Chapter Text
Jeongwon couldn’t remember the last time he was so nervous. He had had a long day today and it should have been easy for him to fall asleep. But he couldn’t, not today! His mind was full of worry about what was going to happen the next day. He checked his watch and told himself, “Within 24 hours, I’d know if it went well.”
*********
Last Saturday…
“Eomma wants to have dinner with you. I told her…that there’s someone I love. She wants to have dinner with you right away.”
Jeongwon’s breath hitched and he was left speechless for a few seconds. This was the cue from Gyeoul he had been waiting for. Unable to hold the smile anymore that burst it’s way through his face, he nodded his head thanking God that the day was finally here. He didn’t have to put his plans on hold anymore because he finally could build a timeline. He couldn’t wait to meet her mother either and the day to meet her couldn’t come any sooner.
“How about Wednesday? No, wait, I have something then. Next Saturday?” he asked, hoping he didn’t sound as eager as he really was.
“But you have a long VIP surgery next Saturday. Won’t you be tired after it?” Gyeoul asked, internally preening seeing his eagerness.
“That’s okay. Let’s fix Saturday then. Eommoni will be free then?” he asked.
“Even if she isn’t, she’ll make herself free for you, gyosunim!” she said with a soft chuckle, looking at him adoringly as he typed it in his calendar.
Jeongwon smiled through the rest of dinner as if he had just been given the keys to paradise. Gyeoul was genuinely tickled by it.
“Since eommoni knows about us, is it okay if I start dropping you home again?” he asked, hoping she would answer in the affirmative, and she did, with a smile.
When Gyeoul’s mother was rushed to the hospital, and in the weeks that followed, things had changed for her and Jeongwon. While the relationship went through the test of fire and strengthened as a result, the two had to put a big pause in the routine they had developed just for each other. They used to have almost all dinners together, either in the hospital or at Gyeoul’s place when neither was on the night shift; almost every Saturday evening was spent watching a movie. Jeongwon usually spent his Sundays in Yangpyeong but at least for the last many months, he’d come back to Gyeoul’s if he had an early morning surgery on Monday. They had gotten so used to being in each other’s presence that when it paused, it felt disruptive. Because Gyeoul’s hand had been full taking care of her mother, she hadn’t felt the effects of this disruption as much as Jeongwon had. But she wasn’t unaware of Jeongwon’s need to be part of it and help her out or just support her. She had just gotten used to dealing with her issues on her own. So, she was still learning to let him in. In any case, the two were just grateful that her mother was starting to get healthy under her care.
For two people who had until then only walked a rosy path, they handled this pause very well. No one could be blamed for the situation and it was imperative that Gyeoul took care of her mother, at least until she was back on her feet. Their love could wait. It wasn’t built on sandcastles but the earnest wish of two people, who meant everything to each other, to have a future together.
When they reached two blocks away from Gyeoul’s place, Jeongwon asked, “Do you mind if I park here and walk you the rest of the distance?”
“Sure.”
He parked in a bylane and the two got out of the car. He immediately extended his hand to her and she took it all too gladly. These weekly dinners had become precious to them and neither liked it coming to an end. They often walked for a bit, chatting about whatever came to their mind, before they parted ways. Today, they walked mostly in silence. Something felt decidedly changed. They were walking as slow as they could through the longer way home.
“What are you thinking?” asked Gyeoul after a while. Jeongwon just shrugged with a faint smile on his face. He wasn’t actually thinking of anything. He was just savouring this moment, walking with her, her hand in his hand, all small things but things that made him feel content nonetheless. Gyeoul didn’t press. Sometimes they walked in silence and that felt good too.
“Gyeoulah,” said Jeongwon, breaking the silence.
“Mmm?”
“I’ll meet eommoni next week.”
Gyeoul nodded.
“You know what comes next, right?”
Gyeoul gazed into his eyes. Before things fell apart for her, she knew they had been on the precipice of entering into the next phase of their relationship. With the truth about her family coming to light, things had to be left on the backburner indefinitely. But seems like Jeongwon was ready to start focussing on it again. Was she ready for it? If someone had asked her that some weeks ago, she would have said ‘no’. Her mind was consumed only with concern for her mother. But now, seeing that things were going well for her family (finally, after all these years), her answer would be a resounding ‘yes’!
