Not So Happy Not So Fun Times
Semi pushed the apartment door open and slipped her shoes off as she hung up her coat. She rubbed her eyes; she had worked another night shift and it was 7:30am by the time she got home.
Subong tackled her into a hug. “Can we go for a walk, señorita?” He asked as he pulled away.
Semi stared at him. “I just got home from work; I’m tired.”
“Please.” He begged.
“What’s so important?” She asked as she watched him pull a coat on.
He checked the coat pockets and shoved something into a different coat’s pocket. “I can’t be in the apartment now.”
Semi sighed, pulled her coat on and followed him out of the door. She pulled the door shut and locked it. “So, what’s up?” She asked as they walked down the street.
“Do you have cigarettes?” Subong asked.
Semi pulled a pack and a lighter out of her pocket. “Yeah.” She handed both to him.
“Thanks.” He handed them back to her after lighting one.
Semi lit one before putting the pack back into her pocket. “Are you okay?”
“Y’know how we’re supposed to get married?” He asked.
Semi frowned. “Yeah. I wish you would’ve told me.”
Subong looked down. “Sorry, I didn’t plan it.”
Semi hummed. “So, what’s going on with that?”
“We need ID cards.”
Semi nodded. “Unfortunately. We aren’t doing that soon though, right?”
Subong made a face. “Soon-ish.”
Semi exhaled. “Do you know when exactly?”
Subong shrugged. “No, my family, they wanna meet you.” He paused. “And drug test us.”
Semi hummed. “Just use my piss.”
Subong shook his head. “It’s blood, can’t fake it.”
Semi finished her cigarette and stamped it out with her foot. She sighed. “How long do you have?”
Subong flicked his cigarette into the street. “This weekend.”
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “So three or four days.”
Subong dragged his hands down his face. “I dunno what to do, señorita.”
Semi looked at the convenience store; it was right ahead. “Don’t do anything until after; that’s all you can do.” She pulled Subong into the convenience store.
Geumja looked over at her. “What are you doing back here, honey? Oh, did you forget something?”
Semi shook her head. “No, halmoni; I need an energy drink.” She pointed at Subong who was just standing next to her. “I have to help him with something.”
Subong nodded.
“Oh, don’t drink those things. They’re terrible for you.” Geumja walked down the aisle and came back holding a ginseng supplement. “This is much better.”
Semi accepted it. “Ah, thank you.”
Subong stared at it. “Does that work?”
Semi shrugged.
Geumja clicked her tongue. “Of course it works, young man! I’ve never drank coffee, just ginseng. Here, let me check you out.”
Semi placed the package on the counter as Geumja walked behind the counter to check them out. She handed Semi the bag and looked at Subong. “Don’t bother this girl too much with your trouble; she needs rest.”
Subong bowed. “Yes, ma’am.”
Once they were outside, Semi opened the ginseng and handed some to Subong. “Hopefully this works; if not, we’re going somewhere else.”
Subong took it. “I don’t feel anything.”
Semi took some and tucked it back into her pocket. She chuckled. “You won’t feel it instantly.”
Subong made a face. “Is it slow?”
Semi looked at him. “Yeah? I’ve never taken it before.”
Subong nodded. “Can I have another cigarette?”
She handed the pack and lighter to him. “Yeah, you owe me a new pack though.”
He made a heart hand. “Thank you, señorita.”
Semi rolled her eyes. “Where do you wanna go?”
“Anywhere.” Subong replied as he lit a new cigarette.
Semi yawned. “Do you wanna go to the free art museum?”
Subong nodded. “Okay.”
Semi squeezed her eyes open and shut. She definitely needed caffeine. “Cool, let’s catch the train.” She replied.
☺
After stopping at a convenience store to get caffeine, they finally arrived at the art museum. In front of them was an unassuming brick building with a stone archway in the front.
Semi pulled Subong along. “We should start on the 3rd floor and go down from there.”
Subong gave her a thumbs up. “Works for me, señorita.” He followed after her into the museum lobby. “Do you think your art will be here someday?”
Semi snorted. “No, and if someone tries to sell my sketches to a museum, I’ll come back and haunt them for the rest of their life.”
Subong shook his head. “They’re not sold; they’re donated.”
Semi shrugged. “It doesn’t matter; I’m not gonna show my stuff in a gallery.”
“You should.” Subong replied.
Semi rolled her eyes. “No.”
They walked up the stairs towards the third floor.
“Is there no elevator?” Subong asked
Semi hummed. “There is.” She chuckled. “Why are you complaining? You always walk around and dance and shit for hours.”
Subong pouted. “Stairs are diff.” He complained.
Semi sighed. “I don’t like elevators; they feel too cramped.”
