AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 6

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

"Do you think we'll make as cute a couple as them someday?" -- Yoon Hyung-Chul

 

 

The sun is already high in the eastern sky when Hyung-Chul turns his BMW off the road into the parking lot. He pulls into an open space near Mr. Jin's Discovery.

 

Sun-Mi's father and Song Jin-Suk are waiting at the trailhead, climbing packs at their feet. Seeing them dressed matching ‘couple' hiking garb, Hyung-Chul gives Sun-Mi a wink and whispers: "Do you think we'll be as cute a couple as them someday?"

 

"Tsss..." Sun-Mi's terse response lets him know what she thinks of his presumptive remark.

 

But she can't help breaking out a wide grin at the cute appearance of the elderly pair.

 

"Daddy!! Auntie!!" she calls out, waving vigorously.

 

Jin-Suk waves back when she recognizes Sun-Mi, and soon, the four set off together.

 

For the outing, Kui-Sung and Jin-Suk are decked out in the typical Seoul hiker's "uniform" : durable leather boots with the ubiquitous red knee socks, colorful padded vests festooned with an array of small pockets, broad visors to shade their eyes, and backpacks stuffed with supplies for any conceivable contingency. Each carries a collapsible aluminum walking stick.

 

Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi, in contrast, wear casual sports clothes, with light weatherproof windbreakers against the morning chill or a surprise change in the weather. Hyung-Chul carries a sling with two water bottles over his shoulder and sport designer sunglasses for a debonair look. Sun-Mi, on the other hand, looks like a college girl out on a class outing with her beloved red Cambridge cap pulled down snugly to keep it from blowing away, and a lightweight designer backpack to hold their lunchbox and a few essentials for the day's outing.

 

The initial going is easy on the wide paved path, but soon the trail narrows and winds in switchbacks up the steep rocky slope. They move at a steady, moderate pace, part of two parallel, orderly processions of hikers, one headed up, the other down – singles, young couples, seniors, and families with small children, as far up or back as they can see. Periodically they pass a rest stop supplied with benches, many occupied by small groups taking early lunch breaks.

 

Kui-Sung and Jin-Suk stop at a scenic overlook to take a breather, and allow Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi to catch up, after lagging behind to take closer looks at something or other that Sun-Mi would point out to Hyung-Chul. Kui-Sung removes his backpack with an exaggerated expression of relief and sits down on a smooth boulder at the side of the trail, the backpack at his feet, and then removes his bulky vest.

 

"It's a good place for a rest, huh?" he suggests to Jin-Suk.

 

She snaps back critically: "Hey, old man, quitting already? We're not at the top yet!"

 

Still, Jin-Suk also removes her backpack and sits next to Kui-Sung to rest her feet. She takes a water bottle from her backpack and offers a drink to Kui-Sung. "Here, have a drink.".

 

"Thanks." He takes a long swig. "Ahhh!! … That's better!"

 

As he is drinking, Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi arrive. Sun-Mi walks over to her father. She rests her hand on his shoulder, leans down, and peers with concern into his ruddy face. "Daddy, are you all right? Are you feeling ill?"

 

Kui-Sung looks up at his daughter and grins reassuringly. "Just a little winded. I don't get much exercise these days."

 

He waves in the direction of the summit. "Sun-Mi, why don't you and Director Yoon keep going? It's not far. We'll rest and follow along."

 

Sun-Mi's brow is still wrinkled with worry. "Are you sure you don't have heatstroke, Daddy? We could turn back now. Or I can stay with you, while Auntie and Senior go on."

 

Jin-Suk speaks up. "No need, Sun-Mi. I'll stay with this old coot and take care of him." She jabs Kui-Sung's side, making him wince. "Once he has something in his stomach, he'll do better."

 

But Sun-Mi still frets: "You'll be all right, Daddy? You've never been tired like this before."

 

Her father smiles. "Stop worrying! Now go on. This is Director Yoon's first hike here. It'd be a shame if he can't see the top."

 

Hyung-Chul checks his watch and looks at the sky. A few clouds drift lazily in the cobalt blue. "If we go now, we won't have to rush."

 

Sun-Mi looks at Hyung-Chul, then back at her father, still torn. Kui-Sung waves her on.

 

"Okay, Daddy," she concedes, and now with her mind made up, doesn't hesitate: "Let's go quickly then, Senior."

 

She immediately starts off with long, quick, strides.

 

"Hey, wait up!" Hyung-Chul calls after her. His longer legs soon catch him up to Sun-Mi, then he slows his pace and ambles along beside her. Rounding the next switchback, out of sight of Sun-Mi's father, he slips his arm around her shoulders, but Sun-Mi shrugs his arm off with a hiss: "People may be watching!"

 

"Here, we're not Director Yoon Hyung-Chul and Announcer Jin Sun-Mi," he reminds her.

 

Hyung-Chul resolutely puts his arm around her shoulders again. Now Sun-Mi readily acquiesces, relishing the anonymous opportunity.

 

She looks up at Hyung-Chul and smiles. "You know Daddy pulled one of his tricks just now? He pretended to be tired, so he could send us off together. Couldn't you tell?"

 

"Actually, I think he just wanted to send us off, to have time alone with Ms. Song," Hyung-Chul offers his opinion.

 

Sun-Mi stares at Hyung-Chul, surprised. "You really think so?"

 

"Your father told me he had something special in mind for this hike. I'm predicting you might have a new Mum soon!"

 

"Senior! Is it really true?" Sun-Mi exclaims, and they both share a laugh.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Back at the scenic overlook, Jin-Suk has accepted that their hike to the top has ended.

 

"Well, ‘old man', let's eat if we're going to stay here." She opens her backpack to take out their lunches.

 

But instead Kui-Sung stands and slips his pack on again. "Come on, let's get moving. I think they're far enough ahead now."

 

Jin-Suk looks up, surprised. "I thought you were too tired to go on!"

 

He chuckles. "I wanted to give the kids some ‘alone' time. We were just getting in the way. Maybe they'll have something to tell us when we get to the top."

 

She gives him a sideways glance. "You really are quite the matchmaker, aren't you?"

 

Kui-Sung grins broadly. "Sometimes a fellow just needs a little space to make a move."

 

He helps Jin-Suk put her backpack on and fastens the straps snugly. Then he offers his free hand. "Ready to come… with me?"

 

"You sly old fox!" Jin-Suk smiles. "I thought you'd never ask!"