25. 스물다섯 ‘sumuldasot’
Taking one last glance around the bakery, I close the door until Monday. Christmas Eve is tomorrow, and I reserved the day for cooking the dinner at night.
I walk past my neighbouring restaurant and spot the twins still working inside, so I enter.
‘Hey hey,’ I say.
‘Hey,’ Rebecca says before pointing to my purse. ‘Finished for the day?’
‘Yes. I closed earlier today because I need to go by the post office and buy some last-minute ingredients for tomorrow’s dinner.’
‘We’ll be closing earlier as well.’
‘I just passed by to say that you can show up anytime from 6 p.m. and dinner will most likely be around seven-thirty.’
‘Great! We’ll see you there!’
Saying goodbye to her and Jeremiah, who entered the kitchen after waving at me, I continue my journey to the postbox to see if I have any mail from Daldust.
To my delight, the box isn’t empty when I open it, so I grab the letter and save it in my purse before going to the market for mushrooms, carrots, chickpeas, and more tofu to make sure I have enough for seconds and leftovers. I refuse to have people starving at a dinner I serve.
At home, I save all the ingredients in the fridge and grab some dates to snack on while I read my pen pal’s letter.
“Dear Delilah,
I have another chance now. I found her again, and like I said, she doesn’t remember me. She is different. I can see how life must have affected her, but I still see the girl I met that week. I can see her coming back bit by bit. And I’m happy to help her, even if she doesn’t know who I am yet.
And before you tell me to tell her, I will. I just want to help her first. This time, I’m not letting her go. Although I’m not sure if she’s falling for someone else, I know this time I will do my best for her to see me as she did that night on the roof.
And because it’s the season to be jolly, I wish you happy holidays, in whatever you celebrate, or not.
Yours truly,
Daldust”
I’m unsure of how to feel. I know I’m happy that he found her again, but for some reason, I can’t help but be protective of him. All these months of talking have made him someone I’ve come to care for. I’m not sure if he shares the same opinion, but to me, a friendship has blossomed.
I smile, thinking of how I opened up before the snow melted. A tear rolls down my cheek and my heart tightens. This feeling of being proud of myself is still so foreign.
“I hope you get her this time, but remember, you can’t force anyone to fall in love with you. I know that better than anyone. So, if she likes someone else, the only thing you can do is show her how much you care for her; be there for her. Whatever happens, keep supporting her, but if she never ends up seeing your worth, move on or you will be suffering for someone who doesn’t deserve you. Respect and care for yourself first.
Besides, I’m here for you. For whatever you need. I hope you know that.
Happy Holidays!
Delilah”
For the rest of the day I plan out the dinner’s menu and help Elisa prepare the decorations, so tomorrow she can do everything quickly and by herself .
Before going to bed, I receive a text message from Moonie.
*Don’t forget to apply the cream ;P*
He’s been sending me those a few times a week to make sure I hydrate the tattoo and help it heal correctly. That day after doing it, he spent a solid ten minutes giving me a full on course on how to take care of a fresh tattoo, all the dos and don’ts.
I apply the bottle he recommended to me and lie down to sleep. Tomorrow is the first social event I’ve organised, and I’m all jittery about it.
***
‘Lilah! We’re out of tape!’ Elisa says, panicking with fairy lights on her hands.
‘See if the boys have some.’ I glance up at the clock and it’s half-past two. We still have time, but I know it will be gone in a jiff.
We’re decorating our flat and the boys’ dining area, since after dinner we’ll come here to hang.
A moment after I hear Elisa leave the flat, the doorbell rings.
Did she forget the key?
I swiftly wash my hands in the kitchen sink and move to open our front door.
My eyes widen when instead of being greeted by my flatmate, I’m faced by Moon Hee and a small Korean woman standing next to him.
‘Lilah,’ the man says. ‘This is my mother, Yun Yu Ra.’
‘ Annyeonghaseyo (Hello), It’s so nice to have you here.’ I smile with a bow, reaching my right hand forward while my left holds under my wrist. Something I’ve seen people doing to show respect.
‘So happy to be here,’ the woman says. Her cute accent and smile melt my heart.
