Friends are not just words. They were the ones who were there for Zhuyang no matter what. Even from far away parts of the world. Distance cannot break the relationship. Friends are the kind of people who can survive anything. And when Zhuyang and his friends were reunited, after thousands of miles separated them from each other, it meant that they could continue their life together again.
Zhuyang could label anyone as his friend, but to have friends, like his friends? That's something he needs to achieve. Zhuyang's friends were people who could sometimes know Zhuyang more than he knew himself. Zhuyang's friends always shared their tears and laughter with Zhuyang so that Zhuyang could trust them with anything and everything. Zhuyang had many friends, but only a few he could fully rely on.
Just like on the first day of the funeral of Zhuyang's parents at the funeral home, the presence of Zhuyang's friends created a little joy behind the simple sorrow. They gave a little joke even though they couldn't bring out a laugh. Kim Seok and Seoyul who came from far away realized and understood that there were tears that did not shed tears at the funeral home that day. There was a charmless smile that lit up on Zhuyang's lips. In fact, there are so many stories without a word from his mouth.
~~~
"Me and Kim Seok won't let you just feel sorrow today. You must feel joy with us here. Because joy and sorrow are two things that are always side by side, and will never be separated. They come together, and when one of them sits with you," said Seoyul. His voice is so soft and also his speech is firm, managed to catch the attention of Dalmi, Yinjun, and Changyi.
After hearing a familiar voice in his ears, immediately, Zhuyang turned his head towards the source of the sound. And how surprised he was when he saw two of his best friends who had careers and lived in New York and Sydney came to Seoul just to attend his parents' funeral.
"Seoyul, Kim Seok—" Zhuyang was flabbergasted as he looked at Seoyul and Kim Seok standing in front of him, while Seoyul and Kim Seok gave Zhuyang their best smiles. "How did you two get here?" Zhuyang asked in a stuttering voice.
"Why? Is our coming here something strange in your eyes?" Kim Seok raised one eyebrow. "Your parents are our parents too. So, there is no reason for us not to come here to pay our respects to them," said Kim Seok firmly.
"No! It's not like that. I mean, New York and Sydney are very far from Seoul. How did the two of you arrive at such a short and precise time?" Zhuyang looked at Seoyul and Kim Seok with teary eyes.
Kim Seok and Seoyul laughed for a moment. "I'll tell you about it. But not now, Zhuyang. Because now isn't the time for you to listen to our stories. Now is the time for us to hear you talk," Kim Seok replied.
Tears fell down Zhuyang's handsome face, after Kim Seok finished speaking. He cried silently, tormented by the pain of longing for his parents. Zhuyang looked down and stared blankly at the floor beneath him at that moment.
Realizing that Zhuyang was crying, immediately, Kim Seok, Seoyul, and also Juyeon hugged Zhuyang tightly. They gave strength to Zhuyang and tried to soothe him from grief through their warm embrace.
"I never thought that this day would come so soon." Zhuyang said tearfully as he cuddled with his best friends. "I never thought that today I would find a bunch of people coming here and looking at me and saying 'sorry' to me and my siblings. I feel like this is a dream, and when I wake up, everything will disappear," he said more clearly despite his stuttering speech.
Through these tears, Zhuyang's heart hopes, if only his tears and the tears of his brothers and sister at this time can build a ladder, then the memories between them and their parents can become a path, Zhuyang and his siblings will walk to Heaven and take their parents then brought them back to this world again.
Zhuyang and his siblings were utterly tormented by the absence of a word of farewell from their parents, and no time to say 'goodbye' to them. Their parents left before they knew it. And only God knows why. But Zhuyang and his sibling's hearts still hurt with grief, and their tears still flowed.
"Zhuyang, the joys and sorrows that occur in our lives are temporary. They are never permanent. You already know that in life there are times when we are happy and sad. There are times when we are together and apart, like the moon when it is full, and there are times when not round," replied Seoyul after hugging Kim Seok, Juyeon, and Zhuyang. Seoyul's words instantly stunned Dalmi, Yinjun, and Changyi who heard it.
"I also understand that you never expected that crowds of people would come to you and your siblings today. Then they looked at you and your siblings to say their condolences. But I believe that all of you will feel how their presence can ease the sorrow in your hearts. How the departure of your mom and dad has left a wound on the peoples out there. How the departure of your parents has left a good benefit for people." Seoyul lightly tapped one of Zhuyang's shoulders.
