To Be or Not To Be A Family - Chapter 48

The atmosphere was a happy and joyous one. Everyone kept laughing at Young-Jae. He just asked for tea and went to his room. It was strange behaviour for everyone. He just ordered and left. All the servants got busy preparing snacks and evening tea.

“Pyo-ssi, get something for Ashma to eat. She has not eaten since morning and get something for everyone too. Yongsuna call your mom and find out if she is coming too,” Eun-Kyung ordered around. She looked at Ashma. Ashma pouted and sent kisses her way. Eun-Kyung smiled at her naughtiness.

“Of course, ma’am,” said Pyo-ssi.

“Yes, Gomo,” said Yong-Sun.

“Let’s move to the living room,” said Hae-Won.

“Yes, Pyo-ssi. Please bring tea and snacks outside for everyone,” said Eun-Kyung.

“But first, go, take the tea for the old man,” taunted Ashma. Everyone stifled their laugh.

“Ashu!” reprimanded Vidhi.

“Come on, Mom. I am just teasing,” said Ashma.

Laughing and in a happy mood, they all moved to the living room. The automatic lights of the house burned bright as soon the natural light was lost. Yong-Sun finished his talk on the phone and informed everyone that his mother would be arriving in half an hour after completing her work.

Ashma walked with great difficulty but this time, Yong-Sun was fast. He picked her up and took her to the living room in his arm. She didn’t look into his eyes, she was embarrassed to look at him. She fondly kept looking at her. He softly placed her on the couch and went and sat opposite to her.

Everyone else sat on the couch and began talking.

“It almost gave me a heart attack after hearing his voice,” said Baek-Hyeon about Young-Jae.

“You are a coward,” teased Bong-Cha.

“Shut up,” said Baek-Hyeon.

“You, shut up,” shouted Bong-Cha and stuck her tongue at him.

“You, come here,” Baek-Hyeon stood from the couch to hit her but she was quick she ran away.

“Enough, both of you. Sit down,” shouted Eun-Kyung. They both halted in their path, traced their steps back and sat on the couch making faces at each other.

After some time Jong-Woo and Young-Soo came back from their work. Meanwhile, Pyo In-Ho gave the tea to Young-Jae in his room and brought the tea and snacks for everyone. He brought Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake) and Yangnyeom Tongdak (Fried Chicken) for Ashma and Hangwa (Korean cookies) and tteok (rice cakes) for the rest of the party.

Ashma picked up the plate, bowed down to Pyo In-Ho with respect and started eating. He smiled at her with love. She took a bite and then started the conversation, “So, before I came and all this drama, what you guys used to talk about?”

“Oh no, what did you ask? Why did you ask?” Baek-Hyeon stopped sipping his tea and shouted at Ashma.

She stopped her spoon in mid-air and looked at him. She then looked at everyone. They were shaking their head in no. It was difficult for Ashma to understand, “What? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, he is an idiot. All others are bad,” said Bong-Cha.

“We talked about marriage,” said Chin-Sun. Everyone else face-palmed. Ashma was shocked as to why every one behaving like that.

“Marriage?” asked Ashma.

“Yes, about flowers, dress, venue, etc,” said Bong-Cha.

“Ohh, so when is the wedding. I know it’s in September,” said Ashma.

“30th September,” shouted Chin-Sun, before anyone else could reply. She was too excited.

“And your birthday is 20th September,” said Bong-Cha with a cute smile. She too was excited.

“Yes, I know,” teased Ashma. “So everything is finalised for marriage?”

“Ha-ha, ha-ha” Yong-Suna and Baek-Hyeon started laughing like maniacs. They high-fived and rolled on the floor, laughing. Bong-Cha and Chin-Sun rolled their eyes at them.

“What? What?” inquired Ashma.

“Nothing is finalised. They keep fighting over every single detail,” said Yong-Sun, laughing.

“What?” Ashma was surprised.

“Yes, they can’t even choose a flower arrangement for decoration,” informed Baek-Hyeon.

“You are kidding,” said Ashma.

“He isn’t,” interjected Hae-Won.

“Ask them,” said Baek-Hyeon.

“Is that right?” Ashma looked at both Bong-Cha and Chin-Sun, shocked.

“I want Roses,” said Bong-Cha.

“But I want Lilies,” said Chin-Sun.

“Everyone has to listen to me, I am the groom’s sister,” said Bong-Cha.

“But I am the bride,” said Chin-Sun, pouting.

“It will be my choice.”

“No, it will be my choice.”

