Chapter Text
“Congratulations, Ms. Lee,” the tall, thin man with the black-rimmed glasses said. “It’s rare for a first-year to have their paper paneled like this for the national journal.” His voice echoed with joy as he shook her hand. “And this early in the term, I might add.”
“Thank you, Professor,” Iksun said as she received his hand—a firm handshake—but her hands were still trembling from her 45-minute presentation. She glanced over his shoulder to see her new friend, Elizabeth Dempsey, also a PhD candidate, sitting on the second row. A huge smile beamed on her face. Oh, I really did well. Whew! Liz’s standards were quite high – that she knew within 3 weeks of knowing her. Still, Iksun couldn’t shake the tension off her body.
The ginger-haired Liz approached them, as Iksun and the professor said their goodbyes.
“That was amaazing,” Liz’ voice was overjoyed, more than the professor’s. “Wait, what is it that you guys say again: debag?”
“Daebak,” Iksun laughed, but her voice couldn’t hide her anxiety.
“Hey, it was really good! It was really daebak! You can relax now.” Liz gave her a hug. “Oh, you were so good I wish I had done that!” She laughed then held both of Iksun’s arms, which helped calmed her a bit.
Iksun managed to smile. God, if only Junwan was here. I need the biggest hug from him right now.
Liz disrupted her thoughts. “And I wore navy blue,” she showed her the sweater she was wearing. “Just as you requested. I don’t like blue, you know.”
“Oh, gomawo,” Iksun replied, thankful. She felt Junwan’s presence there, represented by his favorite color. Somehow that boosted her confidence.
“You know, Junwan must really come here soon. I need to meet him and say a few words. He seems to unknowingly make me his proxy in almost everything.”
“Ya—“
“I’m kidding!” She laughed again. “It’s just a sweater, I can manage. You know you seem to be more stiff nowadays than when you first got here. And I don’t mean military stiff. You’re a stronghold, major. You have to be. But I noticed you’re really anxious these past few days. What’s wrong?”
“It’s the paper,” Iksun quickly replied.
“Oh no, it’s not that. The paper pressured you, but you were more antsy when we were talking about other things. This is something else.”
“Antsy?”
“Uhhm—annoyed. Irritated. Because you’re worried about something. Or is it someone?”
God, she was right on both counts. Iksun was both amused and bewildered at Liz’ powers of observation that it reminded her of her brother, Ikjun. But she was on a whole other level. Several times she guessed correctly what she ate for lunch and where she came from one rainy afternoon just by looking at her for a few seconds. And she hasn’t even mentioned anything. She’s almost like Sherlock. Iksun let out a slight chuckle then after realizing she looked a bit like Benedict Cumberbatch with her wavy ginger hair and long oval face.
“So what is it? Is it Junwan?” Iksun knew Liz wasn’t going to let this one down.
Iksun sighed. “He is sending a ring.”
“He proposed?” Surprised, Liz’ eyes got bigger and her brows met in the middle of her forehead.
“Oh, ani,” Iksun shook her head. “He didn’t.”
“So what is it? Couple rings?” Liz asked.
“Deh.” Iksun doesn’t know why she was embarrassed.
“Ooooh.. But wait, don’t you like that? I mean most couples here nowadays don’t do that, but I know a few who still do.”
Iksun became stiff. “Oh, what is it that you guys say? It’s a long story?” She asked, sounding defeated.
“Ohh, so it’s complicated,” Liz quipped, her brows raised. She was now intrigued. She looked at the brown leather watch on her left wrist. “It’s a good thing it’s almost 6, and we both have no other plans for tonight. C’mon, let’s buy your favorite jiji-mun and tell me the story.”
“Jajangmyeon,” Iksun laughed in reply.
“Jajangmyeon--“ Her roommate smiled as she carefully pronounced each syllable, and then slightly frowned. “--Oh, I could never pronounce it when I want to say it. Araso, araso.” A few easy Korean words slipped from Liz’ mouth just after a few days of learning from her new roommate. They both laughed, as Liz curled her arm around Iksun’s, and the latter grabbed her things. They could hear Christmas carols outside the hall doors as they were about to go out.
******
“Oh that was so good,” Iksun said as she downed the last of her bowl of jajangmyeon. “It’s not buljajangmyeon, but I love it.” She reached for the glass of water in front of her. Missing the buljajangmyeon dates she and Junwan had in Inje, she was used to sacrificing things for the greater good. She is from the military, after all. But the big one she sacrificed wasn’t a thing. It was Junwan. Her heart longed for him, but her longing worried her at the same time.
Liz replied with a chuckle. “You always say that. You have to bring me to that ja-jang-myeon place when I visit Korea, okay?” She slowly recited each syllable again.
“Araso,” Iksun was always amused with her Welsh accent.
Wiping the dinner table with a paper towel, Liz processed all that Iksun had narrated. “Wow. That tosser*.” She shook her head in disbelief, as if it just happened. “It’s a good thing you got rid of him, and you’re together with Junwan now.” After a few seconds, she stopped her wiping. “I get you now. I’d be worried too if I decided to see someone after that bloody maggot** -- and a long distance relationship at that. Well, I don’t really want to get into one. I’d kill Seth if he wanted to live anywhere but here, you know?” Iksun chuckled, grateful that Liz always made her laugh. “Though making my roommate my boyfriend’s proxy would be too much, don’t you think?” Iksun raised the plastic bowl as if to throw at her, but they both laughed it off. Oh, this feels better, Iksun thought.
Just then, her phone rang. She stood up and went to the sofa where she left it. Surprised to see the name of the caller, she hurriedly answered.