From yaad to abroad: Wah Gwaan Korea?

Chapter 32

A steamy night; lips against lips, skin against skin.

Suddenly, a loud horn could be heard, then a constant buzzing of the phone.

"Damn that Suk-Chin."

Min-Jun opened his eyes, sat up in bed, lifted the sheet, and looked down below.

"Oh, Alexis, what are you doing to me?" he said, rubbing his face.

As he got out of bed, his bedroom door flew open.

"Min-Jun, my boy!"

Min-Jun immediately dived back in the bed. Figuring out who the voice was coming from, he snapped.

"Suk-Chin you idiot! Don't you know how to knock?! You can't just barge into a grown man's room!" His face was as red as a beet.

Suk-Chin looked at Min-Jun with curiosity, softening to a calm realization. He walked over to him.

"My boy, it's time we finally had the talk." He placed a hand on Min-Jun's shoulder.
"You see, this is natural. There's no shame. It just means that you're a man."

Min-Jun stared at him with a blank expression.

"My Min Min is becoming a man." Suk-Chin wiped away a tear.

"Get out."

His tone left no room for arguments and his eyes expressing, 'utter one more word and I'll land you in the hospital.'

Suk-Chin smiled, stood up, brushed Min-Jun's shoulder, and headed towards the door.

"I'll be in the kitchen having breakfast," he informed Min-Jun. "Don't worry, I won't tell. Remember, it's all part of being a ma-"

Min-Jun threw a pillow as hard as he could, but Suk-Chin closed the door and ran away before the pillow could hit him.

Min-Jun went to the shower. Water trickling down from his head to his feet, submerging himself under the shower to cool down. He ended up taking a long time, as each time Alexis popped up in his mind, his heart began to race, and his body started heating up. After finally calming himself, he exited the shower and started getting ready.

Seeing Min-Jun enter the kitchen, Suk-Chin remarked, "Finally! Let's go. You'll have to grab something on the road. You took too long to get ready. Did you forget that we have a test today, plus a paper due?!"

"And as usual, you don't seem prepared." Min-Jun responded.

They got into the car and headed to school.

"By the way, it's not that I'm not prepared. That's not the point here. What was taking you so long!?" Suk-Chin eyed Min-Jun curiously.

Min-Jun sighed.
"Eyes on the road." He pushed Suk-Chin's head forward.

Upon arrival at school, Min-Jun received a call from his father, telling him to come by the office afterwards. After spending 3 hours at school, Min-Jun was picked up by his father's driver. He arrived at his father's company, waiting for his dad in his office, who was still in a meeting. 30 minutes later, his father entered the office. When he entered, he saw his son gazing at the view outside the window. He chuckled after observing his son.

"How have things been between you and Jia? I heard that she's headed back to France."

Min-Jun knit his brows a little.

"Are you going to let her go like that? I know you don't see her that way, but somehow, I always thought you two would have ended up together."

"Father..."

"Is this girl worth it? You barely know anything about her. How will she be of any benefit to you?"

Min-Jun grew frustrated. He clenched his fist and knitted his brows.

"Dad... when it comes to whom I choose to give my love, please have faith in me. You've said before that if you wanted, you could step down from your position and hand the company over to me because of my capabilities. You've stated that when it comes to my love life, you won't interfere. So please, with the trust you've placed in me pertaining to the company, please have the same trust for whom I choose as my partner. That is all," he responded.

"Love?" His father studied his expression. "Love.... I have never seen that expression on your face before, nor have I heard you speak of such things. Now I am curious about this girl. Introduce us."

Min-Jun's eyes widened at his father's response. He then wore a soft smile.

"I will be going then," said Min-Jun as he left the office.

After leaving the office, he called Jia.

"Where are you right now?"

Jia took a moment to respond.
"I'm on my way to the airport. I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye to you."

"Hey! Why would you-"

"I'm sorry." Jia hung up the phone, turning it off with sadness welling up inside her.

Min-Jun hastily called Suk-Chin. "Hey, where are you?"

