Dayun’s POV,

“Are you guys ready?” Insoo asked peeking inside Iseul’s room.

“Yes!” I said, closing the zip of the travel bag I’ve spent hours packing. “YEAH! Let’s go to Muan!” Iseul jumped on the bed excited.

Yep! We’re travelling.

When Chul-ho visited us last week, he informed us that he was going to his parent’s house, which was in a small town on the outskirts of Muan. And that was where my prior branch was present. Well at least now I know, why my company had a branch at such a remote place. It was Insoo’s hometown.

Chul-ho asked us to join him in his visit the next Friday, which would be today. I was a little reluctant to join their family reunion but Chul-ho insisted me when I told him I have worked there before and that I really love the place.

Insoo too told me that his grandparents would really like to have Iseul and I as guests and wanted us to go along with him. And I cannot deny that I’d really love to go there again. And spending some time in a small town away from all the buzzles of the city for the weekend sounds amazing, doesn’t it?

“Okay then, let’s leave already. It’s getting late.”

Insoo said walking out of the house while we followed him. We settled in the car after making sure that we've packed all the necessary things. Insoo got on the driver’s seat after locking all the windows and door and double-checking everything.

“Are you both ready?” He asked us once again before starting the engine. “Yes!” We said in unison and he started the car.

After a while, we stopped at Jae-mi’s place. Apparently, Chul-ho wanted her to come along too. ‘Call that friend of Dayun too. More people, more fun.’ He had told Insoo.

Reaching her door, I rung the door-bell and she opened it immediately.

“Dayun, is it a good idea for me to come? I mean, with our boss-” was the first thing she asked me after opening the door.

“Oh please, Jae-mi. He is not going to bite you. And we aren’t even going there for work. Why would you be so afraid?” I asked her rolling my eyes.

‘He maybe your friend but he’s still my boss…' I heard her mumble something under her breath but just said ‘Nothing’ when I asked her about it, giving me a weary smile.

Carefully getting inside the back seat along with Iseul, Jae-mi greeted Insoo who returned it with a soft smile. “Be comfortable, Ms. Jung.” He further added noticing her uneasiness as I got inside the passenger’s seat.

With that we started off again as Insoo pressed the accelerator and hit the road.

…

It’s a 4-hour long drive. And Insoo didn’t allow me when I asked to drive. So, we agreed on splitting, he’d drive half way and I’d drive the rest.

It's been a long time since I’ve travelled somewhere far. And we’re going to my favourite workplace above all! I’m really excited.

“Iseul, look there! Do you see that-” I turned back to look at Iseul to show her a beautiful Flower field that was on the right side of the road, but- she was asleep. So was Jae-mi.

Both of them slept already? It has been only half an hour.

Noticing me Insoo said, “Let her sleep. She must be tired from all the playing she did last night.” To which I nodded understandingly. On second thought, it’s better this way. If Iseul was awake, she’d be impatient on when we’d reach there.

…

After sometime into drive, “Want some music?” Insoo asked.

“Yeah-………………” I was about to move my hand forward to switch the player on but stopped when Insoo did the same. He quickly took his hand back. “Uhm- Let’s listen to what you like.” I said asking him to play whatever he wanted.

“Sure, why not?” He said with a playful smile and with a hand on the steering wheel, he handed me his phone from another, saying, “Turn the Bluetooth on” which I did.

And immediately music began filling the empty space as his recently played list started playing automatically.

♪

♪

♪ Sometimes this feels like an ending of a movie…

If I’m just dreaming, then I’m hoping I can stay asleep ♪

We had come far away from the city by then. The tall buildings, suffocating population and ear-bleeding noises have disappeared without a trace.

Wanting to feel the fresh evening breeze, I lowered my window completely. And when I did, I felt the light wind brush my skin like a soft feather making a smile creep onto my face without my knowledge.

♪ Sometimes it feels like I’ll never have enough of you

When you’re around me, you make every passing moment new ♪

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Like Iseul and basically everyone her age, I too was always the ‘Have we not reached yet?’ kid. I’ve never gone on much trips before but the ones I went with my grandma when she was still alive or the ones I went with my sweet nanny, I always complained about traveling for so long. I’d want to teleport directly to the destination. And I still dislike traveling, even now, at 23.

Or

I could say, I disliked traveling until now,

Because…

Only now do I realize, the best part of going somewhere is……… The journey.

The beauty of the setting sun further reassured it.

