Chapter Thirteen
“Even if we are separated by space,
our hearts will contain only the other.
We’ll continue waiting for the day
to be reunited…”
I had been home for two days from Seoul, Jae-Hwa already called me yesterday, and informed me that Chang-Su was fine. I was so relieved, as long as he was well, I could keep on breathing. If I did something to cause Chang-Su to collapse like that and he couldn’t wake up again; I would probably never forgive myself. My mother was surprised, that I came home so suddenly. She looked so skinny and pale, it seemed like she was overworking or something had seriously gone wrong, either way I was truly beginning to worry. But, she insisted she was fine and nothing was wrong, I intended to to take her to the hospital. According to her, Ichiro and his wife would come back in a few days from their honeymoon. Mother was most worried about me thought, she thought there had to be a reason I needed a break. In her eyes, Sakuya Suzuki was someone who would never give up. I planned to work in the bakery with mother during my stay here, as my way to amend and help out.
“Okasan!!!!!!!! It’s time to go to work. If we are late again, Uncle will have complaints.” I called. There was no answer from the bathroom, she had been in there for some time. I tied my right pigtail and frowned at the eerie silence and walked over to the bathroom door. Raising a hand, I knocked lightly on the door, “Okasan?” I called again. My heart pounded against my chest, I kicked open the door; my eyes fell on the unconscious body of my mother sprawled on the ground, the toilet was all red. “Okasan!!” I yelled in fear. I sat on the bench outside of the emergency room in silence, I was afraid, frightened and felt even more lonely than ever. I didn’t want my mother to leave me, for the first time in my life, I got down onto my knees and prayed. The doors to the emergency ward opened, the doctor came out and pulled off the mask. I scurried onto my feet, “doctor, how is my mother?” I asked. He stared at me, seemingly hesitant and studied me for a moment, “how old are you, Miss Suzuki?” He asked letting out a sigh.
“Eighteen.” I answered honestly. He nodded, “Eighteen–you should be able to comprehend this. Your mother has liver cancer, she has less than three months left to live.” He informed. My eyes turned blank, “……..” I was speechless. The entire world seemed to be coming down on me. I was about to become an orphan, my mother was about to leave me. It was at a time like this, when I wanted Chang-Su next to me, hold me close and tell me that it was going to be alright. At Winners Dance School, class was in session once more, Chang-Su led Mun-Hee into the dance studio. “Listen up everyone, this young man is Lee Mun-Hee. He is here on visit and to observe our class, give him a warm welcome.” Chang-Su said applauding happily. Mun-Hee bowed to them, “Annyeonghaseyo. I’m Lee Mun-Hee, I am majoring in arts at a university.” He said. Yeun-Ja stared at him with a curious expression.
Chang-Su nodded, his eyes lingered among the three girls, “where is Soon-Yi?” He asked. “She never came back from her mother’s, probably busy with something.” Dae taunted. Chang-Su frowned, “okay then, today we’ll start off from where we left off with the ballroom dances. Today, we will cover the mamba dance, its a free movement dance.” He said and turned on the music. He moved in front of them and gave hand signs, as the girl followed his signals easily. Chang-Su walked in between the girls and fixed some positions, his eyes fell on Yeun-Ja, “Yeun-Ja focus more.” He called. Yeun-Ja jumped and muttered an apology, becoming more focused and alert. The day was over before they knew it, “good job everyone, go get some rest.” He called. Yeun-Ja hurried past Mun-Hee and gave a quick bow. Mun=Hee was startled at her action and stood up quickly, giving a bow in return. Chang-Su walked over to him and patted his shoulder with a hand, “what do you think of the girls and how we operate?” He asked.
“Excellent, student and teacher coordination was brilliant. Kim Seonsaong, you are the youngest instructor ever to teach here, and the most talented. I can see why my aunt insisted me to come and see for my own eyes of how a real dance school looks like.” Mun-Hee said happily. Chang-Su bowed, “you speak too highly of me.” He said. “Wow, that nephew of Principal Song was so handsome. Although, Kim Seonsaong is still the top guy here.” Dae said in joy. Chun-Ja stared up from her food, “what’s this? You are giving up on the assistant director?” She teased. Dae’s lip curled slightly, “Jae-Hwa is always my first choice, I leave Mun-Hee to you and Yeun-Ja.” She scoffed, waving a hand at them. Chun-Ja nodded in joy and turned to Yeun-Ja eagerly, “do you like him? If you do, go ahead. He isn’t really my type.” She said and sat back in her seat relaxed. Yeun-Ja immediately turned as red as the apples on the table, “don’t joke, I’m not that type of the girl that could arouse interest in a guy like him!” She stammered.
