Since their conversation a few days ago, Mom still seemed worried about Naira. That morning, while the two of them were having breakfast together, Mom brought up the same subject again.
“Naira.”
“Hm?”
“How are you really doing?”
Naira, who had been scooping rice into her mouth, stopped immediately.
“What do you mean?”
“About marriage.”
Naira let out a soft sigh. She could already guess where this conversation was going.
“You don’t have to worry, Mom. I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Mom studied her for a few moments.
“I’m just afraid you’ll stay single for too long because you’re still thinking about something that’s already in the past.”
Naira fell silent. Her mother’s words reminded her once again of the past she had been trying to leave behind. And they made her think of the last time she’d met her ex a few days ago.
“I don’t want to talk about that anymore, Mom.”
Mom nodded slowly.
“All right.”
Naira set down her spoon. She didn’t want her thoughts to become consumed by the same thing all over again.
“Instead of dwelling on that, I want to go out today.”
“Where do you want to go?”
“The mall. I want to look for something and get a little break.”
Mom smiled. “Then I’ll come with you.”
Naira immediately looked at her mother. “Wait, why are you coming?”
“Am I not allowed to?”
Naira giggled softly.
“You are.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll go together.”
That afternoon, Naira and her mother went out together. Naira hoped the outing would help calm her mind.
As they passed a store, a voice suddenly came from behind them.
“Naira?”
Naira stopped walking. She turned around and immediately recognized the figure standing a few steps away.
“Oh… Arka?”
Arka smiled. “Fancy seeing you again.”
Naira’s mother, who had been standing beside her, turned around too. Her gaze shifted from Naira to Arka, then back to her daughter.
“You two know each other?”
Naira was about to answer, but Arka smiled politely first.
“We’ve met a few times, Auntie.”
Mom nodded slowly. A knowing smile instantly appeared on her face.
“Oh… a few times?”
Naira immediately felt uncomfortable.
“Mom, don’t start.”
“Start what?” Her mother only giggled.
Arka held back a smile as he watched Naira grow flustered.
“In that case, I’ll get going, Auntie. Naira.”
He walked away, but Naira’s mother kept watching until Arka disappeared into the crowd. Then she turned to Naira with an even wider smile.
“Is he your friend?”
“No.”
“Then what is he?”
Naira sighed.
“He’s just an acquaintance, Mom.”
“Are you sure he’s only an acquaintance? This is what, your second or third meeting? That must mean he’s your soulmate.” Her mother’s words made Naira’s cheeks turn red. But that shouldn’t be her reaction, should it?
“Oh, Mom, come on. Just forget about him already.”