“Yes, thank you, girls, for the demonstration. You see, this what happens every time, every single time,” said Eun-Kyung.

“Oh my god! You can help us,” abruptly Bong-Cha, shouted and ran away.

“Excuse me!” shouted Ashma staring at Bong-Cha who vanished into her room.

“Oh yes, your choice is best in the market. The colour combination, the colour palette, please help us,” said Chin-Sun.

“Yes, please help us,” pleaded Baek-Hyeon.

“Will I get away with the tetanus shot?” negotiated Ashma.

“No, that’s non-negotiable,” said Chin-Sun.

“Ughhh,” groaned Ashma and made a disgusted face.

“Wait! Just wait,” Chin-Sun too ran away.

“Where is she going?”

“Going to get their collection of bridal magazines,” said Yong-Sun.

“Really!” Ashma was stunned.

“You have no idea,” said Baek-Hyeon.

All waited for Chin-Sun and Bong-Cha to return. They came back with dozens of magazines on each of their hands. Ashma’s and Vidhi’s eyes widened. For the rest of the people, it was normal.

“These are the bridal magazines?” asked Vidhi.

“Yes,” chirped Bong-Cha.

“This is the number of magazines you will find in a fashion house,” enlightened Ashma.

“We know. You inspired us,” said Bong-Cha.

“Huh!” exclaimed Ashma, stunned.

“Your documentary,” said Bong-Cha.

Ashma understood what she was talking about. She was talking about the documentary on her life that was made when she won the World Film Festival Award. She smiled at Bong-Cha and said, “you have any idea how weird it is that you know everything about me and I know nothing about you.”

“I know,” said Bong-Cha, happily. Ashma shook her head in disbelief.

“So these are a few of our choice, what do you say about flower arrangements?” asked Chin-Sun.

They both dumped the magazines in front of her on the table. She flipped every magazine for a few minutes. They had bookmarked every design and colour of their choice. Ashma looked at everyone one of them, her inner designer came out and she blurted out, “I don’t know, maybe Ranunculus for decoration and Tulips for the centrepiece. You can get calla lilies and white roses for the bridal bouquet.”

Everyone looked at her with their eyes widened and open mouths. No one spoke for a minute. It was getting uncomfortable for both Vidhi and Ashma.

“What happened?” whispered Ashma.

“I don’t know,” said Vidhi.

“What? What?” shouted Ashma and broke their trance.

“He said the same thing,” shouted everyone in unison and pointed towards Yong-Sun.

“Get out of here!” shouted Ashma. “You know about designing. I thought you were in the textile business.”

“That’s why I have been pursuing you,” blurted out Yong-Sun.

“Ahem,” Baek-Hyeon cleared his throat and signalled Yong-Sun to correct his sentence.

“For business,” Yong-Sun completed his words. “I want you to work with me. Just give me a chance, I mean my company a chance.” Ashma rolled her eyes.

“As I told you I am not lying, I really don’t have time. As soon my calendar clears my office will get in touch with your office.”

The whole evening the girls kept pestering her to help them. She helped them with a few choices and the rest resulted in a fight between Bong-Cha and Chin-Sun as usual. Both tried to keep vetoing each other. Ashma ended up facepalming.

While girls were busy, Young-Soo asked Vidhi

“What happened to her leg?”

“Nothing to worry about, she fell and got injured,” informed Vidhi.

“But it looks painful,” said Young-Soo. Seeing his daughter in pain, he was feeling uneasy.

“Yes, she is having a little difficulty in walking. But rest is fine, Chin-Sun will take her tomorrow morning for a tetanus shot,” said Vidhi.

“Ohh good, but is she okay? Really?” asked Young-Soo.

“Boys are a great help, they are helping her to walk. She says she is fine but I know, she is in pain,” said Vidhi while looking at her daughter. Ashma was smiling but her eyes were filled with agony.

While talking and laughing, it was time for dinner. Hei-Ran arrived late as her work made her late. She joined everyone for dinner. The whole clan was complete except Young-Jae. But to everyone’s surprise, for the first time after the arrival of Ashma, Young-Jae was having dinner with everyone. He kept glancing at Ashma with anger and she would occasionally return the favour. Because of his presence, everyone ate their dinner in silence.

Everyone enjoyed the dinner. Young-Jae retired for the night and the rest were ready to say bye and leave.

“Be ready in the morning. I will come and pick you up,” said Chin-Sun.

“Yes, ma’am.” She saluted her, teasingly.

Everyone went to their home and the whole house retired for the night.