"Zhuyang, there are things we don't know. Even if we do know, sometimes we can't remember well at times like this. People who have left, actually they don't want us to grieve for them. They want us to remember them. the happy times we have with them, and the happy times we have had so far. Because our life still has a lot of things. But, this doesn't mean we will forget them just like that. No! Because the people who have left will not never forgotten by us even for a second. In an empty place in your heart is the place where your parents always live." Seoyul added again.
Zhuyang nodded slowly. "Seoyul, thank you for coming and taking the pain and sadness I feel right now. Your words managed to make me realize that I'm never alone. Your words offer a lot of comfort to me who is grieving at this time," Zhuyang replied to the man wearing all black in front of him.
~~~
Seoyul is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, composer, and actor who came to the funeral of Zhuyang's parents wearing all black. The all-black outfit worn by Seoyul is one of the etiquette when attending funeral ceremonies in South Korea.
As a mourner, Seoyul felt comfortable wearing dark formal clothes when attending the funeral procession of Zhuyang's parents. He wore a black suit when he met and greeted Zhuyang and his siblings to offer his condolences.
"Zhuyang, I'm very concerned and sorry for this incident. May God's grace can comfort and also give strength to you and your family in accepting this sad moment," said Kim Seok.
"I'm very happy because everyone, including all of you who have attended and participated in the series of my family's stories, are now meeting your happiness one by one. Even though we are the ones who are telling stories, we still continue to string our dreams into knitting full of jokes, laughter, tears of joy, and sorrow. But I'm very grateful that all of you are here to pray for our Mom and Dad." Zhuyang commented on his sweet but also fragile smile when he looked at Kim Seok, Seoyul, and Juyeon in turn.
"Perhaps you already know that it is hard for me to cry. But not today, Zhuyang. I mean, my tears fell on the day your parents died. I miss them very much. Therefore, I pray for them, may all their good deeds be their light in their lives there." Juyeon chimed in.
Zhuyang smiled again at Juyeon. "Hm.. I realize this pain of mine may not go away quickly. But you always check on me well. You take care of me and also support me since you were here and while I was in this pain. Thank you very much, Juyeon," Zhuyang replied to Dalmi's fiancé.
"Zhuyang, if yesterday was a rainy day, then tomorrow God will promise a fertility and happiness on the land that He rains on. So be patient!" Seoyul said with his friendly and warm words. "I understand that your tears will never be able to bring back your parents who are gone forever. So you must stay strong. Take their departure as a reminder that we are only human beings who will also face death. Let's live our lives with courage."
After Seoyul finished his speech, immediately, Zhuyang hugged him. Zhuyang cried while hugging Seoyul because every word that came out of Seoyul's mouth seemed to help him through his grief. Seoyul's words also took away the pain that Zhuyang was feeling. This could be because Seoyul was always thinking about Zhuyang.
"Thank you, Seoyul. I'm glad you're willing to go on this difficult journey with me. I'm happy you're here with me. Even if you came just to sit here with me, that's okay too. Because what matters to me is that you are here, who always support me and my family," Zhuyang replied.
Seoyul hugged Zhuyang tightly while gently rubbing his back. "You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Right now, I'm learning from the loss you've felt and experienced. So, please don't hesitate to contact me when you need anything or you're struggling." Seoyul said with great sincerity in his heart. The sincerity of Seoyul's heart apparently touched Dalmi, Yinjun, and Changyi.
There was no reason for Dalmi, Yinjun, and Changyi not to be touched by Seoyul's words. To them, Seoyul was an authentic man. He spoke to Zhuyang sincerely and listened to Zhuyang speak well.
Someone as authentic as Seoyul would act with compassion and love. He always loves what is precious and meaningful to him. Seoyul has always loved everything that the people closest to him brought into his life so that it became his life.
The sincerity that Seoyul has in his heart means he shows his willingness to be vulnerable together with Zhuyang and those closest to him.
~~~
While Dalmi, Yinjun, and Changyi were watching Seoyul and Zhuyang embracing, beside Dalmi, Juyeon was actually looking at Dalmi with his eyebrows knit together. "Dalmi, are you okay?" asked Juyeon with a little whisper.
Dalmi turned to Juyeon. After that, she shook her head. "Yes. Why?" replied Dalmi.
"But you look kinda paler than a while ago," said Juyeon.
Suddenly Dalmi was surprised after hearing Juyeon's narrative. She was stunned for a moment. Juyeon's words instantly reminded Dalmi of the clock of life that was clearly drawn on her arm.