Chapter 32
As I stood beside Jo in the kitchen, I watched in awe as he expertly sliced the onions, his hands moving with a precision that belied the chaos of the moment. The knife glided through the vegetable with ease, releasing a sweet, pungent aroma that filled the air. I let out a low whistle, my eyes wide with admiration. "Wow, you're good with knives," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Jo's eyes flickered up to meet mine, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Thanks," he said, his voice low and smooth, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I've had some practice." I nodded, still transfixed by the fluid motion of his hands as he continued to chop the onions with ease.
The sound of the knife slicing through the onions was almost hypnotic, and I felt myself becoming lost in the rhythm of the moment. Suddenly, Jo's voice broke the spell, his words jolting me back to reality. "Hey, can you pass me the garbage bin? I need to get rid of these peels."
I nodded, my movements automatic, and reached out to grab the bin. As I positioned it next to him,his focus solely on disposing of the onion peels with efficient precision.
As I watched him, I felt a sense of comfort wash over me. It was as if we were two old friends, working together in perfect harmony.
"Now, can you pass me the salt?" Jo asked, his eyes scanning the countertops with a practiced ease. I nodded, my movements fluid, and reached out to grab the salt and I handed it to him.
Jo took the salt from me, his eyes never leaving the pot as he seasoned the dish with a practiced hand. I felt a sense of wonder at the way he moved, his body a symphony of movement and precision.
As we worked together, the kitchen began to fill with the delicious aroma of cooking food. My stomach growled in anticipation, and I couldn't wait to taste the finished product.
I watched as Jo washed the bell pepper, his hands moving with a quiet confidence. He picked up a knife and began to chop them with ease, the sound of the blade slicing through the vegetable filling the air. I felt a pang of curiosity and asked, "Don't you need help?"
Jo's response was firm, his voice unwavering. "No, I don't want or need you to help me with anything. I have to prepare everything myself. Your duty is to taste and savour it."
I nodded, feeling a sense of understanding. "Okay," I said, and Jo continued to chop the bell pepper with precision. As he worked, I couldn't help but think that everything was falling into place. The food seemed to be calling my name, and I felt a sense of excitement at the prospect of tasting it.
I recalled that Koreans were known for preparing a variety of dishes, from beef to rice and beyond. It seemed that Jo was following this tradition, and I couldn't help but appreciate the effort he was putting into the meal. Who was I to complain, after all? The food was going to be delicious, and that's all that mattered.
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As Jo led me to the table, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. "Sit down and wait," he said with a smile. "I'll bring the food." I took a seat, and before I knew it, Joe had brought out an impressive spread of dishes. The table was filled with an assortment of Korean delicacies, and I couldn't help but wonder if we would be able to finish it all.
"Jo are we going to finish all this?" I asked, my eyes scanning the table. Jo chuckled and replied, "Just eat to your satisfaction. Don't bother if you can finish it or not." He handed me a pair of chopsticks, and I hesitated for a moment. "Oh, I've forgotten that you might not know how to use chopsticks," he said with a smile.
I took the chopsticks anyways,feeling a bit self-conscious. But I was determined to try. Jo seemed to sense my struggle and offered some gentle guidance. As I picked up a piece of beef and brought it to my mouth, I was blown away by the flavors. "Oh my God, this is so good," I exclaimed. The spices had perfectly penetrated the beef, and each bite was a delight.
Jo laughed at my reaction, and we continued eating in comfortable silence for a while. Occasionally, I would throw out a curious question, and Jo would answer with ease. The conversation flowed naturally, and I felt at ease in his presence. As we savored the meal, I couldn't help but appreciate the effort Jo had put into preparing such a delicious spread.
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Chuchu's anger hung in the air like a palpable mist, shrouding her in an aura of irritation. Her friends were no where to be found,well,she had told them she wanted to be alone, the bitter taste of frustration lingering on her tongue like the remnants of a forgotten meal. She munched on her favorite snacks, the crunch of the chips and the rustle of the wrapper a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her.
As she sat, her gaze drifted towards the old woman, who moved with a quiet purpose, her eyes scanning the ground for discarded trash. Chuchu's smile was a slow-burning fire, ignited by a spark of malice as she watched the old woman's methodical movements. She seemed to have found a target for her anger, a focal point for the frustration that had been building inside her.
Without warning, Chuchu's hand flicked out, releasing the snack wrapper, which fluttered to the ground like a tiny, careless bird. Her eyes locked onto the old woman, who looked up, her expression a mask of neutrality. For a moment, their gazes met, a silent understanding passing between them.
" hal -meoni dowa deurilkkayo?"(old woman, do you need help?) Chuchu's voice dripped with sarcasm, the words laced with a venom that seemed to surprise even herself. The old woman's eyes held hers, but she didn't flinch, didn't react. Instead, she continued her work, her movements steady and calm.
The old woman's silence was a palpable thing, a presence that filled the space between them, making Chuchu's words seem hollow and insincere. As the old woman worked on,
Chu chu's laughter echoed through the air, a mocking sound that seemed to dare the old woman to react. "Halmeoni, doumi piryohamyeon ibeul beolrigo malhaseyo." (Old woman, if you need help, open your mouth and say it) chu chu taunted, her voice dripping with condescension.
The old woman, however, remained unfazed, her expression serene as she continued to pick up trash. Chu chu's words seemed to bounce right off her, leaving no visible impact.
Undeterred, chu chu walked over to the old woman, her eyes fixed on the snack wrapper that lay on the ground. "Geurigo, naega ttange beorin gwaja pojangjineun nega juwoya hae." (Besides the snack wrapper I threw on the ground, you should pick it up)" chu chu said, her tone laced with sarcasm."eojjaettdeun ne irijanha." (It's your job, anyways)
The old woman's gaze never wavered, her focus remaining on her task. With a calm, deliberate movement, she picked up the snack wrapper and deposited it into her trash basket. Her actions were a testament to her dedication to her work, and a subtle rebuke to chu chu's mocking behavior.