Dae slapped her on the back encouragingly, “don’t say such stupid things about yourself. You are worth his time and our good friend forever.” She comforted. Yeun-Ja turned even redder and bowed her head in joy. Chun-Ja sat back in her seat, “I’m more worried about where Soon-Yi is. You guys don’t think that she quit the school, do you?” She asked. Dae looked up with a mouthful of rice, “I hope she did!” She spat, sending rice flying from her mouth, onto Chun-Ja and Yeun-Ja.
Mun-Hee came into the cafeteria and looked around. “Aiyeee!” Chun-Ja and Yeun-Ja exclaimed, brushing rice off themselves. “You have some on your hair.” Came a voice. Yeun-Ja turned to face Mun-Hee, he was turning red as well, “Mun-Hee Seonbae!” She exclaimed, standing up at once. He raised a hand to her hair and picked out pieces of rice carefully. Yeun-Ja looked away in embarrassment, Dae and Chun-Ja giggled. He brushed her hair with a hand, “there, all back to normal.” He said happily. Yeun-Ja avoided his gaze, “thank you…Mun-Hee Seonbae.” She stammered. He shook his head, “please continue your meal.” He said and walked away.
Dae studied Yeun-Ja teasingly, “what great manners, eh Yeun-Ja?” Dae called. Yeun-Ja wasn’t listening, she was captivated by this man already. Chang-Su and Jae-Hwa sat on the stage, “so, Soon-Yi didn’t come today, I wondered if something happened.” Jae-Hwa muttered. Chang-Su opened a can of beer and took a sip, “Abba might know.” He replied. Jae-Hwa snatched the beer from him, and held out a bottle of juice. Chang-Su rolled his eyes in disbelief, and took the juice from him. “Soon-Yi is a strong girl, she will come back.” Jae-Hwa said as his cell rung. He was taken by surprise and pulled it out, staring at the text message.
“My mother has been
diagnosed with liver cancer.
She has less than three months to live.
I have no one else to turn to.
I need a huge amount of money for her.
~Sakuya”
“Chang-Su!!! Chang-Su!!!” Jae-Hwa yelled shoving at him with a hand. Leading to the bottle of juice being spilled over his pants, Chang-Su turned to him in annoyance. “What?!” He demanded. Jae-Hwa shoved the phone into his face, Chang-Su stared at the message, his eyes widened in bewilderment. “Sakuya—!” He exclaimed. “Where are we going to get a huge amount of money from?” Jae-Hwa asked. Chang-Su paced around the stage, “I’ll call Abba.” Jae-Hwa suggested and dialed the number.
“Annyeonghaseyo, is father home?” Jae-Hwa asked. After a moment, Jae-Hwa hung up and turned to Chang-Su with an expression drained of hope. “Well?” Chang-Su asked. “Abba is in Tokyo right now at a convention, held by an old doctor friend.” Jae-Hwa replied. Chang-Su shook his head at the words, “not good.” He muttered. I sat at my mother’s bedside, waiting for Jae-Hwa’s response. She was suffering, I could tell from the sweat upon her pale face; Ichiro was due back in less than an hour, after I called him earlier. Voices were outside the room and grew louder, “Sakuya…water…” My mother croaked. I felt relieved that she wanted water and hurriedly grabbed the empty pitcher and went outside.
Nearly bumping into someone, “Gomenasai!” I muttered, giving a slight bow. “Oh? This is such a small world, Ms. Sakuya.” Came a familiar voice. My heart and body tensed at the sound of the voice, slowly I raised my head up to Kim Jae in shock, he sneered at me in mockery. “Gyong-Si said you were such a brilliant girl. However, it seems to me, that you are weaker than an ant. A few words from me, and you come running back to Tokyo. How will you compete for my son then?” Jae spat. My hand balled into a fist, “…excuse me.” I muttered through gritted teeth and walked past the group.
Jae turned to the doctor at once, “why is she here?” He asked in an irritated tone. The doctor let out a sigh, “her mother has only three months left, she is diagnosed with liver cancer. She needs a huge amount of money, in order for her mother to stay here.” The doctor explained. At night, I wrapped my blanket around myself, my eyes were glued on my mother’s sleeping face. I wanted her to yell at me, lecture me and reason with me, most of all–I wanted her to get up and be recovered. Letting out a deep sigh, the door opened slowly, I frowned and turned to see Jae in the doorway.
