He looked surprised and didn't budge a bit. He calmed down and brings his face closer to mine.
It took 5 minutes before he realized who I was. I looked at him while grinning... Then he went back to sitting straight and closed his eyes and covers it with his two hands while a smirk formed on his face. I laughed at him coz I know he remembers me now.
BIN: son of a gun! ( he stood up and came closer to me) Su Hoe!!! Ahhhh my god! (He hugs me as I stood up to greet him) how are you?! Man, haven't seen you like forever! Well, except when watching tv!
SU HO: yah! Stop calling me a hoe, idiot. I'm a changed man now!
BIN: "changed man" my buttcrack! Hahaha
SU HO: ha ha ha yeah yeah... I missed you too buddy! Wow, look at you! You're the boss now huh?
BIN: (he released me from his hug) haha yeah, dad gave it to me as soon as I graduated college. Wow, enough of me, what about you?! Man! I can't believe you're here! Oh oh ahh I forgot to reach out to you when I saw you on tv... Wow, you're famous now Su Ho, congratulations!
SU HO: thanks man, hehe
BIN: it's been what? 8 years now? Hmm... We got so much to talk about man.
SU HO: yeah hehe, hmm can you help me?
BIN: yeah sure! Anything man, what is it?
SU HO: uhh, I just came back here from Seoul and I was supposed to buy food but I came across your shop so I came here. Can you help me where to buy meat, fruits, and vegetables?
BIN: you're going to cook?
SU HO: yep.
He looks at me intently.
SU HO: I can cook Moonbin, stop staring at me as if I'm going to burn my house down If I cooked.
BIN: you said it... Hahahaha
SU HO: shut up and just help me.
BIN: Nah man, come eat at my place! Are you hungry? I'll ask mom to cook now.
SU HO: Nah, I'm tired of the travel and I just wanna sleep the rest of the day. I'll cook tomorrow.
BIN: yeah sure... Ok... Let's go to the market. Wait, I'll call Min to take charge of the shop.
As soon as Min came out, she saw me... Ohh the surprised look made me laugh. I didn't bother to talk to her or even say sorry for what I did a while ago. She deserves it anyway.
We went to the market and bought some food. I made sure to stock a few kilos of meat good for a week. Then some fruits and vegetables. But we were too late, most of the shops are now closed.
Only one shop was lit and as soon as we entered the place, I was greeted by two old couples. They told us the shop is closed already. But, they asked me if I needed it now. I said I'll be using it for tomorrow so they suggested that they'll just deliver the items to me in the morning coz they also do deliveries. I agreed and gave them the list of vegetables and fruits that I want. They took it and we said our goodbyes.
I told Moonbin I want to see my old house, and check if my parents are there, Bin gladly accompanied me.
SU HO: hmm Bin... Do...
I hesitated for a moment, but it seems Bin already knows what I'm going to ask...
BIN: well, if you want to know about them, better check them out, right?
SU HO: ok, let's just walk faster but silently. I don't want them to see me. I had planned on how to approach them later on.
BIN: wow. You still harbor that grudge huh,
SU HO: they kicked me out Bin. And I've got nowhere to go that time.
BIN: yeah, I've seen your interviews... I didn't know what happened Su Ho, sorry. If I did, I could've asked you to stay with me.
SU HO: it's ok Bin, if you did, I wouldn't be what I am now right? Hehe
BIN: Man, I hope someday you'll make it up with them. They are your parent after all.
SU HO: hmm. They should've thought about that before kicking me out.
Bin just sighed. I have not been striving if it's not because of the hatred I feel for them.
The sun has already set and darkness starts to envelop the sea and land.
I stood in front of my parent's house. The light in the dining room was open so I tried to look at who's inside...
I saw them... Mom and dad. What I saw crushed me, I did not expect what I saw. They are happy.
Mom chuckled while a toddler about 4 or 5 years old plays with her hair. Dad, on the other hand, looks at them dearly. Dad never showed that expression to me.
