Husband Role - Episode 21

The sound of crickets seeped through the slightly open glass sliding door. It was the sound of the summer dawn.

 

Eun-seol tossed and turned without realizing it. Then, a familiar scent brushed the tip of her nose.

 

Huh…?

 

Eun-seol half-lifted her heavy eyelids.

 

A large shadow was obscuring the dark blue dawn.

 

Even though her eyes were accustomed to the darkness, she couldn’t see the figure’s features clearly.

 

But Eun-seol knew who it was.

 

It was her husband.

 

“Close your eyes.”

 

At the low, handsome voice, she smiled faintly. Her heart, which reacted first, also beat pleasantly.

 

“…Are you here?”

 

A sleepy voice flowed out. At the same time, Eun-seol was pulled in by a strong force. She was wrapped in a large embrace, and a gentle hand patted her back. It was as cozy as being in a bunker.

 

“Sleep more.”

 

At the tender command, Eun-seol burrowed in a little deeper. The corners of her lips turned up. It was Saturday dawn.

 

 

“I’m off.”

 

As morning dawned, Eun-seol went to the main house to announce her departure. Seol-gi asked where she was going in a demanding tone, and Kyung-ha stopped Seol-gi, telling her to hurry back.

 

Jung-hyuk nodded, wrapping his arm around Eun-seol’s shoulders. And the couple drove a little further.

 

The place they arrived at was Gangneung Hocheon Hospital. Reaching the VIP floor, Jung-hyuk moved in a familiar direction. Eun-seol, who was quite nervous, followed him with quick steps.

 

Opening the sliding door, she saw a man lying as if he were asleep.

 

He was a man who looked a lot like Jung-hyuk at first glance.

 

“Father.”

 

Jung-hyuk called Homin as if it were a greeting. There was no answer.

 

Eun-seol looked back and forth between Jung-hyuk, who had an empty expression, and Homin, who was gaunt and thin, then slowly bowed her waist.

 

“Hello, Father. Nice to meet you for the first time. My name is Lee Eun-seol.”

 

It was a simple self-introduction, but there was nothing else to add. Somehow, she felt sad, helpless, and solemn.

 

“The wedding was rushed, so we were disorganized. I hope you’re not disappointed.”

 

Jung-hyuk spoke as if talking to himself, as if he was used to it. Homin, who had been lying down for over 20 years, was still silent.

 

“This is,”

 

Jung-hyuk continued, holding Eun-seol’s small, white hand.

 

“My daughter-in-law. I wish you could have seen her, but it’s a shame.”

 

Eun-seol couldn’t say anything rashly. It was because she didn’t know the weight of Jung-hyuk’s sadness.

 

Even if she had scars no less than Jung-hyuk’s, it was separate.

 

So, she wanted to know Jung-hyuk’s pain even more. She wanted to understand.

 

She wanted to be a source of strength for Jung-hyuk, who was clearly suffering from things that had become the past for Eun-seol.

 

“Father.”

 

Eun-seol dared to move her lips.

 

“I’ll make sure Jung-hyuk doesn’t feel lonely. I’ll do my best.”

 

That was all she could say. That’s why she was even more sorry.

 

“We should get going now.”

 

Jung-hyuk said stiffly. Eun-seol looked at Jung-hyuk with slightly widened eyes.

 

When she asked, “Already?” he stroked the top of her head without a word.

 

And his gaze shifted back to his father.

 

“The next time I come.”

 

He continued, taking in his neatly groomed hair and beard, his emaciated cheeks and thin wrists.

 

“Be in your dreams.”

 

His heart, telling him not to go far, flowed into Eun-seol.

 

Eun-seol felt a tingling in her nose for some reason and held Jung-hyuk’s hand tightly.

 

The air in the car, leaving the hospital behind, was heavy.

 

Eun-seol couldn’t say anything and only stared out the window.

 

The scent of the sea came from the scenery that was quickly receding behind her.

 

Even if he’s alive, what does it feel like to not even be able to make eye contact?

 

Is it sad to become the past forever?

 

Is it sad to stay in the present?

 

No, there can be no ranking in sadness.

 

The same goes for interpretation.

 

“It’s okay to not be sad because I’m used to it, so you don’t have to be self-conscious.”

 

Jung-hyuk said in a calm voice. It was a seemingly nonchalant nuance, but somehow it didn’t sound calm to Eun-seol.

 

If he was really nonchalant, he might have told her how his mother died and why his father was lying down.

 

There was definitely a chance to do so.

 

But it was Jung-hyuk who kept his mouth shut.

 

Eun-seol didn’t bother to pry, but she had a feeling that it wasn’t a small matter.

 

She had vaguely felt it since she heard about it from Kyung-ha before.

 

Therefore, Eun-seol was just waiting.

 

However, there was one thing she wanted to tell him.

 

“It’s okay to be sad. You don’t have to be self-conscious.”

 

Eun-seol carefully returned his words.

 

At first glance, Jung-hyuk’s profile stiffened.

 

Was it presumptuous to act like a ‘wife’ when they got married without love? Or was it because she was young? Or because they weren’t close enough?

 

But she didn’t want to take back what she said. It was because she was so sincere.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Let’s have lunch.”

 

With those words, Jung-hyuk boldly turned the steering wheel.

