Chocolates and Beer

VIII

‘Jin?!’ I was surprised when I saw him in front of my doorstep. I underestimated this man.

‘Hi, Jean, good afternoon. 'I’m glad you’re home.’ Jin greeted me politely and with a big smile. ‘Nice, it smells good here.’

‘Really? Come in.’

‘What flowers do you have here?’

‘Not much. Hmmm, roses, lilies, orchids. And some other plants.’

‘Do you sell these flowers in your shop?

‘Not really, I have a supplier. But maybe in the future, when I get a bigger place, a greenhouse full of flowers, I've always wanted to have a place like that. A taste of nature within the buzzing city.

‘Ah, I want something like this too.’ He commented as he gently touched the plants he could grasp.

‘You can. You have a bigger place, don’t you? And your brother is there to help.’

‘Yeah, brother is always there for me. It’s always me. I hope I can do something in return.’ All of a sudden, the mood became quite heavy.

‘Jin? Are you okay?’ I felt the sadness in his voice.

‘Yes. I just think that he’s always helping me. And taking care of me. Ever since the day I went blind, he hasn't really rested on his day off. I mean, he never used it for himself. He always takes me to different places, anywhere. I don’t think he ever dated anyone. That’s why I was actually surprised when I learned about you.’ I was surprised, too. Jacob and I usually go out on weekends and I never thought that he would go out with his brother too.

‘Is that so? But we go out sometimes, too. I bet he also spent some time alone. You just didn't realize it.

'You think so?'

'Yes.'

‘That's good to know. I was actually worried that he'd not meet anyone else. I thought that he might totally discard the idea of marriage. I don’t want him to spend the rest of his life taking care of me. I want him to find happiness.’

‘But I think you are his happiness. The way I see it, he really loves you. I mean, I know it’s given, since you are brothers. But I think he loves you deeper.’

‘I love him too. Hmmm, do you think you can marry my brother?’ Jin said suddenly.

‘What are you saying? 'Are you out of your mind?’ I stuttered in my response and my brain found it hard to process what Jin had said.

‘Why? Do you have a boyfriend?’

‘No, but…’

‘Then all's good, right?’ he said with a smirk, ‘I think my big brother likes you."

‘Jin, liking someone is not a reason to marry them.’

‘Why? Don’t you like him?’

‘I do. But it’s not something romantic. I like him as a person, I love him as a friend.’

‘Oh, you love him.’ This brat really knows how to play his words.

‘As a friend…’

‘Who knows? In the future, maybe…’ Good, he knows how to tease, too.

‘You little brat.’

***

‘Where did you go? I went to your school, but you’re not there.’ I got to the door quickly when Jin got home. This was the first time, after he got blind, that he went out without me.

‘Oh? I thought you'd be home late today?’ he replied.

‘Cleared up my schedules early. Where did you go? Did you tell mom?’

‘Yes, I did. I told her that I was going to meet a friend.’

‘A friend?’

‘Yeah, I went to Jean’s house.’

‘You did? How did you know where she lives?’

‘I went to the flower shop first, but her assistant said that she'd not be coming to work. So, they gave me her address.’

‘Does she have an assistant?’

‘Yeah, she said that she hired one. As she will be a little busy doing other stuff.’

‘What stuff?’

‘I didn’t ask, I didn’t want to be too nosy. You're friends, right? Just ask her.’ Jin laughed. ‘I like her little garden, it smells so good in there, we stayed there for tea. And for lunch, she cooked for me. Her house feels cozy. Do you always hang out there?’

‘No, I’ve never been there.’

‘Really?’ Jin said in awe, ‘Bro, don’t get jealous.’

‘I’m not jealous, silly.’ But honestly, I'm a little jealous. We've been hanging out for a while now, but she never asked me to come inside her house, even for some coffee or water whenever I drop her or pick her up.

‘Don’t worry. I asked her if she could marry you," Jin started and deliberately paused for a few seconds, ‘but she said no…’ he continued and I went silent. I'm not sure how to feel about that.

‘Now you’re sad.' He teased again. 'But it’s not like she rejected the idea right away. There was a pause before she replied. And she stuttered when she said no. So, I think you have a chance.’

‘We’re just friends, Jin. Stop playing cupid.’

‘But you’re blushing. I can't see you, but I'm sure you are.’