“You know…that day when we were supposed to meet at the cathedral, I was going to ask you…” Gyeoul stopped when she heard Jeongwon’s words. “The universe does have impeccable timing,” she thought sarcastically.
“But I’m glad now that it didn’t happen then. With the way things are now, I can meet your mother officially and declare my intention for us. With her permission, of course. Maybe this was the way it was supposed to happen…” he said, looking at her and smiling wistfully. As they continued to walk in silence, Gyeoul leaned her head against his arm, clasping her free hand around his arm. Her heart felt heavy. There was something she had been meaning to say for a long time but couldn’t bring herself to saying it. Realising that they had reached the park close to her place, she stopped. She didn’t want to go home today without telling him.
“I want to tell you something.”
“Mmm?”
“I…I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“It wasn’t fair of me to keep my family situation from you. I should have told you much earlier. I should have given you time to think about whether you wanted to be with someone who came from such a family. I should have thought of whether your mother would accept me. I threw you in the lurch when eomma got hospitalised without giving you a proper explanation for a long time. It was wrong of me. I am sorry for it. You must think that I didn’t tell you because I didn’t trust you. THAT’S NOT TRUE! I trust you the most, with everything I have. In fact, when Gaeul told me that his fiance had called off the wedding after learning the truth, the first thing I did was tell you about us. Because I was so sure that if ever you were to leave me, it wouldn’t be for this reason. So I’m really sorry for keeping the truth from you.”
Jeongwon smiled. “Are you done? Can I speak now?”
Gyeoul nodded, pouting sadly.
“Never for a moment did I think that you didn’t trust me,” he said, holding her face between the palm of his hands. “Jang Gyeoul,” he continued, “I may have had a different upbringing than yours. So, perhaps I’ll never understand how terrible it must have been for you to grow up in a household like that. But do not for a moment think that I don’t know how difficult it must have been to tell me everything. I will NEVER blame you. In fact, I should thank you for opening up to me.”
“I had no other choice at that point in time,” Gyeoul said, a tear running down her face. “You would have found out anyway.”
“That’s irrelevant. You told ME. That’s what matters,” he said, taking her in his arms and keeping her there. “Gyeoulah, I’d like it if you do not apologise for your past. You had no hand in it. Why would you feel sorry?”
Tears streamed down her face. “You are so perfect. Everything between us was perfect. I always dreaded the day you’d come to know of the truth. I thought this fantasy would shatter, I don’t know how. But until you happened, I’d never learnt to expect good things.”
“But I know of the truth now, nothing has changed between us. I’d say, we are stronger now. Don’t you think?” he asked earnestly.
Gyeoul nodded furiously into his chest. “Yes. You know what you are?” she asked looking at his face, a smile appearing on her face despite the tears.
“What?”
“You are my reward for everything I had to go through. And if I had to go through them again for you, I would.”
Jeongwon glared at her. “Stupid woman,” he muttered, pulling her into a hug again, “the very thought of you going through those things makes me angry. So, don’t say such things, okay?”
“But I mean i—”
“Shh!” he cut her off.
Gyeoul smiled into his chest. She loved the fact that even the thought of her being in harm made Jeongwon’s protective side rear its fierce head. It made her feel safe.
“Maybe, the universe does have impeccable timing,” she thought for the second time today, and not sarcastically. Things had worked out better than she had imagined actually
Jeongwon patted her head and said, “I told eomma by the way. I thought…she should know.” Gyeoul jerked herself apart. “When did you tell her? What did she say?”
“It’s been some time since I told her. She was pestering me about marriage and I told her that I was waiting to meet your eomma first. She was so excited, making all these future plans. So, I told her.”
“And what did she say?!”
“Same thing that I’ve been telling you— that it’s not your fault. She did feel very sad about what you had to go through but she said she’s proud of you. Despite everything, you grew into such a wonderful person. You just wait till she becomes your mother-in-law. She’s going to smother you with love!”
