Soju Trilogy 1: Tipsy in Jeju (Published under Precious Hearts Romances)

Chapter 3

"YOU have been quiet lately. What's wrong?"

Matabang na ngumiti si Yana at pinalis ang kanin na nasa baba ni Dong Uk. Nakakamay itong kumakain ng inihaw na manok na parang isang taon na nitong hindi natikman. Inilibre niya sa isang barbeque house ang lalaki. Sinabi niya na may bonus siya kahit wala pa para lang maikain niya ito nang masarap. Nagdala siya ng bigas, instant noodles at kape kay Gideon at nakiusap na ipakain kay Dong Uk kapag dadayong kumain sa bahay nito. Hindi kasi tatanggapin ng nobyo kapag direkta niyang ibinigay dito. Gusto talaga niyang makabawi.

Huminga siya ng malalim. Hindi lang pamilya niya ang problema kundi ang pagbabalik ng lalaki sa Korea. "Just thinking... what will happen to us when you get back to Jeju?"

"I can take you with me. We can get married and you can work there," anang lalaki na nagningning ang mga mata.

Hinaplos niya ang pisngi nito. "It is not that simple, Dong Uk. Your parents are still supporting you. You can't just marry me."

He was still like a child sometimes, kahit pa nga twenty-four na ito. Parang wala pa itong sense of responsibility. Siguro dahil spoiled ito sa magulang.

"I will start a business as soon as I get back to Korea. I want to put up a black pork burger restaurant and use my grandmother's recipe."

"And you need to focus on your business," paalala niya sa binata. "Your parents are counting on you." At hindi siya magpapakasal basta kung di pa stable ang business nito. Hindi ganoon kasimple ang bumuhay ng pamilya.

"Okay. How about join me in Korea at least for a vacation? We don't have to get married yet. My parents will give me money to start my own business. Maybe I can provide some for your travel expenses."

Umiling agad si Yana. "No! Don't do that."

"Why?"

Bumuga siya ng hangin. "Because it is for your business. Your parents won't approve."

"They don't have to know." Binigyan niya ng nagbababalang tingin ang nobyo. Pinapungay nito ang mga mata. "Don't you want to be with me?"

"I want to be with you. You know I do. But if I am going to Korea, I want to do it with my own money."

Mahabang sandali siyang pinagmasdan ng lalaki at nakipaglabanan siya ng tingin dito. "You have so much pride," usal na lang ng nobyo kalaunan at uminom ng softdrinks.

"That's all I've got. I want to be a partner, an independent woman and not someone to depends on you for money. Some people already don't think highly of me because they thought I only want to be with you for money..."

Natigilan ito sa pagsubo ng barbecue. "You heard my conversation with Jin Woo. Don't let him affect you. We both know that I am not really rich and you are not after my money because I don't have any."

"You gave money to my parents," walang gatol niyang sabi. "You shouldn't have. Or you should have at least told me first."

"Your family is my family."

"I do appreciate that but I don't want you to sacrifice for me." Naluluhang pinisil niya ang balikat nito at braso. "Look! You are already thin. What will your family say? That I don't know how to take care of you?"

"Don't worry much about me. Besides, your family needs it. And it makes you happy."

"I will pay you back. Soon." Sinermunan na niya ang pamilya niya tungkol doon pero pareho lang siyang pinagtawanan ng magulang. Aanhin daw niya ang foreigner na boyfriend kung di mapapakinabangan ng mga ito. Kahit nang sabihin niya na di mayaman si Dong Uk, at least daw di kasing hirap nila.

Sinapo nito ang mukha niya. "Yana, I am your boyfriend. I really want to help and to provide for you."

"Please. I will pay you back before you go. I will spend my own money to get me to Korea. This means a lot to me. Self-worth is really important to me. I work so hard so I don't have to depend on other people. Do you understand?"

Ngumiti ang binata. "You are the boss. I will wait for you. But make it soon. I really want to be with you. I don't want to miss you that much."

Pupunta siya sa Korea sa sarili niyang paraan. At patutunayan niya kay Gideon Lee na mali ito ng tingin sa Filipina na tulad niya.