Scarlet Strings.

Chapter 13:

Ha-neul adjusted the strap of his leather bag over his shoulder as he led his mother, Mrs. Kang, toward the boarding gate. The bustling Venice airport was alive with travelers, announcements echoing through the terminals in multiple languages. His mother, Mrs. Kang, dressed in an elegant yet traditional coat, had insisted on her attire. She said it was important to carry a piece of their heritage wherever they went.

"이 비행기는 맞지?" She asked in a high-pitched voice, clutching her purse tightly. (This is the right plane, right?)

"예, 어머니, 이거 맞는 거예요." Ha-neul replied patiently in Korean, his voice calm as he handed their boarding passes to the attendant. (Yes, mother, it's the right one.)

She turned to the young Italian air hostess, who had greeted them with a warm smile. "안녕하세요. 물 좀 있나요?" she asked loudly in Korean, expecting her words to be universally understood. (Hello. Do you have water?)

The hostess blinked, her smile faltering as she clearly didn't understand. Ha-neul quickly stepped in, switching to fluent English. "She's asking if you could bring her some water later. And thank you."

"Of course, sir. We'll serve refreshments shortly after takeoff," the hostess replied, her smile returning as she guided them to their seats.

Ha-neul nodded, then helped his mother settle into her window seat. She adjusted her scarf, looking out at the runway. "영어는 정말 귀찮다," she muttered, her voice carrying despite the surrounding hum of passengers. (English is such a bother.)

"어머니, 조용히 말씀하세요. 사람들이 다 쳐다봐요," Ha-neul murmured, glancing around as a few passengers turned their heads at her volume. (Mother, please speak quietly. Everyone is staring.)

His mother waved her hand dismissively. "신경 쓰지 마. 한국어를 배우는 게 그들의 잘못이야." (Don't worry about it. It's their fault for not learning Korean.)

Ha-neul sighed, sinking into his seat. The flight attendants began preparing for takeoff, demonstrating the safety protocols. His mother watched the demonstration intently, then turned to Ha-neul with a loud whisper. "제가 비행기를 타는 건 처음은 아니지만, 아직도 이상하다고 느껴지죠?" (Even though, it's not my first time flying, but I still find it weird.)

"어머니, 그냥 안전 수칙 설명하는 거예요. 비행기 탈 때마다 보잖아요," Ha-neul replied, stifling a smile. (Mother, they're just explaining the safety rules. You see it every time you fly.)

As the plane took off, she clutched his arm. She wasn't afraid of flying, ha-neul felt too bad about the thought that his mother came all this way from korean to venice to meet him only, and now she was accompanying paris, but she always made a fuss about the initial ascent. "속도가 너무 빨라. 하늘, 너 괜찮아?" (It's so fast. Ha-neul, are you okay?)

"잘 지내요, 어머니. 그냥 긴장을 푸세요," he assured her, patting her hand. (I'm fine, mother, just relax.)

Once the plane leveled out, Mrs. Kang began rummaging through her bag, pulling out a neatly folded handkerchief and some candy she'd brought along. She handed one to Ha-neul. "이거 먹어. 네가 너무 말랐어." (Eat this. You're too skinny.)

Ha-neul took the candy without argument. Experience had taught him it was easier to comply than to refuse.

"하늘," she began, her tone shifting to the one she used when she was about to share an opinion he'd rather not hear. "너 요즘 결혼 생각은 없어?" (Ha-neul, have you thought about marriage lately?)

"어머니, 또 시작이네요," he groaned, leaning back in his seat. (Mother, not this again.)

"왜 안 들어줘? 네 나이가 몇인데!" she scolded, narrowing her eyes at him. (Why won't you listen? You're not getting any younger!)