SCENERY / Taejin

31. One Question

"How do I look?"

Hyung is getting ready infront of the full length mirror. His broad back is turned to me but I can see him in the reflection. He has the biggest smile splattered on his face.

The weekend is here and we're getting ready to visit a vineyard.
So far the only thing I know is that it's owned by a guy he used to work for.
I haven't seen him this excited ever since I've got here and I'm getting a bit jealous of how fondly he talks of him, so I made extra efforts to look good this morning.
But so did hyung too.

"You look good." I mutter.
He looks ethereal but a corner of my jealous mind don't want to say it.

He looks disappointed with the answer I gave him and walks up to my face, squinting at me.

"You're lying." He whispers, his face too close to me- our noses are almost touching.

Too close...hyung.

"W-what?" I stutter back.

"You actually want to say I look great, right?"
He's so close I can see his pores and the sweat wetting his bangs.
Summer is here and the afternoons are hotter than the heat in my pants.

I don't answer back as I get lost staring at him, thoughts running off again. I have the strongest urge to bite my lips but I hold it in.

Hyung takes my silence as a victory and steps back, smiling even more. He skips down the stairs happily, shouting back at me to hurry up.

Why is he so happy for today? Whoever is this friend?

___________

The destination is about a 2-hours drive away from the town. The taxi drops us off at the main road and we begin climbing up the hill to the estate. The area is so much more greener than the coastline and as we get nearer, we get a glimpse of the wide spread plantation. Red,purple and green colours in neat rows for miles and miles with a mansion in the far distance.

"So...what's your friend like?"
I want to be prepared to meet this person and show no sign of being intimidated.

"He's the best. The first friend I made here and the one who helped me the most. He's really good at a lot of things- he taught me to bake, to make coffee and wine and.."
Hyung beams as he answer making me more irritated.

"Is...is he handsome?"

Tae, you're pitiful and it's showing.

Hyung looks extremely puzzled at my question and I want to kick myself for asking it. His eyes widen at me for a good few seconds before he finally answers.

"Well...I guess...in a way." And he starts to giggle.

That doesn't make me feel any better.

We reach the huge bungalow in no time. The house is magnificently built, with a flowering garden surrounding it and miles of even more picturesque landscape in the backdrop.

As we approach the house, I spot an old man tending to the bushes in the lawn.
He looks up at the two of us approaching and drops his gardening tools immediately.

The quietness of the place is shattered by his shrill voice.

"Jinnnnn!!" He runs towards us as fast as his tiny frame and thin legs could take him.

"Joeeeeee!!" Hyung returns with an equally shrilling cry and he rushes forward to hug the tiny old man.

"I missed you, friend!"
"I missed you too, friend!" They fake sob with comical expressions.