Dating Life

"And… that's a wrap for our latest client!" Soo-ah declared brightly, causing the five employees in the room to burst into a rambunctious applause.

"Thank Goodness," Bo-min sighed, plopping into her swivel chair and leaning against its backrest. "It felt like forever looking for the perfect partner for that guy."

"Oh, you mean 'that guy' who just happened to be one of the most sought-after violinists by every major orchestra in the world?" Jae-ho replied in a dry and matter-of-fact tone, giving Bo-min a 'no kidding' straight face.

Bo-min made a subtle eye roll. "Humour me."

"Hey guys, no need to fight!" Eun-Ji appeared, putting both her arms around Bo-min and Jang-won jovially. Her short, light-brown bob hair swayed as she regarded both co-workers on either side with an infectious smile on her face.

"His wedding will be wild. Fingers crossed that we'll get invited!"

"We get invited all the time, Eun-ji – no surprise there." Jang-won replied distractedly, combing his hand through his jet-black, dandy-cut and scrolling through his phone.

"Yeah but, I want to be part of the event planners to plan the wedding! It's kinda like my thing!"

Eun-ji turned a mock-sorrowful pout towards Ha-na, who was staring at the bunch and grinning from ear to ear. "Right, Director?"

"You bet, Eun-ji. I put in a good word for you."

'Seriously, you're the best boss anyone could ever ask for!" Eun-Ji beamed once again, giving Ha-na two very energetic thumbs up.

"How about a team dinner to celebrate? I know a place – they sell the most delicious braised short ribs dipped in sesame soy sauce." Soo-ah chipped in, glancing at everyone in anticipation.

"I'm in!" Eun-ji responded enthusiastically.

"Sorry, but I have an interview today," Jang-won replied, grabbing his bag and jacket in his hand. He preened his hair briefly in the reflection of his phone, before returning his attention to Soo-ah. "How do I look?"

Soo-ah crossed her arms, wearing a poker face. "Like a total traitor."

"Seriously, Jang-won, do you have to keep throwing your interviews in our faces all the time?" Bo-min clipped, regarding Jang-won with a heavy look.

Jang-won beamed like he didn't hear any of Soo-ah or Bo-min's comments. "I'm a software guy, what do you expect? I can't keep working in a matchmaking agency forever!"

With a final preen, he exclaimed, "Wish me luck!"

"Good luck!" Ha-na called out to a retreating Jang-won, chuckling.

Bo-min wrinkled her nose. "Wow. The nerve of that guy. Mentioning his interviews, and to his boss no less." She turned towards Ha-na. "You need to be a stricter boss, Director."

Ha-na grinned more broadly, answering in a sing-song voice. "I'll certainly try, Bo-min."

Bo-min rolled her eyes for the second time, muttering something to herself.

Soo-ah turned her attention to Bo-min next. "What about you? Team dinner?"

"Sorry, gotta feed my cat."

"You don't have a cat, Bo-min."

"Exactly. We finished early today, and I want to catch up on some sleep!" With that, Bo-min grabbed her bag and left the office.

Soo-ah turned her defeated gaze unto Jae-ho. "You got an excuse too?"

"Nope. It's Friday night; it'll be a grave sin for me to be at home and not be having the time of my life." Jae-ho replied, putting a hand to his chest in an effort to display some theatrics.

Soo-ah turned to Ha-na. "What about you?"

Ha-na gave Soo-ah a sheepish look. "Sorry, but I can't today."

"You too?!"

"Really," Ha-na's tone conveyed the regret in her voice. "Let's go next time when everyone is ready. It'll be my treat."

"Ugh, whatever!" Soo-ah flounced frustratedly into her chair. "I didn't realize I was colleagues with a couple of party poopers!"

Eun-ji and Jae-ho protested their desire to go but ended up going on their own to some other restaurant.

Soo-ah waited for Ha-na as she closed the office down. They walked out onto the busy street.

"No car today?" Soo-ah commented, searching around some designated parking spaces close to the sidewalk they were on.

"My car is still in repairs. Let's take the bus."

***

Sometime later, Ha-na and Soo-ah angled along a quiet neighbourhood. The encroaching darkness filled every corner of the street, disrupted only by the pale-yellow street lamps lined by the pave walks. 

Soo-ah's groan pierced the serene air. "Gosh, I have four blind dates lined up for the weekend," She glanced at Ha-na. "What am I going to wear?"

Ha-na's quiet and contemplative face dissolved into a small smile. "I'm sure you'll find something wonderful to wear, Soo-ah," She drawled. "You always do. Besides, we go shopping bi-weekly to pick out new clothes."

Soo-ah snorted. "Like you'd ever use any of those clothes on a date." As if realizing what she blurted, she narrowed her eyes at Ha-na. "Now that I think of it… when was the last time you went on a date?"

Ha-na buried her hands in her pant pocket, avoiding Soo-ah's piercing gaze. "I'm too busy for dates as it is now."

Soo-ah intercepted Ha-na's next step, blocking her from moving forward. Her eyes were fierce as she regarded her best friend. "At this rate, you'll die single! How could you be so complacent about your dating life? For someone whose job is to find 'people's dream partners', it's rather ironic!"

Ha-na released a long, tiring sigh. "I know, I know. And I'll try harder, I promise."

They resumed their ambling.

"How about you join me on my blind dates tomorrow? I can arrange you with someone."

Ha-na shook her head. "I have weekend classes tomorrow; I can't miss them again. I'm way behind."

"Argh, you're impossible!"

Several minutes later, Ha-na watched as Soo-ah hailed a cab to take her to her apartment. With a final sigh, Ha-na turned into a nearby building and punched in the password to her door lock.

Stepping into her home, she surveyed the tranquil, chic space, dropping her blazer and bag by a cream sofa in the living room. She traipsed into the kitchen to see a woman in a wheelchair staring quietly outside the kitchen window.

Ha-na smiled wearily, staring at the woman. "Grandmother," she called out, crossing the kitchen to engulf her in an embrace.

The woman stared up at her, smiling. "Ha-na, you're back."