Lunch was quiet. Hyun Woo tried to hold his thoughts regarding this woman. He kept silent, but questions floated around them. In Na invited him inside and he saw that the tool shed now became a home. Jin Ae asked to be carried, and he looked at In Na, asking for confirmation. In Na sighed but nodded.
“I’m sorry but this is only lunch, I mean, it would have been a feast if we knew you were coming today..”
Hyun Woo laughed. “Nah, I just want to rest before I face everybody. You know how suffocating it is sometimes, living in a small town. I didn’t expect anybody here…”
“I’m sorry.”
“But I am actually glad. To meet you and Jin Ae.”
She smiled a small smile and served the food. Then the phone rang.
“Excuse me.” Then she went to the living room where the phone is. Jin Ae tried to reach the rice, so Hyun Woo got a small portion of her food and fed her. She made those gurgling sound which made his chest tight. She asked for more baby food and he willingly fed her. He raised his eyes to where In Na was and saw her back on his. Perfect behind, he mused. She’s sexy even she’s already a mother of a child. Slim legs, small waist, wide hips. She suddenly turned to look at him as if the person on the other side is talking about him. She nodded but he heard her say, “I don’t think I would be able to come to the house today, you know I have a lot of washing to do. We were just having lunch. Come here? No! I mean… you don’t need to. I’ll just see you tomorrow ok?” Then she hung up.
In Na went back to the table. She doesn’t look like to tell him who was on the phone so he asked him. “Who was it?”
“Dr. Joo.”
“Ji Hoon?”
In Na nodded. “You know him?”
Hyun Woo laughed. “Nobody knows Ji Hoon better than I do. We’ve been best pals since we had diapers. When he finished medicine, he came here. Then he referred me to a foreman in the ranch. So how was he?”
“He’s okay. He’s been asking if I will go to the house to prepare for your party. When I said no..”
“He’s dropping by.”
“Yes.”
Hyun Woo laughed. Now he understood why Ji Hoon failed to mention this piece of information to him.
“I see. Is he your boyfriend?”
In Na vehemently shook her head. “No! I mean, we are friends, he helps me sometimes in the house, you know, painting and with planting when he’s not busy. But…”
“You don’t like him?”
“It’s not that…”
“So you like him?”
She blushed. “He’s nice. Kind with Jin Ae. But I don’t think I am ready for a relationship especially after what happened…”
“Haven’t he told you his feelings?”
“No… it’s not that I don’t know, but it’s still bad to assume. But I know it’s thoughtful of him to actually consider that I might not be ready for any romantic relationship.”
Hyun Woo fell silent. Ji Hoon, his best friend is in love with this woman. Yet, Ji Hoon didn’t bother to tell him.
“Does Jin Ae call him Apa?”
In Na looked up. “No. Though probably he was the one practicing her. We go to his clinic regularly for check up but no, I haven’t heard her said apa, only today. And with you, whom she only seen today.”
Hyun woo cuddled Jin Ae on his arms and the little girl giggled and shrieked happily. In Na observed her daughter and this man. They seemed very comfortable and having fun with each other, which was very strange. Maybe, she needs to answer Ji Hoon’s feelings for her, to provide Jin Ae a real father.
But, looking at her daughter, why can’t she bring herself to do so?
The sun is setting when they went to sit on the front porch, coffees on their hand. Jin Ae got tired of playing and fell asleep on the cot beside them.
“I’m sorry to burden you with me.”
In Na shook her head and smiled. “I actually was able to finish my chores because you are here. You looked after Jin ae. I can’t finish with her following me around.”
They fell into a friendly silence and just watch as the sun set behind the trees.
In Na sighed contently with the peace and tranquility she felt. It was only seldom she feels like this, in the midst of bills, her work, a crying baby… it’s hard to feel peace. But now… with this stranger, she feels… safe.
“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” She said, looking at the red, yellow sky disappearing in the horizon and a touch of purple and some twinkling stars appearing in the sky.
Hyun Woo looked at In Na and smiled. “Yes. Just perfect.”
In Na felt Hyun Woo’s gaze on her and it gave her a warm feeling. She knows she just met this man, but he is already giving her those fuzzy feelings she doesn’t understand. She’s 30 now, and a single mom. She shouldn’t have these thoughts…of feelings she cannot afford to have.
“Mr. Ji…”
“Hyun Woo.”
“Oh. Hyun Woo-ssi. What are your plans for tomorrow?”
He liked the sound of his name on her lips. He smiled. “Nothing much. I don’t want to show myself yet to the ranch, so I’ll probably just stay at home and clean. My house probably has accumulated dust over the year so…”
In Na laughed. Her laugh is unique…and infectious like her daughter’s. “I’ll help you. I’ll just finalize the party info tomorrow morning and I’ll help you clean and wash.”
“You mean that?”
“The least I can do for someone who owns my house and took care of my daughter.”
“Promise?” He held up his pinky finger.
“Promise.”
