Lika - Liku Asmara Aldo - Thea

Little Secret of Kim's Nest

During this time, Aldo's breakfast menu is not far from nasi uduk, instant noodles, bread, or fried rice duck eggs made by Mama. This time the breakfast was world class. Oops, let's narrow it down a little. And again, Korean class. Although not entirely Korean.

For breakfast this time, at the time of the emergence of newcomers, the Kim family breakfast menu is more Korean-themed. There is jeon bokjuk-porridge with a sprinkling of quality abalone shells, yukgaejang, sundubu jjigae, as well as sikhye drinks. Why is there a word 'this time'? According to Kimi, it is all because of the figure of Aldo. The man thought the girl was just making things up. Therefore, the girl's statement did not necessarily make both her cheeks red. 

Mr. Kim Jae-sun was stunned to hear Kimi's curse just now. But neither denied the truth. In fact, everyday, almost even, Kim's family breakfast is more Western-themed that is much simpler. Just eat two catches of toast and a glass of chocolate milk. Or if bored, they will ask to make fried rice. Otherwise, Japanese breakfast has also been done. Just eat tamago-egg-with flavored spices, then they go to their respective activities.

 Outside of the breakfast menu, Aldo is so reverent for the hospitality of the Kim family. Not impressed (due to the sudden arrival of a guest from another country). Everything looks natural. He remembers when he almost showed the habit of eating Indonesian-style - without using a spoon or fork. Kim Jae-sun, his wife, and their two children - except for Kim Sarang - are all concerned. So commemorated indirectly by Kim Sarang's father: "Ha-ha-ha, maybe like that way of eating in Indonesia", Aldo rush to pick up spoons and forks. Understandably, the man ate more often by hand only; and it was like most other Indonesians. 

Moreover, there was another side that was slightly suspicious for Aldo. Because of the proximity of the dining table to the living room, and maybe to feel more vibrant, the television in the living room is turned on. In the middle of the banquet, the television aired a snapshot of a concert by a famous boyband. Big Bang is the name of the boyband. At that moment, the atmosphere at the dining table changed drastically. Appa and Eomma from Kim Sarang grumbled and put on a sour look. The little sister suddenly daydreamed expressionlessly - while smiling thinly.

"Kimi" said Aldo, after leaving only himself and the girl.

"Well," Kimi smiled.

"I think I saw it, the atmosphere changed a little after the Big Bang show. What happened to the boyband? That's also if you don't mind."

The girl just chuckled, not answering.

"Why laugh?" Aldo is getting confused.

"Rather than taking care of something that's none of your business, you want to not travel around Seoul with me?"

Aldo chuckles. For a second he rolled his eyeballs. He knows, he should not interfere in the affairs of one's household, let alone different countries.

"Don't just laugh, laughing isn't an answer. Answer: do you want to or not?" Kimi grinned, waiting for an answer.

"By me," Aldo replied. "If from the beginning I was more interested in visiting Japan, I still could not waste this golden opportunity. A walk around Seoul with pay, who would refuse."

"Who said it's free?" goda Kimi's. "There's a price to know."

"Yaaah..."

"Calm down" Kimi said with a smile that tried to calm down. "I know, you don't have the least amount of Korean money. That's why I give..." There's pause. "...a little softness to you. You can pay your debt when we are in Indonesia later. And the pay doesn't use money either. So you just calm down."

*****

Aldo wanted to be guided by Kimi to visit Seoul Olympic Stadium. The stadium that opened for the first time during the Olympics really caught his attention. Especially the Olympic Hall. After waking up in the morning, before Kimi just play selonong enter, he had opened Twitter. Through the timeline, he knew that HKT48 was in Seoul. Reportedly, today idol group from the city of Hakata, Fukuoka will hold a concert as well as a handshake and two-shoot event at Seoul Olympic Hall. Not only that, some idol groups from neighboring Korea will also be present. Momoiro Clover Z, C-ute, and Morning Musume. Not to forget also the original Korean pop group is also present. One of them is 2NE1.

"That's a typical human trait that I don't like very much" Kimi lamented in response to Aldo's request. "Why, every time they visit a country, they always choose to approach its hedonism centers. Until they forget that the country they are visiting has many more beautiful places of interest. Instead of visiting the Olympic Hall, you better visit other places. This Seoul has many more places worth visiting."

And it was to Mapo Bridge that the man was taken by Kimi. But not really visit the location that can actually be said to be haunted. Kimi only takes Aldo to a place where the Mapo Bridge is visible. It entered into the realm of Yeongdeungpo district, still entering the Seoul part of the city as well.

"Not to be so tense" Kimi smiled. "It's still daytime, it's still eleven o'clock in the afternoon. Maybe the ghosts are napping too."

Kimi nodded, looking out at the Han river that separates Yeongdeungpo from Mapo district.

"The views here are beautiful right?!" yelp Kimi without seeing Aldo. The girl's eyes were still fixed on the Han river and the mainland across the Yeongdeungpo district. Fortunately, today is quite quiet on the sidewalk that will later merge also with Mapo Bridge.

"Kim, what the hell are you? Don't yell that way, it's not good to see people."

Kimi chuckled at Aldo's expression that was so uncomfortable with his childish actions. While Aldo was just clucking with anxiety.

"Why is almost every foreign tourist always jaim in the country he visited?"

"Do you know what jaim is?"

"I know, take care of the image, right" Kimi smiled at Aldo. "Originally you know, before I went to college in Indonesia, I was self-taught in your mother's language. I have also studied all the habits of Indonesian people generally. That's why I'm not surprised to see how you eat this morning." Chuckles.

Aldo jerks. He swore so disturbed by the words that Kimi said just now. It really reawakens the love of his homeland.

"Not to be confused so," Kimi was so amused to see the look of Aldo. "I don't think it's strange that a stranger suddenly speaks our native language. Sometimes I like to be confused with your excessive admiration - the Indonesian people. There are fluent bule Javanese, amazed. There are Japanese people singing Indonesian songs, you are so amazed to watch it. It's like you just met an alien."

Aldo chuckles. "But that's not a common trait of Indonesians either, Kim. I have a Japanese friend who is shocked to see me and my Indonesian friends reading kanji."

"...and always ngeles.." said Kimi nyengir. "...ah I finally know what that means. Honestly, the Indonesian language has many of the same words that have different meanings.  It bothered me in learning it."

"...but your Indonesian is amazingly good, Kim. You're more like an Indonesian than a Korean."

Kim Sarang laughed loudly. Following later Aldo. And some pedestrians started to notice the two of them. Maybe the hikers were curious about what they were talking about.

"Oh yeah, you know why I brought you here?"

Aldo shook his head while trying to cool the open air of Yeongdeungpo who was biting the bone.

"Today exactly three years my younger brother, Kim Nami, died. He killed himself on this bridge" Kimi said with eyes glaring somewhere and almost without a smile. Even if it looks, it may be necessary to look at the same smile that rises on the face of a Kim Sarang.

NB:

* Yukgaejang: Korean spicy beef soup

** Sundubu jjigae: Spicy tofu soup

*** Sikhye: A typical Korean drink made from fermented rice with yeast flour.