"I would like to go for a picnic by the river…I always wanted to try that…" I change the topic.
"Let's do that…" he agreed.
"I'll prepare the food…"
"We'll prepare together…you're not the only one who can cook, you know…" he uttered.
"But are you not going to have more comfortable clothes." I casually stated.
"Aha, is that a subtle way to say I'm stinky…" he is still teasing.
"Hey…you can't go to picnic dress in a suit, you know…"
"Actually, we can't go to picnic in this weather yet…" he corrected. He has a point though.
"I'll go for a quick shower; you can finish up…" There will always be a discussion with him, so I have to leave before the discussion gets longer or what else.
"I asked Joon to bring my stuff." He stood up and pull me upstairs. He went inside the bathroom, like it's his own. "Didn't you say, you'll have a shower?" He smirked. My eyes open wide, astonished as to what he's trying to do. Is there even a chance to argue with this man? I opened the drawers to find some toothbrush and handed it to him.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" I stated.
"Let's have that quick shower before Joon arrived," he is still teasing, emphasizing at the word quick. He removed his robe. He is now teasing me to join him. There's no point arguing with him or trying to be coy. Might as well just give in and enjoy every moment of it.
We did end up doing that quick shower, what else. He dried himself and put back his robe, he has to wait for his own clothes. I felt ashamed thinking what Joon-o's reaction be when he sees him with only his robe. I told him the passcode for the elevator in case, Joon arrive and I'm still not ready.
I put on a casual black fitting pair of jeans and an oversized maroon cashmere long sleeve top. I finished drying my hair when I heard he is talking with someone downstairs, Joon-o is probably here already. I gathered my composure to go down and greet him. I was surprise when I saw him already on his clothes, he must have used the bathroom down here, I notice the bag that Joon-o is carrying. It must have been nice to have someone like him, who is always so ready. He smiled when he saw me, of course he recognizes me.
"Good morning, how are you?" I greeted,
"Good morning, Miss. I'm fine thanks", he replied.
"Did you have breakfast?" I was about to go and offered him some coffee.
"Actually, Miss, I have to go. I just brought Mr. Nam's stuff and his bike…"
"Thank you. I will see you later…" Jae-woo dismisses him.
"See you around then," I nodded my head.
We went biking by the Han River, we ended up not making food for the picnic, and we just settled of having lunch by the food stalls. I felt like he is trying hard to make me miss him. It was a day to remember, it might compensate for the fact that we might not see each other for 2 weeks since I'm going back to Copenhagen again at the end of the month.
Just like that, the goal of making memories and ticking off one of the "Things to do while in SoKor" has been successfully done.
I have been in good mood the whole week. I caught up with Prof Kim by Wednesday and he relay Myeong's invitation for weekend dinner. The dinner that has been put off for a long time.
"I don't have plan weekend; my flight would be Sunday evening so I would love to come…" I replied.
"Oh, I almost forgot, has it been a month already?" Time flies, I have not even notice it myself, it's been a month already. It's the second month already, the looming 6-month is ending soon.
"Before we know it, I will be defending my thesis and leaving Seoul again…" the thought of that day no longer excites me. It made me think about him, what will happen then?
"I have not seen anyone who looks dejected while saying they are excited of something…" the professor brought me back to my senses. I smiled, but I also know that it was a bittersweet smile. He shook his head, sometimes, even when he's not saying anything, he knows. It made me wonder how much he can read into my expressions.
I received a surprise call from Soo-ha Thursday, inviting me to her place for dinner. I was so alarmed when I realized the date. Of course it's her birthday. How could I forget? I need to get her a gift. But what could I do if the person that I needed to remedy this kind of situation is the receiving end of the urgent matter that needed to be solved?
I breathe a sigh of relief when I checked my schedule, I don't have my class after lunch so I still have time between lunch and my consultation period. I can go home and go back to the university again by 3 pm. Although, I can entrust Soo-ah with everything, she doesn't usually open my stuff especially those that are not out of the box yet. I was so relieved to realize that the latest packages I shopped online just arrived yesterday and most of them are not opened yet. I brought a bottle of champagne and 2 bottles of red wine. The good thing about Soo-ah is, she will be grateful no matter what you'll give. She is just like me when I was her age, no sense of fashion but functionality. I bought 2 bags from Mirta and I know exactly which one I will give her.
It's the first time I'm driving to her place, although I've been there 2 times before, I'm always with her. I called her for the exact address and so she could meet me for the parking. But then she asked me to just leave my car at the university since they are coming to pick me up. I was at the restroom when she called.
"Miss Ara, I'm sorry but I am not the one to pick you up, I am preparing here in the rooftop now. I asked Roo-ni to bring you along, I hope it's fine. He will be by the department entrance in 5 minutes…"
"Hey, no worries. I can just drive there…"
"It would be better not to, there's no parking for the cars here…" I can sense that it was the real problem all along.
"No worries. I just finished my lecture. I will head out now…" I looked at myself in the mirror. I put on some lipstick and let my hair down. I love the wavy look of my hair after being tied for so long. I had time to change to a more casual look when I went to the loft earlier. I was wearing a pencil cut dress earlier with tights and ankle boots. I changed it with a soft navy-blue square pants that almost looked like a long skirt and a satin long sleeve shirt with vertical blue striped. I just used my ankle boot which is my favorite shoes right now since I became too comfortable with it. I am standing by the entrance holding the big paper bag where the gift and the wine is, when a black Kia car stopped. Roo-ni came down from the driver's seat.