Gyeoul was deeply touched and humbled when she heard this. She knew she had struck gold with Jeongwon but everything he brought along was too good to be true. But she had firmly decided that she was going to gladly receive every bit of happiness she got, without doubting whether she deserved them or not. And that’s exactly what she’d do. She got on her tiptoes and planted a firm kiss on his lips. Before she could move back, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
Things really had taken a turn for the good tonight and it left these two relieved and happy. They could finally take the next steps. Gyeoul poured her happy self into kissing him and Jeongwon met her force with fresh abandon. Unwillingly, they had to break apart.
“I miss the times we could just go to my place after dinner,” she said pouting her lips that were now a bit swollen.
“Ugghh. Don’t remind me,” he said, bending in for another kiss, a much shorter and tamer one this time. “If you want, when we go on our summer break, we can stay indoors all the time,” he added.
Gyeoul chuckled, rapped her elbow against his torso and moved to his side, intertwining her fingers with his and starting to walk again.
“Let’s go. Eomma might be wondering why I’m so late.”
“Let’s go.”
Jeongwon saw her walking into her apartment complex. Waving his hand one final time, he turned around to walk back to his car.
*********
Friday (before the D-day)
Jeongwon was in his office, working on a paper proposal for a conference when his phone rang.
“Done with surgery?” he asked as soon as he picked up.
“Eung. Are you in your office? Shall I come there before I go home?”
“Sure. See you in a bit,” he said hanging up.
“Was that Jang Gyeoul- ssaem ?” asked Junwan, who was studying for a case.
“Eung.”
“Should I leave?”
“No, why?”
“Just thought I’d ask,” Junwan said before turning back to his computer.
‘Iced Americano or latte?’ Gyeoul texted after about 20 minutes.
‘Americano. Junwan’s here too’ replied Jeongwon.
‘Americano for him too?’
‘He’d prefer latte now’
‘Kol’
In 5 minutes, Gyeoul was knocking at the door of Jeongwon’s office. She came in carrying the three cups of coffee. Both men took a break from their work and came to sit with her at the table. Junwan brought some biscuits too. He had come to realise that he liked Gyeoul’s company in such evenings when all of them were tired and needed a break.
“Gyeoulah,” said Junwan halfway through the coffee break, “don’t forget to give him hell tomorrow.”
“Yah! Yah!” Jeongwon said, reminding him to shut up.
“This guy has been on edge all week,” Junwan told Gyeoul conspiratorily.
“Is it?!” she asked, perking up in amusement. “Well, he’s surely going to go through hell tomorrow.”
“Why?” Jeongwon asked, getting worried.
“Eomma’s cooking up a storm. She’s been at it all week. And she loves to overfeed people. You’re going to have a tough time, Jeongwonsshi,” Gyeoul said warningly.
“Gyeoulah, can I borrow your eomma? This saekki hasn’t been cooking that often lately,” Junwan said, looking accusingly at Jeongwon who glared back at him.
“Don’t worry, gyosunim. I have told eomma all about you. You’ll be getting a lot of banchan tomorrow,” she assured him. Junwan stared at her gratefully, quietly got up, went to his desk and brought some chocomoncher cakes for her. Gyeoul happily pocketed them.
Before long, the trio was done with coffee. Gyeoul got up and began to clear the table when the two men beat her to it. Junwan then excused himself and went back to studying and Jeongwon walked her down to the entrance.
“Are you actually nervous?!” she asked him.
“Who wouldn’t be?! I’m pretty much asking your mother for her daughter’s hand,” he said shaking his head. “What if she doesn’t like me?” he asked voicing his concern.
“Ha! Joke! If it helps, she already likes you. Tomorrow is just a formality.”
“Easy for you to say,”
“Aishh. You’re worrying for no reason. Just focus on tomorrow’s surgery and don’t eat anything after it. When you come home, make sure you’re starving. Eating well is the easiest way to make eomma happy. Oh, also, don’t look too nervous, please. Gaeul will pull your leg too much if you do.”
“He’s dead if he tries to pull any stunt. Warn him,” Jeongwon said, frowning.
“What happens between brothers-in-law is none of my business,” Gyeoul said, looking ahead with a straight face, trying not to smile.
