Chapter 162: Parenting (2)

It’s been nine months since Eunbyul was born.

Both my wife and I were gradually getting used to parenting, and now we were much quicker at handling things.

Nowadays, when I return home, Eunbyul often crawls quickly toward the front door.

Just seeing the picture of Eunbyul on one side of my work desk fills me with energy, even when I feel drained.

“Han-gyeol, aren’t you leaving yet?”

“Oh, yes. I’ll leave as soon as I finish this up.”

“It’s not a busy season, so take it easy~ I’m heading out first.”

“Alright. See you tomorrow. Have a safe trip home.”

“Okay~”

I hurriedly wrapped up my work and left the office.

The subway ride home was as suffocating as ever.

During rush hour, people crammed into every station, making it hard to stand properly in this “hell train.”

As always, I thought to myself, Should I just buy a car? Yeah, maybe it’s finally time—

Ding-dong!

- The doors are opening.

“Ah! Excuse me, I need to get off! Sorry, I’m getting off now!”

Right when I resolved to buy a car, my stop arrived.

Dragging my tired body out of the subway station, I walked the familiar path home.

On the way, I stopped by a fruit store I frequent and picked up a bag of seasonal fruits before heading home.

“I’m home! Honey, I’m back!”

As soon as I opened the door, Eunbyul crawled quickly from the living room to greet me.

The sight of my daughter welcoming me with a bright smile instantly washed away the fatigue of the day.

“Ah-ba! Ah-ba!”

The moment I saw Eunbyul’s joyful smile, I dropped my bag and lifted her up.

“Aww, my sweet girl~ Were you a good girl while Appa* was away?”

“Ah-buuu!”

“Really? Such a good girl~ Why is my baby so perfect~?”

Eunbyul burst into giggles, delighted at the sudden change in perspective as I held her up.

As I embraced her, my wife came running from the kitchen.

“Honey~ Welcome home!”

With a smile as radiant as Eunbyul’s, my wife looked at me warmly.

She wrapped her arms around me, joining the hug, while I held our daughter.

Happiness overflowed in an instant, and I pulled my wife into the embrace with my free hand.

“Yeah, I’m back~ Was it tough taking care of Eunbyul?”

“No, not at all~ You wouldn’t believe how well she’s been sleeping these days. I actually got some work done this afternoon.”

“That’s a relief. The food smells amazing. What’s for dinner?”

“I made your favorite—spicy pork stir-fry! And there’s doenjang-jjigae too.”

“Wow, I can’t wait to eat. Let me just change clothes real quick. Can you hold Eunbyul for a moment?”

“Sure, go ahead. Eunbyul, come to amma~ Appa needs to change his clothes.”

My wife reached out to take Eunbyul, but she clung tightly to my shirt.

“Here we go again~ She just won’t let go of you once she’s in your arms.”

“Eunbyul, Appa just needs to change clothes. Can you let go for a bit?”

“Ah-buuu!”

Her stubbornness reminded me of my wife’s personality.

“She really is my daughter, huh? Loves Appa so much. Fine, I guess I won’t let go either~”

Even though I needed to change, my wife couldn’t resist hugging me again.

“Honey, hugging you is so comforting.”

“I feel the same, holding my lovely wife and daughter. I’m so happy.”

“Let’s stay like this for a little longer. Oh? What’s in your hand?”

“I bought a bag of fruit on the way home.”

“You must’ve been tired; you didn’t have to stop. Hehe, but thank you. You’re the best. I love you~”

My wife kissed my cheek with a soft mwah.

“I love you too, more than anything. Now, let me really change this time.”

“Eunbyul, come to amma now~ Appa needs to rest.”

“Ah-buuu!”

Eunbyul clung tightly to my shirt again, refusing to let go.

Eventually, I carefully pried her little fingers off one by one and handed her to my wife before she could burst into tears. I quickly changed and came back out.

“Eunbyul~”

“Ah-buuuu!”

She immediately wriggled out of her mom’s arms and toddled over to cling to my leg.

Now I understand why people become doting parents—she’s just too adorable and lovable.

“Honey, can you watch Eunbyul for a bit? I’ll set the table.”

“Sure thing~ Eunbyul, let’s play with Appa! Want to fly like an airplane?”

“Ah-buuu!”

Lying on the sofa, I lifted Eunbyul into the air, moving her around like a flying jet.

Her laughter echoed through the room, filling my heart with joy.

After a while, my wife called from the kitchen.

“Honey, come eat!”

“Alright~ Eunbyul, let’s go eat! Vroooom~”

I stood up, carrying Eunbyul like a fighter jet, and placed her in her high chair at the dining table.