"I'm near the company, what's up?"

"Good, pick me up now. We're going to the airport. I'll tell you everything in the car."

Suk-Chin collected Min-Jun, and they headed off.

Once Suk-Chin had been filled in, he had a look of sadness on his face.

"Why would she....I mean, I can understand why. But she didn't even tell me anything. I'm hurt."

Arriving at the airport, Min-Jun dashed out of the vehicle, searching frantically for Jia while Suk-Chin parked. After five minutes, he came to a halt as he saw a figure that resembled Jia in the check-in area. Rushing over, he grabbed her hand. Surprised, Jia let him lead her towards some seats nearby. She then got mad and pulled away.

"Why are you here?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

"Jia.....I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I knew you liked me, I knew how you felt. But I pretended not to know because I didn't want to lose you. I'm sorry, Jia, but it was never going to be you."

Tears rolled down her face. "You are such a jerk." She hit him on the chest.

"I know..... I'm sorry."

As Jia cried, Min-Jun couldn't bring himself to comfort her, as he felt he didn't have the right to.

"That's one of your charms, the fact that you were always honest and straightforward." Jia wiped her tears. "Goodbye, Min-Jun. I don't know if I'll be seeing you again." She got up and walked off as Suk-Chin arrived on the scene.

"Jia!!!" yelled Suk-Chin.

He caught up to her, hugging her as tight as he could, and walked with her to the entrance of the waiting area. They could be seen having a long conversation. Then, they parted ways.

Suk-Chin headed over to Min-Jun.

"This, my friend, calls for a drink. Just you and me tonight. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want Alexis to know that you're wearing that expression because of Jia."

Min-Jun did not protest.

The following day, Min-Jun decided to surprise Alexis with a treat. The girls had been busy with schoolwork lately, so the boys decided to assist them with whatever they needed. They arrived at the girls' residence with goodies in their hands. Min-Jun reached out his hand to knock on the door but paused midway as he heard music and noise coming from inside. Looking at each other, they hesitated, then knocked. The door opened, revealing Shanice. The boys eyes widened; Min-Jun immediately averted his gaze. In the background, he saw Alexis and immediately went in and placed his jacket over her.

"Hey, Shanice! What do you think you're wearing?!" Suk-Chin removed his shirt and placed over her. "How can you answer the door dressed like that?!"

Shanice tried stifling a laugh after meeting eyes with Alexis. Alexis, too, covered her mouth to hide her chuckle.

"Hey! You little....you think this is funny?!"

"Why yuh nuh stop di noise?" Shanice kissed her teeth.

Alexis explained that they were in carnival wear, giving a backstory of the festival. The girls were attired in black tights, bras, and what seemed to be bikini bottoms filled with decorative stones and colourful feathers. Shanice was working on a design for next year's competition and was using herself and Alexis as models.

Min-Jun, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke up.
"You remind me of peacocks."

Suk-Chin, who had been frantic, burst out in laughter, rolling on the floor after hearing Min-Jun's comment. As if annoyed, Shanice put a video on showing a carnival celebration. Men and women clad in revealing decorative costumes danced together. Everyone was dancing against each other to really upbeat music. Min-Jun's face became pale at the thought of Alexis attending the event all dressed like that, while numerous guys danced with her. Suk-Chin, who was rolling on the floor, immediately stopped. His expression became stiff.

Min-Jun looked at Alexis. "You-"

"Don't worry. I don't do carnivals, nor do I feel comfortable wearing this," she reassured him.

"That's my girl." He smiled, hugging her and kissing her on her forehead.

"Speak for yourself!" Shanice started gyrating to the music that was playing in the video.

"Hey! You think this is funny?!" exclaimed Suk-Chin. "Attend, and I will burn everything!"

Alexis and Min-Jun laughed. The evening went on with Suk-Chin and Shanice going back and forth, no seeming end to their bantering in sight.

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Author's note

Let me know if any translation is needed for the Jamaican Patois (Patwah).