Chance Encounters

Off to Daegu

Jin Ah called her parents as soon as Ji Sung agreed to spend the weekend in Daegu.

"Yeoboseyo?"

"Eomma!"

"Jin Ah! How are you?" her mother enthusiastically greeted. "We miss you, my Darling."

"I miss you and Appa, too! That's why I am calling actually. Eomma, would you mind it if I came home this weekend?"

"No! Not at all! You know your Appa and I stay at home most days. Come over! It will be good to see you."

Jin Ah bit her lip before she continued to what she would be asking. "Ummm, Eomma? There is one thing though."

"What is it?"

"I'm bringing over someone. I... I wanted to introduce him to you and Appa."

Her mother was silent for a while. This would be the first time that Jin Ah brought home a boyfriend to introduce to her parents. They had known that she dated in the past but none became serious enough to be formally introduced. "Omo! Is this true, Jin Ah?"

"Yes, Eomma. He is very kind and I wish you would allow me to introduce him?"

"Of course! Of course! I shall have the guest room ready."

"Eomma, he can stay in a nearby hotel so as not to trouble you so much," Jin Ah offered.

"Nonsense. Your guest will stay with us. Omo! We cannot wait to see you both. Hurry home, okay Darling?"

"Yes. Eomma. I will. See you in a few days!"

Jin Ah ended that call feeling light hearted. The darkness brought by the conversation with the Chairman almost completely gone. Thanking the heavens for her parents, she went about with her work looking forward to the weekend at home.

*

Jin Ah and Ji Sung went to the shopping district on Thursday night at Ji Sung's insistence to purchase some gifts for her parents when they arrived. They decided to leave early on Friday so that they arrive at her parent's house in the evening in time for dinner and would get to spend the whole of Saturday and most of Sunday in Daegu.

"Do you think your Father would like this?" he asked, holding up a heavy coat that can be used for outdoor activities.

"Yes but Ji Sung that's so expensive! Let's get something else."

"Like what?"

Jin Ah thought about it. "Tools! He likes fixing things around the house. Maybe those are better."

"But won't he have those already?"

"Let's go check anyway. I'm sure they'd have new stuff."

They ended up buying him work gloves to protect his hands, a mini tool set he can carry wherever he goes and a Swiss Army knife. For her mother, they got her gardening tools, new seeds she can plant and some dried spices she can use for cooking. Ji Sung also insisted on going to the grocery to buy additional provisions for her parents. "Let's get ingredients for a dinner, too? Let's cook for them? What do you think?"

"Sounds like a great idea!"

Watching him as he scanned the aisles and read through the contents of each package they bought, Jin Ah sighed contentedly. "I adore you," she whispered.

Turning to her direction, he asked, "Hmm? Sorry. What did you say?"

"Nothing. Are you done? I think we have other things we need to get."