Bong-Cha and Young-Mi came downstairs while laughing and chatting like old friends. They both sensed the frightening silence and looked at everyone.
"What happened?" asked Bong-Cha. Everyone glanced at her and immediately looked away, she understood what had happened in her absence. Someone said something that made her grandfather mad. That's why everyone was sitting there, afraid. "Who aggravated harabuhji? And who he scolded after? In short whose fault was it?" she asked by placing one hand over her hip.
Everyone straight away pointed towards Baek-Hyeon. She looked around, picked a cushion, and threw it at him.
Before it could hit him, he caught it and asked, "what?"
She went up to him and punched him on his arm. "What did you say? What did you do?"
"Ow… I…" before he could reply his mother answered.
"Nothing. He did nothing," interjected Eun-Kyung. "All of you, go help Pyo-ssi with dinner and table placement and not a word regarding marriage, dresses or any other stupid topic. The topic of your grandfather's anger is strictly prohibited. No one will speak of it."
Young-Mi went near Yong-Sun and was about to sit next to him, again, but he stood up with a jerk and moved towards the kitchen instantly. Completely ignoring her, he playfully asked all the elders, "what are we supposed to discuss then?"
"Discuss chemistry, discuss physics, we don't know, just leave," said Hei-Ran looking annoyingly at her son.
All four youngsters heartlessly walked towards the kitchen.
"I know she is not your designer, at least look at her once," Baek-Hyeon teased Yong-Sun.
"Shut up! You have no right to open your mouth after the stunt you just pulled. You always make a mess and we have to bear the punishment," said Yong-Sun and playfully hit the back of Baek-Hyeon's head.
"Hey!" screamed Baek-Hyeon and rubbed his head to ease the pain.
"He is not wrong. You always do that," said Chin-Sun.
"No, harabuhji is always angry at me no matter what I say. I am not his sweet Bong-Cha," declared Baek-Hyeon.
"Don't drag me into this. By the way, what did you say?" asked Bong-Cha.
"Shhh…" all three shushed her in unison.
"Sorry!" she whispered.
After they left, only the seniors and Young-Mi were left in the living room.
"We will take our leave, Ma'am," said Jung suddenly and stood up from his seat to leave.
"No, please stay for dinner," said Eun-Kyung.
"No, it's ok, next time, Ma'am," replied Young-Mi and then called after Bong-Cha who was about to enter the kitchen. "And Bong-Cha, thank you for your dress."
Bong-Cha halted in her path, turned, and replied, "no worries, it was my pleasure."
Young-Mi wanted Yong-Sun to turn too and look at her, but without glancing at her, he entered the kitchen and disappeared before her. No matter what she did, he never used to notice her. And after hearing that he had a crush on a different girl, she got insecure. She started hating the girl before even meeting her.
The two assistants left immediately.
As soon as they left, Jong-Woo said, "we have to be more careful what we say in front of kids."
"So many years of secret and it almost came out today," said Hae-Won.
"Yes, no kid can know, especially Bong-Cha," said Hei-Ran.
"True and speaking of secrets, excuse me, I must go and find my husband," said Eun-Kyung.
"Do you want me to talk to him?" asked Jong-Woo.
"No, it will be fine," answered Eun-Kyung.
They all nodded at her.
She went up to the terrace garden which was her husband's favourite spot. She knew she could find him there. He was sitting on a swing, with his head hung low.
"Are you ok?" asked Eun-Kyung.
Young-Soo immediately looked at her and stood up. "What are you doing here? I was about to come down. Our friends! we need to attend to them, it's our duty." He walked up to her and spoke haphazardly.
"Calm down! We have some duty towards each other too," she said and hugged him to ease his mind.
He exhaled a big puff of air and hugged her back. "How did you know I would be here?"
"Because this swing is the only place in this house you come to relax your mind."
He ended the embrace and said, "I am sorry, I left you alone. Well, I am an expert in that. I leave people."
"No, don't worry about that. You just need to deal with every emotion you are feeling right now before you come in front of your dad and the kids."
"Kids! What kind of parent am I? I have not been a good father to any of my kids," Young-Soo said in a sad and guilty tone.
