Letters and Latte | Ryeji

08 - Unsanitary

"Hiding your body but your head is pointless. I see you even if my eyes are closed, Ma." Her mother moved forward, feet were still glued on the small khaki carpet in front of Yeji's door. "I promise you're not disturbing me."

"Though, the aroma of steamed vegetables and fish makes me want to go down and eat." Yeji grabbed a pillow, placing it on her lap. Mrs. Hwang just finished cooking for early dinner even though Yeji couldn't join her tonight. "I've done all my academic tasks."

The woman in her mid 40s displayed a grin. "Except that. Technically, you're not because of that." Yeji breathed out, if she was a bright student and daughter, Mrs. Hwang was the brighter supervisor and mother. And, Yeji couldn't argue with that matter anymore.

There was a tranquility in the room, not a single motion was made, only their stable breathings could be heard within the area. Yeji then wandered her eyes onto a pretty peachy hanging dress near her wardrobe.

"What do you think about parties, Ma?"

"They're fun, frequently raucous, but that's what it makes them indulging. Why do you ask?" Truthfully, Yeji was expecting for any antagonistic opinion, it appeared to be the complete opposite. At that point, Yeji was calmed, clearing up her negative thoughts.

"Is celebrating a Halloween party worthy? Mostly seniors were invited, including me...but I completely get it if you disfavour-"

"Honey," Mrs. Hwang cut her daughter off with a gratifying smile. "you're old enough to be having fun, you've always been good and I doubt letting you to get involved into a party will turn you into some of unruly daughter."

Mrs. Hwang had so much trust in Yeji that asking for permission from her first before coming into whatsoever proved that, if this was some other normal teenager and they heard parties, hesitation would never visit their minds. They would lie straight up to her face shamelessly just to have a taste of temporary happiness with consequences.

"I should take that as a yes then...?"

"Likewise, your father and I met in a party." Of all special events, Yeji never thought her parents and their eternity blossoming flower embarked on a party. "Not every sole party is unethical. It was a cocktail party, very formal but of course, with drinks." Yeji listened carefully, specifically her mother hadn't reeled off their romance and so. She put up her elbow on the pillow, slowly inclining her chin, intrigued. "I wore a red simple dress."

"Make-up wasn't really a huge thing before but I remember wearing a velvety lipstick." Her mother paused, it felt nostalgic again. "I was with a friend, she was socializing all the people around and I was only sitting at our table quietly." She yielded a chuckle, and Yeji too as she had an initial circulating thought it would probably the same situation for her when the Halloween party finally come.

"Some guest sat on our table to have a small talk with me, since I was alone, I entertained all of them. Until a good-looking man decided to offer me a candy."

"Why candy? It was cocktail party, right? Oh my god, that's very odd-" Yeji couldn't believe, covering her mouth using her both hands in awe. "It can be wine or ask you to dance with him?"

"He's your father, he's different. He told me he wasn't a drinker and that was his lousy defense to get my attention." Yeji just face palmed herself. "Then, we lurked out of the place, he brought me somewhere else, to a place he used to go for unwinding and that was it." It was quite long to narrate. "It was followed by many encounters after the party. See, parties aren't that awful at all."

Yeji pursed her lips, took off the pillow on her lap, and smoothened the paper. "The party incidentally dawned my everlasting love."

With that, Yeji giggled, her mother looking still helplessly in love with her father, was also the very similar sight she hoped to see and experience for herself. These kind of things couldn't be found everywhere, there were times, it could only struck up once in a blue moon.