I Hope Love Is... [On Hold]

Nineteenth Verse

Nineteenth Verse

Another day, another song, another album
it all becomes a blur
everything becomes the same
you're always not there
...so what am I really living for?
-translated from “Discontent”
from Future Colors' fourth album Summer Love

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Uh-oh...

Minha stared down at the cute little tot smiling up at him. He'd been about to come downstairs to find Bea, realized that they had company, and retreated too late.

“Hi!” the kid said again. “My name is Nissa. I'm three years old. What's your name?”

Aish.

Bea looked up at him, then at the older woman she'd been talking to, who asked—no, demanded-- something in their own language. She sighed and answered in the same language. The ahjumma? noona? scowled and drew Bea aside for a conversation conducted in low, but vehement voices. Minha fidgeted.

Nissa barraged him with more questions, this time in their own language. When Minha looked blank, she frowned and looked over at her sister? mother? and called out something. Minha wondered if he should make himself scarce, but when he looked over at Bea she beckoned at him to come downstairs.

The woman gave him a once-over as he approached. Who was she anyway? A relative he hadn't met? Or just a very nosy neighbor?

“Manang Mitch,” Bea said. “Minha is a friend of Manong Jay and Manang Mia from Korea. He's staying here for a while.” To Minha she said, “She is Manang Mia's sister. You didn't meet her last time because she had just had Nissa.”

“Oh,” said Minha. And then as Bea's words sunk in, “Oh!” Noona was the operative word. He decided that an extra dose of politeness wouldn't hurt, and bowed. “Annyeonghaseyo. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

Mitch noona raised her eyebrows and said something to Bea, who stifled a cough and shook her head, answering hastily. Bea shot a look at Minha; Mitch noona intercepted the look and glanced suspiciously at each of them in turn. Minha hoped he didn't look guilty or anything.

“I suppose if you are a friend of Jae's it's all right,” Mitch noona finally said to Minha. She darted another glance over at Bea and shook her head. 

Nissa had come over to the grownups and now clung to Bea's legs, still staring at Minha. She looked up at Bea and asked a question. When Bea answered, the little girl detached herself and went over to Minha.

“Tito,” she said, and raised her arms. “Karga.”

Minha looked at Bea in panic. 

“She wants you to pick her up,” Bea translated.

He complied carefully-- it had been a long time since his own youngest sister was little-- and looked warily at Mitch, who smiled and said, “I guess she likes you.” 

Nissa patted his face and then discovered his earrings. 

“Mommy,” she exclaimed, pointing at them and then at the tiny gold flowers in her own earlobes, and chattered excitedly. Minha looked at Bea again.

“She says you have earrings too, like she does, only hers are prettier.” Bea covered her mouth;  the ladylike gesture didn't entirely mask her snicker.

Mitch raised her eyebrows again, but said only, “Well, we should go. I really didn't intend to stay long. Say goodbye, Nissa.”

Nissa refused to be put down and Mitch had to take her from Minha. She pouted at first, but Mitch noona whispered something, obviously a bribe, for she suddenly smiled and clapped her hands, then waved at Minha and Bea.