‘We also brought food.’ Moon Hee lifts an enormous shopping bag.
‘Oh, you didn’t have to. I’m making enough food for everyone.’
‘ Omma (Mum) wouldn’t take no for an answer.’
‘All Korean food. Good for you,’ she says, her round dark eyes shining. I see the mother-son resemblance.
‘Well, come on in.’ I stand to the side, allowing them to walk into the house.
I lead them to the kitchen and while I mix the cranberry sauce I’m making to accompany some homemade seitan, Moon Hee rests the bag on top of the kitchen table.
His mum tells the name of what each container contains as she takes them out of the bag. ‘ Kimchi , Kongnamul Muchim (Seasoned Soybean Sprouts), Sigeumchi Namul (Seasoned Spinach), Oi Muchim (Spicy Cucumber Salad), Mu Saengchae (Spicy Radish Salad), Gamja Jorim (Braised Potatoes), Hobak Bokkeum (Stir-fried Zucchini), Manduguk (Korean Dumpling Soup) and Jeon (Korean Pancakes). All vegetables; my son tells me you eat only vegetables.’
‘Thank you so much. They will be a wonderful addition to the main meals. Now please, sit and relax,’ I say, pointing to our navy blue sofa. ‘Do you want a beverage?’
‘ Mul juseyo (Water please).’
‘I’ll get it. You’re cooking, Lilah,’ her son says.
The lady walks over to the living room and sits on our sofa, observing the space around.
‘There really was no need for all of this,’ I whisper to the man beside me. He’s reaching for a glass to fill with water.
‘For my mum, it’s not a meal without infinite side dishes.’ He chuckles.
‘I’m eager to try them! And thank you for telling her about my food preferences.’ My gaze locks on his and we smile.
Since that day at the tattoo parlour, I have seen little of him and none of Elijah. I’m giving him space, and I’m sure he’s doing the same because he hasn’t even been hanging out with Elisa.
I’m nervous about seeing him today. I hope he doesn’t hate me.
Moonie’s eyes travel down, and he rests the water glass on top of the counter, disappearing from my peripheral vision. My back warms, and I know he’s getting closer. His breath passes my ear and I turn my head to the side to see his face over my right shoulder. His hands grab the hem of my sleeve and he pulls it back.
‘You and your sleeves always hanging when they shouldn’t.’ His tone is low as he rolls both my sleeves up.
The beating of my heart pounds as fast as the sauce bubbles right now. I turn off the heat in the stove, but mine keeps burning. Having him this close to me messes with my entire system.
‘How is that tattoo of yours? Is it healing nicely?’ He changes subjects, his chest still touching my back .
I nod, unable to formulate words through the pounding of my heart.
‘Good girl,’ he whispers in the shell of my ear.
I hold a gasp, pinching my lips together, and before I can say anything else, he’s off to hand his mother her glass of water.
Oh my. I read too much romance for those two little words to not turn me into mush.
The sauce is ready, but I keep mindlessly stirring it, repeating what he said in my head.
When I peek to my side, his eyes are already on me. With his head tilted, he winks, prior to continuing his chat with his mum.
The wink gives me a strange flashback, a blurry vision similar to a dream from a long time ago. I don’t know what the dream was about, but it dries my mouth to even think of it, and unlike the frightening tightness I get in my chest when I do, Moon Hee’s face has the power to soothe me. A firefly in the midst of darkness.
Five…four…three…two…one…
I inhale deeply and slowly let go of the image in my head as the breath leaves my mouth.
‘I finished the dining area,’ Elisa says, distracting my mind.
‘That’s great. So, they had tape?’ I ask.
‘Unfortunately no, but I went to Sofía’s, and she saved us.’
‘Good, good.’ My eyes travel down to the cranberry sauce and I let go of the spoon, transferring it to a container. ‘Have you met Moon Hee’s mum? She brought a lot of food.’
‘I met them in the hallway. She seems sweet.’
‘I think so too.’ I mumble, remembering the one person who I haven’t seen in a while. ‘Have you spoken to Elijah? He’s still coming, right?’
She gives me a soft smile and a tap on the shoulder. ‘He wouldn’t miss it.’
