The ray of the sun penetrated a slight opening in the blinds of Bora's hospital room, hitting her sleep-filled eyes with a soft warmth of care. Bora woke up to the sight of the nurse who had been attending to her for the past three days, Seok Cheol.
Bora stretched and went to wash her face to send out any lingering sleepiness. She gazed out the hospital window as her Mother, Lee Ahn, pulled up in their silver Hyundai Tucson. The warm sunlight danced across the car's hood, casting a comforting glow over the scene. It was the day for Bora to be discharged from the hospital, the injury was still healing, but the doctor said she could return to classes.
As Bora gathered her belongings with the help of her Mother, leaving nothing behind, a mix of emotions swirled inside her – a pang of relief to be leaving the hospital and its antiseptic smell, anxiety about facing her mother's lingering anger, and uncertainty about what lay ahead.
As they walked to the car, the crunch of gravel beneath their feet was the only sound breaking the silence between them. Lee Ahn's eyes, still red with anger, remained fixed on the path ahead, her jaw set in determination. Bora sensed a deep-seated frustration emanating from her Mother, like the quiet hum of a live wire.
The car door creaked open, and Bora slid into the passenger seat, the soft leather enveloping her like a gentle hug. The scent of lavender and vanilla wafted from the air freshener, a familiar comfort. As they pulled out of the hospital parking lot, the silence between them grew thicker, like a fog rolling in off the ocean.
Bora's thoughts began to wander, her mind a jumble of emotions and doubts. She disapproved of her mother's ways – the constant worrying, the suffocating protectiveness, the unspoken expectations. Lee Ahn's methods had always been a bit too much, a bit too controlling. Bora just wanted to live her life like a normal 20-year-old kid.
As they drove, the cityscape gave way to suburban streets, lined with towering trees and neatly patterned lawns. The warm sunlight filtering through the leaves cast dappled shadows on the pavement, like nature's own confetti. But Bora's heart remained heavy, weighed down by the unspoken tension between her and her Mother.
The silence was oppressive, a physical presence that pressed upon her chest. Bora's thoughts swirled with resentment, her mind screaming for release. Why couldn't her mother just let go, just a little? Why did she have to be so...so...smothering?
As they turned onto their street, Bora caught sight of their house, the Hyun Manor, its windows sparkling like warm smiles. But even the familiar comfort of home couldn't dispel the unease settling in her stomach. The silence between them had become a living, breathing thing, a creature that would need to be addressed eventually.
For now, though, it remained a constant companion on the ride home, a reminder of the fragile threads binding them together.
As they pulled into the driveway, Bora's gaze drifted to the familiar contours of her home. The warm sunlight danced across the windows, casting a welcoming glow over the scene. But her heart remained heavy, weighed down by the unspoken tension between her and her mother.
Lee Ahn turned off the engine, and the silence between them grew even thicker. Bora could feel her mother's eyes on her, sense the unspoken questions and concerns lingering in the air.
Without a word, Bora opened the door and stepped out into the crisp afternoon air. The scent of blooming flowers and fresh-cut grass enveloped her, a comforting familiarity that did little to ease her unease.
As she followed her Mother into the house, As Bora's thoughts swirled with resentment, she snapped back to the present moment, her eyes focusing on her mother's strained expression across the table."
The soft hum of the refrigerator and the gentle clacking of her mother's shoes were the only sounds breaking the silence between them. Bora's eyes drifted to the family photos lining the walls, the smiling faces and happy memories a stark contrast to the tension filling the room.
Lee Ahn stopped in the kitchen, her back to Bora. "I'll make us some tea," she said, her voice soft but strained.
Bora nodded, though she knew her mother couldn't see her. She took a seat at the kitchen table, her eyes fixed on the familiar pattern of the ceramic tiles.
As they sipped their tea in silence, Bora's thoughts continued to wander. She wanted to know what her mother was thinking, how she felt, and why she felt how she felt.
Bora was an open book to her Mother, she didn't have to tell her Mother about anything, all her Mother had to do was look at her face and Bora's countenance would have said it all.
The silence between them grew, a living, breathing thing that pulsed with unspoken emotions. Bora knew it couldn't last forever, that eventually, they would have to confront the tensions simmering beneath the surface. But for now, she simply sat, lost in her thoughts, as the tea grew cold in her cup.
As they sipped their tea in silence, Bora's thoughts drifted to her mother's suffocating protectiveness. Why did she always have to be so controlling, so afraid of letting go? Didn't she trust me to make her own decisions, to take care of herself?
Bora's mind wandered to the countless times her Mother had hovered over her, questioning her every move, every choice. The constant worrying, the unspoken expectations – it was exhausting, suffocating, breathtaking, annoying and Bora felt like she was drowning in her mother's fears, unable to break free.