My shoulder sank and I felt a heavy object was placed on top of me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Then I walked away.
Bin looked at me with concern...
BIN: man, I'm sorry. But look at the brighter side, you did prove yourself. If you see them, tell them that. Doesn't matter if they're happy or sad. What's important is, you became what you wanted to be.
I looked at Bin and showed him a sad smile. He's right... But, I couldn't shake off the idea that they moved on without me and didn't care about me. Ever.
As I reach my house. Bin told me that...
BIN: hey Su Ho, until when will you stay here?
Initially, I'll be staying here for the whole 3 months. But I guess I'm having second thoughts about staying here. I want to go back. But the meat I had is good for a week... I don't like wasting food so...
SU HO: in a week I'll be back in Seoul. Why?
BIN: oh... (He looked sad)
SU HO: why? What's wrong?
BIN: well, I had this scholarship to attend for 3 months about entrepreneurship in Hongkong
SU HO: really? Wow, good for you! When will you leave?
BIN: around 3 am tomorrow my flight is 6. Ohh sorry man, I missed you and we've got plenty to catch up...
SU HO: yow Moonbin, it's ok, you do what you got to do, make me proud! Let's catch up when you get back though. Ok? I'll make time for it, I promise.
BIN: really? With your busy schedule, I doubt we'll even see each other again.
SU HO: what? No, I promise, just tell me when you'll back ok?
BIN: Thanks for understanding Su Ho... Hehe so, I got to pack now, see you after 3 months?
SU HO: yeah man, sure. Take care!
We both hugged each other and then we said our goodbyes.
I went inside and stored the meat in the fridge. I didn't bother to wash up, I'm just tired and want to sleep..
I went to bed with tears on my face... Some parents they are.
Since I was too preoccupied with what happened last night, I wasn't able to sleep. So at 2 am, I called Bin since he has a flight to catch up to.
SU HO: morning Bin.
BIN: Su Ho??
SU HO: how will you go to the airport?
BIN: well, there's this bus just 4 blocks away from the market that goes directly to the airport. Why?
SU HO: don't bother... I'll send you there myself. I'll just change and I'll go to your house.
BIN: what? Man, you don't need to you know. That's too much.
SU HO: no it's not. I'm happy to send you off. We won't be seeing each other for 3 months again
BIN: haha ok ok...thanks Su Ho.
I arrived at their house 10 minutes after. He greets me at their gate.
BIN: thanks man, come in... Your no.1 fan is dying to see you! (He laughs)
SU HO: huh? Who?
BIN: mom!
We both laughed as we entered the house. I went inside and saw Mrs. Moon preparing a packed snack for Bin... She's lovely as always, I went to her and greeted her.
She was ecstatic to see me. She hugged me tightly. I've never felt welcomed when I came back. These two are the best. Ahjumma always likes me having around the house. She said it makes it more lively. She was sad when she learned that I left without saying goodbye, she misses my singing and was happy I told her I will sing for her. She's one of the few people who encouraged me to follow my dream... She's better than my parents.
We chatted for the remaining hours until it was time for Bin to leave. I said my goodbye to ahjumma and promised her I'll come to visit her again before I leave.
It was 4.30 am when we arrived at the airport. Bin bid farewell as soon as he entered the airport. I left immediately and went back home. It started to rain when I arrived at 6 am, The car park was a few meters away from my house. And I didn't bring any umbrella. So I ran fast and came inside the house dripping with rain. I didn't bother to clean up the puddled water on the floor. I took my clothes off and went inside my room to sleep.
I woke up to the sudden knocking on my gate. I didn't bother at first, but someone continues to knock. I looked at the watch and it's only 8 in the morning! I heard a man calling, it was the vegetables I ordered yesterday. So I hurriedly walked towards the gate when suddenly...
💥BOOM!💥
I slipped into the hallway. Fuck, I should have cleaned the puddled water! Now I can't move. My back fucking hurts and there's no one but me in this house!
Ahh, wait! The delivery guy!
SU HO: Help! Help!