 

They arrived at a Jang Kalguksu (spicy noodle soup) restaurant located on the outskirts of Gangneung. It was an old restaurant, but it had a panoramic view with windows on three sides, which was quite charming. You couldn’t see the sea. Instead, it was full of lush trees, and that was enough.

 

Jung-hyuk seemed to have been there a few times, and he finished ordering familiarly.

 

A little later, a hot pot was placed on the burner.

 

Jung-hyuk handed Eun-seol a plate filled with seafood and noodles.

 

I don’t have an appetite.

 

Eun-seol thought so, but when she came to her senses, she had already emptied her second bowl. Jung-hyuk also ate the Kalguksu silently.

 

“I guess it’s a famous restaurant.”

 

Eun-seol said, breaking the awkward air.

 

“If you make that face every time I come, I won’t be able to bring you here in the future.”

 

He said as if driving a wedge.

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

Eun-seol muttered in a sullen voice.

 

“Fix the habit of apologizing too.”

 

“…”

 

“I’m telling you not to bow your head habitually. The more you do that, the more people will misunderstand. That you’ve really done something wrong.”

 

“Do you misunderstand too, Teacher?”

 

Eun-seol asked with curious eyes.

 

“I think your apology is a habit caused by the environment. However, that ‘Teacher’ sound makes me misunderstand. That’s why I’m teaching you like this.”

 

Ah…

 

She realized. It was herself who was creating a distance between her and her husband, whom she wanted to be closest to.

 

“…I could call Teacher by his name in front of the other family members but when I stand in front of him… um, I’ll try.”

 

“Fix it quickly.”

 

Because it feels illegal.

 

At Jung-hyuk’s words, Eun-seol felt her nape tingle for some reason. She gulped down the water she had poured in advance, and Jung-hyuk asked if she was done eating.

 

To Eun-seol’s nod, he asked for her hand. Eun-seol hesitated for a moment and then held out her awkwardly clenched fist.

 

“Open it.”

 

He ordered. Eun-seol opened her hand as it was, with the back of her hand facing up.

 

Then, Jung-hyuk, who sighed lowly, turned her palm over to the opposite side.

 

“This.”

 

A very small object touched her palm. He withdrew his hand. Its identity was revealed.

 

“You can wear it casually.”

 

It was a thin ring with a simple design. Eun-seol’s eyes widened as she realized that it was instead of an expensive wedding ring.

 

She was newly moved by her husband’s meticulous consideration.

 

Just as she was about to say thank you, he picked up the bill and got up from his seat.

 

Eun-seol’s eyes curved slightly as she looked at his receding back.

 

The couple returned to Seoul. Jung-hyuk asked Eun-seol if there was anything she wanted to do. It seemed like he was asking for a kind of date.

 

Eun-seol wanted to spend time alone with him, but she couldn’t get Seol-gi, who was waiting for her at home, out of her mind.

 

It was her sister-in-law who had taught her how to make steamed clams for two days in a row, telling her to show off her skills properly today.

 

“Go home and rest. You’ve been driving for a long time.”

 

She returned home with regret.

 

Eun-seol kicked Seol-gi out of the kitchen and made steamed clams alone. Seol-gi peeked around as if she didn’t trust her, but she had no choice but to turn her back on Eun-seol’s stubbornness.

 

She brought the finished dish to the table. The main menu for the adults, who had been smelling seafood for days, was wild ginseng bulgogi. Steamed clams were a dish only for Jung-hyuk.

 

Eun-seol looked at Jung-hyuk, who picked up his spoon, with expectant eyes.

 

“Is it good?”

 

Jung-hyuk nodded once and then ate the steamed clams cleanly.

 

Eun-seol looked at him with a happy heart, as if she was full even though she didn’t eat.

 

It was when Eun-seol was clearing the table with the servant after dinner.

 

“What is this—!”

 

Seol-gi shouted in a disgusted voice. Eun-seol, surprised, quickly approached.

 

“Sister, have you tried this?”

 

Seol-gi asked, holding out the pot of steamed clams with only a little broth left. Eun-seol slowly shook her head.

 

“It smells like expired cosmetics. How did you make it?”

 

“…I did it the way you taught me, Miss, but it’s strange.”

 

It was when Eun-seol answered in a sullen voice. Jung-hyuk, who approached, put his hand on Seol-gi’s forehead.

 

“You have a fever. I guess your sense of taste is impaired because you have a cold.”

 

“What’s impaired isn’t me, but this steamed clams!”

 

Eun-seol was upset, but she felt the need to check the taste. It would be a big problem if there was really a problem with the food. Jung-hyuk might get sick. She was about to quickly pick up a spoon.

 

Jung-hyuk started drinking the broth from the pot. His Adam’s apple, which was swallowing the broth, kept moving.

 

Seol-gi’s face turned white as she watched it. Eun-seol was also at a loss and only stamped her feet.

 

Jung-hyuk took the empty pot to the kitchen, put it in the sink, and came back.

 

Wiping his mouth and saying that he ate well, Seol-gi asked him in a shocked voice.

 

“…Aren’t you going to die, Oppa?”

 

Jung-hyuk lightly ignored Seol-gi’s words and said to Eun-seol.

 

“Let’s go to sleep.”

 

“What, it’s only seven o’clock.”

 

Seol-gi said, wrinkling her nose.

 

“I’m tired, Eun-seol.”

 

Repeatedly urging, Jung-hyuk held out his hand to Eun-seol.

 

Eun-seol glanced at Seol-gi and then gently took her husband’s hand.