I rose to my feet slowly, “why are you here? Leave at once!” I hissed frantically, trying to not wake my mother. He motioned to me, “come out.” He ordered and backed out of the room. I hesitated for a moment and followed after him, out of the room. I closed the door and turned to Jae, “what do you want–Sir Kim?” I asked. He stared at her in silence, “amazing, how you are able to keep your composure in front of me. I acknowledge that spirit of yours.” He mused. I averted my eyes, “answer me…I am in no mood for your games.” I grunted in annoyance. He nodded in agreement, and pulled out a check to me. I stared at the check, there were seven digits in the money space, my eyes raised to him in surprise.
“What is this for?” I asked in suspicion. “To be able to not flinch in front of such an amount of money is a talent and moral. This is for your mother’s medical needs here.” He answered. I arched my eyebrow at him, “what is the price I have to pay? What must I agree to?” I asked. Jae stared at her, “nothing. Just enjoy your break, and take care of your mother.” He said. I was shaken by his words, I was expecting something to do with Chang-Su. He patted her shoulder with a hand, “I still disapprove of you being involved with my son though.” He added.
I gave a sneer at him, “I promise you, I won’t give up on Chang-Su.” I said simply. Jae eyed me in anger and turned walking off, “spend time with your mother-” He reminded and vanished around the corner. I stared down at the check and smiled to myself, and then headed back into the room. Soon after, I sent a message to Jae-Hwa telling him about the money problem being settled. Jae-Hwa ran down the stairs and banged open the door to Chang-Su’s dorm room. Chang-Su stared over at him, “don’t you know how to knock?” He asked and closed the folder.
Jae-Hwa gave a shrug, “knocking would be a waste of time.” He reasoned. Chang-Su took out his medicine dose and placed it in his mouth, swallowing with a mouthful of water. “Sakuya sent a message, the money issue is settled.” Jae-Hwa informed. “How?” Chang-Su asked. Jae-Hwa stared at him, “father, who else could it be?” He said coolly. Chang-Su walked over to the window, “I’m worried about what price she had to pay for that money–” He muttered. Jae-Hwa nodded and slumped into a chair. The rest of the week passed very fast, with training and other components.
Yeun-Ja and Mun-Hee walked next to each other in silence after dinner, “tomorrow you will go back to your school right?” Yeun-Ja asked sadly. He nodded slowly, “thanks for showing me around so much. If you ever come to visit, I’ll return the favor.” He promised. She stared at him and blushed, “I’ll visit when I can, I promise as well.” She exclaimed, breathlessly. He nodded and opened his mouth to say something, when someone called, “Yeun-Ja!” Came Dae’s voice. Yeun-Ja closed her eyes and broke into an embarrassed grin, Mun-He rubbed the back of his neck uneasily. “Go on, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said. She waved at him and ran off towards Dae, he stared after her in fulfillment and joy.
Principal Song came up from behind him, he turned to see her and jumped slightly, “Aunt Song!” He greeted in shock. She nodded after Yeun-Ja, “you’ve grown to like her?” She asked. Mun-Hee nodded, “yes, I do and what about it?” He asked. The Principal’s expression turned to pale at once, from calamity to disgust. She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook at him, “You can’t! I won’t allow it, that girl’s father is a huge gambling addict! If you get involved with her, the debt will never end.” She exclaimed. He stared at her calmly, “calm down, Aunt Song. I like Yeun-Ja, not her father. You have nothing to worry about.” He assured.
She shook her head, “you won’t even consider what I say anymore!!!” She accused. He stared at her awkwardly, “because you are not making any sense at all.” He scolded and walked off. Hei, who had been listening from behind a tree, walked over to Principal Song with a scheme plotting expression. “So rebellious eh?” Hei commented. Principal Song turned to her, “Ms. Hei, I am sorry you had to witness that.” She apologized. Hei waved a hand at her, “I’ll help you, if you listen to my instructions.” She offered. Principal Song stared at her and nodded i n eagerness, “how?” She whispered. Hei placed a finger to her lips, “its a secret–” She chimed. She was enjoying every moment of this, she will get her payback with the most inhuman way. She will never forget the pain, the treatment, she received by these girls. She planned to see them each suffer in the most crucial ways. A huge smirk came across her face at the very thought.
