The Things We Have Never Talked About

5

Heeseung went to the restroom after he finished her meal. He's so overwhelmed now. He couldn't enjoy the food. Not when his mind in somewhere else.

He turns the faucet on and starts washing his face, intended to clear his mind a little.

When he's walking back to the table, everyone seems already done with their business and are preparing for their leave.

Finally, it's over for today. He thought.

As he walks to the parking lot, his phone rings.

'Mom' called

He answers the call immediately.

"Yes, Mom?" Heeseung asked as he continued walking to the parking lot.

"Heeseung-ah, where have you been? Why didn't you contact me?" his mother asked.

"I've been very busy lately, I am sorry, Mom. But, I am off tomorrow, so I will sleep in your house tonight," he feels guilty, his mother must be feeling lonely since his father passed away.

"Of course you have to. How's Arin? I miss her, it's been a long time since we met," her sudden question made him stop his walk.

"Uh, she's fine," he didn't know, actually.

"Don't forget to take your wife with you, okay!" her mother said in an excited tone.

"But, she's–" he couldn't finish his word.

—Tuuut

'Mom' ended the call

He bumped into someone when he stared at his phone while continuing walking.

"Ah, I'm sorry," both of them speak at the same time, coincidentally.

Knowing the familiar sound, they both turn their heads facing each other.

"Uh, Kim Arin"

"Lee Heeseung"

Due to the awkward atmosphere, Arin decided to leave him until he grabbed her hand.

"I am sorry, but, uh ... will you help me, please?" he's flabbergasted.

Arin glanced slightly at their hands and tilted her head while facing him.

"Uh, will you come to my mother's house? She said she missed you," Heeseung looked at the other side, couldn't hide the embarrassment.

"Huh? But we're no longer–" she couldn't finish her words as he cut.

"I have not told her yet," he said.

"Please ...." his grip is getting tighter as his nervousness arises. He's wondering whether she will help or reject him.

Arin just kept silent for a while. She has been contemplating which one she will choose. At last, she nodded.

Deep down, she missed his mother too, after all.

Seeing her will to help, Heeseung starts walking to his car while still holding her hand. Then, he opened the passenger seat for her.

"Uh, thank you," Arin feels awkward for the sudden action.

"Would you mind if I change my clothes first? My house isn't far," Arin said after Heeseung got in to his car.

"Sure"

Heeseung starts driving his car to her house. Well, in the past, he called it their house.

"It will take around 15 minutes. Please wait for me," she opened the car's door and went to her house.

He leans on his seat, taking a deep breath. He looked at her house, the witness of their story, holding more than a thousand memories they had.

'Our' house remains the same, not like our marriage.

He chuckled with the sudden irony.

"Sorry it took longer than it should," Arin looked at her watch.

"That's okay. Shall we go?" Arin just answered him with a nod.

...

"I couldn't tell her everything about us, just yet," Heeseung finally breaks the silence.

"Why?" she turned her head facing him.

"Her condition is getting worse. I'm afraid her heart is not strong enough to endure such news, not after my father passed away" he explained.

"What?! When?" Arin was shocked with the sudden information. Mr. Lee was a very kind and wise man.

"I'm not sure, I believe it's around a month after our divorce," he glanced at her slightly.

"I..I am sorry," She's sad that she doesn't know it sooner.

"It's okay. It's not like this is still your business anymore, though," his answer was right, actually. But, still, his words made her feel uneasy.

"My mother, she likes you very much. She's seeing you as her daughter," a faint smile appears on his lips while saying that.

They finally arrived at his mother's house. Both of them got out of the car and rang the doorbell.

Not long after that, the door opened and showed an old woman with her warmth expression.

"Ah, my daughter! I missed you so much," Mrs. Lee smiles excitedly and hugs Arin.

"I missed you too, Mama Lee!" Arin hugged her back.

"Have you two eaten something?" Mrs. Lee asked.

"Yes I have, but Arin hadn't, she's working in her restaurant all day," Heeseung answered her mother.

He's not lying though, he knows her behavior. She barely eats when she is in her restaurant, especially in the kitchen. He asked the reason once. She said, she always loses her appetite after cooking too much, and sometimes she forgets to eat.

He knows her too well.

"Come here, Arin. I bought your favorite food since Heeseung said he will stay a night here," Arin looked at Heeseung after hearing what Mrs. Lee said.

In response, Heeseung only looked at her with an apologetic expression, while his mouth talked inaudibly, "I am sorry, this was beyond my control."

"Thank you, Mama Lee"

Mrs. Lee served her food happily, and Arin felt warmth in her heart, bringing her back to her past memory where everything was perfect as ever. She eats the meals silently until she remembers something.

"About Father Lee, I am sorry for not attending his funeral,"

"It's okay, my dear. Heeseung said you were severely sick back then. We received your flowers too," Aeri stunned by what she heard. She glanced at Heeseung who's sitting beside his mother, He's avoiding their eye contact.

She doesn't know how to express her feelings right now. Confused, guilty, yet grateful at the same time.

...

"Let me wash the dishes, Mama Lee," Aeri offered her help.

"It's alright. You can just go to your bedroom, I know you're tired," Mrs Lee said.

Oh, right. The bedroom. It must be very awkward. Wish her luck, everyone.