A spark of comfort involves my heart and gives me enough strength to pass on to the next dish.
Elisa enters back in the living room and continues her job as a decorator when Moon Hee’s mum returns to the kitchen.
‘Could I watch?’ she asks, pointing at the pan on the stove.
‘Of course!’
The lady picks a chair from the table and moves it closer to the counter.
The moment her shoulders relax and her full attention is on me, we hear a loud thump of a door closing.
‘ Yu Ra Ssi (Ms Yu Ra)!’ a coarse man’s voice sounds.
I look in the sound’s direction and a tall, dark-haired man stands in the kitchen’s entrance.
‘Elijah!’ I say and mindlessly run to him.
‘Did you miss me this much?’ he whispers as I hold him tight between my arms.
I guess I did.
‘It was strange not having you around.’ I lift my head from his chest and meet his eyes, staring at me.
He will make another woman so happy one day.
I let go of him, and he directs himself to Moon Hee’s mother.
‘ Yu Ra Ssi, jal jinesseoyo (Ms Yu Ra, how are you)?’
‘ Gwaenchanayo (I’m fine),’ she says, grabbing Elijah’s hands between hers.
‘Are you watching this amazing cook do her magic?’ With his chin, he points at me.
‘I’m learning, yes.’
The blood rises to my cheeks. ‘Learning? I should be learning from you, Yu Ra Ssi .’
‘Nonsense! I’m a simple cook, you have a bakery.’
‘Exactly, I bake mostly. This is different. I’m no chef.’ I gesture with my hand for her to get closer to me and hand her the wooden spoon. ‘This is the view of a chef.’
Moon Hee walks behind his mother and whispers something that makes her laugh.
I frown my eyebrows and his mum says, ‘I’m a five-star Michelin.’
The whole room chuckles at her cuteness.
‘Five stars indeed,’ Elijah says, a radiant and warm smile on his face. His eyes truly light up gazing at her. They must be close.
‘Now please, anyone who isn’t cooking or involved with food, out of the kitchen.’ I point at the exit and watch the guys sit on the sofa as Yu Ra Ssi sits back on the chair and watches me sauté vegetables before I move on to frosting some cupcakes with green icing and a yellow star on top.
***
‘Can you take this to the table, please?’ I ask my best friend as I stand in the hallway with a food platter.
As I’m about to turn away and enter my flat for the thirtieth time in the last hour, someone calls my name.
I turn my head to the end of the corridor and watch two ginger heads waving at me.
‘Rebecca, Jeremiah! I’m so glad you’re here,’ I say. ‘Come here, let me introduce you to everyone.’
They follow me to my flat’s living room where the guys and Moon Hee’s mum are conversing.
‘Everyone, this is Jeremiah and Rebecca, the amazing chefs at Greener’s .’ I reach my hand to each. ‘And this is Elijah, Moon Hee, and Moon Hee’s mum, Yun Yu Ra.’
‘Pleased to meet you,’ Elijah says, walking closer to them and shaking each twin’s hand. Moon Hee follows him and the twins approach Yu Ra Ssi .
‘This is for you.’ Jeremiah hands me a tall shopping bag.
I peek inside and take out a bottle of wine. ‘I know nothing about wine, but this looks expensive.’
‘Just a complement to the wonderful dinner I’m sure you’ve prepared.’ His sister smiles.
‘Thank you.’
Elisa appears behind the twins. ‘I was wondering why I was alone in the boys’ flat.’
‘Elisa, you’ve met Jeremiah and Rebecca, right?’
‘Nice to see you again,’ she says.
‘You came just in time. We are finishing up taking all the food to Elijah’s and Moon Hee’s flat, because their dining table is bigger.’
‘Oh, we’ll help!’ Jeremiah says.
‘Where can I leave this?’ Becca asks, looking at her purse and jacket in her hands.
‘Here, come with me. Jer, do you also want to leave your jacket here?’
He nods and hands me his outerwear before joining the rest of the people carrying plates and platters.
I lead my friend towards my room and set everything on my bed.
‘So, that’s Elijah…’ she says.
‘Yes, he is…’ I chuckle, knowing exactly what she’s thinking.