♪ Oh my-

I swear I can’t stop looking into those eyes. I’m lost, maybe I’m hypnotized ♪

I must say Insoo was the one who made me realize that.

Perhaps, I wasted a lot of time thinking about what could go wrong when I should’ve thought about what went right.

Perhaps, I wasted a lot of time fearing Hee-sung that I failed to notice the beauty of small moments like this. And without me knowing, I might have constrained Iseul too, in the name of protecting her. I’ve never let her have a normal life like other kids her age.

And the more time I spend with Insoo, the more I feel this way, because when I think about it, every moment with him has been beautiful in one way or another.

Everything with him was new.

And these lyrics… I don’t know why but they just make me reminisce them.

♪ You know there ain’t no place I’d rather be. Just dance with me all night ♪

There really isn’t any place where I’d rather be right now. Because where would I go when everyone I care about is here.

My daughter is here. My best friend is here.

And… Also,

He's here… Right beside me.

♪ Cause’ baby, nothing else Feels like… You ♪

~

~

The rest of the journey went nice with both Dayun and Insoo enjoying the peacefulness of the noiseless night ride, also taking occasional silent glances at each other, smiling stupidly.

~

~

Dayun’s POV,

“Welcome dear. Welcome.” Insoo’s grandmother welcomed us as soon as we entered their house. The bright smile on her face showed how welcoming and warm-hearted she was. His grandfather too stood beside her matching her warmth.

Insoo went in to give his grandmother a bear hug as she happily took her grandson into her arms. “I’ve missed you sooo much Granny.” He mumbled. “Aw… I’ve missed you too, baby boy.” His grandmother returned it with added energy.

“Ouch, you still call me that? You know I ain’t a kid anymore. I am a grown man now. See how big I am?” He said still in her arms.

“Not to us. No.” His grandfather proceeded to pat on his back as Insoo pulled him into an one armed hug.

After a moment, his grandmother focused her attention on us. “Ow! Where are my manners…” Looking at us startled, she came forward as we bowed at her.

“So, you are Dayun, right?........... Lovely...” She said holding my hands but it felt more like a positive statement than a question. “This must be your friend Jae-mi.” She said looking at Jae-mi.

“And ha! This little munchkin must be Iseul!” She said pinching Iseul’s cheeks softly murmuring a ‘So cute…' with the gentlest of smiles. “Hello, grandma.” Iseul bowed joining her hands making her laugh again.

She knew us already?

“Insoo told me a lot of things about you both.” She told me stroking Iseul’s hair.

“He did?” I asked her looking at Insoo who smiled at us.

“Yes! I know everything.” She said enthusiastically which soon got replaced with a shocked expression as she spoke, “Oops… Where are my manners again? It’s already 9. You guys must be hungry and tired. Come let’s eat! I’ve prepared a lot of things for you!”

She said and with that she quickly walked into the dining hall as the rest of us followed her behind.

Woah… This woman definitely is a ball of energy and sunshine.

~

~

After a heart-warming dinner, we felt tired and Insoo showed us the guest room which was right next to his room upstairs.

I must say I was astonished by the variety of food Insoo’s grandmother had made. It really was a feast! With each bite, I wanted to eat more and more. I must take notes from her before I leave.

No wonder Insoo has amazing cooking skills.

Thinking about the lovely dinner I just had, I proceeded to unpack our things when Iseul came to me and asked me something which threw me off-guard.

“Where’s my fuzzy and buzzy, momma?”

She asked me about her stuffed toys that she asked me to pack. But the thing is,

I-

Totally forgot to pack them-

“Where are they, momma? Did you not pack them? Whyy? Momma… I want fuzzy and buzzy, now! I want them.” Realizing I had not packed them from my startled reaction, Iseul starting throwing her tantrums, screaming and weeping asking for her toys. I just stood there tired not knowing how to handle her.

“Look at him, you can have him instead Iseul.” Jae-mi gave Iseul a mini teddy bear that was in one of the glass cupboards for display, trying to calm her down.

But Iseul just shoved it away. She only wanted her Fuzzy and Buzzy, she said.

Aish. This girl.

What am I gonna do now?

“Keep quiet Iseul! Stop it. We’re not in our house. You’d wake others up……………….... I said, stop with your tantrums, Iseul!” I raised my voice trying to silence her but in vain.

“What’s happening here?” Insoo asked looking at Iseul and then at me, having stepped inside right at the moment to witness the scene. Confused at the commotion.

