The fatigue and discomfort were getting to her as the due date inched closer. She would feel breathless after taking a couple of steps. Days before her 34th week check-up, she found herself having some light bleeding and immediately called her gynae to inform her about it.
She was ordered strict bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy, which mean less walking, and more resting. For someone who prefer being active, she was disappointed to hear that.
***
It has been three weeks since she was put on bed rest. There was nothing much that she could do at home besides watching TV and reading some books. Her mum would drop by occasionally to tidy up the place, and cook for them, even when Jihyo told her not to as she didn't want to trouble her.
"Do you need help?" She entered the kitchen and rummaged through the bag of groceries that Gary had brought back. She took the items out from the bag and placed them on the counter.
"I can handle it myself. You should be resting." He said as he grabbed the pack of pork belly in her hand and led her out of the kitchen.
"I've been resting for three weeks, and in that three weeks, the time that we spent together barely adds up to a week. Can't you let me stay and help you?" She stared at him.
He looked at her and sighed. He too, know that he had been neglecting her a lot. Ever since he got promoted, he had been working overtime for almost every day, and when he returned home, Jihyo would already be asleep. They only get to spend time together during the weekends, but even so, sometimes he may need to return to the office to settle some work.
He went to grab a chair and put it in the kitchen. "You can stay in here but no helping."
"Arasseo." She stroked her round belly and sat down, watching him as he marinate the sliced pork belly with soy sauce and garlic for tonight's dinner with their two best friends.
Months ago, Gary had made a bet with Rye Il to see if he was able to quit smoking. He thought he wouldn't be able to do so but Rye Il hasn't been touching any cigarette for more than a month. Having lost the bet, Gary had to treat Rye Il to samgyeopsal as promised but since it wasn't advisable for Jihyo to move around, they opted to have it at their house instead.
"Any special request?" Gary asked as he opened another pack of sliced pork belly.
"Gochujang samgyeopsal," she answered, and passed him the tube of gochujang.
"You're still craving for spicy food?" He popped open the cap and added three spoonful of the red chili paste to the meat.
"I think the twins love it." She smiled, and said.
***
At half past seven, their guests finally arrived. Hye Won was surprised to see the size of Jihyo's belly. It was much bigger than she had expected. Gary was expecting Rye Il to enter with bottles of soju in his hands but those green bottles were nowhere in sight.
"Did you quit drinking too?" Gary asked him as they sat down at the table.
"Absolutely not. It was already hard enough to quit smoking. I wanted to bring some but she didn't allow." He said, pointing at Hye Won who was busy grilling the meat.
"Eyy. I was hoping to drink some tonight." Gary said, disappointingly.
"Oppa, if you're drunk, who's going to take care of Jihyo?" She said in defend.
"Right. What am I going to do if you're drunk?" Jihyo nudged his elbow and looked at him.
With two against one, there wasn't any possible way to win. He glanced at Rye Il but he just shrugged his shoulders. With a sigh, he pour some water from the water jug into a shot glass and drank it as though he was drinking soju.
After dinner, the ladies stay put in the house while the guys went to the convenience store to get some snacks. They loaded two bags of chips into the shopping basket, and circled the snack section a few times before ending up in front of the beverage fridge.
"Should we just get a bottle?" Gary said, casting a look at Rye Il.
"Should we have it here?" Rye Il pointed his thumb over his shoulder to the window counter seats.
Gary opened the fridge, grabbed one bottle of soju and headed to the counter for payment. He took two paper cups from the cashier and went over to the seats.
Rye Il popped open the cap of the soju and poured equal amount into the cups. As they drank it, he couldn't help but to feel amused by their current situation.
"I can't believe we have to drink this secretly." He told Gary.
"The temptation was too much." Gary replied.
In five minutes, the bottle was empty. They cheered and downed the last bit in one shot before leaving the store.
"Do you think Hye Won will find out?" Rye Il blew his breath against his own palm, hoping that the smell wasn't strong enough to be noticed.
"Since when are you so scare of her?" Gary chuckled as he pulled out his vibrating phone from his pocket. "Guess who?" He showed Rye Il the caller ID before placing it against his own ear.
"We're walking back now." He said.
"Oppa, you have to hurry!" Hye Won shouted over the phone.
"Yah! What's wrong?" He glanced at Rye Il, and he noticed the change in Gary's expression.
All of a sudden, there was a look of seriousness on his face.
