Once Upon A Spring

CHAPTER 18

*Yoo Jeong's POV*

June 29, 1995

BREAKING NEWS

There was a sudden collapse at the Sampoong Department Store.

It is still under investigation what caused its collapse.

So far, they have recorded a few civilians killed and injured. The search will begin again tonight.

The building collapsed around 5:57 p.m.

I shivered badly while listening to the news.

If I look around, others have anxiety, fear, apprehension, and sadness.

We are now in the outpatient department, where we will exit, but we decided to watch the news first.

This will be one of the worst days for us.

It really happened. I lost my mind that it would happen again.

But if Dad really went there…

Miraculously, he got out before the building collapsed.

Although maybe I can predict it, there's no way to stop these people from entering that department store.

They will just say, I'm a crazy a*s woman.

It was fated to happen.

That's why we must treasure our and others' lives because we don't know how long their time will be.

The important thing is that no one from my family and friends became a victim.

It would have been better if we were farther away from Seoul.

Out of frustration, I suggested to Chang Hyun that we must board to take Hyeon Sil home.

Chang Hyun immediately agreed so that Hyeon Sil would no longer be stressed.

It took long hours because of the heavy traffic that happened earlier.

When we left Seoul, I could still see Hyeon Sil’s worry.

We sit from side to side, and Jong Hyun and Chang Hyun are in the front seat.

"It seems you are thinking so deeply?" I asked her.

''I thought, what if Chang Hyun didn't leave that building immediately? Maybe later he will be one of those rushed to the hospital, lifeless, '' she explained.

I looked in the front mirror, and Chang Hyun looked at us for a moment.

When the car stopped due to traffic, he grabbed Hyeon Sil's hand and faced her.

''That will never happen. Just trust me. Thankfully nothing happened to us. The important thing now is I'm safe, so don't worry, Hyeon Sil. I'm still alive. I'm in front of you now,'' Chang Hyun comforted her.

''That's right again. The important thing is that we are still breathing, and we are going home,'' I told her with a smile.

''It's just sad that it suddenly happened. The people who died there, I can't imagine how they spent their last minutes, and then suddenly they lost like that,'' Hyeon Sil said sadly.

Hyeon Sil is being selfless again. She thinks of the inevitable cruel fate of the victim in Sampoong first.

Honestly, no one and never will ever forget this event.

It will not be considered the 'largest peacetime disaster' if its impact and damage are not that too huge.

I was also saddened by what she said.

You also don't really know how long you will remain alive.

We also decided to have dinner at Hyeon Sil's house.

After that, we will go home and leave Chang Hyun and Hyeon Sil to introduce themselves as the official couple to Hyeon Sil's parents.

It was almost 11 pm after dinner, and Jong Hyun and I left immediately because of the time.

Chang Hyun took us on board, and Jong Hyun took me to my house.

Because of the Sampoong disaster, the relationship between the two was covered. I hope they will use this as the opportunity to have more time to discuss what they will include in the speech they plan to release in the middle of July with respect to the Sampoong disaster issues.

And hopefully, the communication between Hyeon Sil's family and Chang Hyun will be fine.

*Chang Hyun's POV*

It was late at night, but I was very thankful that I had been allowed to confess my true feelings to Hyeon Sil and her family.

We are now in the living room, sitting on their sofa.

I also don't have time to fix my clothes and face, but Hyeon Sil said I'm still handsome.

Of course, Who wouldn’t Be smiled because of it?

I couldn’t help but shiver and tremble at what might happen.

It is either I am rejected or accepted.

''Mother, father,'' my first introduction to them.

"Chang Hyun, we know," Hyeon Sil's father replied suddenly.

"From helping and secretly accompanying Hyeon Sil to school, to rescuing her, and to your every night visiting even if she is far away," said Hyeon Sil's mother.

''Your effort to take care of Hyeon Sil is also valuable for us. We see that'' she added.

