Translation of Love

54

Last Chance

"Hello?"

"Junwoo?" My voice is hesitant as I hear the boy's familiar tone. I wonder if he still recognizes mine.

The pause on the other end causes me to second guess my decision.

"Sohee?"

I can't help but smile at hearing my name. My heart seems to be thundering now.

"Junwoo, hi."

"Noona, what—when? What are you—" The boy fumbles with his words adorably.

"I missed you. I'm sorry I haven't called. But I'm back in Korea. How are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm doing good." He pauses, his voice seems a bit distant. "Noona, do you want to meet in person? It doesn't feel right talking to you over the phone."

I laugh a bit at his words and agree. The sun isn't completely set yet, and I am far from being tired. We agree to meet at a restaurant since neither of us have eaten dinner.

My walk to the restaurant ends up being one of mixed emotions. First I'm giddy with excitement and am practically running to get to my destination. Then I'm slowing down my steps as I begin to question everything and grow anxious. His name was the first one I thought of. He's the one who I think will welcome me the easiest, and I want to get my questions answered before I try anything brash.

But what if he's upset at me? What if he hates me for not keeping contact? What if he wants to see me in person to let me know that everyone's lives have deteriorated in the past year? What if he's homeless now? Okay, maybe that's a bit much... But what if it's the opposite and everyone's doing great, so great that they easily forgot about me?

I end up entering the restaurant in this anxious state of mind. I can feel my hands shaking as I look around the busy casual eatery. I freeze in place when I see a boy waving his hand at me, his eyes big and bright, his smile warm and innocent. He doesn't hate me.

When I walk to the table he gets up and wraps me in a big hug. It's a bit shocking at first when I remember the shy and awkward boy from last year.

"Noona, why did you take so long to call?" He says into my hair. I can barely breathe as the younger boy smothers me. I softly push him away.

"I'm sorry," I say between heavy breaths. We sit down and our conversation starts flowing so naturally that it feels like I never left.

"How was it to go back home?"

"It was good. It was exactly what I needed. I needed to let my mom go properly, and I feel so much better now that I have."

"I'm glad you're not feeling burdened anymore." The boy smiles warmly at me. "What are you doing now?"

"I live with my father and his family. They had moved closer downtown and opened a new restaurant. It's doing very well," I smile proudly.

"Oh! You should have told me and we could have gone."

"No, it's nice to go to new places every once and awhile."

He gives me a knowing look. "Ah I get it, you're checking out the competition." I laugh at his comment, my eyes crinkling and body shaking.

This feels nice. Exactly what I needed.

Or so I think.

We eat our meals comfortably, enjoying each others company as we chat about how things are going. Junwoo is in his second year of classes now, and his face scrunches up cutely when a certain girl's name is accidentally brought up. I spend time prying information out of him about her and make fun of him for the blatant crush he has on her. He diverts the conversation onto Minjun strategically, who apparently has a serious girlfriend for once.