Subong nodded and patted her back. “Stairs are fine, señorita.”
Semi nodded. “Yeah.”
They reached the top of the stairs and Semi dragged Subong to the gallery closest to them. “Let’s see this one first.”
☺
They spent several hours wandering around the galleries until they ran out of things to look at. (Plus, Subong’s interest and Semi’s nonexistent energy.)
Semi yawned as they stepped out onto the street. “Why can’t we go back to the apartment? I’m really tired. Also, where did you plan to sleep tonight?”
Subong looked at the street signs. “I dunno. I didn’t plan that far.”
Semi sighed. “There’s a lotta stuff at the apartment isn’t there?”
Subong nodded.
Semi pulled out her phone. “Make it three days; we can stay at a motel.”
Subong rubbed his temples. “We don’t have money.”
Semi looked over at him. “Do you have a headache?”
Subong shook his head. “No.”
Semi raised her eyebrows. “We should still get ibuprofen. My cycle starts soon.”
Subong nodded. “Okay.”
Semi rummaged through her pockets. “How much money do you have?”
Subong stuck his hand into his pocket. “None.”
Semi played with her lip piercing. She punched a number into her phone. “I know someone who owes me a favor.”
Subong hung up the call. “You don’t have to do all that. We can figure something out.”
Semi looked at him. “What?”
Subong shrugged. “I dunno.”
Semi yawned. “I’m really tired.” She typed a number in. “I’m calling Junhee.”
Junhee answered the phone. “Hi, unnie. Where are you? I thought you would be back from work.”
“Can you do me a favor?” Semi asked.
“Of course.” Junhee replied.
“Can you go to my room? In the first outlet there should be some money. Can you give it to Minsu when he gets back from work? Tell him I’ll text where to bring it. Thank you.”
“Okay. Are you alright? Is something wrong?” Junhee asked.
Semi shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Something came up and I’ll be gone for a few days.”
Junhee’s voice wavered. “Okay.” She replied.
Semi smiled. Junhee had such a nice voice. “Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome.”
Semi hung up the phone and looked over at Subong. “We’re going to a library. I can make it a few more hours. Minsu’s gonna bring my money and some clothes when he gets off work.”
Subong nodded. “Okay.”
☺
They stood outside the library, smoking and watched Minsu approach from a distance. Semi spotted Junhee next to him. She stamped out her cigarette. And smacked Subong in the chest. “Put it out, Junhee came too.”
Subong looked up before flicking his cigarette to the ground and putting it out.
Minsu handed Semi the bag. “Are you both okay?” He asked.
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “Yeah.” She murmured.
Minsu looked over at Subong, but didn’t comment. He nodded. “Okay.”
Junhee looked Semi in the eyes. “If you have time, you can call us.”
Semi nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.”
Junhee walked over and gave Semi a hug; her eyes watering. “Please just-” She paused. “Just stay safe.” She whispered.
Semi rubbed Junhee’s back. “It’ll be okay.”
Junhee pulled away and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Ugh, I can’t stop crying.” She sniffed.
Minsu turned to leave. “Goodbye.” He waved.
Junhee started to follow him. Turning before she left. “Goodbye.”
☺
The next three days passed slowly as Semi watched Subong. It was like he was floating outside of his body the whole time. His answers to every question she asked were a singular word or a nod. The only point of normalcy was his clingy-ness, but every time he touched her it felt cold and damp. The only comforting thing about the situation was that every day he would be more attentive to her questions. She assumed it meant he was feeling better.
It wasn’t until Saturday morning that the monotony was broken.
Subong’s phone rang and they both looked over at it. Semi stood up. “I’ll grab it.”
Subong nodded. He definitely seemed better but he still looked like shit.
Semi picked the phone up. “Hello?”
“Mr. Choi Subong?” The voice asked.
Semi furrowed her brow and looked over at Subong. She held the phone away from her mouth. “Are you in any legal trouble?”
Subong stared at her as he pushed himself up from the bed; the wet washcloth on his head falling into his lap. “Shouldn’t be.”
Semi went back to the call. “Who’s asking?”
The voice paused. “I apologize; I seem to have the wrong number.”
Semi rubbed her brow. “Look, sir, I’m just asking who this is.”
“Ah, are you his personal assistant?”
Semi held the phone away again and burst out laughing. “This guy just asked if I was your personal assistant.”
Subong tilted his head. “You’re not though.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am; is something funny?” The voice asked.
Shit, Semi had been laughing too loudly. “No, sorry, sir.”
“Would you happen to be Mr. Choi Subong’s fiancee?” The voice asked.
Semi chuckled and looked over at Subong. “This guy keeps using your full government name.” She whispered.
