Beyond the Sunset

Chapter VII

"Halmeoni, please... Don't make this awkward for Soo Hyun," I felt the need to butt in since I didn't want him to be in a helpless situation.

While I am certain of what we have, putting marriage into the picture is a whole new level. By the tone of my grandmother's voice, the pressure was palpable and I don't want to put a heavy weight on his chest. I don't want us to marry because that is what expected of us. I want us to settle down because we are ready and madly, deeply in love.

Soo Hyun and I exchanged glances. I gave him a reassuring nod that he should not be pressured over the words of my grandmother.

"I am genuinely asking because what is the point of dating if marriage is not in the cards?"

"I think I am still too young to settle down," I politely said. "We will get there if God permits."

"We are not rushing into anything, Ma'am," Soo Hyun held my hand and gently squeezed it. "While we are very much committed with each other, we want to take things slow and steady. I want Ji Won to take her sweet time to do all the things that she wants to do for now."

As expected of Soo Hyun, he handled it in a very calm demeanor while politely deflecting the question with his confidence and humor.

My grandmother nodded. "Well, you are right. Marriage is not a joke. You have to be, if not a hundred, a thousand times sure when you take it."

We were driving back to the city and the hum of the engine was the only sound breaking the heavy silence. We left way ahead of everyone. Though the affair was filled with laughter, drinks, dancing and love, I must admit that the endless questions on our wedding made me really uncomfortable.

I was staring out the window when the conversation on marriage was brought up again but by Soo Hyun this time.

"About earlier..." he took a deep breath. "I just want you to know that I didn't feel awkward about it. Marriage doesn't scare me for as long as it's you I am gonna end up with."

"I am sorry that you had to deal with all those silly questions earlier. I didn't expect my grandmother to be so persistent about the marriage questions. But please give me some more time. It's not that I don't want to marry you someday. In fact, I do. However, I am still enjoying everything I am experiencing right now. I am enjoying your company, our freedom to do things on our own."

He grabbed my hand and kissed the top of my palm. "I can always wait. Promise me, you will never give in to the expectations of the people around us. Although, I think, they only want us to be happy. But, yeah, things were so overwhelming."

We sat in silence. And just when we were approaching the bridge that connects his place to mine, I looked at him.

"Oppa?"

"Hmmm?"

"I think I need some time with myself. I wanna sleep on my bed and be alone for a while. Could you drop me off at my place? Would that be okay?"

His eyes flicked to me. "Of course." He nodded, understanding all the chaos that was running inside my head. "Take all the time that you need. I'll be there when you're ready."

I gave him a reassuring smile. There really was no problem between us. It was just that, I needed to be in my sanctuary after dealing with a series of overwhelming events with overwhelming conversations. If there is one thing I am grateful for Soo Hyun, it's the fact that he doesn't misunderstand my lack of social interaction. He knows that in solitude, I find a great source of rejuvenation.