"We can't do anything. If you really liked each other. Why not? It is part of our young adult life. That's where the romantic stage really begins,'' said the father.

''Honestly, I'm embarrassed to approach you. Because maybe you won't accept our relationship as my Dad did. But I'm hoping that he will also meet Hyeon Sil as my official girlfriend as soon as possible,'' I said.

''Son,'' Hyeon Sil's father called me.

Hyeon Sil and I were surprised by her father's endearment to me.

Hyeon Sil also suddenly smiled because of this.

''You know, it's inevitable in a relationship that someone will be against your relationship. We can't immediately force those people because there may be a reason why they don't want to. Maybe it is because of the double standard they have. But as time passes, there will also be a lot of realizations for them. As long as you show that you are real and love each other, it will change someone's perspective on your relationship,'' her father replied.

I'm just holding back my tears because I have also met this kind of parents, and that is Hyeon Sil's parents.

I never heard any advice like this from my parents. I understood that maybe during my younger days, they were busy, and I was also busy at that time because of my training and school work.

But I am very comfortable being with them. It's so comforting to have someone older than you giving advice.

''Thank you, father,'' bowed in front of him. ''Thank you too, Eomonim.''

''It is nothing,'' Hyeon Sil's mother responded.

''Anyway, Hyeon Sil said that you guys want to support some children. But it is already in the care of a Foundation. You just saw them somewhere in your school, if I'm not mistaken. That's what I remember. Am I right?'' Hyeon Sil's father assured.

''Yes. We decided to bring them to the child foundation center so they could be cared for. We also decided to give them financial support because that's the number one thing we promised to them. Sadly, my Dad just cut his support for them because of unfavorable circumstances happened,'' I explained.

''Don't worry. We will continue the support. We are so happy to see you helping someone you didn't know,'' mother said as she smiled.

''Thank you very much. I really appreciate that. It's a big thing,'' I said.

I saw on the big clock that it was midnight.

''By the way, it's too late at night already. I'm going home, and maybe my parents will be waiting for me too.''

I can’t say I was kicked out of there because I chose Hyeon Sil over them. I know that Hyeon Sil and her family are very family-oriented people, So they will push me away to go home to my family.

But I think this is not the right time to tell them. Actually, I have no intention of telling them.

Maybe next time, if the conflict between my father and me subsides, I will introduce Hyeon Sil to them.

I need to be patient because I know we are still in the process. I don't need to hurry.

The important thing now is that Hyeon Sil's family accepts me, and we can be together.

''It's midnight already. You can stay here first. There is still a separate bedroom down here. You can stay there for one night,'' Hyeon Sil's mother worried.

''It's okay. I will just say maybe I have been busy with my school project, so maybe I will be here overnight,'' I explained.

I immediately went to the table where they had placed the telephone. I pretended I dialed and talked to them.

''Dad, good evening. I just noticed now that it's too late while we are doing our thesis. Maybe I'll just spend the night here? Can I?'' I said while looking at Hyeon Sil's family.

I smiled at them and said, ''Noted, Dad. I will go home tomorrow morning. Thanks, Dad.''

I just sighed because I also couldn't bear to lie to my other treasured family.

"They agreed in case I go home too early tomorrow," I explained.

''It's okay. Then, we can wake you as earlier as possible,'' Hyeon Sil's father said.

I want to jump for joy because this is the first time I will stay at Hyeon Sil's home after a long time.

When Hyeon Sil's parents went up, I really smiled with excitement.

Also, Hyeon Sil is going up without letting me know. She is acting snobbish.

''Hey!'' I whispered. ''Have a small talk?''

She smiled and said, "We can do it tomorrow."

I smiled back at her as well. Now I just thought she just needed to rest because she had just returned from the hospital.

When I went to the bedroom, I cleaned my body and went to bed.

I've been smiling here for a long time since her parents invited me to sleep here. This is the feeling of being accepted as their future son-in-law.

