The Story of Us | Jikook/Kookmin

8 | Stranger Eyes

Jimin POV.

- Eat a lot. -Mother excitedly smiles at me while placing the bowl of homemade pork soup with rice, quite local to Busan. 

I smile in return and politely take a sip from the soup, watching her sit in front of me and watch my reactions expectantly. 

- It's really delicious eomma, thank you for the food. -I reply to see her anticipation soften into satisfaction. She nods and rubs her palms into each other while watching me eat. 

She doesn't look too comfortable sitting on her bent knees, but how can she feel totally at ease, when dad is glancing at us once in the while from the garden, where he is watering with a hose, as if he is ready to cut any interaction between us in case he notices mum being too friendly with me?

We quietly pretend on the inexistent of pressure and carry on with our actions for a couple of minutes. It's only quiet slurping noises from me eating and mum's longing eyes on me.

I raise my head to stare at her, immediately causing her to blink in a little excitement only I can note from up close.

- How have you been eomma, are you taking care of your health? -I ask, as I place my spoon on the table and lean my head towards her, trying to be as gentle as I can with my smile. 

- I'm great, my boy. -She nods with a smile, although I can see there is so much more she is hiding behind her eyes. -How about you? Are you eating well, sleeping well, working hard? You seem to be sick too. Did you stay out too much?

I chuckle and nod slightly.

- Just a bit. But I'm okay. I look fine, don't I? -I raise my eyebrow teasingly and show her my side profile to make her laugh. Her fond smile slowly widens, the creaks on the sides of her eyes growing in number at the instance. I got it from you my beautiful mother, my crescents and eye smile. -I'll get better really quickly. 

- Jimin-ah... -She says, slightly peeking at the garden with the corner of her eyes and after making sure father is not staring she turns her attention to me. I read fear and motherly care in her eyes. I'm alarmed. 

- Is everything okay eomma?

- Do you have enough pocket money to sustain yourself? Do you want me to give you some, my son? -She asks furrowing her eyebrows and quickly nodding while extending her hands on the table.

Ahh, my beautiful, beautiful mother... You always think of me...

- Eomma. -I reply trying not to get emotional and hold her hands softly. -I'm completely alright, you know appa pays me for working at the repair store, don't you?

- I know, but I'm worried that that thick-head is going to snap at you one random day and punish you by keeping you penniless! -She whines in a whisper, head moving way too fast to match her anticipation to express herself. -He is extremely grumpy lately... I don't even know what gets into him sometimes, I'm not able to control him...