Sixteen

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November 1st, evening

I was lucky when the eatery was not packed with customers that night and i waited for Mr. Jee's arrival at the entrance. The quest which i gave my p.a earlier on was to find out whether i still have his card on my desk and it seems like i still did. I noticed Mr. Jee's liking at seafood and somehow, at one occasion that we attended years back, he told me his favourite seafood eatery.
I greeted Mr. Jee upon arriving about ten minutes of waiting. He greeted me warmly.
"Nice seeing you again, son," he said to me,"Hyo Rin will be here in a half an hour."
"What? Oh, she's coming?" I asked, pretending to look surprise. But i think i failed miserably.
"I maybe an old man but i've live long enough to know a man's technique to see woman," Mr. Jee said as we both settled down at one empty table near the corner.
"Er," i was lost for words. Embarrassed.
We ordered three dinner sets and as we waited, Mr. Jee talked about the hardship he had gone through all the years and what intrigued me was his fondness on his late wife, despite she had died many years ago.
His first wife, which happens to be Hyo Rin's maternal grandmother and Hyo Rin's mother was only 10 years old when she died.
"Hyo Rin reminds me alot of my wife and my daughter. Even though she got her father's looks," Mr. Jee said to me,"I saw the look on your face. I can see that you were surprised when you found out about that she's my granddaughter."
"I was. She never talked much about herself," i said.
"Just what i thought," Mr. Jee chuckled.
Our dinner was served and shortly after that, Hyo Rin finally came. Just i expected, she was surprised to see me. She brought a small luggage with her along.
"Did Jin Hyuk sent you?" Mr. Jee asked.
"Yes. But he couldnt join us. He's meeting his parents," Hyo Rin said,"He sends his regards though."
"I'll be giving you some of the things later on," Mr. Jee said,"I'll be going there on the 3rd."
"Where?" I finally asked.
"To Busan," Mr. Jee replied and Hyo Rin looked reluctant,"Its All Souls' day tomorrow."
"Oh."
"Hyo Rin's parents and my wife are buried there," He explained,"We cant go together because of my wife. If you get what i mean."
"Yes, i understand," i said,"Mr. Jee, you dont mind if i give Hyo Rin a ride there? I'll be going to Busan myself, to visit one of the branch. I havent been there for ages."
"Sure. Why not? Its better than taking the night bus," Mr. Jee said brightly.
"But-"
"Oh honey, at least this time you wont be going alone," Mr. Jee said to her, cutting her short,"Then i dont have to worry much about you travelling alone all the way to Busan. I dont think the night bus would travel all the up to the village."
"Alright," Hyo Rin said, giving the sign of defeat. She couldnt argue anymore and had no choice but to go with it. Though i had the feeling that she had something else in mind and after dinner, once we walked Mr. Jee to his car where his driver was waiting, my hunch was right.
"Ajusshi, can you send me to the bus terminal?" Hyo Rin asked the moment her grandfather's car made a left turn and drove away.
"Terminal? Why?" I asked.
"Because i want to use the bus," she said.
"Why are you talking to me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you have a choice," i smiled,"Hop in. The sooner we leave, the better. Its a long drive."
"Why are you doing this, ajusshi?" Hyo Rin almost whined,"I told you not to see me again."
"Im not seeing you. Its your grandfather whom i wanted to meet. Plus, i still need to make a visit to Busan," i told her,"What makes you think that i was doing all these just to see you?"
Hyo Rin blushed furiously and that was the first time i've seen her blush. Pink in the cheeks, she entered my car and i smiled to myself. Little she didnt know that i was indeed doing all these just to see her again.
And so, the journey began. At first i thought there would be less cars at the highway since it was 8.30p.m. and i was wrong. There were plenty of cars but the traffic were smooth. It wasnt congested but it took about one hour until we had finally reached a different highway.
"There's a rest stop up ahead, should we stop?" I asked.
"Where?"
"5km."
Hyo Rin glanced at her watch and nodded,"Sounds like a good idea."
I was the one who needed a rest stop, and thankfully she agreed. The back pain that have been bothering me for quite sometime had been giving me signals to stop and do a little stretch. If i were to drive long distance, my lumbago would be bothersome especially now.
I parked my car and Hyo Rin said she need to go to the restroom first and asked what would i like to have.
"Mineral water and some painkiller, if they have it," i said to her.
"Painkiller?" Hyo Rin asked, and nodded. She left without asking why i needed some. I watched her leave but made a u-turn, coming back to the car.
"What?" I asked her.
"Can you walk?" She asked.
"Huh?"
"Do i need to repeat my question, ajusshi?" She said patiently,"Lets sit out for awhile."
Obligingly, i turned off the engine, pocketed my keys and my phone and it was an embarrassing moment indeed. I couldnt stand straight the moment i stepped out from the car.
"Does it hurt alot?" Hyo Rin asked.
"No, im fine," i lied, hands on my hips, i walked slowly.
"Like hell you are," she said quickly,"You could have at least told me."
I sat down at the picnic table, trying to massage my hips but it was almost impossible.
"Turn your back towards me," she instructed and before i knew it, she lifted the back of my shirt up.
"Sit up, straightened your back. I cant do it properly of you sit like this," Hyo Rin over my shoulder.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"Nevermind," she sighed heavily and adjusted my posture using her knees. She applied some kind of ointment on my hips and my back. It was cool at first but getting warmer soon after that. Skillfully, she massaged my hips and back, in circular motion.
"Better?" She asked after awhile.
"Yes, thank you," i said, nodding appreciatively,"You're very good with your hands."
Out of the sudden, she started giggling. So hard, she was red in the face.
"What?" I turned at her.
"Every time im with you, i keep on forgetting that you're already 41 years old," she said, giggly.
"And?"
"You need to slow down on weight lifting, it'll hurt your back even more," Hyo Rin said.
"Thats okay, i can come over and you can give me a massage," i said, grinning.
Hyo Rin sighed heavily,"Nevermind. So, just mineral water and painkiller? How about something to eat?"
"No, thanks. Im still full," i said to her. She left for the restroom for real this time and i saw her entering one convenience store and emerged some time later, carrying a large plastic bag.
"You dont mind if i drive us there?" She asked when i popped in two painkillers,"The painkillers is going to make you drowsy."
I read the description on the label at the back. May cause drowsiness.
I handed over the key to my car to her,"Dont drive too fast. I have a heart disease."
Hyo Rin snorted,"Yes, Mr. Kim Jong Kook."
I forced myself to stay awake as she drove into the highway, maintaining 90km/h speed.
"You'll be safe in my hands, so, go to sleep please," Hyo Rin said to me, changing lanes, overtaking two cars at once.
"With you driving, i dont think i'll be able to sleep," i told her honestly. She shook her head.
I fell into a deep dreamless slumber not long after that.

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