Subong groaned and pushed himself out of the bed to walk over to Semi. “Put it on speaker.”
Semi pulled the phone down and turned on the speaker phone.
“Why are you calling, man?” Subong asked.
“Mr. Choi Subong?” The voice asked.
Subong made a face at the phone. “Don’t call me that, bro. Whatcha need from us?”
“I apologize, sir. Someone ordered a car service on behalf of you and your fiancee.”
Semi looked over at Subong and then back at the phone. “What’s that?” She asked.
Subong shrugged. “I dunno.”
The voice paused. “I suppose the simplest way to explain it is to say it’s similar to a taxi.”
“Order as in like take-out?” Subong asked.
On the other side of the line they could hear the voice take a deep breath. “Yes.”
“So, we go pick up a car?” Semi asked. “Do we have to pay for it?”
“No, I am here to pick the two of you up.” The voice answered.
“But how much, bro?” Subong asked.
The voice sighed. “500,000 won.”
Subong and Semi stared at each other.
Semi huffed. “Someone’s trying to give us more debt." She replied to him before turning back to the phone. "Sorry, we don’t have the money.” Semi hung up the phone. She turned to Subong. “You think it's a scam?”
Subong shrugged. “Maybe like a prank? I dunno, señorita.”
The phone rang again. Semi snorted. “Mr. Popular.” She answered the call.
“I apologize, it seems our call was disconnected.” Said the same voice from earlier.
“Stop calling us.” Semi hung up the phone again.
“We should block the number.” Semi looked at the screen. “Where’s the block button.” She sighed. “You seriously need to get this piece of shit fixed.”
Subong took the phone from her. “Ove-”
The phone rang again. Subong answered it. “Leave us the fuck alone. You’re pissing me off, man.” He yelled into the phone before hanging up again. He chucked the phone onto the floor. “What a fucking dick.”
Semi picked his phone up. “Don’t break it more. Let’s just block the number.”
Subong nodded and leaned over Semi’s shoulder to press a few buttons. “I think that’s right.”
Semi raised her eyebrows. “What do you mean ‘think’?”
“I can’t see all the screen, señorita.” Subong replied.
The phone rang again with a caller-id that read HAS MONEY DON’T YELL in all caps. Subong furrowed his brow and answered the call. “What’s up, uncle?”
“Just get in the car, Subong.” His uncle hissed.
Subong looked over at Semi. “You know a car?”
“I think he’s talking about the guy who was calling us.” Semi replied.
His uncle sighed. “Listen to her, go to the car.”
Subong stared at the phone. “We don’t have 500k, uncle.”
His uncle exhaled. “I paid for it. Just get in the car, Subong.” He hung up.
Semi stared at Subong. “So wait, your uncle is rich rich?”
Subong shoved his phone into his pocket and threw their clothes into a bag. “Let’s go, Semi.”
Semi followed him out of the door and they walked over to a man standing by a car.
“Mr. Choi Subong and company?” The man asked.
“Yeah.” Subong replied as he tugged the door open and slid in.
Semi followed him. The seats were soft and leathery looking, Semi rubbed it, it was probably real. She looked over at Subong who was staring out of the window. She fiddled with her lip ring. “You never said anything.”
Subong looked over at her. “I didn’t.”
“Why?” She asked.
He shrugged. “Didn’t matter.”
“But everything…” Semi trailed off.
Subong stared at her in confusion. “Huh?”
Semi looked down and chuckled before facing him again; her expression serious. “Your mom and stuff.”
He leaned back and laid his head on her lap. “She’s schizophrenic.”
“Oh.”
Subong looked up at Semi. “They thought she was high. She was, but also schizophrenic.”
Semi fiddled with her lip ring. “I’m sorry.” Semi had also thought his mom was high the one time she had gone to his mom’s apartment.
Subong fidgeted with his rings. “I don’t remember what happened.” He made a ball with his hands. “It’s like a fuzzy ball.” He pulled out his phone and pointed to the screen. “Or this.”
The phone was facing him, but Semi could picture it.
He put his phone down on his chest. “I know she was good to me. Everything else’s—like a strobe light.” He made explosion gestures with his hands. “Small things.”
Semi nodded. “So, where did she go?” She asked; shortly after she had moved in, his mom had vanished. Semi had assumed she died and didn’t say anything.
Subong pointed toward the front of the car. “My uncle. He blamed me.”
Semi huffed. “How? You were a kid.”
Subong fidgeted with his phone. “I dunno. He said she was normal before me.”
Semi looked up at the roof of the car. “Huh.”
“I don’t really wanna talk about it more.” Subong said.
Semi looked back down at him. “Yeah, sorry.”
Subong readjusted his head to be closer to her. “Thank you, señorita.” He whispered.