Pools of Blood

chapter 49

    We returned to our hotel. My mind was completely in turmoil. I was to die decades ago, but somehow my destiny kept me alive. Was frank really my brother? Or was he simply after my father’s property? Why did he leave after the blast? Why didn’t he try to transfer everything under his name? So many questions and there was no one to provide me solid authentic answers.

Suddenly I remembered. Mr. Topaz. He could at least provide me an insight. Moreover, I was not totally into believing him, but detailed interrogation might lead me somewhere. So I got up from my bed and called him on his number. He was very glad and gave me his home address for me to come. I readily accepted and got ready.

Jasmine was sleeping in the other room. I thought it was unwise to wake her up. She was already in her most vulnerable state. She needed sleep and rest. I quietly slipped out.

Topaz’s house was a little distant from the hotel. He lived in a big wooden double floored house with his family. I was ushered in warmly. His son and daughter-in-law stayed with them for half a year and overlooked the hotel and the farms. The other times they shifted to Cheju where they worked as divers. He had a little granddaughter probably five years old skipping everywhere wildly. A pretty little pixie with wild curly bushy hair and pointed eyes. She reminded me of photos of Amiya when she was a little girl.

I was led into the parlor and told to wait. Topaz Uncle was freshening up in his room. I looked around. It was a modern hanbok, blended beautifully with a traditional touch. Each room has a large window and a sliding door to overlook the beautiful bamboo forests outside. Gauzy white curtains and floral mats enhanced the beauty of the room. There were several antique pieces worth a fortune places on various shelves, drawers which probably were marketed from far away places. The ottoman and the settees were places at angles that glazed under the morning sun and the evening moonlight. Very thoughtful interior decoration I remarked. While I was envisaging the brightly decorated room, Topaz came through the door. It seemed he had just recently bathed for tiny droplets of waters still hug on the ends of his hair.

" Michael! You are welcome here! ", he smiled and gave me a warm hug.

I retaliated by hugging him back. His daughter-in-law brought some snacks and tea for me.

" So, how can I help you? ", he asked after we had finished tea.

" I want to know more about Frank". I told him what was bothering me. All the questions poured out from my lips immediately.

He closed his eyes and leaned down on the settee, lost in thought.

" I had no idea about Francis or his mother until that day when your father came to me and confessed his story. He accepted the fact that he had a s****l relationship with Frank’s mother years ago before he even met your mom. But he had no idea that he had a son with her. If he had known he would have never run away from his responsibilities. Monica, Frank’s mom denied any paternity tests, and that aroused questions into your father’s mind. He was sandwiched between his past affair and his wife’s harassment."

I could very well realize what situation my mom went through. Suddenly if anyone found out that her husband has a son from a previous mistress, that shatters the very base of the relationship.

"Then? "

-"At last, Monica agreed to go for a paternity test for Frank. That was a few days ago from the blast."

-"Did they go? "

-"Yes. They did. Two days after the blast, your father called a doctor in your home. Monica and Frank were also present. The doctor took the necessary arrangements needed to conduct the DNA test. The reports were to come after 48 hours. But your parents didn’t live long to find out if Frank was really your father’s son or not."

-" I came to find out that my mom had written an FIR against them".

He nodded. "Yes, it was true. I too heard about it. There was a quaffle that day. Regarding money. Monica demanded allowances for Frank’s education and living, which your mother flatly denied. As a result, there was some choiceful throw of words. Monica and Frank threatened to take revenge upon your family. Maybe that frightened your mother and she went to lodge a complaint."

-" Frank could have taken all the money and the asset after my family died. Why didn’t he? He simply vanished from the face of Korea."

Topaz smiled ad leaned forward to take a biscuit from the plate.

" He tried, but he couldn’t. Out of frustration, he left the country, I suppose. You see, your grandfather was a very shrewd man. He knew that your father was a very frivolous young man during those times when he used to stay in the USA. He made a will in such a way that if the legal child of his son died, that whole landed property would pass on to the welfare department of the government of Korea. Mark on the words ' legal child of his son’. Can you understand now? "

I reasoned. Frank thought that if he killed my family he could have ushered the whole property by the excuse of being the child of Joseph Ting. But my grandpa was one step ahead. He knew that my father would lose his morality in a foreign nation and a time might come when he would have to suffer for his conduct.

"Your grandfather was one hell of a genius man! He arranged the marriage of your father and when you were born he made the will. The will mentioned nothing for children born out of wedlocks or children of mistresses. That was a big block for Monica and Frank. When they came to know about this, they had nothing but to escape."

-" Where is the will? "

-"Oh, it's with me. I am the bearer of the will."