The Journey Series

DINNER- BELLE

The restaurant that Henry talked about has a nice ambiance and well the smell of the steak is to die for! As Henry opened the door for me, the aroma hits me and I have never craved steak this much!

“Darling, are you alright?”. Henry asked me and I say. “Yes, Oppa, I just feel hungry. I think this place is really good.”

“Well, let’s make you satisfied with your carvings, shall we? I don’t want you being hungry.” he teased me.

“Sounds like a good idea! Haha!”

Henry holds me on my waist and you know that feeling of security. There is this connection with us that I can’t fathom. I am quite proud of myself for braving my fear and trying this. I am happy, literally happy each day.

The dinner was superb and we walked to the next coffee shop to kill a bit of time before we head home. Fipa went ahead early together with Keith while we decided to grab a coffee. 

“Oppa, thank you for this. You really meant what you’ve said that you’ll make it up, I told him as I sip my iced coffee. Don’t just me right there, my tongue is so sensitive for hot drinks so I’d rather have iced coffee than order a hot one and I have to put in either cold water or ice.

“You don’t need to thank me, Darling. I’m happy, I have never been happy since I came here. You know, it’s difficult to adapt to a culture that’s totally different from what you’ve accustomed to and you are a breather for me. I am thankful for Keith’s friendship and for helping me through but our connection, you and me, it’s different and I want to stay that way.”

Were that tears or just the light that illuminates that doe-shaped eyes? I asked myself but whatever it is, this will be written in my diary later. I wish I was a writer, this one, that line is for the book y’all!

“Let’s get you home? I don’t want to be on nan’s bad side you know. I miss her cooking,’ he adorably expresses her love for Nana. I think this one is for keeps. Anyone who loves my Nana deserves a space in my life.

On our way home we talked about Henry’s family, why he came here, and what it is like to grow up in Korea. I asked about a lot of stuff. I even opened up a little bit about my issues with my parents and well, how I was afraid to try being in a relationship for the fear of failing or ending up like my mom and dad.

Henry and I decided to bring some snacks for Nana and I quickly sent Nana a message that Henry and probably Keith will drop by so that she could wear her bra and sometimes when she’s not comfortable she will even remove her denture for crying out loud! 

“Okay! I’m pretty sure Nana is busy lurking on f*******:, you know that old woman is like a young soul, I want to be her when I grow old, she’s aging gracefully and should I say she's tech-savvy as well?”

NanaMyLoves

  Hey Nana! Be decent. We have visitors. Love you! 

I am always decent! If being decent is wearing my house dress and no bra! Hahaha

“Why are you smiling, darling? asked Henry.

“Well, Nana is being her funny self again. I swear! She and her tons of antics drive me and Fipa crazy but we couldn’t imagine our life without her.”

Henry held my hand and put it near his lips to kiss.

“I’m pretty sure Nana will have a long life for you, Belle. I am lucky to have met her and I always look forward to seeing her. I’m actually looking for an apartment near your village to see you and Nana often and of course, to eat Nanas to die for home-cooked meals.”

“That’s a nice idea! At Least you wouldn’t live alone by yourself.” I told him.

“Nana! We’re home!,” I called her inside her bedroom. Have I mentioned that Nana decided to put her bedroom between Fipa’s house and ours? So like the way she is. She serves as our connecting door, our family link, and the very reason why Fipa and I grew up like sisters despite the distance. 

“Alright, I’m coming out!” Nana shouted.

Nana came out wearing a sequined red dress.

“Oh my gosh, Nana? Are you going to a party?”, I exclaimed.

“You told me to dress up? I’ve been wanting to try this on if this still fits me. You know this is one of my favorite disco dresses when I was your age”, she told me with a wink. 

My goodness, Nana will be the death of me. 

“Nana Henry and Keith are here, maybe we could change your disco dress into something not too flashy?

“Alright, how were these silk pajamas you gave me?” she asked permission.

“I think that will do Nana, are you trying to impress them? , I teasingly asked her.

“Silly, who would I? They're already impressed! I just don’t want to look too old for my age, you know. I want to be remembered as one of the coolest grandmothers.”

“You already are Nana and much more. They adore you as much as they adore us.”, I told her.

“Hello, my boys, how’s the game Keith, my boy? Nana asked.

“We won Nana, thanks for asking,” Keith replied.

“That’s my boy! How about you Henry? How are you? Belle said you’ll be staying near us?”

I quickly looked at Nana telling her through my eyes to stop. This old woman and her big mouth.

“Yes, Nana, I quickly checked the apartment you told me about,” answered Henry.

“Wait! Since when are you friends on f*******:? I asked looking back and forth to Nana and Henry.

“Oh my dear, don’t ask too much. I’m even friends with Keith. I stalked the both of them to check their activities”, she sounded so proud of herself.

“Okay, I think I would rather not ask about it.”