And yet, despite her frustration, Bora couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. She knew her mother's actions stemmed from love, from a deep-seated desire to protect her.
After the death of Hong Son-ya, Lee Ahn became overtly protective of Bora But did that make it right? Did that justify the constant smothering, the lack of trust? Yes, Bora is emotionally weak and vulnerable, anyone could pry on that but it's just a part of her nature.
Bora's thoughts swirled with her deepest fear. She worried that her mother's protectiveness would lead to irrational decisions, like forcing her into a relationship with Bang Su Ki or another of her friend's sons.
Bora's mind wandered to the countless times her Mother had hinted at marrying Bang Su Ki, "To help the family grow stronger."
She knew her Mother was too protective that she might never see her as someone capable of taking care of herself. Why did she always have to be treated like a fragile child, in need of constant guidance and protection?
The silence between them grew, a heavy fog that clung to Bora's skin like a damp shroud. She knew she couldn't keep quiet forever, that eventually, she would have to confront her Mother about her feelings. But for now, she simply sat, looking at her Mother, trying to figure out what she was thinking.
"How are you?" Lee Ahn asked
Bora's heart skipped a beat, making her wince in pain, trying not to worry her mother, she covered up the sharp pain with a smile, placing her hand on her chest, "I'm fine, how are you doing? Are you alright?"
Lee Ahn smiled slightly, is she trying to behave like a good girl now that she's at home? she wondered. Lee Ahn decided to hold her response.
Bora could still see the lingering annoyance on her mother's face, so she left for her bedroom room without saying another word.
Her room door creaked open and the breeze wafted through the open window, feeling like the world was revolving around her alone for just that instant, Bora felt a pang of joy and happiness, if only life could be like this every day, not having to worry about anyone or anything, just living her life to the best of her knowledge, making mistakes and embracing the lessons and pains that comes with it.
After settling into bed, Bora's phone rang, and she was greeted by the familiar voices of On Dam and Jo Jo on the other end of the line. On Dam and Jo Jo made thousands of apologies for not coming to visit Bora in the hospital.
Jo Jo and On Dam started teasing each other, making the trio laugh heartily, making Bora forget all her fears and worries in an instant.
On Dam, the most sociable one among the three roommates began to keep Bora up to date on the latest happenings, "Ya (hey), Hyun Bora, Ri Ta is crazy... You know that cute guy, the one you said snubbed you..."
"Uh... Mun Yeorin?" Bora hinted.
"Exactly, Yeorin. Would you believe Ri Ta kissed him in the library, in the presence of everyone... That's what everyone is talking about now."
On Dam's words about Ri Ta's antics brought a much-needed smile to Bora's face, momentarily distracting her from the lingering tension with her mother.
Bora busts out laughing, "jeongmal (really)? Han Ri Ta michyeoss-eo (Ri Ta is truly crazy). What did he do?"
Well, he just tried as much to compose himself and walked away, Jo Jo's slim voice added, "I don't know if Ri Ta is playing with the guy or if she really likes him."
In her silk purple pajamas, Bora sat in her brightly lit room, her queen-sized bed and patterned sheets gave her comfort as she lay down, listening to On Dam and Jo Jo talk.
"...it seems like the guy likes Seol-A, she's the only person I've seen him smiling to," On Dam said.
"Ani (no way)..." Jo Jo repelled, I asked Seol-A herself, and she said nothing is going on between the both of them, they're just friends."
"Aish... Aigoo (gosh), Yun Jo Jo! When did you become this gullible?" On Dam screamed, "Seol-A told you there's nothing and you just swallowed it like an antibiotic drug? Shibal (damn), I thought you'd be smarter."
"Mwo, nuguhante geuleon mal-eul haneun geoya (who are you talking to like that)? Jo Jo sparked. The two started fighting over the phone while Bora was trying her best to stop laughing at their childishness.
As she listened to her friends' teasing, Bora felt a sense of normalcy wash over her, a welcome respite from her mother's silent treatment.
"On Dam-a, Yun Jo Jo, gamsahae-eo (thank you). Thank you for checking up on me, I'll see you guys on Monday." Bora said and hung up.
Tucked in her white duvet, Bora's mind wandered through a lot of things, On Dam and Jo Jo had parents they were free with, maybe that's why they're so gaiety.
Bora felt like she could understand Ri Ta's pain, they both had no one, Ri Ta's two elder sisters always saw her as a burden and they declined emotions for her because she was the last born. That added to her obnoxious and condescending attitude.
She on the other hand was a rare gem to her parents. Just as Ri Ta's family saw her as a burden, Bora felt like a fragile treasure to her Mother, locked away from the world for her own protection. Bora's heart ached as she thought of Ri Ta, another lost soul trapped in a gilded cage of family expectations, just like her own.