"Hey! You can't think like that. You love your kids, and your kids love you."
"Not every kid."
"Careful! These walls have ears." She immediately shut him up.
He closed his eyes, took a minute, and then spoke, "give me five more minutes I will be there."
"Okay. But come before Shiahbuhji (father-in-law) reaches the dinner table. You know how he gets."
"Sure."
She left him alone and came downstairs. He again went and sat on the swing reminiscing his past.
After a few hours, it was time for dinner. They were having early dinner today. Everyone was waiting for Young-Jae so that they could start eating. They waited and waited but he didn't come out of his room. Everyone was afraid to go and talk to him. Only one person in the whole world could calm him down.
"Ddal!" called Eun-Kyung who was sitting with other elders in the living room.
"Yes, Uhmma!" Bong-Cha peeked from behind the dining room wall. All the kids were sitting around the dinner table and whispering about why Young-Jae was angry at the mention of a country.
"Go get your grandfather for dinner."
"Why always me?"
"Because you are his favourite," said Baek-Hyeon softly. Bong-Cha waved her hands behind herself signalling her brother to keep quiet.
"Bong-Cha!" emphasized Young-Soo.
She could not say no to her father, so she just lowered her head with respect and replied, "yes, father."
She went to the first floor where the largest room of the mansion belonged to her grandfather. She hesitatingly knocked at his door. There was no answer.
"May I come in, harabuhji?" she asked politely.
"Yes, dear," replied Grandfather with equal love.
She went inside. He was sitting on the couch in his room still dressed in a suit. He had not changed his dress yet. She went up to him, sat next to him, placed her head on his shoulder, and lovingly asked, "what happened? Why are you angry?"
"Who said I am angry?" replied Young-Jae adoringly.
"You are still dressed in your office wear, and you are late for dinner. So, tell me why you are angry?" accentuated Bong-Cha.
"Well, your brother said something that enraged me."
"May I ask what?"
"Of course, dear, you can ask anything," he said and kissed her on her head.
"Then tell me."
Young-Jae took a deep breath and then answered, "he mentioned the name India, and it brought back some painful memories."
"May I ask why you don't talk about India, harabuhji?"
"Because that place almost took my son away from me."
"What? How? I just know that father spent some time there."
"Just know that our lives would have been a lot different than it is now if your father hadn't come back from India the moment he did." Young-Jae was staring in oblivion. He was in the present moment, but his mind was floating in the past.
"But…" Bong-Cha wanted to ask further. All the kids discussed the forbidden topic in the kitchen and the conclusion was that only Bong-Cha can get answers from their grandfather. He loved her very much. She was the star of his galaxy. He loved her more than anything in this world.
"Don't ask me the details," he immediately stopped her.
"Harabuhji!" she protested.
"Dear sonnyuh (granddaughter), you know I can't lie to you, and I don't want to. So never ask me about India. Okay?" ordered Young-Jae but still in a loving tone.
"Fine, I won't but you need to change and come to the dinner table. Everyone is waiting, please," she said sweetly.
He smiled at her and said, "I will be there in five minutes."
She kissed him on his cheeks and complimented, "you are the best harabuhji, I love you."
"I love you too, dear."
She left him alone. "I am sorry, I am hiding a big secret from you. I hope you never find out. Because I know what you would want next, and I will not be able to say no to you. You are my heart," he said while looking at the door.
After a few minutes, he came downstairs and without speaking to anyone, directly went inside the dining room. Everyone quietly followed him. Young-Soo signalled the house-help to serve the food. Everyone ate their dinner in dead silence. Only the sound of clinking utensils and chewing of food was audible.
When everyone finished their food, Young-Jae announced, "everyone, go to sleep early so that you get up early. The earliest we leave, the sooner we will arrive. I have business here so I will return tomorrow. If anyone wants to stay, they can stay." He pushed his chair back and after announcing went to his room.
Youngsters started shouting as soon as Young-Jae left. They were happy that they didn't have to stay in the village for long. Though they liked visiting their ancestral lands, they loved the city life. And the New Year in cities was vibrant and cool.