Jeongwon feigned displeasure, unwilling to show how happy it made him to hear her call them ‘brothers-in-law’. He pulled her cheek to retaliate. They were walking through a blissfully empty corridor. So, neither of them was worried about getting caught. But as luck would have it, Bong Gwanghyeon had to pick that very moment to appear in front of them and stop, shellshocked, at this display of…he didn’t know what to think of it!
Gyeoul and Jeongwon froze and the latter hastily put his hand away. They looked at each other. “You go,” Jeongwon said, “I’ll handle this.” Gyeoul nodded and walked away quickly after bowing to Bong gyosunim. “Handle what? What did I just see?” she heard him say as she put a good distance between them and her while fleeing.
Jeongwon pulled Bong by the arm and took him to his office.
“Junwan! Did you know about this?” Bong asked as soon as he saw Junwan in the office. “Of course you did! I can’t believe this! Are you and Gyeoul seeing each other?” he asked, looking at Jeongwon.
“Just sit down and let me explain,” Jeongwon ordered him.
“Did you get caught? About time!” Junwan said, turning back to the computer indifferently.
“For how long has this been going on?!” Bong demanded to know.
“A year and a half.”
“WHAT?!” he said, getting up again. “All this time, you two were doing this right under my nose! IS THIS WHY YOU DIDN'T LEAVE TO BECOME A PRIEST?!” he asked.
“Yes,” said Jeongwon.
“That Jang Gyeoul. She really is something. I can’t believe she actually beat God,” Bong said, shaking his head.
“I agree,” said Junwan, giving his tuppence worth, “who else could have put up with this piece of shit?”
Jeongwon chose to ignore Junwan and deal with the issue at hand. “Gwanghyeona, I need you to keep this to yourself for some time. Please?”
“Okay, fine. In any case, I am good at keeping secrets,” Gwanghyeon said, shrugging.
Junwan snorted and said, “Ya right!”
“I’m serious, Gwanghyeona. Please don’t tell anyone. We’ll announce it soon. Don’t tell anyone before that.”
Ikjun entered the office right at that moment to catch the last bit of what Jeongwon said.
“What’s happening? The inssa asked. “Gwanghyeon caught Joengwon and Gyeoul…,” Junwan said, updating him on the situation, “doing… what were you two doing to get caught though? Jeongwon, you pervert. Can’t you keep your hands off her in the hospital?!”
Gwanghyeon dramatically pulled his hair. “Keep hands off of her?! Ahn Jeongwon!! What have you been doing to uri poor innocent Gyeoul?!”
Jeongwon palmed his face at the direction this conversation had taken.
“Her GS dads will never forgive you if you do something to her. Wait till they get to know of this!” Bong said, indignantly.
‘Great! As if I wasn’t worried about tomorrow’s meeting already!’ thought Jeongwon.
“Everyone quiet!” bellowed Ikjun, putting his authoritative voice to rare use. “Jeongwon, what is it that you want? That Gwanghyeon keeps it a secret for now right? he asked.
“Yes!” said Jeongwon, desperation clear in his voice.
“Gwanghyeon,” Ikjun turned to his long-time friend, “Jeongwon will give you 100,000 won if you keep your mouth shut.”
“Wait, what?” Jeongwon asked.
“Well, my silence can be bought with money,” Gwanghyeon said, shrugging. He had clearly calmed down at the mention of money. Ikjun and Gwanghyeon always had some money-exchanging scheme going on.
Junwan laughed. “This saekki will finally have to open his chaebol piggy bank to start shutting people up if he isn’t careful. Everyone’s going to know he’s a pervert who seduced an innocent woman.”
Jeongwon threw a pillow at his soon-to-be-ex flatmate.
“So it’s decided then. Gwanghyeon, you’ll keep your mouth shut. And Jeongwon, for God’s sake, just tell people already.”
“We will, after the engagement,” he replied. Ikjun nodded in approval.
“Engagement? You two are going to get married?” Gwanghyeon asked, all smiles.
“Yah, he didn’t leave priesthood to merely date someone,” Ikjun said. “Of course, they’ll get married and make plenty of babies.
