Chapter 5
Ma Jun's Pov
What made it so difficult? What happened to making life meaningless out of nowhere? My mother's death caused me anguish. I couldn't fault her for abandoning me. It wasn't her fault at all. I needed to feel her close to me all the time. I realized she would disappear by that time.
It was impossible to keep her close to me for an extended period. She would live on in my memory. I was aware of it. However, if given the chance, I would effectively resurrect her. Anything I could have done to bring her back, Anything.
For a few days, father did not speak or appear, and he did not meet with anyone. In any case, he refused to leave his room and was not eating or drinking when I left meals on his doorstep. That worried me about my father's nonexistent behavior.
Even father's companions came to greet him. But I knew my father needed to be separated from everyone else for a while.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to deal with So Hyun when she became ill once more. mother's death was heartbreaking for her. She was afraid of being alone, so I had to stay with her at all times, even when she was sleeping and holding my hand.
"I've lost my wonderful mother, the person I adored most before you. I'd rather not lose you, So Hyun, so please try to stay healthy. My heart is not in harmony, nor is it at peace. How should I proceed?" I was speaking slowly.
Nobody was around as if I was living in the graveyard, so I was the only one who was active when both of them were living as dead. Talking to myself occasionally made me feel alive.
When I heard heavy rain, I went outside and looked at the clothes hanging from the rope.
"If you were here, you could have brought all of the garments down to protect them, just like you used to do in the rain. I was always available to assist you. Who will I assist now, mother?"
With a heavy heart, I began to remove the garments from the rope in the pouring rain. My eyes were filled with hope to watch my mother.
As I turned around, she was standing in the doorway. She had not reawakened. My desire to see her again revealed an illusion of her; however, that was only a deception. With a delightful smile, she waved her hand to me.
"You were a part of me, Mother. How could you just walk away from me? Is it correct that you miss me?
How will I spend my time on earth without the person from whom I was created?" I was conversing with her.
My emotions were completely out of control as I was standing in the rain. clothes fell from my hands as I began to cry quietly. I crouched down, hitting my heavy chest while covering my mouth because I didn't want my voice to attract attention from others.
That moment encapsulates every ache I was feeling. deeply hurt, and the wound cannot or will not heal for a long time.
I plucked up the courage to walk into my father's room with the meal from the other day. When the sheet and blanket were immaculate, I noticed every detail. He hadn't slept in a long time. The meals I had been leaving at his door were also impeccable. He sat in the corner, his head resting on his knees.
"Father?" I said softly
Even after hearing me twice, he did not respond.
My mind was having strange thoughts about my father's health.
I set the food down and approached him.
"Father?" I spoke a little louder than usual.
I was saddened to see his red eyes with wet eyelids as he raised his head. There were dark circles under his eyes. His exhausted face revealed that he had been crying nonstop.
"How is So Hyun? Is she all right?" In a broken voice, father inquired.
I nodded when I couldn't say anything while watching his more unfortunate well-being. I tried hard to hold back my tears as I watched the untreated injury on his hand.
"I can't bear the thought of losing anyone. Mother would be more frustrated with you than with us if you surrendered like this with such ease" With a broken voice, I said.
I had no idea why my father had avoided eye contact since returning from the battle; I had a strong feeling he was concealing something. I wanted to ask, but he didn't seem to be in the mood to answer.
He wasn't crazy about my mother because he never paid attention to her. I was perplexed as to how someone could isolate himself in grief after being estranged from the person he never loved. He was in love, but he had no idea he was in love with her.
After nearly a year, my father was back to his old self. He still arrived late from work, but he apprehended more criminals who attempted to destroy the country.
So Hyun loved birds; we had a tree in our yard where a bird built a nest; in the evening, I sat on the tree, trying to reach the bird's nest while So Hyun advised me to descend.
As I fell from the tree, she rushed over to me and began to cry.
while at the same time observing a little physical issue on my knee.
So Hyun was extremely sensitive towards me because I was a very valuable individual to her. She turned out to be more of a bombshell on a minor physical issue. That was my favorite part. I liked it better when she concentrated on it.
"This injury means nothing to me. I'm all right." As previously stated
"Because of me, you are hurt. You couldn't have fallen if I hadn't told you to feed that bird for me." So Hyun stated.
With a smile on my face, I pulled her cheeks.
"I'm fine until you come along to protect me," I chuckled.
Father entered with a woman named Song and her 14-year-old son, Yong Chal. He set their luggage down. Yong chal and his mother were looking around. Yong Chal had long hair, wore an old dress, and wore shoes similar to his mother's. They appeared to be in poor health.
When the father presented Yong Chal as his son and Song as his subsequent spouse, it was difficult for both of us to process the enormity of the news.
Song and Yong Chal were advised by Father to make themselves at ease. They would live here from now on.
For reasons unknown to us, our father remarried. What was the reasoning behind him bringing his new family here? Why did the father marry a poor, unlucky woman? Who was that youngster? Could it be said that he was my father's child?