Pilgrimage to the Tomb
He tried to have her again, but Jeong-ah refused. Worried that he might be stressed if he couldn't finish, she took his throbbing cock into her mouth, stimulating him until he came, swallowing every drop of his seed down her throat before they could finally leave the motel.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"If I ever cheated on you, would you stop seeing me?"
"I already know you have a boyfriend. What's this about another guy?"
"No, it's not like that. Just hypothetically. So even if I did cheat, you'd still meet me, right?"
"If I need you, Jeong-ah, I'd have to. We already made that promise."
"Got it. Thanks. And sorry."
"No worries. If something's bothering you, just tell me anytime."
"Yeah. Oppa, I really like you."
They left the motel and parked at Songjeong Beach. Only then did Jeong-ah open up. He was curious about what was going on, but he didn't have the courage to ask. He'd just quietly gaze at the sea. Someday, if she needed to, she'd tell him—and it wouldn't be too late then. After coffee, he dropped her off at home and headed back to his own.
It was the weekend. He'd already promised to take Ara and her mother to her father's grave, so he left home early and pulled up in front of their house, calling Ara.
"You ready?"
"Yeah. Where are you, achi?"
"Just got to your place."
"Okay, coming out."
Shortly after hanging up, Ara and her mother appeared at the gate. He hurried out of the car, took the bags from her mother's hands, and loaded them into the trunk. They seemed to hold food for the grave, so he tucked them securely into a corner and braced them with the other luggage. Then he opened the back door for her mother, while Ara naturally slid into the passenger seat.
"Mother-in-law, how have you been?"
"Oh, making you go through all this trouble. It's no short drive to Gangwon Province."
"It's only natural for a son-in-law to visit his father-in-law."
"Thank you."
It was a three-and-a-half- to four-hour drive for most people, but for him—with little interest in driving—it meant at least five hours. This round trip from Busan to Yeongwol wouldn't be easy. He entered the highway at Guseo IC, passed Daegu, switched to the Central Expressway at Geumho Junction, and stopped at Andong Rest Area.
"Another rest stop?"
"Yeah, Mother must be tired."
"I'm fine. Rest if you're tired."
"It's not just me—sitting too long in the car isn't good for anyone. Stretch your legs a bit."
In truth, he stopped at nearly every rest area when driving alone. Today, worried about complaints for stopping too often, he'd only paused at Pyeongsa, but reaching Andong still felt like too many to Ara. Anyway, he got out for a smoke in the designated area, while Ara and her mother headed to the restrooms. Leaving Andong, they passed Danyang and reached Jecheon. From there to Yeongwol was a national road, about 30-40 minutes, so they decided to grab lunch first.
He drove to a braised short rib restaurant he'd visited while living in Jecheon for months to help a party member's election. Its spicy-sweet ribs weren't guaranteed the best, but without better options, it was the safe bet from memory. Straight through Myeongdong Intersection, then left turn. It was busier than before.
"How do you know a place like this?"
"Yes, I've been here before."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. A friend who helped me ran for office, so I stayed in Jecheon for about three months to assist."
"Whoa~ Whew~ Achi, it's spicy!"
"Yeah, that's the style. But it's milder than I remember."
"Really? How'd you eat it back then? It's plenty hot now."
They whetted their appetites with cabbage pancakes grilled on millet greens, then dug into the braised ribs. Ara and her mother kept exclaiming, "Spicy!" and "Whew, so spicy!" but devoured it anyway. The ribs were divine, especially mixed with gondre rice in the sauce. He scooped sauce onto her mother's rice bowl, then Ara's, stirring it for them. Sweat beaded on their foreheads from the heat. No wonder he still remembered this place after ten years—the killer spice was unforgettable. Lunch done, they hit the national road toward Yeongwol.
"You're doing well, I hope. Today I brought Ara's future husband. Help them live well. Come say hello, Park."
Following her mother's words, he bowed deeply at his future father-in-law's grave. Silently, he promised the unseen man to cherish and love Ara. Then, bare-handed, he began pulling weeds around the tomb. No one seemed to maintain it; the overgrowth was thick. After a while, the grave looked much cleaner—like his father-in-law was smiling from above.
"You're doing the weeding before even marrying in. No sons or close kin, so it hasn't been proper."
"True. Starting next year, I'll handle it."
"No need. We're planning to move him to a park cemetery anyway. Once Ara marries, she can't come alone."
"Wouldn't that make you lonely, Mother?"
"I'll take care of it from now on. Don't worry."
"You?"
"A son-in-law is family too."
"Still..."
"I'll manage. It's best for you and Ara."
"Achi, thank you."
"How long will you call him 'Park'?"
"What's wrong with it? 'Oppa' feels weird."
"Mother, let her. It's cute."
"What about when you visit your parents?"
"We don't fuss over that. She can adjust if needed."
"Still, your mother might think..."
"She finds it adorable. Worries you'll be lonely without Ara."
"Glad she sees it that way, but..."
He buried the wallet he'd brought last time for her father beside the grave, then they left. Since they were here, heading straight back to Busan felt wasteful, so he drove to Jangneung, King Danjong's tomb. They toured it, then scenic Aura Valley along the Donggang River, and evening came before they knew it.
"Park, shouldn't we head back?"
"Any plans tomorrow?"
"No, but even leaving now, we'll arrive late."
"Stay the night here."
"What about you?"
"I'm fine."
Truth be told, before leaving Busan, he'd deemed a day trip impossible and booked a pension overlooking Donggang for the view. But it didn't match the website or phone description, so he scrapped it for a riverside one in Danyang where he'd stayed before. Shockingly, only one room left—not peak season. It was popular for the view, but still.
"Mother, only one room available. What do you think?"
"Your call."
"Came for the view. I can sleep in the living room."
"Achi, we're not strangers. Right, Mom?"
"True, but you'll be uncomfortable."
"I'm okay."
"Then let's stay. Love the scenery—hate to move."
They agreed to spend the night. Unpacked in the room, then headed to a mulberry leaf stone pot rice place near Danyang town office for dinner. Bellies full, they hit a mart for canned beer and snacks, returning to the pension.
After showers, they sat in the living room with fruit, dried squid, peanuts, and beer, chatting about the day and tomorrow's plans. Talk turned to their wedding and Ara's childhood stories. Eventually, Ara nodded off—tired or tipsy.
"Time for bed, little miss."
"Achi, let's spread blankets here and talk till we sleep."
"Go inside. We're fine, but Mother needs back support."
"Mom sleeps better on the floor?"
In the end, they laid out blankets in the living room as Ara suggested. His spot was awkward, but with Mother in the middle, he and Ara on either side, facing her, chatting until he drifted off.
"Let's sleep too. Park looks exhausted."
"Yeah. Night, Mom."
Half-asleep, he heard their murmurs fade as deep slumber took him. In his dream, Ara embraced him.
"You only show up now that a son-in-law's here?"
"..."
"What do you think of our son-in-law? Can I trust him with her?"
"..."
"I've been so lonely without you. Waited forever for you to visit my dreams."
"..."
"Do you still love me? Since you're here, hold me once before you go."
"..."
"I love you~ Honey, I love you~"