CHAPTER 5
1527 Words
*Yoo Jeong's POV*
Ever since she said that, she just kept quiet.
I may have said something wrong earlier.
And wait, how come she could not even know about the cell phone? That's the most trending one used today.
I just asked what the date is today, ''Ah, ahjumma. What's the date now?''
I saw her sharp eyes again.
''You're always like that when you're drunk and having a hangover. You always call me ahjumma.''
''Ah, uhmm--- ''
She touched my cheek again in the middle of dinner, '' Remember! I'm your mother, mom, and mama! Okay? I'm not an ordinary ahjumma! Daughter, you came from my womb. I wish I had kicked you out for what you did a while ago.''
I don't think she has a better attitude than me.
I frowned and took the glass of water to drink.
''It is March 2, 1995 today.''
It is spring month.
It's like I want to throw out what I drank.
But I just kept drinking, causing me to choke.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
''Ye... yes. I am okay, ahjumma, I mean, mother,'' I replied.
I was even more confused by her answer.
She had just said earlier that Dad had died in the truck.
But it was 1995.
So, the people who lived and the houses that stood here came back because I went back to this year...
I went back to 1995.
I noticed that I put my hand on my forehead because of the confusion.
"Are you all right, daughter?" she asked.
Does this mean she is my mother at this time and my father died?
''I'm fine. I'm just going into the room. Maybe I’m just tired,'' I said and went directly to my room.
''All right. Oh my, what happened to my daughter? She drank too much and still has a hangover, tssk.''
I sat down where the study table was.
My head hurt again because of what I am thinking.
I hit the study table when I suddenly said, ''I will not sleep until my questions are answered.''
I take a piece of paper to connect everything.
In 1995, the Sangin-dong lot returned where the people living here and houses that stood returned.
Seong Yoo Jeong's father died in a truck accident.
Then?
What is her father's name? When did he die?
I can't always ask ahjumma because I might be told I'm crazy or have amnesia.
I can take care of and investigate this in the next few days.
I’m just sure of two things.
I was in 1995.
My father is not Son Chang Hyun at this time.
While deep in thought, the ahjumma suddenly knocked on the door…
''What is it, mother?'' I asked.
''Drink some milk first, my Yoo Jeong.'' She answered.
''Ah, the door is open. Just come in.'' I stood up for a moment to fix the bed.
She opened the door and placed the glass of milk on the study table.
But she also looked at the paper on the table now.
''Mother, don't---,'' I interrupted.
She signaled me not to interfere with her.
''What is this?''
I just swallowed my saliva because she might call me crazy for what I was doing.
I quickly thought of a way to get past onto her.
"What... that's an assignment in our class!"
''Is that so?''
''Yes!''
''All right, I'm going to sleep. Finish that right away so you can sleep. It's past 9 already.''
''Yes.''
As the door closed, my breathing slowed. I thought I would be caught here.
What is this? Is it true that I went to a time when I didn’t have a father, but I had a mother?
This is a severe punishment.
What a horrible thing I got into.
The person above was indeed upset by what I did to my father, I'm sure.
I opened my eyes.
It is dark in the room, but you can see the glimpse of sunlight.
It's morning already.
I heard a loud knock on the door again.
''Hey! You are no longer a child to be reminded. I am sure that you have your class today?'' she shouted.
Shouts can be obviously heard throughout the house.
And obviously reached out through the neighborhood.
''Should I enter that school today?'' I whispered to myself.
''I've already prepared something for you to eat. Take a bath. Hurry up, and you will be late again.''
''Yes, ahjumma... I mean, mother. I'll be there!'' my response.
I'm going to our dining table wrapped up in the winter jacket, but inside has long sleeves and a short skirt. I also wore her long socks and sandals with pretty high heels.
While eating, ahjumma asked again, ''How is your sleeping? Did you finish your assignment?''
''Yes,'' I answered.
''Good. Focus on your studies so that you can maintain your scholarship.''
I smirked.
I did not expect Seong Yoo Jeong is smart.
After all, ahjumma and I have a small house.
They are not rich enough to go to that university.
She has a scholarship.
''Shall I go with you? I will also go to the market to sell fish.''
Wait.
We have the same situation.
No money is to be paid for tuition.
Our parents are working very hard just to sustain our daily living every day.
We are both scholars.
She is an academic scholar, while I am a scholar-athlete.
We both attend prestigious schools.
The only difference.
She no longer has a father, and I no longer have a mother.
''Am I talking to the ghost?''
''I… I'm sorry,'' my response while looking to the floor.
Because of too much thinking, I no longer focused on her question.
I stand suddenly.
''I can take care of myself.''
I’m about to leave the house...
''MY DAUGHTER!'' she shouted.
''This is your newly cooked food. Don't starve,'' the concern on her face was unmistakable.
She grabbed my arm.
This gesture...
This is also what my father did when I was in elementary school.
I still remember that very well.
''My girl, this is your newly cooked food. Don't make yourself hungry, okay? I put a lot of effort into it so you can enjoy your meal. Eat a lot, okay?''
I can remember his broad smile at that time.
But every time I remember my father again, I will never forget the embarrassment he did to me last time.
That is not a lecture...
That's a shame...
I unintentionally threw away the prepared meal that ahjumma gave me.
Ahjumma and I were surprised at what I did.
Even students who seemed the same age as me, who had just walked out of my neighbors' doors, were shocked at what I did.
I have no excuse to say for doing this, so...
''MOTHER, can you stop doing this!'' after I said this, I immediately ran away as the students looked at me from the neighborhood.
The embarrassment that I feel now...
I was already out of the alley, exhausted.
I never thought I would run this long.
Even here, I will experience these things.
Even here, I have no escape from the memories I want to forget.
''Please, Dad. Don't let me interfere with my life decisions! I know what I am doing!''
"But you're doing it wrong!" He shouted.
I ran farther and farther away...
Until I can no longer see our house...
''Why do I have to live like this? I hope I just died if I'm tortured like this.''
I just kept walking while my bag was dangling.
I was startled when someone suddenly pulled on my bag. I will attack that person directly when...
BROOM !!!
He grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side of the road.
I didn’t realize I was already in the middle of the road, deep in thought.
''Are you going to kill yourself?'' he asked with concern in his voice.
''Do you care? Is this your life?'' I responded.
''It looks like your life is so sad right now. You weren't like that before,'' he continued.
''W… wait a minute. Who are you---,'' I said curtly as I looked at him up and pushed him hard.
''Ouch! ''
''That's not even too strong!'' I said flatly.
He took my hand and placed it on his chest, ''It hurts. Oh! My chest hurts!''
''You're disgusting!'' I said as I struggled and hit him with the bag.
''Ouch, ouch! Chill!'' He said.
''I'm not going to be chill with rude people like you! You made my hands hold your chest and then held my arm without my permission!''
''ME? RUDE?! Is it just me? Wait! Why are you acting like that now?'' he said.
''I'm your friend! We, in the neighborhood, are your friends!'' he added while pointing the other students at our back.
I saw them just staring at me.
Then I realized that I was at a different time.
I'm Seong Yoo Jeong and not Son Yoo Jeong.
I looked at his ID to find out what I would call him.
''Wait, what are you doing with my ID? Don't you know us anymore?''
''Jo… Jong Hyun?''
- Writer
