Dong Kyung and Myeol Mang halted at the top of the stairs, viewing Seon Kyung and a handsome, well dressed Caucasian man in his fifties, sitting comfortably on pillow covered box crates on the rooftop. They sat at a low table, overflowing with platters of food, a small tabletop grill sat in the middle as they turned skewers of meat, frying to a crisp.
Dong Kyung smiles, not surprised by her family's intrusion. She softly whispers,
"Wow.."
Seon Kyung turns around, says,
"What are you doing?"
Dong Kyung smiles, offers a quick little wave, while Myeol Mang offers a small formal bow of his head in respectful greeting.
She turns, gesturing towards her family, looks up into his expectant face, says,
"Would you like some pork bellies?"
Siting across from Aunt Soo Ja and her husband, Kevin, he attempts deflecting attention away from himself so it is not obvious that he is not partaking in the feast.
Seon Kyung does not help when he obnoxiously holds out a lettuce leaf wrapped with meat inside, says,
"Please eat plenty. Say ahh.."
Myeol Mang stares, not opening his mouth, until the younger man is forced to turn his hand around and stuff the entire lettuce wrapped meat into his own mouth.
His mouth full of food, says,
"This so good."
Kevin holds up a shot glass towards Myeol Mang. Puzzled looks cross over the faces of the younger people. Dong Kyung inquires of her Aunt,
"What is it, Auntie?"
Aunt Soo Ja snickers, leans into her husband's shoulder, says,
"Kevin must want to have a drink with your boyfriend."
Seon Kyung being ever helpful, attempts introductions,
"Kevin, this is…."
Stopping mid sentence, turns, rolls his eyes upwards, flashes a look at Myeol Mang, realization dawning, puzzlement crossing over his handsome features, says,
"Come to think of it, I never asked your name. What's your name?"
Dong Kyung eating, covers her mouth, says,
"His name is…"
Smiling, pleased, Myeol Mang says,
"Sa Ram. Kim Sa Ram."
Seon Kyung puzzles over the odd name, says,
"What kind of name is that?"
Myeol Mang grins amusedly, dimples show in corners, glances at Dong Kyung, quietly says,
"I know."
Dong Kyung swallows her food, holding her chopsticks, lightly elbows his shoulder, frowns, looking down at his teasing.
Seon Kyung turns back towards Kevin, loudly says,
"Sa Ram. Boyfriend."
Kevin holds up his glass, in a heavy Canadian accent, says,
"You know there is an old saying, 'Only alcohol can reveal the real man.'"
Unable to understand any of the English words spoken, Seon Kyung turns to Myeol Mang whispers, "What did Uncle say?"
Smirking, Myeol Mang says,
"He said you know men when they are drunk."
Seon Kyung clears his throat, puffs out his chest, gestures to himself, manly voice, says,
"Uncle! I…Me…did all that before. It's good. The end. Understand?"
Kevin puzzled over his words, but Aunt Soo Ja held up her glass, lightly tapped against his own, smoothing over any misunderstanding of words.
Seon Kyung reached for more meat, saying,
"I should have learned English, but my studies weren't good."
Aunt Soo Ja quickly glances over the table, seeing all the food, says,
"I got some beer. I should go get them."
Dong Kyung leaps up, offers her help, says,
"I'll get them."
Auntie Soo Ja smiles, waves for Dong Kyung to sit back down, saying,
"You don't even drink. Just stay there."
Dong Kyung slowly relaxes back down next to Myeol Mang, worriedly watching the apartment door, waiting for her Aunt's return.