BUTTER;k.hyuk

RENAISSANCE

08.

la dolce vita.

i rest my head on my hand, elbow propped up on a desk.
i'm gazing outside a window.
the sun is nearly at its highest point in the sky but hides behind
icey clouds that lack detail.

a cold breeze knocks up against my face,
and reality.

"i've been calling you for the past 5 minutes naia"
"didn't even hear you"
"that's real obvious" my sister, sarina.

i shrug my shoulders, "come help ma with dinner"

i set the table like when i was a kid.
the dining room still has all the nostalgic designs
pieces that give the room character,
pieces that make it my favourite room in the house.

we sit and eat.
one thing my mother really wanted was a family dinner with her daughters.

it doesn't happen as much as it used to when we were all underneath one roof eating dinner together everyday,
but it wasn't as sad as i thought it would  be--
this bittersweet feeling.

the topic switches to hyuk and how the family hadn't met him yet.

"i see him on the tv all the time, never in person" my mom tells me.

"he's a really busy guy ma" i tell her, wiping my mouth with a cloth.

"if he's so busy when he have time for you?"

funny question.

"he makes time, you don't have to worry ma"

she just raises a brow yet keeps quiet. in a caribbean household, that one gesture can mean a lot but she won't disclose what she's thinking— not now.

when our night is over and my mom stands by the door as i get ready to leave.

"you ask your boyfriend if he'll come out next weekend. it's your father's birthday, he should be there"

"i'll ask ma"

"don't ask. make him"

i laugh and sink my hands into my coat pocket. "goodnight ma"

hyuk is asleep in his office when i get home.
i lay my hands on his shoulders and startle him a little.

"you home?" he asks, voice tired. i giggle and nod.
he apologizes for falling asleep as he stands up.

"how was it?"
"good. my mom wants to meet you"
"mm"

he places his head between my chin and my chest, and although i'm talking and he's responding with a quiet hum, i know he's barely listening.

he's worked himself to exhaustion, so i let him sleep.