After two years of suffering, it is good that there are people ready to help and accept us willingly.

The sun hadn't risen much yet. I suddenly woke up in bed.

I'm also a little embarrassed to stay until the sun goes up.

I immediately went to the kitchen to prepare our breakfast.

But I was surprised that Hyeon Sil's mother came down first.

I greeted her with a smile, "Good morning!"

"Good morning," she greeted in a good mood.

She also helped me cook breakfast.

With her long-time experience in caring for and cooking for her family, it is no longer surprising that she is an expert in the kitchen.

"You know, we cook this seafood pancake because that's Hyeon Sil and Hyeon Il's favorite," she said.

"Hyeon... Hyeon Il?" I asked curiously. But I have a strong feeling that it is Hyeon Sil's brother.

''Yes. He is my eldest son. He just died four years ago. Someone said that because of the fire accident in the construction work, he has been assisting since he was the head assigned by the company he works for. I saw my son's body there,'' she replied, stopping her tears from falling.

''Sorry for asking,'' I responded.

''That's okay. It is not your fault. Actually, I started the topic. There's nothing to worry about,'' she said with a smile again. ''And another thing. When I'm the cook of the food, it is all their favorites. It's just sad to imagine that there will be no someone to replace me as a chef.''

To alleviate that feeling. I tried to cook my specialty, which Mom taught me.

Many said that I’m so good at cooking.

I also want to do this as flattery to Hyeon Sil’s mother. She looked unfortunate earlier.

After cooking my specialty, ox bone soup, I prepared it with seafood pancake, which is Hyeon Sil's favorite.

I also prepared egg rice with onion leaves.

Everything is ready at the table, and it's good that Hyeon Sil and her father also went down.

We also ate at the same time.

While eating, Hyeon Sil's father suddenly asked, ''Oh, I remember! When do you plan to release a statement about this issue? I heard about the decision of you two to confirm your relationship.''

''Regarding the issue, Dad. We plan to release in the mid-week of July because of Sampoong Disaster. Despite that large disaster, we did not want to intervene in the issue immediately. We are still in the process of what we can say since we have to limit the information to the public,'' Hyeon Sil explained adequately.

''All right. That’s a good decision. We expected it. I hope there will also be a good response from the public,'' the father replied.

"For sure, the result will be good," the mother replied positively.

When I left their house, I immediately bowed to Hyeon Sil's parents and waved at Hyeon Sil.

Despite our conflicts and harsh experiences, there are really the best memories that come to you…

And...

That's to know Hyeon Sil's parents fully.

When I went home to Jong Hyun's house, it was replaced by fear instead of having excitement and telling him everything that happened last night.

''CHANG HYUN!'' Jong Hyun suddenly shouted.

Is something wrong happening again?

Why does this keep happening to us?

''What's going on?'' I asked with mixed nervousness.

''Are you stupid? You are the problem!'' Jong Hyun shouted back.

''You do not know. Look at the size of My eyebags! Because I've been waiting for you all night. I thought you were going home,'' Jong Hyun shouted.

''Hey, Jong Hyun, can you lower your voice? The voice is so loud like a commander,'' Jong Hyun's mother said.

I immediately laughed at what they both said. I thought something terrible was happening again.

''Stupid! What's funny? I'm going to sleep, and you take care of mother first! You make me tired after a long night. You make me worried!'' Jong Hyun still shouted.

I smiled at him and patted his shoulder, ''Chill, Jong Hyun. I just forgot because I overstayed at their house for the first time. Also, because of our lengthy conversation, I forgot to say goodbye to you.''

''All right then. I'm used to being forgotten,'' Jong Hyun rushed to his room.

Maybe he will just sleep...

Because of the fun I felt and Jong Hyun's sudden request, I just helped Jong Hyun's mother with household chores.

I just volunteered to wash the dishes they used for breakfast.

Now, I feel a long time of happiness because of the problems I went through.

I hope it's always like this...

And no more complicated things to come...