A Weekend Decided Without Asking
On Saturday afternoon, Junho has already set the table. Seoha hesitates, unsure whether to sit like a guest or speak like someone who lives here.
When partners have different ways of spending weekends, one keeps deciding first while the other follows along afterward.
On Saturday afternoon, Junho invites friends over without asking Seoha. In counseling, Seoha stops talking, unable to tell whether it was simply a difference in temperament or the fact that he decided without asking. The same thing happens again the following weekend, and eventually Seoha brings out the words she has swallowed for so long.
When Things Are Decided Before Asking
Before passing it off as a difference in temperament, look at the moment something you should have decided together was already decided.
What has someone decided recently without asking you?
The scene that stayed with me was hearing, only after the plates had already been set out, that we should eat together. Calling it a difference in temperament does not erase the fact that the decision was made without asking. If you are going through a similar moment, what did you most want to say first? You can tell me that story too, slowly.
Scenes
- 01 · An Invitation Without Asking An Invitation Without Asking — At two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, Seoha comes home with groceries. Junho is placing three plates on the table. Junho: My friends will be here soon. Let’s eat together today.
- 02 · What Stayed Before the Words What Stayed Before the Words — Seoha holds the paper cup between both hands and brings up “Let’s eat together” again. The plates had already been set out, so it hardly felt like an invitation. Cheongun: After hearing that, what did you want to say first?
- 03 · Another Dinner Already Decided Another Dinner Already Decided — The following Sunday at five in the afternoon, Junho is already holding out two movie tickets. Junho: We’re going to see a movie today. It’ll be over quickly, even if you’re tired.
- 04 · The Words She Finally Spoke The Words She Finally Spoke — That night, when Junho says, “We can just be together, can’t we?” Seoha puts down her bag and stands before the table. Junho: Do you really have to take it that way again? Seoha: I hate it more when you decide without asking.
Stories by Cheongun
- Cheongun
- When I step out after washing and stand before the mirror, the comparisons in my family come back to me.
- After the meeting, the plans and the spur-of-the-moment ideas clash again.
- When we get home from work, the first thing we talk about at the door is caring for our parents.
- As we left the exam room, Mom asked first.
- We put off the decision again while doing the dishes
- I set aside money for my younger sibling from my first paycheck
- It’s hard to tell my parents I’m getting counseling.
- I gave them flowers, but they didn’t say thank you