Broken Deal | Choi Jiung

8

"do i look okay?" ji ung asked, standing in front of the door of her mom's room. (🧍)

"you look like a ... normal student, ji ung." ba ram said awkwardly, it's not like a very important meeting so why was he so nervous? ba ram gave a thumbs up and moved him to the side. "let's get in already, okay?."

ba ram slid the door open and walked in with ji ung slowly following behind like a lost puppy with his head low, looking at the ground. other people in the room might have thought ji ung did something wrong because it looked like he was punished to be acting that way.

her mom waved at her but was confused to see another figure walked in with her daughter. "and who this might be?"

ba ram took a glance to see ji ung was still looking at ground and she elbowed his side where he finally looked up and was flustered to see her mom was already looking at him so he bowed immediately.

"hello! i am ba ram's boyfriend, ji ung!" still bowing, ji ung finally realized what he said and he could feel his face warming up and about to melt in that room and all he wanted was to disappear.

suddenly, it felt like the world has stopped as ba ram was looking at ji ung while her mom was looking at her, both with the same shocked expression. ba ram cleared her throat and slapped ji ung's back playfully as she laughed.

"yeah mom, my boyfriend as in a 'friend' who is a boy." ba ram smiled sheepishly at her mom trying to hide the embarrassment she felt from ji ung.

ji ung lifted his head and stand properly again, laughing along with ba ram awkwardly. he then placed the paper bags filled with food on the stand next to her mom's bed. he was anxious as ba ram's mom hasn't said anything and was still looking at him.

"i didn't know you have such a handsome boyfriend- i mean, friend, ba ram!" her mom said, excitingly clapping her hands. "sit down, come here." she said, gesturing at ji ung to sit on the chair next to her bed.

"yeah, it just happened." ba ram said while she and ji ung sat next to each other. "by the way, i think i made too much but you can finish it all, right?"

"of course i can! thanks for making it for me, sweetheart." her mom then switched her focus to ji ung who has been silent since the introduction. "ji ung, right?"

ji ung nodded. "yes. i am so sorry i didn't bring anything for you but i really wish you to get well soon."

"oh so sweet of you, ji ung! are you really not my daughter's real boyfriend?" ba ram threw a glare at her mom after hearing what she just said. "don't glare at me like that. if i were you, i would not let him walk around single."

"eomma. you seem like you are fine now, should we go home?"

"seeing ji ung somehow made me feel so much better. he's like a ray of sunshine." her mom smiled brightly at ji ung who seems to be like a third wheeler of these two family member bickering.

"really? saying that in front of your one and only daughter?"

"but he's also one and only ji ung too."

"you just met him, eomma. he might be a serial killer."

"oh he's not. i know, i have mother's instinct. he's super safe to be around."

"maybe i should go home, eomma. you two can spend time together."

ji ung cleared his throat, gaining the attention from the two women and he's suddenly regretting making any sounds at all. ba ram suddenly felt sorry that he had to witness the scene but also felt the need to laugh at his helpless face so, she decided to tease him more.

"look, eomma. you made ji ung uncomfortable. he probably doesn't want to meet you anymore."

"no no no!" ji ung waved both his hands in front of them, disagreeing with ba ram. "it was really nice to meet you, Mrs. Eun... it's just new for me to see something like this."

"we were just joking, ji ung. but everything that i said was true! thank you for visiting me. it's good to know that my daughter has a good friend like you, ji ung." her mom patted ji ung's shoulders and smiled lovingly.

"i am more thankful that i am ba ram's friend."

ba ram was the one being silent now, listening to their exchange. somehow it felt great to hear that coming from ji ung. she did a small happy dance in her head. the scene in front of her will be remembered for sure.

just like that, the three of them were getting more comfortable talking with each other or it's more like ji ung was getting comfortable and involved in the conversation and taking all the teasing well, mostly from her mom.