Ghost | JAY ✓

31

31 : Tteokbokki (The Halmeoni Back Then)

[ NISHIMURA MIU ]

He just stared at me, wearing various unfamiliar emotions in his eyes. He nodded as if he's already expecting that. He then looked away and swallowed, "Are you hungry?"

My forehead creased but when I saw his reaction, my expression immediately softened. I sighed and nodded my head.

"I know a place." He was about pull me away when I squeezed his hand. He halted and confusingly looked at me. I smiled and averted my gaze from him to Kwon Nara's tombstone.

"Give me a minute." He slowly removed his hand from mine. I walked towards the tombstone and stared at it. My eyes caught a small picture frame. It was a candid picture of a girl who resembles me a lot and five guys- which are all familiar to me.

She is smiling but the more you stare at her eyes, the more you notice her pain. Her lips is smiling, but her eyes weren't. Kwon Nara is very pretty. She looks angelic.

Though, we look alike, but I still can notice our differences. She has this soft and innocent features while mine quite is strong and bold.

"No wonder why you fell for her." I muttered under my breath. No. I am not envious. I meant it. I have this certain feeling about Nara.

I felt like... the moment my eyes laid on her picture, my heart immediately softened. I feel unexpectedly at ease. Very different from what I am expecting.

Kwon Nara... she seems familiar. It was as if she was a part of my memories... that I have long forgotten.

"Why are we here?" I frowned and stared at the various food stalls that were lined in a row. The place is also crowded which made me frown even more, "Why are we in this kind of place?"

"Because I want you to try something new." He looked at me while resting his hand on his lap, his other hand resting on the steering wheel.

"I said I am hungry." I sternly said and glared at him as I pointed the food stalls, "Are you sure they're going to satisfy my stomach? They're cheap! Are they clean? Gosh! What if I get food poisoned?!"

"Miu." His authoritative voice filled the car. "Cheap foods don't mean they're not tasty and safe."

I mentally rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "I am not going to eat here. There's a newly opened luxury restaurant near this place, why don't we-"

My eyed widened when he turned off the engine and went out of the car. He walked towards the food stalls, leaving me here alone!

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening the car door.

I followed Jay who's busy talking and laughing with an old lady, probably in her late sixties. Her store was far away and isn't that crowded unlike the other stores.

The old lady's eyes darted on me when I stood beside Jay. She scanned me from head-to-toe before giving Jay a teasing smile, "Is she your girlfriend?"

I swallowed hard when I felt Jay's hand snaked around my waist, "She's my fiancee, Halmeoni."

Her eyes widened. She stared at my face once again, "Oh, yes! I remember her!"

My forehead creased when she immediately turned around to get a small bowl. She scooped an orange small sausage looking food from a huge metal cooker and handed it to me happily, "This is your favorite back then!"

I raised a brow, getting confused, "My what?"

I felt Jay stiffened beside me. He leaned towards me and whispered something in my ear, "That's tteokbokki. Try it. It tastes good I assure you."

"B-but..." But it looks weird and unhealthy! I wanted to say that out loud but I am afraid that Halmeoni might get offended so I just hesitantly received the bowl.

"T-thank you..."

I swallowed hard before getting a pair of chopsticks. I looked at her again and she was just smiling at me.

"This is good." I am not lying. This thing is really good! I put another piece on my mouth and clapped. I smiled at the old lady, "Halmeoni! This is really good!"

I heard Jay's slight chuckle beside me. He took the chopsticks from my fingers as he put a piece of tteokbokki on his mouth.

"I missed this." He muttered under his breath.

The old lady looked at the both of us. Certain emotions appeared in her eyes, she stared at us as if she was reminiscing, "It's been a couple of years since the two of you last visited here..."