"Can't I eat something else other than porridge today?" Xu Mey made a pout as she requested Jie while they were having their brunch like any other weekend.
"What else do you want?" Jie asked while he took a sip of soy milk with his deep-fried dough stick.
"Something tasty..." Xu Mey left her words hanging. Jie knew very well where her mind was wandering but he still played dumb.
"Porridge is also tasty. There are so many fruits as well."
Xu Mey's face fell. Even she knew that there was a variety of foods on the table but she craved something different... Like food from street stalls. Yes! That's what she was craving badly.
"Ring! Ring!"
"Forget it. You go and check who's at the door." Xu Mey waved him off with a terrible mood.
The bell rang a couple of times again and by the time Jie reached the door, he could guess the intruder who was so impatient. He yanked open the door and as he expected, there stood his overly hyper brother, Ye Jun.
"What are you doing here?" Jie asked sternly.
"Step aside. I'm not here to see your broody face anyway." Ye Jun pushed Jie aside and walked right past him in a hurry. He straight went to Xu Mey with open arms as if he was about to hug her. But just as Xu Mey was going to embrace him, he leaned down and went to her protruding belly saying, "Hey, there my dearest niece! Look, your favorite, most dashing, most handsome and genius uncle is here to see you."
Xu Mey was amused to see his antics while Jie was glaring at his back.
"Most handsome and dashing? Even a genius?" Xu Mey repeated his words in an amusing manner.
Ye Jun stood straight and patted his chest saying, "Of course! I'll be the most handsome man in my niece's life."
"In a few seconds when I'll bang your head open, you'll certainly won't be able to stay handsome or alive." Jie's threat from behind made Ye Jun cower back a little.
"Bro, what are you saying? Obviously, after you. I'm always right behind you. You'll be the first and most handsome man in our little girl's life. Okay?" Ye Jun changed his color faster than a chameleon but it pacified Jie at some level.
He threw Ye Jun's hand from his shoulder away and said, "You better remember that." Saying that Jie walked towards his study to deal with some emails.
Seeing that he was gone, Ye Jun sneaked out the door and brought a paper bag inside while grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Sis, look what I got for you..." Xu Mey eyed his bag with interest and took a peek inside. Her eyes glimmered at the sight of the content inside. "Aren't I the best bro-in-law?" Ye Jun wiggled his brows looking for praises.
"You are definitely the best!" Xu Mey gave him thumbs up and snatched the paper bag from him.
The bag contained everything that she was craving for... Korean style fried chicken, lamb kebabs, roasted sweet potatoes, Kimchi pancake and he was even thoughtful enough to bring freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for her. How sweet!
Without further ado, Xu Mey dug in to eat with gusto. She didn't even realize that Jie was watching her from a peephole. But he had no intention of ruining her appetite. Her appetite had been a bit bad for the past few days and he had only mentioned it to Ye Jun over the phone. Knowing his brother when Ye Jun came unannounced, Jie had already realized what he was doing here but since both Xu Mey and Ye Jun liked to sneak around, he pretended like he didn't see them at all.
Sometimes, the food tasted even better when you knew you were acting like a thief.
"Oh, I heard my niece kicked," Ye Jun looked at Xu Mey expectantly.
"First of all, call him your nephew. And yes, he kicked." Xu Mey said with pride and happiness bubbling inside of her.
"Bummer! I want to feel it too." Ye Jun whined like a little kid.
Xu Mey slapped the back of his head and said, "Why are you so eager?"
"Oho! Sis, I heard that the feeling of a baby's first kick something different. Something magical... Otherworldly. I want to feel that sensation as well. Tell me, what did it feel like?" Seeing his eyes filled with childlike curiosity, Xu Mey gave a thoughtful look.
"Mmm... How should I say it... I felt some twitches and tumbling motion which I couldn't understand at first but then... Then there was a distinctive kick. I really can't put it in words but it felt great. I feel so close to him now." Xu Mey was fondling her belly with a tender gaze. "And I learned that this phase is called 'quickening'. It's a beautiful moment."
"Tsk. I'll stick around you from now on."
"Why?"
"I want to feel the kick." Ye Jun answered matter-of-factly making Xu Mey shake her head at this big baby.
"How will you be an uncle? You still have years ahead to grow up." Ye Jun stuck his tongue out childishly at her remark.