Chapter 22: Jin's Family
The late afternoon sun filtered softly through Jin's apartment window, casting long, warm shadows across the living room. He had been pacing back and forth for the past ten minutes, phone clutched tightly in his hand.
"Mom and Dad are calling… again."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. It wasn't that he didn't love his parents—they were warm, caring, and supportive—but there were always expectations. Cultural expectations, traditional ideas about dating and relationships that weighed on him in subtle, heavy ways.
Lucia sat cross-legged on the sofa, watching him quietly. She had come over to help him unwind after a long week, and now she could see the worry etched into his face.
"Are they calling about…?" she asked gently, tilting her head.
Jin nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Yeah… about dating. About life. About… expectations. They don't know about us yet."
Her chest tightened a little at his words. She had anticipated that Jin might feel pressure from his family, just as she had from hers. But hearing him say it aloud made it feel… real, tangible.
"I get it," she said softly, moving closer. "Family can be tricky… especially when culture is involved. Do you want to talk about it?"
He paused, looking at her with dark, thoughtful eyes. "I do… but I also don't want to sound… weak or unsure. I've been trying to figure out the right way to handle it. They care about me, but sometimes… their expectations feel heavy."
Lucia reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against his hand. "You're not weak. You're careful and thoughtful… that's not weakness. It's being responsible. And I'm here. You don't have to carry it alone."
He let out a small laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "You make it sound so easy."
"Not easy," she corrected softly, "just… manageable. When someone cares about you, you can handle more."
Jin's phone buzzed again, signaling an incoming call. He glanced at it nervously. "They're calling now."
Lucia gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be right here. You can do this."
He took a deep breath and answered.
"Hello? Mom… Dad…" His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of caution.
The conversation began with the usual warmth and chatter—questions about work, school, and health—but it quickly shifted toward the more delicate subject: dating.
"So, Jin," his mother asked gently, "anyone special in your life? You're twenty-something now, you know."
Jin hesitated, glancing at Lucia. She gave him an encouraging nod. Her presence made him feel braver, grounded.
"Well… there is someone I've been seeing," he admitted softly, the words feeling both heavy and relieving as they left his mouth.
His parents paused for a moment, a quiet tension on the line. Then his father spoke, calm but serious. "We just want to make sure… that you're being thoughtful. That you're respecting both your feelings and the family expectations we've always discussed."
"I am," Jin said sincerely. "She's… amazing. Kind, funny… caring. And I really… like her."
There was a pause on the other end, and he could hear the careful deliberation in their voices. "We just want you to be careful," his mother said finally. "And to remember the values we've tried to teach you."
"I know," he replied softly. "And I respect that. But I also feel… happy. And I want to see where this goes. I think it's worth taking it slow… one step at a time."
Lucia squeezed his hand lightly from where she sat nearby, giving him a small smile. He glanced at her and felt a quiet surge of gratitude. Just having her there, holding his hand, sharing the tension, and supporting him, made the conversation feel less daunting.
After a few more minutes, the call ended. Jin exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face. "They're… okay. They just want to make sure I'm thinking things through."
Lucia smiled softly, brushing her fingers over his. "See? You handled it perfectly. Honest, thoughtful… and you didn't hide us. That's important."
Jin leaned back, letting himself relax into the sofa. "Thanks, Luce. I couldn't have done it without you. Your support… it means a lot. One grape at a time, huh?"
She laughed softly. "Exactly. One grape at a time. And this was a big grape—one we handled together."
He smiled, eyes soft. "Yeah… big grape. But it feels good. Feels right."
They spent the next hour talking quietly, unpacking Jin's feelings about family expectations, and sharing their thoughts on balancing tradition with personal happiness. Lucia told him about her own experiences with family pressure, and Jin listened carefully, nodding and offering gentle encouragement.
"You know," she said softly, "love doesn't have to rush. It doesn't have to meet anyone else's timeline. We build it slowly, intentionally. One grape at a time."
Jin's eyes met hers, dark and warm. "Exactly. And with you, I want to take the time to make it right. To enjoy the little moments… the notes, the laughs, the rooftop talks… everything."
Her chest warmed at his words, the quiet sincerity in his voice sending a thrill through her. "Me too. Every little moment… it matters. And I'm glad we're doing it together."
He leaned a little closer, their shoulders brushing. "Together," he repeated softly. "One grape at a time."
The evening stretched on with small gestures—sharing a cup of tea, brushing hands accidentally while reaching for the same cookie, laughing at silly jokes, and talking quietly about hopes and fears. The tension from family expectations had faded, replaced by connection, trust, and intimacy.
Before Lucia left that night, Jin slipped a small note into her hand, his fingers brushing hers lightly.
"Family expectations are tough… but love, laughter, and small moments make them easier. Thank you for being mine. One grape at a time. —J"
She smiled, clutching the note. "One grape at a time," she whispered softly.
As she walked home, she reflected on the day. Jin's honesty, his courage in facing his family, and the trust they shared made her heart swell. Love didn't need to be dramatic or rushed—it was steady, intentional, and full of small, meaningful moments.
One grape at a time… and together, they could face anything, including family expectations, societal pressures, and the uncertainties of twenty-something life.
Her phone buzzed with a reply from Jin:
"Sleep well, Luce. Dream of small adventures, gentle moments, and big hearts. —J"
She smiled softly, tucking the note into her pocket. With Jin, every small gesture, every moment of honesty, every shared laugh, and every note felt like another grape ripening in their quiet, growing love.
And as she drifted off to sleep that night, she felt a calm certainty. Love didn't need to be rushed. It didn't need to be perfect. It just needed patience, care, and the courage to take it one grape at a time.