Home visit

"Uncle Tan"

"Yes?"

"Did I learn some martial arts or something before?"

I asked Uncle Tan as we were driving back home after another day full of drama. 

"Wow, that's quite a big thing to forget, miss"

"So I did take some courses?"

"For many years, and many different disciplines"

"Oh, wow"

"In fact, we used to spar every now and then", Uncle Tan smiled as if he was recalling some nostalgic and fond memories. But then following his train of thoughts, his expression quickly changed from a smile to confusion, and then to a very worried look.

"Miss, why do you ask all of a sudden? Did anything happen at school?"

"Er… can you promise not to tell Hana or Mom?"

"I promise unless you've done something really bad"

"Oh, it's nothing like that. It's just that I was attacked by some girls in my class today"

"You are saying that so calmly"

"Yeah, because I didn't get hurt at all. I was dodging and countering the attacks so naturally, almost like my body was moving by itself"

"I'm sorry to hear that you had trouble in the class, but it's good to see that you have reached the stage where you can do this"

"It's muscle memory, right?"

"Something like that. It seems the years of training paid off"

"That's what I suspected, so here is the REAL question I wanted to ask"

"Please, go ahead. I will answer if it's something I can"

"WHY did I put so much time and effort into learning these things?"

Uncle Tan did not answer immediately but I noticed his grip on the steering wheel was getting tighter.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

He was now gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were turning white. His breathing got heavier. It didn't look like he was feeling sick or anything like that though. If anything, what I felt was that he was getting very angry.

"Sorry, was it a bad question to ask?"

Uncle Tan took a deep breath and spoke to me again.

"You remember what Hana said about some things it's better to forget and some things you have to remember?"

"Yeah"

"It's one of those things that you have to forget about"

"What do you mean?"

"It's a blessing you don't remember. Don't pry into the past even if it's your own. Don't open the old boxes that are better to remain closed"

I was puzzled by Uncle Tan's words and his reaction but thought I'd just leave it at that for now. 

"Right, I see", I just gave a short reply to Uncle Tan and looked out of the window. What was just a bit of drizzle when I was leaving the school has now become a full-blown rain shower. 

Hang on, isn't that - 

I spotted a girl running on the street with her bag held above her head to block the rain, which didn't do much when the weather was this bad. 

"Please pull over. There's my classmate"

Uncle Tan then drove the car towards her and gently stopped. 

When we stopped right next to her without making a splash, I rolled down the window, invited her to get in the car, and suggested we give her a ride back home, and she gratefully accepted. 

***

"Whoa, so this is where you live?"

Danbi, my classmate that I - with Uncle Tan- rescued from torrential rain was now in my house speaking in awe. Gees, how did it come to this…

"Er… yeah, we have been living here for a long time"

"This place is so huge and it looks amazing!"

"Thank… you… I guess?"

"So this is what a mansion in the South East Riverbank area is like. Wow, it's my first time being in such a place"

"Would you like a cup of tea or something?", let's change the subject.

"That sounds so posh coming from you, heh"

Calm down, girl, everyone drinks tea. It's no big deal. 

"I'll go make some if you don't mind. Or you can have some coffee if you'd like"

"Oh, it's okay. I will drink just what you are drinking"

"Tea it is then. Please wait here for a moment"

But before I could even head to the direction of the kitchen, our housemaid brought two cups and a teapot on a silver tray. 

"Oh please, you didn't need to - well, thank you"

No point scolding the maid it's not her fault. She was just doing her job attentively. It was just that on the way here I already texted my mom to keep things toned down and don't make a big fuss. I couldn't do anything about our house being as impressive looking as it is, but I didn't want to show that I was being served by maids at home and things like that. Well, there goes my plan to keep any semblance of living a grounded life, which was what I wanted my classmates to think as they had already made a big deal out of me coming from a posh area. 

"This is just like from a movie or something", Danbi was excited about all this. 

Well, after waking up as Jenn it took me quite some time to get used to this way of living too, so I couldn't blame her.

"So, how long are you staying?", I asked Danbi.

"Oh sorry, I must be bothering you. I will leave as soon as I can"

"No, no, that's not what I meant. You said you forgot to bring your house key so you couldn't get back into your house. When are your parents coming back?"

"Actually my Dad just went on a business trip today. He won't be back till tomorrow evening, tehe"

"Huh, how about your mom?"

