There was a strange shift in Eun Ha's demeanor that didn't go unnoticed. But because nothing exactly... odd happened over the following months, I decided to chalk it up to some new stage of life or an early mid-life crisis she must be going through.
She was more cheerful, and even more attentive. Fussing over the smallest of things. She'd also started dressing up more often, sometimes even putting on a light touch of makeup. I thought that maybe she was trying to fix the marriage with Yeong Gu, but those changes occurred only when he wasn't at home.
I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Mia and Su Ah looked like they knew what was going on, but they refused to say anything.
Even when I tried talking to them, they'd only say not to worry about it.
For once, they were united in their silence.
And I didn't have time to pry, as the preparations for the upcoming World Cup were becoming more and more demanding.
So I decided to let it go. For now.
The world was a different beast when you were on its stage. And it was time to take the next step in my career. I had little to no spare mental capacity for family dramas.
I was leaving for the World Cup soon.
The training camp began in earnest. Everyone from the starting XI in the AFC Asian Cup, and a few additional names, were called up to the national team for the upcoming World Cup.
"You're going?"
So here I was, packing my luggage under the supervision of my very clingy older sisters. Mia. Su Ah. And even Eun Ha joined the party as well. The three of them looked like my personal cheerleading squad, but the underlying mood was more akin to a funeral.
"I have to." I tried my best to smile. Hey, I wasn't trying to fool anyone; I was sad to be leaving them behind. But duty called. At least I wasn't going off to war, but the feeling was the same.
"When will you be back?" Mia asked, her arms crossed as she sat on my bed, her expression a conflicting mixture of pride and misery.
"I'll be back as soon as the training camp and the final cut for the rooster is made. I'll stay home for a couple of days, and then... well, we'll go to Japan. The tournament itself starts there."
Mia's frown deepened. "Can we go with you?"
"Well, technically yes... but you'd have to pay your own tickets and accommodation. I won't have much free time, either. And you won't even get to stay at the same hotel as me. So I don't think it's a good idea." I said gently.
Mia pouted. "I want to see you play."
"We'll... wait for you, son." Eun Ha said, her voice a little too calm. She stood near the door, her hands clasped in front of her. "We'll be watching every single match. From home."
I smiled at her. "I'd like that."
Su Ah was unusually quiet. She stood there, leaning against the wall, her eyes fixed on the floor. She hadn't said a word since she arrived.
I closed my suitcase with a click. "I'll call you as soon as I get there. And I'll send you the schedule for my games, so you can watch them live."
Mia nodded, though her expression still looked sulky.
"Oh dear..." Eun Ha looked like she was about to cry. She was taking this parting even harder than them. I gave her a hug, trying to be a soothing pillar of strength. "I'll miss you so, so, so, so much, son."
Mia and Su Ah both had uncomfortable expressions on their face as they watched her, even though I couldn't tell why that would be the case. There was a dark shadow across her eyes that the lighting in the room seemed to emphasize unnaturally. Might have been the poor angle, or maybe that day light itself fully refused to illuminate her eyes.
I wasn't a very emotional guy, but this was hard.
"I'll miss you, too, Mom. But it's not like you'll never see me again." I assured her gently, patting her back. "You're being dramatic. And so, so emotional... just like those reality show mothers who bawl at the airport when their sons leave for their first trip. It's not the first time I've traveled."
Eun Ha looked up, and then sniffed as she tried her best to compose herself. She wiped her eyes. "Yes, but it's so far away... isn't it?"
And then she looked at my sisters for support, but all they did was glance at one another awkwardly.
"It is, but I'll call and text you often. Promise. Besides, I'm not going to Japan yet. The training camp is still here." I took a step back, putting my hands on her shoulders. "You'll see me more often than you can handle. This is nothing. We just won't have our usual family dinners together."
Eun Ha nodded, but she still looked upset. "Take care of yourself, okay? We'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too." I stood up, enveloping the woman—who was now so much smaller than I was—in a warm and tight hug. She buried her face in my chest, her arms wrapping around my waist, clinging on to me. I playfully spun her around a bit, and her sniffles turned into laughter. I promptly put her down and looked at my insufferable Noonas. "Of course, I'll miss you two troublemakers as well."
"Tch. Who's a troublemaker?" Mia scowled, but she didn't hesitate to run over and hug me, her arms tightening around my neck. "Just get back safe, okay?"
"Sure will." I kissed her cheek and gave her a brief hug, before moving to Su Ah.
She was the last to say goodbye. Su Ah's face was unreadable, but she didn't refuse my hug. "Don't forget to call us." She whispered in my ear, before pulling back.
"I won't." I promised, taking a few steps back to behold all of them.
There they were—my three women. They'd changed me, these three.
This former Brazilian soldier who thought he knew the world, reborn into their lives, had somehow been tamed by them.
My heart gave an unexpected lurch at the sight of them lined up in the doorway, like a beautiful but slightly terrifying farewell committee.
"Alright, that's enough waterworks for one day." I managed a grin, hoisting my bag over my shoulder. Eun Ha early that morning had stuffed as much as she could into it. Food. Beverages. Her special tea. Snacks.
My bag was seriously contemplating its decisions right about now.
I began the dreaded walk down the stairs.
They insisted on following me to the door. And the walk to the entrance felt longer than usual, with Eun Ha sniffing intermittently every few steps.
"Call us." Mia demanded.
"I will."
As I reached the door, Eun Ha's arms wrapped around me again, her head resting against my chest. "Not just call, text too. Send pictures. We need to see your face every day."
I chuckled, patting her back. "Got it. Mommy hotline: fully operational 24/7."
That made Eun Ha snort, even as her grip tightened.
Finally, I untangled myself. I wished I could've done a little more to Mia and Su Ah, but decided to be satisfied with some prolonged mouth wrestling the day before.
Su Ah, finally coming out of whatever shell she'd placed herself in, took a step forward until her shoulders bumped against mine, her hand curling around my arm. Her smile was strained, but genuine. "Good luck. If you're going to stay away from us for so long, you better come back with the damn trophy."
I nodded, raising a hand to caress her face before finally stepping outside. I was waving at them all the way to the taxi.
Right before I got into the cab, Su Ah gave a shout, making me pause at the driver's window. "Promise you'll never be unfaithful."
I gaped at her for a full second, not knowing how to react to such a random thing to yell in the middle of a departure scene. Beyond that, with our mother right there, between my sisters, didn't the usually perceptive girl think it a little weird and too close for comfort, under the circumstances?
Mia was looking at me, waiting for my answer.
As for Eun Ha, she was oddly silent, though not apathetic, her features serene but strangely thoughtful. Perhaps a tad resigned.
I blinked, then offered a laugh to show my confusion.
"Um... Su Ah, aren't you taking this whole... competition a little too seriously?"
"Just promise it, you fool!"
"I promise..."
I did. Of course, I did. I was loyal. Though my definition of loyal, apparently, had become a bit skewed and more... family oriented. Still, both girls nodded in satisfaction and waved at us.
Eun Ha stood completely still, and I couldn't really see what expression she had as the cab drove me away.
Still, it got me thinking…
And it was quite obvious when you connected the dots.
‘Something must’ve happened…’