AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 221

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2019

 

"Can't we enjoy the blessings of beautiful days like this together, without concern for what might happen tomorrow?" -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

YULDONG LAKE PARK, SEONGNAM ... THE NEXT SUNDAY ...

 

"Such a beautiful child... I can definitely see something from each of you in her..."

 

The elderly woman looks up from the baby in the stroller to Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi and smiles...

 

"You must be very proud parents."

 

 

"Thank you," Hyung-Chul acknowledges the compliment.

 

"Then, I'll go first," the woman excuses herself, to continue on her way. "Have a nice day."

 

"You, too," he replies.

 

 

Hyung-Chul leans over to adjust the stroller's shade protecting Ha-Eun from a late afternoon sun shining down from the clear azure sky.

 

"That's nine who said Ha-Eun takes after me, and five who say both of us, but only three for you," he boasts. "It's amazing how people see what they want to see."

 

"Senior, this is embarrassing, leading people to think we're married with a child," she protests the game he's playing.

 

He counters with a chipper grin, "I'm not embarrassed that people think I'm related to the most beautiful baby and mother in Seoul."

 

 

Behind her Moscot sunglasses, Sun-Mi rolls her eyes at his attempt at flattery...

 

"What if someone recognizes us?" she frets. "It could start rumors."

 

"I think that's unlikely," he reassures her, "and so far, no one has..."

 

He had dressed especially casually -- unbuttoned, faded chambray shirt over a plain white tee, stone-washed ripped blue jeans, and Birkenstocks -- foreseeing such a possibility...

 

"Do I look like the Chairman of a major corporation?"

 

"No... and you might have warned me you were coming grunge today. I could've worn any plain, old thing, instead of this," she complains, referring to her knee-length, gauzy Adrianna Papell ruffled crepe floral sundress, Scala straw hat with a wide floppy brim and pink ribbon, and white Steve Madden ankle-strap sandals on 75mm cork wedges.

 

"Actually, I'm glad I didn't," he remarks. "I like it when you dress up to impress me."

 

"Who said it was for you?" Sun-Mi huffs back, flashing an eye at him.

 

 

Hyung-Chul crouches down and catches the baby's attention so she motions and gurgles at him.

 

"See, she's smiling," he tells Sun-Mi. "Ha-Eun agrees that her Mommy is dressed perfectly for an afternoon family outing."

 

Sun-Mi looks on warmly at Hyung-Chul and Ha-Eun, and smiles, too...

 

... admittedly, Hyung-Chul has taken to Ha-Eun like he was her father, and they do appear to be a happy family ...

 

 

Hyung-Chul stands up and takes the stroller's handle, Sun-Mi slips her hand around his arm, and they continue their leisurely stroll along the lakeside path...

 

The fountain in the center of the lake shoots a plume of spray 100 meters high above the water, while nearby, brave jumpers plunge off the 45-meter tall bungee tower. A slight breeze contributes to what turned out to be a pleasant, sunny Spring day.

 

 

"I remember the first time we came," he reminisces. "The park had just opened then, and you suggested checking it out."

 

"And you bought me 'expensive' ramen to mark our 'first official' date," she adds.

 

 

Hyung-Chul clears his throat and ventures, "Sun-Mi, can I ask you a question?'

 

"You just have," she answers in jest.

 

"I mean, seriously."

 

She sees his solemn expression, wondering at his sudden shift of mood. "Go on, Senior. What is it?"

 

"How about making today our second 'first official' date?" he proposes.

 

She doesn't answer immediately, and they keep walking as she considers his request.

 

 

After a while, he asks again, "Well, what do you say? Everyone thinks we look good together with Ha-Eun," he notes. "Why not make it official?"

 

"This was your intent in coming here, from the beginning, right?" she accuses him lightly.

 

"Yes," he confesses. "I was hoping for a repeat, and thought this way might be more persuasive."

 

She doesn't agree, "You should've just asked me directly that day."

 

"I wanted us to share some time together first, so you'd be more open to the possibility," he gives his reasoning.

 

"Actually, it's a question I've asked myself many times before," she discloses. "I've thought a lot about this since coming back..."

 

That her thinking has paralleled his own thoughts raises Hyung-Chul's hopes.

 

"I'm a busy mother and businesswoman, and work hard to keep up with my responsibilities. I don't have time for dating right now," she demurs, pouring cold water on those hopes.

 

But Hyung-Chul isn't giving up easily, pressing further, "Is that the real reason, or an excuse?"

 

 

Sun-Mi stops and faces him, irritated...

 

"Someone with so much free time for frivolous things must be underemployed, or lacks diligence," she notes disapprovingly. "And when you laze around, you get out of shape."

 

"Do I look out of shape?" he questions the assertion, puffing out his chest.

 

"Let's see if you gained a soft belly now," she suggests, reaching for his shirt.

 

But remembering her trick from before, he catches her hand first, thwarting the attempt.

 

"You're playing me, right?" he speculates.

 

 

Sun-Mi shows an ambivalent smile... leaving him to decide whether she is flirting with, or criticizing, him.

 

"How people choose to live is their business," she answers, returning to the subject at hand, "but they shouldn't expect others to go along with it without question."

 

"What exactly are you saying, that you won't date me?"

 

"Dating implies intentions I don't have right now," she clarifies her position. "But don't take it personally."

 

 

"Still, I'll buy you dinner," he offers. "What do you want?"

 

"Something expensive," Sun-Mi replies jokingly, "How about ramen?"

 

"Ramen it is, then," he confirms. "Good choice for a first official date."

 

"But, Senior!" she protests. "I just said..."

 

"Look at Ha-Eun, how she's smiling," he cuts in. "She's happy to hear this. That's two to one, you're outvoted."

 

 

Sun-Mi shakes her head, exasperated, and amused, by his persistent efforts.

 

"All right, it's a date," she gives in. "But just for today, no expectations for the future, okay?"

 

"Fine," he accepts her terms grudgingly, clearly disappointed.

 

 

She rests her hand consolingly on his holding the stroller handle...

 

"Isn't it enough that we can enjoy the blessings of beautiful days like this together," she tells him, "without concern for what might happen tomorrow?"

 

Her cheery voice and bright smile work as intended, warming his heart and lightening his heavy mood in her sunny glow.

 

 

"You're right," Hyung-Chul replies, energized and encouraged.

 

He puts his arm around Sun-Mi's shoulders, pushing on toward the restaurant.

 

"Today is enough... because it's with you..."