Gwanghyeon dove into interrogation mode and produced a bevy of questions to get all the scoop that he intended to give to his audience once this couple had outed themselves. Jeongwon’s plans to write the paper proposal that evening went flying out of the window and even Junwan joined in on the conversation as they decided to order food and have dinner in that office.
‘Did you handle it?’ Gyeoul messaged Jeongwon while they were in the middle of eating.
‘Yes. For a heavy price!’
‘What are the damages?’
‘100,000 won’
‘Daebak! I’ll pay for the next few dinners.’
‘Thanks! I’ll not say no.’
*********
“...I’d like to marry your daughter if you give us your blessings,” said Jeongwon, on his knees, sounding very formal. Gaeul sniggered and Jeongwon tried his best to not glare at his idiot to-be brother-in-law.
Jeongwon had arrived at Gyeoul’s a few minutes before time and been the prime example of a respectful, considerate and cultured man. He wanted nothing other than to show Sunyeong that he was the right choice for her perfect daughter and lost no time in making his intentions clear. He had taken all the tips he needed from his mother over the week and taken a small gift (a silk scarf) and a bouquet of Madonna lilies for Sunyeong. Gyeoul was also dressed well since she knew that Jeongwon would bring his A-game and she didn’t want to look too plain in comparison.
“Please make yourself comfortable, Jeongwonsshi,” pleaded Sunyeong. She was already impressed with Jeongwon thanks to all the things she’d heard about him from her two children. “I’m grateful that you’ve taken such good care of my Gyeoul and stood by her despite everything. My daughter is very fortunate that she found someone like you. Thank you,” she said holding his hand. Her eyes had tears of joy. Jeongwon smiled back, touched, and took her hands in his. “I’ll be good to her, I promise. I’ll never give her a reason to be sad,” he said, meaning every word of it.
“I know. If my daughter trusts you, I’m sure you’re more than deserving of it.”
Jeongwon smiled wider and bowed again reverently before sitting comfortably.
“Gaeulah, go get the food,” Sunyeong motioned to her son. He got up, followed by his sister, leaving Jeongwon to chat with Sunyeong as they started bringing in the dishes. Jeongwon’s eyes bulged with every dish that was brought out. Gyeoul hadn’t been joking. Her mother had made enough for a banquet. And the number of dishes was just countless.
When Gyeoul and Gaeul finally sat down, Jongweon said, “Gyeoulah, why didn’t you tell me to starve for days before coming here?” The family laughed. They were all good eaters and they were used to such reactions from people they thought ate like little birds.
Gaeul poured sikhye for all of them. Sunyeong had procured a good batch after learning that it was Jeongwon’s favourite drink. It was hers too.
That night, when Jeongwon prepared to leave Gyeoul’s place, everyone was buzzed on alcohol, food and happiness. Once he had tied his shoelace and stood up, Sunyeong took his hand in hers and thanked him for coming. The exchange between the two was warm and saccharine and the elderly woman made her future son-in-law promise that he would visit often, whenever he wanted, with or without Gyeoul. He obliged, all too willingly. He was amazed by how warm a woman Sunyeong was. She already felt like family.
Jeongwon was escorted down to his taxi by the siblings. All three were holding big cloth wraps that contained several boxes of banchan and other kinds of snacks. Jeongwon was so sure Junwan would be the happiest person on earth tonight. When the taxi arrived, they stored all the boxes in the boot of the car before Jeongwon sat inside. “Call me when you reach home,'' Gyeoul said, closing the door. In a few seconds, the driver started the car. Jeongwon waved at the siblings happily when Gyeoul suddenly tapped at the window.
“Just a minute,” Jeongwon told the driver so that he doesn’t start driving. He pulled down the window’s glass and before he could ask what happened, Gyeoul pressed a quick but warm peck on his lips and then stepped back, continuing to wave. Jeongwon had flashes of the morning she had done the same in front of the hospital’s entrance on the day he was going to propose. He smiled at her and said. “I’ll call you,” before closing the window again. The car drove away.
