Chapter 7: Happy
Chapter Theme:
Galaxy - Bolbbalgan4

Han Seungwoo

"Han Dongpyo.. why did you go outside your school carelessly? There are a lot of bad guys scattered anywhere! What if someone kidnapped you? We will go crazy!"

When I opened the door, I heard my father preach a sermon at Dongpyo about how he acted carelessly. I'm hoping that my son will repent for what he did today. It was a horrifying experience for me as a father. Now, I can feel my father's feelings for all the causes I've done before. Being a parent is not easy, you gotta be strong enough and brave to handle situations like this.

I took a single step and called Dongpyo's name. He was just sulking and won't even raise his head. I empathized with my son but he needs to be reprimanded for his heedless action.

"I won't add up to your grandfather's sermon to you uri adeul. Next time don't do it okay? You got us worried and the whole school too. Go to your room and fix yourself." I hugged him and patted his head. He was giving a blank expression and it makes me more worried.

"I just wanted to find my eomma." He left those words before turning back. I sighed and my father saw it.

"Who helped him?" We're now sitting while drinking some canned beer.

"It was a woman around my age. Would you like to know what she told me?"

I swallowed an amount of beer. "Ne," I answered.

"She saw him crying while looking for his mother.. so she asked if what's his mother's name but Dongpyo said he doesn't know."

"How can we look for your mother then?" The woman asked Dongpyo who's been crying relentlessly. She felt bad for the kid. He could pass as her grandson. "Do you have your mother's picture? Or can you describe her face?"

"Molla... I don't know her at all that's why I'm looking for her. Eomma! Eomma! This is me Dongpyo, your son! Eomma bogoshipeo!"

After what I heard, it was like I was bathed with cold water. I finished the liquid inside the can before crashing it with my hand. All I can do is loathe her. She was so selfish for leaving his son!

"Appa, what should I do? Dongpyo's a smart kid and he will frequently ask me. I don't want to lie to him," I said helplessly. Well, I'm not the only one who's feeling helpless because my father is troubled too.

"Let's just think that this day did not happen. Dongpyo needs our love and we will give that to him. He will not be deprived of parental love. We will shower him with that but for now, let him be alone. He might be a kid but he needs alone time too."

I understand my father's sentiment. We will not deprive Dongpyo of love because from the very beginning, he deserves it.

"I give the woman your number. I told her that she will get a free ride for once from you anytime."

I stood up and went to the room to check Dongpyo. The door was open and I saw him sitting on the corner. Before I could talk to him, I heard something that broke my heart and made me cry.

"Eomma.. eodi? Why are you not here? Are you in heaven? Or you don't want me as your son? Eomma.. you don't love me? Eomma please show up because I want to hug you.."

The issue didn't last long when Dongpyo woke up after that day, he seems to be fine. I didn't bother to bring up the topic 'cause honestly, I don't have the guts.

The road has been my compadre since that day. Driving entails a lusty grip on the steering wheel. The highway might look smooth to drive with no hurdles but it's just a façade. It's not the only road we should take, 'cause honestly, we need to take those rough, bumpy, and narrow roads for us to be in the place where we should be.

"Dongpyo, make friends not enemies okay? If they don't like you then let them be. Don't give them the attention they don't deserve. You got me and grandfather."

Dongpyo kissed my cheek and I gave him a tight embrace before letting him go. "Study well, son."

The day moved along sveltely. I was singing along to the B1A4's Solo Day. It was on the whistle part so I enjoyed whistling and it feels comforting.

Solo solo day solo solo day girl
Oneulttara gibuni deo jonne geondeuljima
Solo solo day solo solo day boy
Gibun joheun solo solo solo day

I was singing religiously like I'm practicing for an audition. My voice is pretty good and got a high voice range. If only things before were in good shape, I'll be majoring in music.

Ten meters away, a man was standing beside his car checking its wheel. I'm guessing that he has a flat tire. I pulled my taxi to the side to lend a hand to the man.

He was on his phone, contacting someone but he seemed to be irritated.

"Jeogiyo.. do you mind if I'll help you?"

He turned and looked at me in ire. I think he was about to turn down my offer because I sensed that he's the kind of person who doesn't want anyone's help. He raised his hand signaling for me to wait. His fingers were busy on his phone and the phone touched his ear.

"Yoon Harin you can go back to the office now. Cancel your trip to go to a vulcanizing shop. Go get a taxi and tell gwajangnim about me. I hope this will be fixed sooner," he said with an autonomous voice.

