Part 25

"Don't silence Rindi for too long, Hyung. She has been through a lot of difficulties, you know that right?" said Victor who was in Stefano's studio this afternoon.

Fano was silent and only stirred his Americano ice with a straw. The economical man spoke and sighed heavily. Victor patted Stefano's shoulder slowly. As if he was transferring positive energy to the second Hyung in his group. Stefano turned to Victor and then smiled faintly, his head nodded in agreement with Victor's words.

Victor then likes to remember something. Victor approached the fano and then said slowly.

"Why do you sleep separately? Actually, I want to ask this from yesterday. But I forgot," Victor whispered.

Stefano's face turned pale, the man was confused about what to answer. He did not want anyone to know any more about his marriage to Rindi who was only a contract. Stefano drank his American him quickly to get rid of nervousness. Victor saw Stefano's attitude which turned uncomfortable. Victor was sure something was wrong with Fano and Rindi's marriage but what was that?

Victor has opened his mouth again to ask Stefano. But then the Fano studio door opened and Hyu Jin entered with Bang Hyu Sik her father and also Stefano's boss at the agency. Victor and Stefano together stand up and bent slowly.

***

Rindi has just applied the ointment to the bruises and the wounds she has. Rindi took a short breath while glancing at the wall clock hanging in the television room.

"He came home late again," Rindi softly then put the ointment on the table.

Rindi leaned his body on the sofa, Stefano has often come home late for 1 week. Even her husband was cold again as before. They only communicate improvised. Rindi rubbed her face slowly, Rindi then walked into the kitchen to make a drink. Arrived in the kitchen with the cell phone in his pocket. Rindi's eyes glared at the name listed on the screen.

"Ne, Aboenim," said Rindi.

Rindi's man's in-laws usually call, if her mother-in-law is indeed almost 2 days calling Rindi even though she is just asking for Rindi and Stefano.

Rindi listened carefully to the words of her father-in-law. Occasionally Rindi answered and nodded her head agreed. A few minutes later the telephone connection was cut off. Rindi sighed and then put his cell phone on the kitchen table. Her mind wandered remembering the words of his in-laws earlier.

This is the first time after a few days Rindi and Stefano did not eat together. Both of them were sitting together at the dining table enjoying breakfast. Rindi who is healthy will be preparing to go to campus today. Rindi glanced at Stefano who was silent and then cleared his throat softly. Stefano looked up and looked at Rindi briefly.

"Is there anything you want to say?" Stefano asked then returned to focus on his food.

Rindi is hesitant will deliver a message from her father-in-law. Rindi took a breath and ventured to say it.

"Yesterday, Aboenim called. He said tomorrow is the celebration of the day of the death of the helmets. Can I go there? Aboenim said as a daughter-in-law I had to prepare all the food for the ceremony procession," said Rindi quietly.

Stefano looked up and looked at Rindi. Actually, he wanted to forbid Rindi from going, after all, Rindi was not good at cooking Korean food. Besides, preparing it all must be tiring. Considering his mother was always exhausted after the event. Stefano was silent for a moment then nodded his head and agreed.

"Go! I can't deliver, but later I will follow," said Stefano.

Rindi smiled happily and then nodded her head. It's okay that she left alone, after all, she knew the way. The important thing is she can help her in-laws even though only once. Their conversation just stopped after permission from Stefano's down. The atmosphere of the dining table was quiet again and there was only the sound of plates and spoons colliding, and of course, it belonged to Rindi who could not really eat with chopsticks.

***

Rindi has just finished preparing for the Jesa event (ancestral death commemoration). Rindi wore a black suit following instructions from her mother-in-law earlier. Because Stefano's father's oldest son became a Jesa event held at Rindi's in-laws' house. Rindi's room door was knocked out from outside, and Rindi was completely ready to open the door. His mother-in-law stood in front of the door with a smile.

"Are you getting ready dear? The relatives have come, we have to prepare food on the altar table," said Rindi's mother-in-law.

Rindi nodded her head in agreement with her mother-in-law's invitation. Rindi then followed his mother -in -law walked to the ritual place of Jesa.

Rindi and Mrs. Stefano are busy preparing everything. While the other relatives are busy chatting with each other. Rindi repeatedly glanced at her watch because until now her husband Stefano hasn't come yet. Rindi's mother-in-law knows Rindi's anxiety, but it's not Chan if it's not late at the Jesa event.

"Calm down dear, Chan must come. He always came at the end, but never once did he misses this ritual," said Mrs. Stefano patting the shoulder of longing that was arranging fruit on a large plate.

Rindi turned to her mother -in -law then smiled. It turned out that she was found out when she was restless because Stefano did not come soon.

"Bring this to the table, so that the mother continues your work," continued Mrs. Stefano again.

"Fine, eommonim," Rindi answered then brought a plate containing Songpyeon to the ritual table.

Sure enough what his mother-in-law said. Stefano still came even though it was approaching the ritual event. Rindi stood next to her mother-in-law to see all the processions of the event. After finishing, they all eat together, Rindi and Stefano deliberately were confirmed separately by their mother. Because they remember the two children already had different beliefs. Although with a sharp view and a little dislike from relatives, still, Stefano's parents treat Rindi especially.

***

Rindi sat in the park while holding a paper that was signed a few months ago. Her eyes filled with tears seeing the date listed on her signature. Rindi smiled sadly and then wiped her tears that had been dripping. Rindi folded the paper and then put it in his pocket. Rindi walked into the house because the atmosphere was getting late.

Rindi passed the family gathering room after the Jesa event was over. The relatives of his father-in-law and also his parents-in-law are drinking now. While Stefano sat next to his mother while playing with his cell phone. Rindi remained silent at the place to see the family, Rindi sighed shortly. Indeed he should not be included in this family, because it is very clear that they are different from Rindi.

"Yes! Oppa, why can you have a different daughter-in-law from you? Look at her that she can't drink with us. How can she be familiar with our family," said Rindi's father-in-law's sister.

Stefano averted his gaze from the cell phone. He looked at his aunt a little dislike, Stefano snorted then stood up.

"I will see Rindi, she has just recovered from illness. Surely she is now exhausted," said Stefano trying to avoid the sensitive conversation.

"Oh ... Alright son, hurry up and see your wife. Mother see she was sitting in the park," said Mrs. Stefano.

Stefano's head nodded, and his father gave the code with a nod of his head so that Stefano should indeed leave this unimportant conversation.

"Look! Your son just increasingly disrespects us how to his wife. He should also gather here instead of staying in the park alone," said Stefano's father's younger brother.

Stefano's mouth will open to the rough words of his uncle. But his hands were arrested by his mother, so Stefano did not react so as not to cause problems.

Rindi who was still standing not far from there was silent. She was confused about going to the room or returning to the park. Rindi is increasingly aware of her position and the differences between her and Stefano's family.

***

Rindi cried in the car that took him home to Seoul. From saying goodbye to her mother-in-law, Rindi had been sobbing. Stefano chuckled softly to see the expression on his wife's face which had been funny according to him.

"What exactly did you cry, why did you haven't stopped crying?" said Stefano while focusing on driving.

Rindi turned her head and sobbed again, Rindi rubbed his face removing the remnants of his tears.

"I'm sad to leave Eommonim and Aboenim again. I don't know when I can go there again," Rindi said, still between her sobs.

Stefano frowned why Rindi said that. Isn't it possible at any time she comes if she wants? Stefano will not forbid it either.

"You can go to their house at any time, haven't you memorized the way here?" said Stefano.

Rindi looked at Stefano while silent. Rindi smiled with tears that were still dripping. She did not come up with Stefano's words.

***