Ayasadana
December is as nosy as ever. Cecilia should have known she hasn’t really changed much. “There’s really not much to tell. Our love is strong, but it’s not fit for the big screen. When I first met him, I thought he was a goof, and not all that smart. But he’s really…quite talented. And charming,” she recounts, merely thinking of him. Cecilia isn’t one to delve into their personal history and dish it out to strangers. They are simple, uncomplicated, but so happy. “He just makes me happy. I’ve never been happier in my entire life. Even though things haven’t always been easy, no matter how hard things get, I know we’re in it together and that we’ll get through it. He’s my rock.”
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“No question about it, he will be an engineer.” Jinho raises his hands out in front of him, like walking in the dark, and loses himself to his imagination. “He will graduate high school at just 13 years old, and get his ph.D in four years. Then he will be in a very successful company where he builds computers and cellphones and even video games, and then he is so amazing the company decides to rename themselves in his honor. He is the next Steve Jobs! If you look carefully through Cecilia’s stomach, you can see all of this happening, too.”
December smiles, laughing and loud. Geoffrey pats her fragile hand. “You’re a really special man, Jinho.”
“Ah. My wife agrees.”
“And she also thinks you’re her rock. Really something. What do you think?” she grins, winking at him through the corner of her eyes.
Surprised, Jinho hesitates then turns to Cecilia. Is she stunned? Red? He brightens like a citywide powersurge and stiffens. “I think… she is the most beautiful woman in the world, and I will love her for over 300 years!” he spouts. “Even now, everything still feels so unreal, like a dream... I think, because of her, my dreams and reality have become the same thing. So...”
It’s quiet.
The cicadas cry outside and Jinho, suddenly aware of his stupidity, looks down. His ears burn red and his face is catching fire; the world is looking at him all at once and he quickly fumbles for the lemonade. December blinks astonished at his confession, then tries a warm, inviting smile.
"My, well... That's sweet," she says, squeezing her husband's hand. The sun shines over her face and they stand from the sofa, nodding. "You two must love each other so much... But, maybe Geoffrey and I have been taking up too much of your time. There's a home you have to get set up, isn't there? Let us know when you're ready; we're just down the street over there, past the bush of thistles."
"206," Geoffrey adds in.
"Of course! 206. We'll let the whole neighborhood know to whip up a nice 'Welcome to the street!' luncheon for you three. No allergies, are there? Peanuts? Milk?"
Walking to the door, Jinho takes Cecilia's hand, almost by instinct, and wraps their fingers together. "No, no. We are good! Thank you, but to go through this trouble--"
"Nonsense! What kind of neighbors would we be if we did nothing? You're new here, Mr. Yang, so sit back, relax, and let us show you how we do it in Ayasadana!"
It takes a ten-minute goodbye before they node their heads, wave, and disappear down the street to 206. Jinho is still speechless. Spinning around, he randomly takes her into his arms, kisses her forehead, and dashes upstairs.
"Everyone is very nice, like they are planning something," he says. "Let's go to Damian's room! We have to start preparing it. What color? Blue? Blue because he is a boy, naturally. What do you think?" On the second floor, he bends over the guard rail and looks down to her. "Want to make a bet? I can finish redecorating in one day."
