HERE COME THE REGRETS

N I N E

Wonwoo was feeling a little irritated the moment she hit the break gently as she drove along the super highway, taking the boys to their second day in camp. They were reading their programme leaflets and enumerated aloud the different activities for the day. Chanyul was apparently excited knowing that it was all about earth science and nothing could make him happier than having to spend a day with learning from archeologists and paleontologists. He even speculated that maybe actual fossils or maybe bones from dinosaurs will be displayed in a show room. His big brother could only look and listen to his excitement.

"Woojin and Dino are going too, Seunghan hyung told me yesterday," Chanyul said as he stashed his things inside the confines of his bag. "Woojin was really hyped up when he read the itinerary – "

"Do you want me to come with you three? Seunghan is trying to sign us up for the Algebra Alchemy in Day 4." Jeongin interjected.

"I'm fine with that," Chanyul replied calmly. "But I don't know if you're going to enjoy the lecture, though. It's going to be all about dinosaurs and – "

"At least it won't tire me and Seunghan from chasing you three like crazy, just like yesterday," Jeongin scoffed.

"Boys, I will be working on afternoon shifts, I will be home by midnight already," Wonwoo interrupted as she pressed on the accelerator and turned left towards the shortcut to the University. "Your dad will come and fetch you on the way. Leave him a text if you must. If the Chois won't be fetched by their parents, squeeze yourselves on the car, okay?"

"Okay mom,"Jeongin replied attentively.

"And Jeonginnie, don't forget to remind your dad about dinner. If he misses it because he is dead tired, can you do the reheating? I can call Jeonghan eonni to fetch their kids at home because your dad can't make it to theirs."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, looking away from his mother's glance at the rear view mirror and set his eyes on the University grounds. He saw a bunch of kids, about Chanyul's age, wearing graphic tees with crimson and gold colored lanyards on their necks. He always finds Chinese students to be real serious and creepy; who knows one of them might be spies paid by their government to get crucial information, send each other secret codes and things they need to discuss discretely. But for one, he was fluent in Chinese too. He could have just understood everything they said, especially in an intermediate level. He remembered a few days ago when he met that Chinese boy who accidentally bumped Chanyul at the grocery. He really wasn't fond of making friends, especially with strangers, but this boy was something else. He felt a little light – maybe because of his innocence and apologetic expression on his face. But nevertheless, at least he was humble unlike those other people like the boy who come to the country and act as if they belong to the higher scheme of the social food chain.

"Have you seen the tons of Chinese delegates from yesterday's orientation, hyung?" Chanyul asked as he shifted his position to face his brother. "They were wearing uniforms of red and yellow, like they were promoting some propaganda!"

Jeongin could only eye his brother sharply. "Since when have you learned anything about politics? You're talking about propagandas like you lived your life with it."

"I'm just telling you what I saw," the younger exclaimed. "I really thought they would come in packs and all of them were wearing thick glasses and slit eyes, and – "

"Just because they're foreign doesn't mean they are weird, Chanyullie," Wonwoo giggled, interrupting her son as she came to a stop at one point near the entrance hall. "Boys, I don't want you to discriminate the foreigners of being weird and all. Just because they live, look, and sound differently doesn't mean that we have the right to belittle them." she snatched her wallet from her purse on the passenger's seat and gave them their allowance. "Remember what I told you, okay?"