Chapter 2; A House Called Home

.

So we went back to Seoul and I told her that we need a new house for us to live. Her apartment was too small and my house (mansion) was too big for her taste. Oh I forgot to tell that my parents didn't care at all about my wellbeing and in times like this I'm glad that they didn't interfere with my life. I can do whatever I want.

And the search for a house began. I admitted it was fun to find a house with Ga Eul. Although we had a few (many actually) arguments regarding the house we chose, it would always brought smile to my face when I saw her strongly pointed out her reason. In the end none of us agreed with each other selection.

I almost give up, at first I thought that she would agree on my selection but it turned out that she was also hard to please and very selective. What's wrong with a penthouse that had five bedrooms, or a condo that face the full view of Seoul or a modern look bungalow up on the hill? My patience getting thinner at every hour that passed by. Was she intent to delay the time to move in with me? And why I'm so pissed off every time I thought about it?

One week later, on our way home after another failure to pick a house, we passed by a small (for me) single storey bungalow that had a beautiful garden surrounding the house. It was located on a leafy well established street in suburb area of Seoul. The bungalow was a mixture of traditional Korean architecture especially the roof and modern contemporary style for the building.

I realised that there was a sparkle in Ga Eul's eyes when she saw the house and I like it too so I stop the car in front of the gate.

"Yah! What are you doing." I ignored her and just got out from the car. She followed me closer.

"Well Ga Eul, do you like this house?" I asked her.

"Yes, of course. But this house is not for sell."

"Says who?" I just smirked at her and rang the bell. A few second later an old man opened the gate.

"Can I help you?" He asked while smiling at us.

"Haraboji, are you the owner of the house."

"Yes I am the owner."

"Then sell the house to me. Just name the price and I'll pay you on the spot."

His face slowly changed from a friendlier smile to a furious face. He was angry.

"Oi young man, did you see any sign that told you that my house is for sell? Why are you so rude barging to my house like this, are you crazy?" And he slammed his gate in front of my face. I want to ring the bell again but Ga Eul immediately pulled me back to my car.

"Enough sunbae, this house was not for sell and he's right. You're so rude!" I chose not to argue with her because she was angry. Angry pregnant woman was so dangerous and it was better to just listen to them. Well old man, I'm not done yet. Nobody can mess up with So Yi Jeong.

But he did mess up with me. That old man was very stubborn. I sent my secretary to negotiate with him and my secretary even offered him ten times higher than the house actual price but he still didn't want to sell his house. I can't wait any longer, I must have it so that Ga Eul and I can live together. I have no choice than to meet with him again by myself.

He dared to shoo me away a few times until I ended up begging him to let me see him. After a few more persuasion and determination, he finally let me in to the house. The interior of the house showed the love in his family. Their picture frames with happy faces hanging at every corner of the house that makes me felt slightly jealous and my heart hurt. I wish it was me in the picture frame, smiling and laughing heartily with my parents but it was too good to be true for the So.

I looked around the house and realised that the old man live alone.

"Haraboji, I'm very sorry for my rude behaviour earlier but if you don't mind I'm asking, why don't you want to sell this house. I think the price I offered you was more than enough for you to buy a new house and enjoyed your life forever. Beside, don't you feel lonely here?"

"Mr So, I also wonder why do you want my house so badly when you can buy a new house that bigger and prettier than this house."

"Because I like the house and ... my girlfriend also like it."

"So you go this far only for a lady?"

I just kept silent and shyly look at anything except for his face. I don't want to deny it because he was right. He continued to speak to me.

"When the first time I build this house, I was just married to the love of my life. It started with only two bedrooms but it gradually grew as my family also grew bigger. I spent half of my life here, this house is my home where I always can come back no matter how far I go, this house gave me warmth during the freezing season, this house witness the first laughter from my eldest child and this house also hold a memory of my late wife until her final breath. If you asked me why I don't want to sell it then I can give to you even a hundred reasons."

I listen intently every word he said. I can't help to want his house even more. I pictured myself in his shoes and imagined myself to be the main actor and Ga Eul to be the main actress, we could be happy here. How pathetic, just the thought of it made me smiled like a mad man.

"I hurt her from the very first time we met. I continually hurt her even though I know by hurting her I actually slash my own heart. You know me right? Everyone in Korea knows who I am. I'm not a good man and nothing can change that. So I swear to myself to do anything that can make her happy. I'm willing to do anything you ask and I know I'm being selfish to ask you to give up your heaven but please, please sell this house to me."

"You are very stubborn Mr So, just like me." I heard him chuckled leisurely. "My son did ask me to live with him but that time I have no reason to leave." He then took a deep breath and scanning his house and said; "This house is not happy anymore, I can feel it. Maybe it hates the silence surrounding it. I'm not sure what's your plan with your girlfriend in the future but I believe that you two can make this house livelier and happy again. It's an old house but I can assure you that it is tougher than it looks because it has a strong foundation. I personally build it with my hand."

With those words, the old man finally agreed to sell his house to me with the last price that I had offered before. 10 times higher than the original price, slightly higher price than a penthouse that had five bedrooms, or a condo that face the full view of Seoul or a modern look bungalow up on the hill which I intended to keep it secret from the stingy Ga Eul and I'll bring the secret with me to my grave. If she knew the real price, I'll bet with my life that she won't move in with me forever.

Finally the day that I've been waiting for arrived and she was amazed and amused when she saw the house after I loosen my handkerchief that covered her eyes. She immediately roamed around the house, checking all the four bedrooms and the three bathrooms, walking barefooted at the beautiful garden that been well maintained by the previous owner and she also surveyed the small workshop adjacent to the kitchen.

"That old man was a carpenter and he builds his stuffs here. I think I can do my pottery here too." I said to her as she looks inside the workshop.

"That's great sunbae, the workshop is just opposite to the kitchen, so I can just yell out your name from the kitchen when the food is ready." She beamingly clapped her hand with a big smile on her face as she imagining our life in the future.

I can't help myself to smile widely with her and feels contented just at the thought of spending my life with her. For the first time in my life, I finally found a house that I can call home.

"I'm home."