After securing her bib and handing her a small spoon, I sat down.

Eunbyul had started eating baby food on her own since she turned eight months old.

At first, she couldn’t even get the spoon to her mouth properly, but now she’s gotten the hang of it. Still, food often ended up on her bib or around her mouth.

“Look at you, Eunbyul. You’re eating so well now!”

“Yeah, she’s definitely learning faster than other kids her age. And she eats so well too.”

“She’s so adorable.”

When I patted Eunbyul’s head, she smiled just like her mom.

“Honey, how’s work these days?”

“It’s not too busy right now, but it’ll pick up in March and May. I’ll probably have to work overtime then. How about you?”

“Being a freelancer means I can control my workload, but my rates have gone up, so I’m happy. Maybe we should open another savings account? We’ve been saving more than we spend, and this month’s living expenses were even under budget.”

Both my wife and I are frugal.

Her income wasn’t small, and combined with mine, we were steadily building our savings.

As we’d promised my father, we were now close to achieving financial independence.

“Hmm, should we? Why don’t you start your own business? You’re talented enough. What do you think?”

“Well, I enjoy what I’m doing now, but I’m not confident yet. For now, I want to focus on the steady work I have.”

“Alright, but don’t overdo it, okay? Remember how you stayed up all night that one time?”

“Oh, that? The client offered double pay if I finished by the next day, so I couldn’t resist.”

“Even so, health comes first. You know that, right?”

“Of course. You too, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Ah-buuu!”

Eunbyul, who seemed upset that only Amma* and Appa were talking, joined in with her own babble.

“Yes, Eunbyul, you need to stay healthy too. Let’s wipe your mouth~ amma will do it for you.”

My wife gently wiped Eunbyul’s mouth with a tissue as she continued to babble,

“Amm—mmma—”

“What’s that, Eunbyul? What are you trying to say?”

“Amm—amma!”

When Eunbyul suddenly blurted out her first word, both my wife and I froze in place.

Our eyes widened as we looked at each other in disbelief, then immediately turned our attention to Eunbyul.

“Eunbyul, what did you just say? amma? Say it again—amma!”

“Amma!”

“Honey! Eunbyul just said ‘amma’!”

“Yes! I heard it clearly too!”

My wife and I jumped up from our chairs, gazing at Eunbyul with love and astonishment.

“That’s right. Amma, it’s Amma. Want to say it one more time?”

“Amma!”

Tears welled up in my wife’s eyes as she heard herself called “amma” for the first time.

“Oh, my sweet girl! You did so well. Yes, it’s amma.”

As my wife beamed with joy, Eunbyul giggled, still clutching her little spoon.

“Eunbyul, what about Appa? Can you say Appa? Appa!”

“Aa!”

“That’s right, that’s right! Let’s try again—Appa! Appa!”

“A~”

My heart started pounding.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt this excited in my life.

With my eyes filled with anticipation, I locked gazes with my daughter.

“A~ppa!”

The moment she said “Appa,” a wave of overwhelming emotion washed over me.

It was a feeling too deep and profound to put into words, filling every corner of my heart.

“Yes, that’s right! I’m Appa! Appa!”

“Appa! Amma!”

My wife and I burst into laughter, soaking in the joy as we celebrated in the living room.

We were practically glowing with happiness, forgetting all about dinner for the moment.

“Honey! Eunbyul called me ‘amma’!”

“Yes! And I heard her call me ‘Appa’ too!”

“Is our Eunbyul a genius?! Could she really be?!”

“I think so, maybe?!”

While we marveled at her brilliance, Eunbyul continued eating her meal unfazed.

“Alright, let’s finish eating first!”

“Yes, let’s do that!”

After a meal full of laughter and smiles, we cleaned up quickly and took turns holding Eunbyul.

I gently patted her back until she let out a small burp, then sat her down on the sofa, looking at her lovingly.

Eunbyul, seemingly puzzled by why her parents were staring at her so intently, tilted her head and looked back and forth between us.

“Should we try one more time with her?”

“Yes! Let’s ask her again. Eunbyul, who are we?”

“Appa! Amma!”

Hearing it again made my heart swell with emotion.

My wife and I hugged each other tightly and rolled on the living room floor in sheer delight.

“Ah~ I’m so happy today.”

“Me too! I’m so happy!”

It was a day filled with endless laughter.

We’re Amma and Appa to the most precious daughter in the world.

Life couldn’t be any better.

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

[TL: Amma & Appa are Korean words for mom and dad.

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