The next day, Mun-Hee stood at the gates, bright and early. Yeun-Ja ran across the campus and reached the gates in under five minutes. Mun-Hee stared at her in pure joy, “Yeun-Ja…” He muttered. Principal Song looked away, Chang-Su and the others watched with amusement. “Be sure to write and call.” Mun-Hee reminded. Yeun-Ja nodded mutely, “I promise–” She said breathlessly. The taxi gave a beep outside the gates, Mun-Hee gave a final bow to everyone, “thank you for your audience this week. Jagbyeol.” He bid and turned vanished into the taxi. The taxi pulled away from the gates , Yeun-Ja ran out onto the street and waved after him.
Mun-Hee stared out the back of taxi and waved back frantically. Soon-Yi was sitting on a street curb, staring blankly as the cars going whipped up and down the street. Han Hae-Jin was driving down the street, home from work, the traffic light turned red and he slammed on the breaks, coming to a stop. He gave a yawn and stared out the window, his eyes resting on Soon-Yi who was sitting on the curb, she looked familiar. Where had he seen her before? Suddenly, it poured over him like a bucket of ice, she was with Chang-Su’s family the other day. Horns filled the air behind him, he snapped back into reality and drove off.
He, however, did not go home, but rather parked o n a side street and ran down the streets towards where Soon-Yi was. Soon-Yi’s cell was bloated with messages, the total number was 99. Her tired eyes stared at the last block of battery on her phone, she raised her arm and made and action to throw it. When a hand stopped her, her gaze traveled up to Hae-Jin. Her eyes narrowed menacingly, “who are you?” She asked coldly. He stared at her calmly, “Han Hae-Jin, the doctor.” He answered. She pulled her arm out of his grip, “I don’t need a doctor, scram.” She hissed like a cat. Soon-Yi pushed herself off the curb and wobbled, Her eyes rolled backwards, her body was falling back towards the ground, her consciousness was dying. Hae-Jin caught her in his arms and muttered under his breath in annoyance.
Heaving her into his arms, he carried her towards his car. An IV dripped in silence, hanging next to Soon-Yi’s bed. Hae-Jin was doing tests and checking her condition, she was dehydrated and hadn’t eaten for days. Soon-Yi winched in some sort of pain and stirred slowly, staring at the blank white ceiling. “How do you feel?” Hae-Jin asked. She turned to him slightly, “w-why did you save me?” She whispered tiredly. He pulled up a chair next to her bed, “you were about to die, planned to die. You shouldn’t think like that, life is full of obstacles. You should never give up life for any reason.” He responded.
Soon-Yi shook her head as a single tea fell from her eyes, “you don’t understand–when your parents betray you, you’ll think differently.” She sighed. Hae-Jin had wavy and shaggy hair, a strong face and beard. He let out a laugh, “I was betrayed by my parents in a way, however, life is too short and precious, we need to learn to forgive.” He said gently. Her eyes lingered on him in speechless silence, ” a lot of children, don’t have parents, you are blessed to have parents. Who wish to love and protect you, even if their ways are too intense and unreasonable.” He muttered. She looked away in deep thought, Hae-Jin observed her in complete silence, she finally turned back to him after a moment and muttered a thank you.
Hae-Jin broke into a soft smile and shook his head, holding out a hand to her. “Friends?” He asked. Soon-Yi raised her hand to his, he grabbed it lightly, “friends..” She said in a crackly voice. He grinned and raised a hand at her, “also, I added my number into your cell. If you ever need to talk, just call.” He informed. She nodded happily, a voice came from outside the room, shattering the peace. “I’m her Eommi!! Let me go in!” Came Hei’s voice. Hae-Jin turned to Soon-Yi, “I had to alert your family, be gentle with her alright?” He asked. Soon-Yi gave another nod of her head, he walked over to the door and opened it. Hae stared up at Hae-Jin, he bowed to her politely. “Your daughter is stable, there is nothing to worry about.” He assured.
Hae stared at Hae-Jin in dumbfound, “you–what is your name?” She asked. He gave another bow, “Annyeonghaseyo. I am Han Hae-Jin.” He informed. Hae stumbled back a few steps, “are you alright, madam??” He exclaimed. She nodded, “please excuse me…” Hae said breathlessly and moved past him. Hae-Jin made way and stepped out of the room, turning back to close the door. Soon-Yi stared at him and raised a hand waving at him, he smiled and waved as he closed the door.
autumnstars
Jae
