SIDE STORY 5

“I couldn’t even eat because I was looking for this rascal.”

“You didn’t eat?”

“No, my stomach is growling, terribly growling.”

Hearing the grandmother’s complaint, Haji thought carefully about what was in the café’s refrigerator.

“Oh, that’s right.”

She remembered the sprout lunchbox she had brought for lunch but hadn’t touched because her stomach still felt unsettled.

“Grandma, come inside and have a meal before you go.”

After bringing another bowl of water for Youngsoo, who was at the door, she entered the café with the grandmother. Haji took out the lunchbox she had kept in the refrigerator and checked its condition. She planned to take out the rice and warm it in the microwave.

Suddenly, the smell of the sprouts and the side dishes she had taken out felt fishy.

“What’s going on? It’s not spoiled, is it?”

The nausea surged to the point where she couldn’t hold it back.

“Ugh!”

Unable to suppress the queasiness, Haji covered her mouth with her hand as she retched. The sudden force from inside her made her legs weak.

“What’s wrong, Boss’s wife?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. My stomach feels off.”

As the concerned grandmother stood up and approached her, Haji suppressed her own surprise and smiled faintly.

“Are you pregnant?”

“What?”

“You’re pregnant.”

Pregnant?

The grandmother’s tone, seasoned with years of experience, carried a conviction that left no room for doubt.

“Am I pregnant?”

Haji couldn’t hide her baffled expression and placed her hand on her still-flat stomach. 

Could there really be a baby inside my belly?

“A baby…?”

Her mind felt like it had stopped processing.

Although she and Seojin had decided to have a child and hadn’t used contraception, she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

“I’ll go to the pharmacy.”

“Alright, let me know if it’s good news, and congratulations in advance.”

Having received early congratulations, Haji blinked as she left the café and headed straight to the pharmacy at the village entrance.

Thump-thump. Her racing heartbeat echoed through her body.

***

A short while later, the pregnancy test kit trembling in Haji’s hand displayed two clear red lines.

“Pregnant…? Me?”

Even as she looked at it, she couldn’t believe it.

The three test kits she had used all showed the same result. Of course, since pregnancy tests aren’t 100% accurate, she would need to confirm it at a hospital.

Still, the thought of a new life growing in her belly, which felt no different than usual, was both amazing and strange.

“Oppa…”

It seems our baby is here.

Haji tightly gripped her phone with both hands.

She wanted to see Seojin.

Thinking about sharing this thrilling news with Seojin, who would return home as the sun set, made her heart flutter with excitement.

***

In the scorching midday sun that heralded the arrival of summer, the construction site was filled with people clad in thick clothing and safety helmets.

Among them, Seojin handed the blueprint he was holding to Matthew.

“You finish up here.”

“Huh? Didn’t you say you’d oversee this?”

“I have to go home.”

“What?”

Matthew frowned as he looked at Seojin, who had abruptly changed his mind about staying at the site, which was still in the early stages of construction.

A long sigh escaped his lips.

“Is it starting again?”

It seemed like Seojin’s ‘I’m going home’ syndrome had flared up again. 

“Why? Are you worried Haji might be bored alone in that big house again? Or are you worried she might trip in the spacious garden?”

Crossing his arms, Matthew brought up the most absurd reason Seojin had ever given him shortly after getting married. Who could understand how ridiculous it was to hear such a thing in person?

It was almost a miracle the company hadn’t gone under because of a CEO who often left work early. Of course, it was likely because Seojin secretly made up for the work he missed, leaving no issues behind.

Knowing that Seojin would probably finish today’s unfinished tasks by dawn, Matthew didn’t bother to stop him.

“Haji seems to be feeling sick.”

“What? Is she very sick?”

Matthew, who had been with Seojin all day, wondered when he had contacted Haji. Hearing that she was unwell made him worried, too.

“I don’t know. She was sick this morning.”

“President Ki, I can’t trust that.”

“What?”

The concern in Matthew’s gaze turned into a narrow, suspicious look.

“If she was really sick, there’s no way you’d have come to work.”

“…Anyway, I have to go. She wasn’t feeling well.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Seojin left. Watching his retreating figure, Matthew turned toward the workers without hesitation. He knew there was no point in trying to stop him.

“Go on, then, go.”

I’ll just work comfortably here and leave on time.

Matthew justified this to himself, thinking there were some perks to the boss being absent.

***

Tap-tap-tap.

Seojin’s feet hurriedly climbed the stone steps.

Haji’s words about not feeling well in the morning kept echoing in his ears. Despite his urgent steps, his right hand barely moved.

He carried a bowl of porridge in his right hand, worried that Haji hadn’t eaten anything because of her stomachache. Steam rose from the porridge’s shopping bag, mirroring Seojin’s anxious heart.

“Haji?”

“Oh? You’re home early today.”

Haji, sitting in the garden with a round hat and her legs tucked under her, caught Seojin’s attention, making him frown slightly.

“Ouch.”

Stretching her stiff legs from sitting too long, Haji let out a small groan. Soon, she turned toward Seojin with a bright smile.

In her arms was a neatly woven brown basket.

“What brings you home early today?”

“You said you weren’t feeling well. You said you were sick, so of course, I came early.”

At Seojin’s words, Haji’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her round eyes sparkled.

“I’m fine now, but it’s still nice that you came early.”

“If you’re sick, you should stay inside.”

Seojin looked at Haji with concern. Seeing her smile sheepishly and reassure him, he couldn’t help but smile back.

Seojin knelt down and dusted off Haji’s thin pants. They had gotten quite dirty from touching the ground while she picked sprouts.

Watching him, Haji took a small, deep breath. This proud man acted as if kneeling before her was the most natural thing.

Such a thoughtful person.

She wanted to tell him right away.

“Oppa.”

“Yeah?”

“…Is the porridge for me?”

Hesitating, Haji changed the subject. Her palms were sweaty from nervousness.

“Yeah, it’s for the sick person.”

“I don’t think I need to eat it.”

“Huh?”

Seojin straightened up and faced her. For someone supposedly sick, Haji’s round eyes had been sparkling with life since earlier.

“Did something happen?”

It was clear something good had happened without his knowledge. Haji couldn’t hide her expression.

Haji bit her cherry-like lips slightly inward, as if holding back, and then reached out. Taking Seojin’s empty left hand, she finally couldn’t suppress her smile.

“Honey.”

Haji’s flushed cheeks revealed her excited mood.

As she gently swayed their clasped hands in tune with the soft breeze, Haji glanced at the swing.

“When are you going to build a swing for the kids?”

“A swing for the kids?”

“Yeah, for our kids.”

“…….”

Seojin’s words trailed off, and with a look of disbelief, Haji nodded with sparkling eyes.

“Ha…”

A breath mixed with awe escaped Seojin’s lips.

“Haji.”

“Now, you’re going to be the father of our child.”

Seojin held Haji tightly in his arms and slowly closed his eyes. Although they had made plans for a family before, he had tried not to get his hopes up too soon.

Even so, hearing that they were truly expecting a child left him at a loss for words.

No words came easily.

Unable to fully express his emotions, he simply embraced Haji. She was a woman he was grateful for, just for being by his side.

“I’ll do my best. Thank you.”

“Thank you, too.”

The softly whispered words, audible only to the two of them, scattered into the warm breeze, drifting across the garden as if tracing the steps of their future children.

“Kyaa! Oppa, what are you doing?”

“Don’t walk around anymore. It’s dangerous.”

“What are you going to do if you’re already like this?”

Haji’s joyful laughter, carried in Seojin’s arms, filled the garden completely.

“I love you.”