Once Upon A Spring

CHAPTER 2

*Jong Hyun’s POV*

This girl is so heavy to carry.

There’s a phone call. I need to answer it.

’’How is she? Is she alright?’’ he asked. He seemed very worried. I don’t know why his daughter acts so rough these days, these years.

’’Yeah, she’s alright. Should I check her body?’’

’’No, you i***t. Just carry her.’’

’’By the way, how did you know that she was in that place?’’

’’You are more inquisitive than I thought. Just carry her back to her home safely.’’

’’She is heavier than I expected.’’ I complained.

’’Obviously, she is growing up?’’

’’I can see her dorm from here. I’ll hang you out now.’’

’’Okay, thank you. Look, I am just very rare to ask you but I really appreciate you for this. I don’t know what will happen to my daughter. Maybe she will pass out on the street and if that happens---’’

’’Okay, chill. Don’t overthink about those things. Since now that I already know she is living near to my house, I can watch her if you request me, there will be no problem at all. Just trust me for this, okay? I will end the call now.’’

We are already here in front of her door but I have no idea what the password will be for this. She is sleeping very deeply and I have no choice but to wake her up. I leaned her on the wall and tried to wake her.

’’Hey what is your password at the moment? We are already at your door. You need to go inside so you can rest well.’’

Seems she is very tired.

I’m just a bit impatient about this. It is already midnight and people might think that I am k********g this girl or perhaps, a stalker.

’’Okay Jong Hyun, calm yourself. You can call Chang Hyun for this matter,’’ I murmured to myself.

I received a message from Chang Hyun.

’’From: Hyun Hyung (eng trans: Brother Hyun)

Her passcode is her mother’s birthday. 09-27-75’’

This guy can still read my mind even in his 40’s. I was dumbfounded at this time. She still missed her mom after these times.

*Chang Hyun’s POV*

’’By the way, how did you know that she was in that place?’’

I never thought that this guy would be more talkative than I thought. Ever since, I and Yoo Jeong eat our meals on that street since her younger days. That will always be my favorite spot and experience with her. As of now, I can’t bond with her as her attitude is becoming worse and she is neglecting me whatever I do. I have no choice but to still support her because this is what I promised to Hyeon Sil.

Being a single parent for two decades is not the same as when I became a father in the first seconds of my life. It still hurts to know that Hyeon Sil did not see her first and last baby’s beautiful eyes and an amazing wink. I still remember the time that I had a roller-coaster ride of emotion. I really don’t know what to feel that day. Also, starting that day, I did all my best to become the better father for our one and only daughter.

Sorry, Hyeon Sil, that I failed you. Our daughter grew up as one of the bullies and one of the most feared people in her school. How I wish that I had not urged her to pursue taekwondo. Maybe my ambitious self started all of these. The only reason why I helped her pursue taekwondo is to defend herself from these cruel realities. I do not want her to be like her mother who is also a victim of the people in this world.

It is a relief to know that Yoo Jeong is in the good hands of Jong Hyun. All I need to do is to work here until dawn and I will go to Seoul to receive a compilation of complaints and to beg the school to consider her again. It is embarrassing to go there for how many times and to do this, but it is for my daughter’s future. I don’t know what other school she will attend if she will be expelled from that school. Besides that, that is our and Yoo Jeong’s dream school.

It is very tiring now…

But I need more patience…

I know the time will come that she will change…

I will do my best now as a father…

I promise you, my dear Hyeon Sil.

*Yoo Jeong’s POV*

I woke up early because of the repeated automatic alarms. I am not in the mood for now.

I just realized that I was very drunk yesterday and who brought me here? How did she or he find out about my house?

I grabbed my phone and I saw a message.

’’From: +82XXXXXXXX

Hello Yoo Jeong. I am your dad’s best friend, Jong Hyun. Your dad asked me to take you home. Seems you passed out yesterday. Don’t do that again, okay? Don’t make your father worry.

Also, don’t forget to save my number. Have a great day!’

‘’This is nonsense. I said I don’t need his help, yet---’’ I sighed.

I am preparing for my counselling in school and my dad just knocked at the door.

’’You knew the passcode, right?’’

’’I'm here to say that I will wait outside’’

’’Sorry but this is too much consideration,’’ the counselor said.

’’What can I do and what can my daughter do so that you can still accept her? She is a top varsity player and your representative in the school Olympics maybe---’’ my father urges.

’’Sorry, but we already have extra patience and also long-term consideration for her case. We waited for your child to change, and I’m sure you did, too. But nothing seems to have happened. Sorry, this is all we can do’’

’’What if she apologised to her schoolmates, to her victims or in front of their parents?’’ and I had already heard that many times.

’’Already tried that haven’t we? Nothing’s happened and your child’s pride still dominates?’’

’’I am sorry, but we have no choice. We have to expel her from school.’’

’’Well, expel me! I do not want to study anymore.’’

’’What are you talking about?’’ my father begged.

’’I do not want to apologize either.’’ I walked out of the office.

I know that I have nowhere to go. I am so dumb to the point that I have no dreams in my life and just pursue my business course... for my father’s desire?

I have no passion.

I have no dreams.

I have no desires.

I just want to live alone.

’’YOO JEONG!’’I turned my back and saw him again.

’’What do you want?’’ I shouted.

’’What are you doing? Your actions are out of the hands?’’

’’Really?’’ I smirked. ‘’Then that’s good. I’m already expelled. What do you still need?’’

’’Nothing but to respect---’’

’’Oh really? Okay. That’s what you want? IF I did that, what would you do?’’

I can see the students and some parents staring at us in the aisle of this campus.

’’What you did is embarrassing!’’ I said in front of my father.

’’Do not interfere with me again if I do what you want.’’

I went back to the office.

’’I... I just want to say. Thank you. That’s all,’’ I bowed and went outside of the office. As I walk at a quick pace, I can see my schoolmates and their parents staring at me.

I just walked by on them.

After leaving school, I saw my father waiting for me. He is still calm after all of this. ‘’Come with me. We will return to the countryside.’’

’’I said, don’t interfere with me again. I can do part-time jobs here and I can still live in that dorm. I want to be alone and I don’t want to be with you again.’’

’’Why? What is my fault with you?’’

’’What? Why? Mother died because of you, right?’’

‘’IF you want to hear my side, then you have to come with me.’’ he calmly said.

’’How I hope that I also died at the time my mother passed away.’’

’’Then how about me? Did you think that I’m still fine and moved on from what happened 20 years ago? I didn’t like that either? I’m doing my best to give you all the things that you want. What else am I missing? Tell me.’’ He started to raise his voice.

’’Don’t you know that I did everything to get you in here and then you will just repay me those shits you are doing. What kind of child are you?’’

’’That’s where good parents are, especially you!’’ I started with a sarcastic voice.

’’I hope you just abandoned me if you made me look like the one you worked so hard for. You and mom wanted me to give birth, so you should have no right to complain about your supposed obligation.’’ I raised my voice.

We noticed our increasing tension. That’s why he’s the first to be calm.

’’Look.. if you want to be alone, just live in your dorm. I don’t want you to apply for a part-time job or whatsoever. That’s my obligation. You just said it a while ago.’’

’’I’m already in my 20’s. I can carry myself alone.’’ I walked out.

He is still calling my name but I just ignored him.