So, this is why she looked uneasy. I can see everyone's look now, beginning with Jae-yin as the only one I recognize, Jae-woo's parents whom I recognized from the pictures, and their guests, Ha-ri and her parents. I felt Jae-woo held my hands tighter. My smile is fading slowly now. What kind of joke is this? I felt Jae-woo is trying to pull back, but I held him firmly making him feel that I'm not going to look stupid and run away. Jae-yin might have recovered from her initial shock. She is the first one who approached me and greet me with a cheek kiss.
"Good morning and welcome, Ara…" she made it sound casual.
"Thank you…" I replied politely. Then her mother came to me with a big smile and in her simple English welcomed me and escorted me and Jae-woo to our seat.
"Why don't you introduce her to everyone, son…" her mother asked to Jae-woo.
"I thought this was a family brunch…" he commented. And gave a disapproving look towards his father.
I knew this is a disaster waiting to happen. I looked at him, warning him not to blow this out of proportion. But he made a statement in Korean, and then everybody else talked. You know what I hated most being married to my ex-husband? It is those moments when I'm being left out in the conversation, like I didn't exist when I can feel exactly that I'm the one they are talking about. And at that moment that was exactly what happened. I can clearly feel that the argument and animosity amongst everyone on the table is because of me, but it seems that nobody care if I understands what's going on or not.
Base on the situation, I can only assume that there is an awkwardness of being invited here while Ha-ri and her family is here at the same time. And Jae-woo might have felt uncomfortable for me. And because I don't feel like hearing anymore 'noise' in my ears. I chuckled and then it turned into a sarcastic laugh. Finally, they all looked at me.
"Huh, there are no family gatherings without the drama, right? I don't want to sound rude to cut your conversation, I think I needed to say something. Since, I cannot understand what you have been talking about, I will just assume that you're probably too ecstatic to meet each other on such fine day. I'm sorry if I can't jump in with the courtesies because, well I'm not too knowledgeable with the ways to communicate. But where I came from, tradition or language aside, being polite means being mindful to other people around you…oh wait, I think that's basic human courtesy. I'm Ara Rivera, nice to meet you all, don't worry I can put names on the faces by now and thanks for the invitation. Unfortunately, I think I have to leave…" I took a bow and turned my back. I took the opportunity while they are still in shock to take a step back. There was an awkward silence from the table. And I can feel Jae-woo's footstep right behind me.
"Ara wait…" he grabbed my arms. I stopped but I didn't look back.
"It's ok. I think I need to do something. You probably have something important to talk about…" I remarked.
"Let's go…" he held my arms and escorted me out of the house. We were in his car when he finally talked.
"They didn't think you're coming…." He started.
"Huh…" I let an angry scoffed. He looked at me. "So? the invitation is for what? Out of courtesy?"
"They asked Friday to confirm if we are going and I didn't give them a definite answer then…" he continued.
"So, having Na-ri's family there is it just any ordinary scenario? Are they usually present at these gatherings?" I sarcastically asked.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know that either." He looked dejected.
"Probably better if I'll take a cab home. You can stay. They probably have something to say. I don't want to be the woman who makes their son turn his back on his family…" I know he needed to stay. No matter how immature my emotions right now, I know he needed to hear out whatever his family has to say. He looked at me, maybe trying to study how I am feeling.
"Take my car…I'll call Joon to bring me home later..."
"Ok."
"You won't disappear on me, won't you?"
"Not yet…" I smiled. He reached for a kiss.
"I'm sorry about this." He apologized.
"When you get back there, don't make excuses for me. I hate it. Say it as it is. I hate it. And I'm sorry but I will probably have a hard time coming back to this house again. See you."