!" I ran to the couch.
"Seokminie, you forgot to drink." Dad followed, holding a glass of water.
That night, we played the new game and dad's right, I get startled at the jump scares.
We called the night early, just around 10 pm. But I was up until midnight. I cannot sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I imagine the zombies in the game are in front of me.
The following week, dad's been busy again. It is usually like this. He is a doctor, after all, a great one. Everytime I visit him, I see how the patients adore him. He's very gentle and kind.
During his busy schedules, he comes home at 10 or 11. But not tonight, he told us that he asked to leave early just to make time for my birthday.
"Lee-ssi!"
I turned around and saw my classmates holding a cake with candles.
"Oh guys!" I approached them as they sing me happy birthday. I closed my eyes and said my wish silently I want to be happy with my parents forever, then I blew the fire off.
