Page 90 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
Timira looks relieved and relaxes her grip on the child. She carefully places her in the mother’s arms.
‘You’ll be a good mother,samonim!’ Looking at Haneul, she adds, ‘Your child will be in safe hands.’
Timira and Haneul are now sitting on the bench, sipping on coffee that is now almost cold.
The mother’s words are still ringing in Haneul’s ears and he cannot help but smile like a fool. He has never thought about wanting to be a parent but is now suddenly warmed by the thought of it.
I wouldn’t mind having a daughter like her. Maybe a little less prone to accidents but nonetheless a spitting image of her! And if she were to inherit her gorgeous voice …
Timira is holding the cup against her nose and trying to thaw its tip that has been frozen pink.
Haneul pats her on the head, making her look up at him like a tiny animal. He looks deep into them and wonders if he should tell her …
I HAVE to tell her that she did not imagine what happened at the beach back in Bali. I must tell her that all of it did, in fact, happen. And that I’d seen her at the hotel. That I knew who she was when I hired her. Must tell her! Kkok haeya dwae[Must do it]! But maybe tonight is not the night. Is it wrong of me to just want to enjoy her company right now? I just want to keep gazing at this beautiful face.
Timira waves at Haneul, her fingers almost touching his face.
‘Haneul, are you here?’
‘Yes, of course. Right here!’ he says, breaking out of his trance.
‘Where wereyoulost this time? What were you thinking of?’
Who, WHO were you thinking of, was what Timira wants to ask.
He smiles and replies, ‘You. I was thinking of how beautiful you are and how beautiful the night is!’
Timira isn’t entirely convinced but doesn’t press further.
‘What now?’ she asks instead.
She hadn’t wanted to come across as too direct, but that’s exactly how she ends up sounding.
Haneul sighs and tilts his head up, looking at the sky. He sighs again, this time deeper than the previous, before linking Timira’s fingers with his.
Let me show you how I truly feel about you, let me be your wings, your anchor, your life jacket. Let me be your best friend, your punching bag, your parent. Let me be your present as you are a gift to me. Let me be your future as you are every hope and every dream to me.
‘Give me a chance, Timira,’ is all he’s able to muster.
We just kissed, you fool. If that’s not giving you a chance, then I’m not sure what is. Of course I’m giving you a chance, you silly goose! How’s he such a grown-up at work and so childlike outside of it?! He really needs to learn from me to be mature, wise and grown-up in every sphere of life. God, I’m good at adulting!
Timira doesn’t say anything and keeps looking at her feet while curling her toes.
Or not.
‘I know you are confused and all this might be a tad too overwhelming. I promise to do right by you. I WILL put everything in its rightful place. Just tell me you are willing to give me a chance.’ Haneul isn’t quite done pleading yet.
Timira hesitates before replying.
‘You must do right by everyone, not just me, Haneul. Everyone who’s getting affected by your actions.’
Our actions.
Timira knows Mina must be suffering, too.
Divided by love and united by sisterhood, she muses.
This is why I lo … like you so much!‘I promise I will do my best. Will you wa—’