‘He’s even better looking up close.’
‘He certainly doesn’t fall short on beauty,’ I say.
‘Do you think he’d give me his number?’ She fiddles with her thumbs.
‘For sure. Just let him pick up on your charm and he’ll be the one asking for the number.’ I wink and she sighs, smiling.
We leave the flat and meet up with the rest of the gang already seated at the table.
‘Sofía, have you been introduced to Jeremiah and Rebecca?’ I ask.
‘To Jeremiah, yes. It’s nice to meet you, Rebecca.’ The woman with brown hair smiles.
I’m sitting between Elisa and Rebecca, with Moon Hee in front of me and Elijah to his right, in front of Becca.
‘Let’s eat!’ Elijah says, rubbing his hands together.
I was worried the twins would have a hard time fitting in with the group, but I forgot how much of a social butterfly Rebecca is and how she refuses to leave her brother behind. Their loyalty to each other is impressive to me as an only child, but when your parents send you to another country to give you a better chance at life at the age of eighteen and you’re faced with handling adulthood on your own, you grab on to the one closest to you, and that is experiencing the same.
Rebecca told me their story a few years ago and how poor they grew up. Their parents did everything they could for them, saving up every penny they could to send them to London, so they could live out their dreams. She always tears up a bit when speaking of them because they rarely see each other.
They got to London with a lease for a one-bedroom flat and a job offer at a relative’s restaurant, washing dishes and cleaning the place. They spent five years there learning everything they could and growing to be the chefs they are now. They saved up by staying in their tiny flat so they could open their own restaurant, the one they got six years ago, the one that is so sought after for the last three.
‘Are you having a good time?’ I ask Jeremiah, who nods. He’s me when I met these people, enjoying their outgoing personalities and laughing at their silliness but too shy to speak.
‘Becca, can you pass me the wine?’ Elijah calls out.
But my friend doesn’t pass the wine. She grabs his glass and pours it, looking straight into his eyes. She’s been doing this for so long she knows when to stop pouring without glancing down.
The smirk he gives her when she hands him his glass back shows me Rebecca just got revamped in his mind.
I glance at Ms Yu Ra, who’s smiling, watching us kids enjoy a proper meal.
When everyone finishes, we move to mine and Elisa’s flat for dessert and games.
Everyone’s enjoying the sweets stand I created with cupcakes, Christmas cookies, chocolate mousse, and key lime pie as I glance around the room and notice a person missing.
‘Jer, have you seen Moon Hee?’ I ask.
Jeremiah teams up with Yu Ra Ssi while Elisa and Sofía are chatting, and his sister and my neighbour flirt with each other.
‘I think I saw him leaving the flat.’
‘Thank you.’ I smile and move to the hallway.
Music sounds from the door in front of mine, so I knock.
Moon Hee peeks in the small opening he created, wearing pink gloves. ‘My hands are all wet. Can you push?’
I chuckle and push the door to enter.
‘What are you doing here? You should be enjoying the food.’ I frown.
‘You cooked. It was only fair for me to wash the dishes.’ He turns his front to the sink and continues his task.
‘I won’t deny that, but you could do that later.’
‘I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Lilah, but I like to keep my space clean.’
I do a quick scan around the flat and notice how it sparkles beyond the fairy lights hanging on the walls.
‘Yes you do, Moonie.’
‘If it was up to Elijah, the flat would be a mess. I can’t help it. It’s the neat-freak Virgo in me.’
‘I had no idea you were into astrology.’
‘I’m not, I just…stuff shows up when I’m scrolling social media and some things do make sense.’
I walk to his side and pop my elbow on the counter, placing my chin on my hand and turning my head to his, batting my eyelashes. ‘Tell me more.’
My glance meets his at the corner of his eye and I watch his lips contort, resisting a smile .
‘That’s all,’ he says, paying his full attention to the last fork he has to wash.
I laugh and tap his shoulder, going back to the entrance of the kitchen.
‘Shall we?’ I ask, tilting my head to the door.
He takes off the pink gloves and nods.
As I’m walking, I hear his steps quickening until he stretches his arm around my shoulders.
‘I love it when you call me Moonie,’ he whispers to me.