"Hey, I hope you can fix this right away. I'm a busy man y'know." I nodded. "Is that your taxi? Can I stay there 'cause it's hot?" He walked towards my taxi without my response.

"Oh and if I say right away, fix it for a maximum time of 20 minutes. I don't like waiting for too long and I can pay for your one-day income so don't worry and do a good job," he demanded. His hands were put inside the two sides of the pockets while walking smoothly.

I suddenly feel the urge not to help him. He's bossy and arrogant. I somewhat regretted my offer.

"Hey ca,n your taxi go any cooler?!" He shouted from my taxi. His head was popping in the window. I shook my head and he rolled his eyes. Now, I look like a bad man.

I checked his tires and the two tires were rived. His tires are still thick and by looking from the rived tire, it was intentional. Maybe he parked this near some kids who liked to prank. I smiled at the thought and I wanted to congratulate those kids.

I pulled out the gloves from my hand and put them in my toolbox. I'm no help for this vile man. He looked at me suspiciously and made his way out of my taxi. Once he was out, he looked at his watch.

"Are you done ahjussi?" Huh! The nerve of this guy. He thinks that I'm way too old than him. "You just touched my tires, are you a magician? I will not give you money!" He said firmly. I don't need your money anyway.

"It's pretty bad. I think you should hire a vulcanizer to repair your tires."

"I just canceled it!"

"Call it again," I calmly said not towering his furious voice.

"Hey, you! If you intend to mock me then you won! Why did you offer help when you can't do it anyway? I'll report your taxi!" He exclaimed, so frustrated. He's making me a bad man in his eyes.

"With all due respect sir, I did not tell you to cancel your call for a vulcanizing shop and I did not promise that I can fix your tires. It is beyond my expertise, sir. I'm a taxi driver, not a vulcanizer!" I spatted.

He was about to say something when a woman's voice suddenly flared in our atmosphere. I smirked at his peeved face which is burning red.

"Sunbaenim!" So he's superior in his work. The woman was far from us and I couldn't see her face clearly. I wanted to go back to my taxi but there was a force making me stay.

She's running and breathless. An enormous amount of sweat was dripping from her forehead, and her neck and blouse were soaked in sweat. Her hair was in a perfect mess. I could utter a compliment even with her state. But how I hate that she ran pell-mell for this chaotic man.

"I told you to go back to the office!" He yelled at her making me feel vexed.

She took a deep precise breath while her slender arms were put on both sides of her waist. She's breathing for a moment now while glaring at her sunbae. That's the spirit. Be fierce.

She stomped her feet and shook her arms in annoyance making me and her sunbae a jolt. Wow, this woman!

"Yah Kim Wooseok! I may be your hoobae but I'm not your errand girl that you can boss around. You're not my boss and I don't work for you! How dare you make me walk for an hour, back and forth, just to cancel the repair?!" She huffed. Her sweats doubled at this moment and she didn't bother to wipe them.

Kim Wooseok eyed me, mentally telling me that it was my fault.

"And you have the guts to yell at me commanding me to go back to the office? Do I look like your dog? I only have my cellphone with me but my bag is inside your car." She pointed to the car with her shaking finger. It was a moment for Kim Wooseok to move to get her bag.

I'll bet on you woman. For sure, Kim Wooseok's balls are shaking in fright.

She snatched her bag forcefully making him flinch in embarrassment. I guess this is the first time he saw her like that. It's my second time seeing her angry.

"I'll give you low scores in the evaluation next week. I hope you will not be promoted but be demoted. Your action is violating the business ethics!"

She stormed out, pacing towards my taxi. I think she already saw it earlier because she's traipsing there confidently. When she closed the door, it offered a loud thud. I didn't mind looking at Kim Wooseok and my attention was fully fixed on my taxi. A playful smirk evinced on my visage and my heart pounded insanely making me conclude that I found my new enthusiasm.

I calmly slid myself into the taxi not showing evidence of what I'm feeling. Her head was stuck to the headrest and her eyes were closed. She's fuming mad that I don't want to speak 'cause I might trigger her.

I inserted the key and started the engine to get her attention.

"Just drive me anywhere. If you don't mind," she uttered.

What a great day. The woman who got my first kiss is with me in this taxi for the second time around. Thanks for your damaged tires, Kim Wooseok.