But the most important thing here was… What he had in his hands.

“Fuzzy and Buzzy!” Iseul ran to Insoo grabbing the stuffed toys from his hands as she finally stopped with her screaming.

“Did you bring them?” I asked him heaving a sigh of relief.

“No, they walked their way here.” He answered sarcastically with a straight face looking at me making Jae-mi laugh at me mockingly, as I rolled my eyes.

“Even I wouldn’t have seen it, if I hadn’t gone to your room to check the lights. How would you forget them? Don’t you know our Iseul wouldn’t sleep without them?” He asked guilt-tripping me.

“I know. I just- They didn’t fit inside the bag, so, I went for another bag when I- totally forgot them.” I admitted. “Well, well, that’s fine. I guess, it’d be better if I bring her things with me next time. I’d have more space since I pack less than you.” He suggested.

I nodded at that, feeling relieved seeing Iseul play with her toys silently.

“If any of you need anything, call me, I’ll be in the next room.” He remembered to say before making his way out.

“Good night dada!”

“Ah, good night, little one!”

He smiled and with that, he left the room as the three of us made ourselves comfortable in the bed.

Switching off the lights, I made my place between Jae-mi and Iseul, leaving Iseul to the side of the wall so that she wouldn’t roll off. The bed was big enough to accommodate three of us along with Iseul’s stuffed toys that laid on either side of her.

After putting my phone on charge, I pulled the shared blanket to cover myself, going to sleep.

…

While I was about to drift off,

“I think Moon Insoo likes you…”

Jae-mi spoke thinking deeply looking at the ceiling and her statement made me jolt out of sleep.

“What are you talking, Jae-mi?” I asked her, instantly startled out of falling asleep.

However, she was still looking at the ceiling thinking, like she was about to derive a physics equation.

“Think about it. He cares about you a lot. Not only you, he cares about Iseul too, he cares about her like he had raised her. And the way he looks at you or smiles at you make me think that way. Not only that, I noticed that he even mentioned ‘Iseul’ as ‘Our Iseul’ and he spoke about going on a trip with you ‘next time’ like he wants to go out with you multiple times.” At this point, she turned her complete attention towards me, holding my hands. “Look, I have joked about this a lot of times but now I seriously think that he really likes you.”

She spoke everything with uttermost sincerity.

If she had used her brain like this during her exams, she’d have surpassed the maximum possible marks. But look at her making useless theories.

“Just stop, will ya?” I hand signed her to stop as I spoke, “He cares about me because he treats me like his friend. As for Iseul, well, he does care about her a lot but it doesn’t mean he likes me. About the way he looks or smiles at me, it’s just your stupid delusion. And for the rest, it’s very common to use those phrases while speaking. So, can you use your magnificent brain for something more useful?”

I stopped with a question, after ensuring I’ve countered all of her reasons.

She looked at me with an unreasonable expression without speaking anything. So, with the content of winning the argument, I was about to go back to sleep.

But little did I know her next question would keep me up for several minutes.

“Well then, Do you perhaps………… like him?” She let out carefully focusing on my face looking for any change of expressions. I really grew unsure and speechless at that question of hers as I asked the question to myself once again.

Do I like him?

Do I like Insoo?

“Tell me. Do you like Moon Insoo?” She asked me again squinting one of her eyes, gripping my shoulder, slightly shaking me back and forth for answer that I wasn’t sure of.

While I was about to open my mouth to say something, we heard Iseul’s soft disturbed whimpers. It seems our conversation had interrupted her sleep.

“I- I don’t know. And please stop, we’ll wake Iseul up and I can’t bear the pain of putting her to sleep again………... So, stop being dramatic and go to sleep.” I quickly mumbled under my breath and turned to the other side pulling the blanket even closer to my body, closing my eyes shut. And Jae-mi didn’t speak anything after that either.

…

~

In the middle of the night,

*Knocks*

Someone knocked on Insoo’s door waking him from his deep slumber.

Half-asleep, he lazily dragged his feet out of the comfort of his blanket, carefully setting them on the cold floor. Standing up, he thoughtlessly started walking towards his door with his eyes only opened partially.

After looking for the door handle for a long time like a blind man, he finally managed to find it as he opened the door.

There, Dayun stood in front of him with her eyes as fresh as a morning Daisy unlike his which were as dull as an evening leaf.

To be continued…

Note - The song is 'Feels like you' by Faime. If you haven't heard it before, check it out when you have time. It's a good one!