Sibling Banter After the Call
785 Words
Hanuel ended the call with a soft smile, still holding her phone in her hand. Euntak, who had been pretending to scroll through his own phone, finally glanced up at her.
Euntak: “Was that Ayan?”
Hanuel (grinning): “Yeah. She’s tired, but she’ll be fine.”
Euntak: “Hmm.” His voice was calm, but his eyes lingered a bit longer than usual before dropping back to his phone.
Hanuel noticed, of course. She tilted her head, smirking.
Hanuel: “Don’t ‘hmm’ me. You were watching the show earlier like a fanboy. You can admit it, you know.”
Euntak raised an eyebrow, pretending not to care.
Euntak: “I was just… supporting a family friend. Nothing else.”
Hanuel (teasing): “Aha. ‘Family friend.’ That’s why you sat through the whole program without even blinking, right?”
Euntak groaned, tossing a cushion at her.
Euntak: “You’re impossible.”
Hanuel caught it effortlessly, laughing.
Hanuel: “Just say it. You like her.”
Euntak froze for a split second, then shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
Euntak: “And if I did… would you stop teasing me?”
Hanuel gasped dramatically, clutching her chest.
Hanuel: “Wait, wait—did my brother just—”
Euntak (cutting her off): “I said if. Don’t twist it.”
Hanuel’s grin widened mischievously.
Hanuel: “Mmhmm. Sure. Keep your ‘if.’ But don’t worry, bro. If it ever becomes more than an if, I’ll be your number one supporter.”
Euntak shook his head, hiding the faint smile tugging at his lips.
Euntak: “Oh, my number one problem…”
They both laughed, the sound warm and easy, filling the room like a shared secret.
The evening was quiet. Hanuel had gone out to her pastries and bakery shop, leaving Euntak, off duty, alone with his mother in the living room. The faint sound of the TV hummed in the background until his mom leaned forward and muted it.
Euntak looked up from his phone.
Euntak: “Mom, why did you mute it?”
Mom (serious): “Because I want to talk to you. Something important.”
Euntak (half-joking, sensing trouble): “Uh-oh… should I run now or later?”
His mom ignored the joke. Euntak glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. He knew when she used that tone, there was no escaping the topic. A soft sigh escaped him.
Euntak: “Alright… I guess I’m listening.”
Mom: “You’re not getting any younger, Euntak. Day by day, you’re growing older… and I want to become a grandmother before I leave this world.”
Euntak blinked, groaning.
Euntak: “Mom… please. Not this topic again.”
Mom: “Yes, this topic again! You’re my only son. You’ve never introduced a girl to me — not as a girlfriend, not even a friend. Don’t you see how suspicious that is?”
Euntak (half-smiling): “Maybe I just don’t want to stress you with my problems.”
She smacked his arm lightly with the remote.
Mom: “What problem? Marriage is not a problem — it’s a blessing! I’m not trying to pick your wife, Euntak. I just want to meet her.”
Euntak chuckled quietly, trying to brush it off, but his mom wasn’t done. Her tone softened, thoughtful.
Mom: “What about Ayan?”
Euntak’s smile faded instantly.
Euntak: “Mom…”
Mom: “No, listen. That girl… she’s respectful, kind, carries herself well. She’s like a daughter to me already. If you ask me, she’s wife material. The kind of girl who won’t just love you, but care for the family too.”
Euntak’s jaw tightened, and he looked away, trying to hide his reaction.
Euntak: “She’s Hanuel’s best friend, Mom. That’s all.”
Mom (smiling knowingly): “Mmhmm. But you didn’t say she isn’t good for you.”
Euntak shot her a look.
Euntak: “You’re imagining things.”
Mom (teasing gently): “A mother doesn’t imagine. A mother sees.”
For a moment, the room fell silent. Her words lingered, subtle but stirring. Though Euntak tried to keep a straight face, Ayan’s name alone sparked a flutter he couldn’t ignore.
Mom (softly, almost to herself): “I just want to see you happy, Euntak… and maybe with someone who makes you glow.”
Euntak sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Euntak (quietly): “Mom… you really won’t let this go, will you?”
Mom (warmly): “Not until I see my grandchildren running around this house.”
They both laughed, but beneath the humor, Euntak couldn’t shake the thought of Ayan — the girl his mother already believed was perfect for him.
- Writer
