Loving Yourself

Something That Is Planted

"You awake?" ha Jae asked sitting on the sofa in Yokada's room.

Yokada got up from his sleep. He tried to refresh his body. Stand up to get a glass of water at the table where Ha Jae is sitting. Yokada sat beside Ha Jae looking far out the window.

"You're not sleeping?!" ask Yokada.

"I'll be back in Indonesia in a few weeks. I want you to take care of all my needs." said Choi Ha Jae.

"What's? Why sudden?! In Indonesia there are no workers you have to finish?!" ask Yokada.

"I know. I realize who I am. Senpai," Ha Jae looked at Yokada seriously. "You gave me life. Because I want to live."

Yokada did not flinch from hearing what Ha Jae said.

"And my life belongs to you. To Mister," continued Ha Jae staring at Yokada with sharp eyes glazed over. "Thank you for giving me a life. Even for my family. And allow me to give you my best for you."

Yokada just silently shook his head to look at Choi Ha Jae seriously.

"Master," called Ha Jae up from his seat.

He sat in front of Yokada.

"Allow me" Ha Jae pleaded.

"I'll take care of everything. But remember, I want it" said Yokada.

He then rushed to the bathroom.

"Yah, Ha Jae! Did you make breakfast?!" sergeant Yokada from the bathroom.

"Aa, Yes," Ha Jae replied.

"Not yet." he added softly.

Ha Jae then got up and rushed to the lower kitchen to make breakfast. He saw some food stuff in the fridge.

"What cooking is it?" muttered Ha Jae looking at the contents of the refrigerator.

Just some meat in Frezzer, not a single vegetable in the fridge. Ha Jae closed the refrigerator and rushed to go upstairs. Ha Jae took his jacket and cradle. He was silent, staring at the veil in his hand.

"Do I deserve it?!" he murmured in the heart.

"Yah! Jae Ha!" sergeant Yokada from downstairs.

Choi Ha Jae rushed to wear his cradle and went downstairs.

"Nani?" sahut Ha Jae's.

"What do you want for breakfast?! Let me order Online." yelled Yokada.

"No, let me cook." replied Ha Jae.

"I'm going to go shopping for some vegetables ahead. Want to drop something?" ask Ha Jae.

"Don't go." said Yokada busy making a glass of milk.

Ha Jae hurried off to a convenience store near his house.

......................

Ting tong, Ting tong! (home bell rings).

"This brat's wife." muttered Yokada. "Lake in."

Big Man went into the house.

"Kulo nuwun" he said.

"Monggo." said Yokada standing waiting for Big Man to enter.

"Follow me." tell Yokada to go to a room.

......................

"Omma I want it, I want it," Whined a little boy.

He asked for a toy that was on display on a store shelf.

"Hush still! The money is just enough for us to buy! You are so fussy!! If you're naughty, Omma will punish you later." hardened a mother who held the child's hand.

Ha Jae silently watched them. He hurried to get the doll that the boy wanted. She smiled looking at the baby doll in the big pink box.

"Here, put this mother's groceries together." Ha Jae told the cashier.

"Anu's sorry, but I didn't buy it" said the mother looking at Ha Jae.

"Let me pay for everything. But on condition." said Ha Jae.

"What Miss?" ask the mother curious.

"Never punish your child" said Ha Jae glancing at the little boy standing next to the mother.

"He is a field for you Madam. What you plant, you will reap later. You don't want to be in old age. Your child punishes you just for wanting a piece of meat isn't it?!" ha Jae said, staring at the little girl.

"Love her. Because it's not just you that he'll love later. But also the people around him. Even people he doesn't know once." he added.

The mother silently looked at her son with sadness. She stroked her son's hair with guilt.

"I don't have enough money to make her happy. Buying food for us to eat is already so difficult." obviously the mother jerked to hold back her tears.

"If you like, come to my house. I need someone to help with the housework. I'm sure you can," said Ha Jae smiling lightly.

Ha Jae picked up the doll that had been scanned by the cashier employee. He sat on his knees in front of the little boy.

"Who's your name?" ask Ha Jae.

"Ae-Ri," the boy replied in embarrassment.

"Ae Ri?! Lucky and accomplished. I bet you're a smart kid. It's for you" said Ha Jae, giving the doll.

"Thank you" said Ae Ri in embarrassment.

"It's not free!" said Ha Jae.

Ae Ri looked at her mother in confusion. Ha Jae just smiled looking at the innocence of the child.

"Ae Ri, that doll is for you. But Ae Ri's promise is to be a good boy." said Ha Jae stroking the boy's long hair.

"Sister sure Ae Ri knows how to be a good boy." added Ha Jae.

Ae Ri simply nodded her head in embarrassment.

"Promise?!" ha Jae asked with his little finger.

"Promise." said Ae Ri tying her finger to Ha Jae's finger.

"Smart," exclaimed Ha Jae stroking the boy's head.

He stood up and looked at the mother.

"This. All let me pay," said Ha Jae gave a debit card to the cashier's employee.

"ah! No, miss, let me pay. I still have money" said the mother, trying to refuse.

"What?!" ha Jae asked looking at the mother.

Mother was silent confusion. Ha Jae smiled faintly at the mother.

"Sorry, so paid with this card Miss?!" cut the cashier's clerk.

"So" Ha Jae replied. "Suppose that's Madam's first salary. Tomorrow come to the black fence house which is upstairs there is outdoor glass. His house is on the side of the road not far from here."

"Thank you Miss, thank you." said the mother lowered her head.

"I'll wait for tomorrow. If so, I will continue shopping first. Come on," said Ha Jae, taking the card and turning away to go back to shopping.

"Yes please Miss" said the mother.

The mother rushed to put her groceries in.

"Ah You are very lucky Madam," said the cashier.

"Yes, yes" answered the mother with tears.

...****************...