The After 7 Years

New Problem

The journey from Seoul to Namhae is quite a distance. The longer the distance, the longer my brain is filled with worry. As far as I can tell, mom never fainted. He is a very tough and disciplined parent. He knows when to work and when to rest. How did he faint? Is it true that you are too tired to forget to rest?

“You okay?” hae Soo asked for a moment.

“Ya,” my answer is short.

“Your mother is fine. You don't have to worry,” he said trying to calm me down. Although I don't think that's helpful at all. Before I saw him in person, I still could not convince myself of his true condition.

“Your mother is a tough person. Do you remember my first meeting with him? He hit me with a broom just for thinking I kissed you.”

For a moment, I smiled remembering that moment. That happened a year ago. Precisely in the summer. I went back to Namhae with Hae Soo because she forced me to come with her. It was my fault for telling her the beauty of my village.

Long story short, that night I was with Hae Soo sitting outside. Watching the stars scattered in the sky. The light is very beautiful especially that night the moon also shines brightly. For Hae Soo and I, seeing so many stars was a rare sight that we could not see once we returned to Seoul. Light pollution makes the sky look bright and the stars are not clearly visible.

As the air gets colder, I tell Hae Soo to go back inside. I didn't realize the problem started there. As he left, Hae Soo's leg stumbled and somehow happened, he bumped into me. It made me stray back and she overpowered me. Our lips touched. My eyes widened at him and the next second, the sound of stomping footsteps sounded. Mom suddenly hits Hae Soo from behind with a broom and yells at him.

He was in pain, running away while trying to explain. I know how the real thing was trying to defend him. At least, so that mom can stop her activities beating Hae Soo. Fortunately, I listened and believed that it was just an accident. He also believes that Hae Soo and I are nothing more than friends.

To this day, when I remember that incident, I always laugh. I don't know why I'm satisfied to see Hae Soo get hit by mom. Her frightened and confused expression really comforted me.

“You remember that,” I said with a smile.

“Of course. How could I forget that? My back even hurts every look at your mother.”

“How is it possible?” elakku.

“Maybe traumatized?” He looked up and smiled briefly.

The sun was getting hotter as we got to our destination. She was hospitalized not far from home. Just a moment ago, Jung Hee also sent a message containing the room number where the mother was treated.

As soon as we got to the basement, we got out of the car. Walk to the elevator to get to the fourth floor. In the hospital hallway, I found Jung Hee sitting on a chair. Looking down at his phone. He didn't even notice my arrival until I called his name.

“How is the condition?” my many.

“Still waiting for lab tests,”.

“What's bad?”

“I don't know. But the fact that he's still unconscious to date worries me.”

“Hopefully nothing bad happened. Hope he's okay,” I said as I gripped Jung Hee's arm.

My relationship with Jung Hee is like a big sister in general. Sometimes get along well and sometimes fight and even hit each other. Even so, he was currently quite an adult. Reliable in many ways including looking after the mother.

Jung Hee is currently sitting in college, semester six. Fortunately though he did not get a scholarship he was willing to work part-time to finance his own college.

“Kak Hae Soo,” say hello Jung Hee turned to the figure who was standing in front of us. “During didn't meet,” he continued.

“You're getting bigger.” Hae Soo's words sound like a disheveled old man. “How was your lecture?”

“Thank God, unlike your brother.”

I glanced at Hae Soo. Don't let him tell Jung Hee that I'm not working.

“Why? Nunna makes trouble?” Jung Hee started to get curious.

I got out of my chair, stood next to Hae Soo and pinched her arm. Spontaneously she complained of pain. “I'll kill you if Jung Hee finds out that I'm not working,”.

Hae Soo glanced at me. Nod in.

“Not a big problem. Just ... it's an affair between the two of us.” I pointed at Hae Soo.

Suddenly Jung Hee shut her mouth. “Daebak! Seriously ... You guys finally dating?”

Reflex, I hit him in the head. “You're crazy!”

“Argh ... why hit?! You can just explain!” Jung Hee held her head with an annoyed face. I just smiled grimacing at him.

Who is wrong to make his own conclusions?

The smell of hospital disinfectant made me not too comfortable to linger here. Even so I have to hold it. At least until mom is declared healthy and can get out of here.

“Nunna .. I want to find food first,” Jung Hae said saying goodbye. I stopped his steps, gave him a card so he could pay with my card. Of course he didn't refuse. Where could Jung Hee refuse money.

“Did I not realize or did she look taller than before?”

“He was that tall. So I guess you're the one who wasn't aware,” said me while putting both hands in the pocket of the blazer. The air here is pretty cold and stupid I'm just wearing a thin blazer.

“Oh ...”

Not long after, a young doctor came to us. A white coat covered his blue practice shirt. Minus glasses frame her oval face with messy hair as well as clearly visible dark circles around the eyes. In his hand was a board that most likely contained medical information and when the doctor was already two meters away from us, he began to explain.

I don't really understand some of the things he says because he uses medical language. But the one thing I caught from the explanation was, my mother had heart disease.

 Hearing that statement, for a moment I even forgot how to breathe. My body feels weak and I even almost fall if Hae Soo does not rush to balance my body.

The young doctor's face did not have much expression. Maybe because it has been too often reported bad things to the patient's family so that his sympathy for others gradually eroded. He also explained to me that I do not have to worry because my mother's condition is stable even though she has to be treated in the next few days.

Hae Soo comes home as the night gets late. He really accompanied me all day here, but tomorrow he had to work and the trip to Seoul was not a short one. It takes at least five hours to get there.

There was a feeling of worry when letting him drive at night like this. But I can what? I also have to take care of my mother. Asking him to stay here longer also couldn't because he was working.

The clock on my wrist already showed at one o'clock. Jung Hee was asleep about two hours ago. She was like a baby when I knew she wasn't really okay. Fatigue makes him sleepy, like a sleeping pill that makes anyone unable to resist sleepiness.

My mind is starting to take over. Crowded and rowdy. For a moment I felt that realizing a dream at a time like this was not important. Mom's sick, and I should have more savings if anything goes wrong. It's nothing, who wants their dear old man to get sick? But shouldn't one think reaslistically? Heart disease can recur at any time. Without knowing the time and place. At least if I have more money I can give her the best treatment.

So, for now I have to have a steady job. Wherever it is.