Destiny of Love

Kim Taehyung

I held her hand as we walked on the path decorated with snow. Though most of the path had been cleared by the hardworking municipal workers but the trees on either side were still untouched. It looked so serene and calm. There were not many people out luckily which relaxed us a little.

"So where are we heading to?" Kisa broke the silence.

"I am thinking to meet my friend whom I left abruptly last time. He must be worried for me." I voiced my thought.

"Do you want me to accompany you there or shall I wait outside for you till you finish your talk with him. I don't want to be a third wheel." She said softly.

"I want to introduce you to all my friends." I smiled.

She blushed and shifted a litter closer to me most probably due to cold. Her warmth sent butterflies in my stomach. Even a small gesture of hers felt so different.

It took only twenty minutes for us to reach the market and the other ten minutes to reach Dong Shin's shop. Not many shops were opened today and I feared if he too had not opened his business but luckily he did. Though the shop was nearly empty.

We entered the shop to be welcomed by my old friend who again didn't recognize me. He welcomed us politely and led us to the table near the window.

"See I told you I am good at camouflaging," I said proudly.

The poor guy seemed to be confused.

"Hey hyung, this is your second time not recognizing your Tae." His gasp made me laugh while Kisa gave a shy smile.

Shin dragged me to the Kitchen and I gestured for Kisa to follow. Once being sure that no one is around, he finally gave a sigh of relief.

"Thank god, you are safe. I was so worried for you when you ran away from here and then when that news came about you. I felt so helpless. I didn't know that grandma's news would lead you into so much trouble else I wouldn't have opened my mouth." He said in one breath.

"Calm down buddy, I am safe and happy. Nothing happened to me. I was protected from all that chaos by this girl beside me. She let me live with her and protected me and took care of me." I said while giving a quick smile at Kisa who didn't understand a word I said. We were having a conversation in Korean which was a foreign language to her. Sometimes I wish, it would be so nice if she knew the Korean language.

"So let me introduce both of you to each other. So Kisa, he is my best friend Dong Shin and Shin she is Kisa."

" Annyeonghaseyo"

I looked at her with bewilderment as she greeted him 'hello' in Korean. It sounded so good from her mouth. I wanted to pull her cheeks this instant but she would certainly hit me if I try to do that.

Shin politely returned the greeting and led us to the same spot where he had me have kimchi last time.

"What would you like to order?" He asked her in Korean. My friend didn't know English and Kisa didn't know Korean so I had to act like an interpreter between them. I explained my friend's words to her.

"I would like to have anything as long as it is vegetarian." She said shyly.

"Are you vegetarian?" I hadn't realized it until now.

She nodded her head and I asked Shin to make something vegetarian too.

"What about veg noodles?" Shin suggested and I passed his suggestion to Kisa.

She agreed and Shin went back to the kitchen leaving us alone.

"Annyeonghaseyo" I imitated her and laughed as she whined like a baby.

"Hey, you said that you didn't know Korean then what was this?"

She rolled her eyes at my question.

"Everyone learn greetings in a foreign land."

"So how much did you learn till now," I asked.

"I learned three words...umm. No four words..." She said, suddenly excited to tell me her small achievement.

"I learned... Annyeonghaseyo, Kamsahamnida, mi ahn and Saranghaeyo"

My heartbeat skipped for a moment. 'Saranghaeyo' looked more romantic in her voice.

"How can you say it so bluntly like this in front of the man?" I muttered to myself but she caught my words.

"What did I say so bluntly?" she asked still oblivious.

"From where did you learn these words?" I ignored her question.

"From k dramas. I couldn't catch much of the words but these were easier to learn. I am also trying to learn from my translator." She answered clapping her hands.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" I asked her out of the blue. She got surprised for a moment and starting fidgeting uncomfortably on the chair. Even I was surprised by my bluntness. How can I ask such a question to her?

"Never mind" I closed the topic.

"No" A soft voice answered.

I looked at her flabbergasted.

"Pardon"

She sighed and repeated.

"No, I am single since birth." She chuckled suddenly.

I scratched my head at her behavior. I thought she would feel offended by my question but she was laughing. But this feeling of confusion got overpowered by extreme happiness in my heart. I don't know why that relief and bliss entered my soul.

Neither did I ask any questions further nor did she extend the talks. There was complete yet comfortable silence between us until Shin appeared with our food. He placed veg noodles and kimchi on the table and Kisa thanked him which made me grin at her again.

" Kamsamnida"

"You look cute when you speak Korean." I complimented her and she responded with a giggle.

But her giggle stopped in the midway as she picked up chopsticks and looked at them with confusion.

"What happened?" I asked with concern

"Can I have a fork? I don't know how to use chopsticks." She said feeling embarrassed.

"Of course," I asked Shin to bring forks and he nodded and went back to the kitchen

He returned with the fork and after placing it on the table he turned to return to his workplace when I stopped him.

"Come here, talk with us. We hadn't had a good talk last time and there is so much to know about you."

He shook his head and declined my offer with a mischievous grin.

"This is the first time I am seeing my friend with a girl and I don't intend to be a third wheel." I tried to stop him but he just walked away ignoring my calls.

Meanwhile, Kisa witnessed this with curiosity and after my friend vanished asked me with utmost interest.

" What's going on?"

"Nothing, I just asked him to sit with us but he is busy with kitchen work." I lied.

" Ohh....ok...let's start eating."

I guess we are super foody. It didn't take even fifteen minutes to finish our food. Shin reappeared with his mischievous grin and asked her about the food. She praised the food and I translated her words to our master chef.

After saying goodbye to Shin, we were again standing on the cold road with no pre-decided destiny to reach.

"Now what do you wish to do?" Kisa asked rubbing her hands to warm them.

I again stole her hand and hid it in my palm.

"Let's go to watch a movie, what do you say?" I asked her.

"Sure, that would be fun. I haven't watched any movie in Korea."