Jeongwon was right. When he asked Junwan to come down to help him with the boxes, Junwan marvelled at the sight that awaited him in the boot of the car. Once they had unwrapped all the cloth to put the containers in the refrigerator, Junwan declared that he was going to beg Sunyeong to adopt him and shot a text to Gyeoul, asking her if her mother would be open to the same. It was a Sunday tomorrow and he didn’t have to go into work. He opened the bottle of sikhye and poured himself and Jeongwon 2 glasses of it. In a rare moment of being willing to listen, Junwan asked him how things went and Jeongwon started divulging the details.
*********
A week later…
Gyeoul called Jeongwon, not finding him in his office. “Where are you?” she asked as soon as he picked up.
“I’m heading to the car park.”
“Why? Wait, I’ll come there. I’m on a break.”
When Gyeoul reached his car, she saw him filling the boot with what looked like the entirety of an oriental pharmacy.
“What is all this?” she asked, looking confused.
“I’m going to your place for dinner today after work.”
“Okay???” she said, looking at the paraphernalia in the boot.
“This is for eommoni.”
“Oh! When did this plan get made? And why am I not in on it?”
“Because you’re on the night shift today.”
Gyeoul scrunched her face in feign annoyance.
“How did this plan come about though?” she asked, slightly (very slightly) jealous that things were happening behind her back.
“Today. My eomma yelled at me and asked when I’m making her meet eommoni. So, I asked eommoni if I can come tonight. She said yes. Once I’m there, I’ll broach the topic and ask when she’s free.”
“Oh!”
Jeongwon smiled at her. “I came to tell you earlier but you were rushing for surgery. How does this Saturday sound? Eomma doesn’t want to waste time.”
“Saturday? This Saturday? Which is in 3 days?”
“Yes. I checked your schedule. It’s a free day. Why? Any problem?”
“Nope. None.”
Jeongwon closed the boot. “Let’s go. Have you had lunch yet?”
“No.”
“Cool, let’s go, there’s galbijjim today.” Jeongwon ushered her as her head spun with all the information on the new developments.
“Wait!” she said.
“Mmm?”
“You are pretty close to fixing a wedding date and getting invitation cards printed! You do realise you haven’t proposed to me yet, right?” Gyeoul said, demanding an answer.
“Aigoo! Did you think I’d forget that? It’s coming.”
“When?”
“Why should I tell you that?” he asked leaning down and kissing her playfully.
Gyeoul pouted sadly in response.
“Don’t you want to be surprised?” Jeongwon asked.
She looked at him with an annoyed expression, which earned her more kisses on her cheeks.
“If I’m busy, please text me about the plans.”
“Done. Sorry. I’ll text you all future plans.”
“Good,” she said, turning and starting to walk upstairs.
“Wait,” Joengwon stopped her by holding her arm.
“Mmm?”
“Are you still miffed?”
“Not so much anymore.”
“Your face says something else,” he teased her, as he pulled her towards him and kissed her on the lips this time.
“1 million won! I demand 1 million won for my silence.” Ikjun’s voice resounded in the parking lot. “Yah Jeongwon,” Ikjun said, walking towards the couple, “didn’t I tell you to keep your hands off of her in the hospital? You better shell out 1 million won or I’ll put it on the bulletin board.”
“Why 1 million won? That’s 900,000 won more than the price for Bong gyosunim’s silence,” Gyeoul asked, as the three almost reached the main lobby of the hospital.
“Friend privileges. And for keeping quiet about my matchmaking prowess for so long,” Ikjun said.
“Sorry, gyosunim , you’re late,” Gyeoul said.
“What do you mean?” Ikjun asked. Even Jeongwon looked at her curiously.
Gyeoul intertwined her fingers with her fiance-but-not-yet-fiance-because-he-hadn’t-proposed and walked into the lobby as the two men looked at her with wonder and pride. It took a couple of minutes for anyone to notice but when they did, they whispered.
“Sorry you’re not getting money for keeping the secret all this time,” Jeongwon told Ikjun, happily walking as Gyeoul led him towards the canteen, not having to hide the relationship anymore. When he got only silence in response, he looked sideways to see why Ikjun hadn’t replied. Ikjun was busy gesturing at the couple and telling EVERYONE in sight that he made this happen.
The title of this work is from my favourite piece of music by The Corrs. I find their rendition of the classic the best.