"She passed away a long time ago"

"Oh, I'm sorry that I asked…"

"It's okay. It was such a long time ago and Dad and I are doing just fine ourselves"

"Right…"

What the heck? Does this mean she will need to stay at our place tonight?

"Miss, I should be able to open the door easily"

When did Hana even creep up behind me?! And don't call me 'Miss' in front of my classmates :facepalm:

"It's okay, Hana. Let's not break Danbi's door or something"

"That would be Tan's way, but I am skilled at lock picking"

"Hana, please-"

"Whoa whoa, hold it there-, but oh, hang on, nice to meet you ma'am, I'm Danbi, Jenn's classmate, thank you for having me here. Sorry about the late introduction"

"It's a pleasure. Thank you for taking care of Miss"

"Hana, please, just stop. This is getting really awkward. Where's mom?"

"She's overseeing the dinner preparations in the kitchen. She would like to invite your friend, Miss Danbi, for dinner. She's very happy that you have brought a friend home for the first time"

"It's an honor, Miss", Danbi told me jokingly, copying Hana's tone. 

Man, I give up. It would be easier to just ask Danbi to keep quiet about my household than try to put up some big cover act for the whole time she's here. 

"Is it okay, Danbi? You don't mind having dinner here?"

"It beats standing outside my door in torrential rain crying till my Dad gets back tomorrow"

"Riiiiiight"

"If you do not want me to open the door for Miss. Danbi, I suggest she stays over tonight"

"Wow! Is that really okay?!", Danbi's excitement escalated.

:Sigh: 

This was totally not what I had in mind. I was just going to get Uncle Tan to drive Danbi to her house since it was raining so much and she had no umbrella, but one thing led to another and now she is going to stay over at my place. Well, I guess it's not too bad, maybe a chance to make another friend from my class.

"I guess you've already got the guest room ready then?", I asked Hana.

"Of course. I have also prepared some change of clothes since Miss Danbi's uniform is all wet. Miss Danbi, I will lead you to the guest room and you can take a shower and get changed there"

"Thank you!"

I just smiled and waved at them as Hana led Danbi to the guest room. 

A little more than half an hour later, we were having dinner in the dining room. Mom came to greet Danbi but tactfully left us to eat by ourselves. The dinner prepared was a little over the top but it made Danbi go mm and yum the whole time. We hardly talked at all since she was so focused on eating. I guess it was good that way since I didn't really know what to talk about with her. We've never interacted at all in school before. 

"That was delicious! Thank you for the meal"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it"

"Jenn, can I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"Is it okay for me to ask what your family does?"

Actually, I didn't really know what my Dad did either. I still haven't seen him as he was on what seemed to be a very long business trip. 

"Er… why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering if you had any connections to some gangs or something"

I almost spat out my water. How can she be so direct?

"Wh… What makes you think that?"

"Just a gut feeling and some observations. You have a lady working in the house who seems to be able to pick any locks, and your 'uncle' that drove us here can force doors open, and he looks almost like he's a bodyguard or something"

Actually, she had a point. Why am I surrounded by these kinds of people? 

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I just thought it would be so cool. Everything just felt like a movie since I came to your house, hehe"

"Riiiight"

"So is that a yes or no?"

"Curiosity killed the cat, hm?", I'll just brush it off. 

"Woo~, I think I might have touched on something and better leave it there. Sorry, don't kill me!"

Then we both laughed and fortunately, that uncomfortable topic was over. However, I made a mental note that I should dig into see what my Dad actually did. Danbi really may be onto something. This family didn't just feel like a rich family. Hana and Tan were definitely more than just personal assistants and a driver.

"Hey, Danbi"

"Yeah?"

"Could you please not mention in school like what you saw here?"

"Sure, but why do you say that?"

"Er… just for privacy. I don't want people to think that I'm living some kind of a 'life like a movie' as you say"

"I get ya. No problem"

"Thanks"

"Just one condition though"

"What is it?"

"You allow me to repay your kindness by visiting my humble abode some time"

"Right. Let's do that"

Then Danbi made this really happy face full of smiles. I've only really talked to her today but I felt like we've already become kinda close. This feeling of getting to know new people without being weighed down by my social insecurity and anxiety was unfamiliar to me but very nice. Maybe we will become friends after all, or maybe she already thinks of me as one. Either way, I'm happy.