BTS:A Walk Of Thousand Miles (Rewriting)
chapter 1
A beautiful morning in lanlay
Children ran after hearing the bell's ringing. It means the ice cart must be near.
A man in his 60's came riding a cart which had lanlay's famous almond milk icecream which has been a very precious childhood memory of every person there. There was a family which has been selling these icecream for generations, it's sort of legacy passing in their family.
A man screamed when some kids bumped into them,"Hey, be careful". He didn't mind or felt angry as it used to be his childhood also.
Children got their icecream and started looking for a place to eat them.
One kid named sarang bought an extra one. She ran to a certain house of lanlay.
She ran as fast as she could, as she didn't wanted her icecream to melt down. She got money from this certain person and promised him that they will eat this together.
Lanlay was a very simple village with a simple lifestyle. People there were so humble.
In lanlay, people believe in unity and protection of their culture and tradition. They could die to protect what they've inherited from their ancestors. They value their culture alot as this land has seen many people die for it.
Lanlay was situated in the borders of the country which is why the conflict has costed many innocent lives as well and not just one time but times which couldn't be counted on fingers.
People don't earn too much here but whatever they earn, they stay satisfied. There's an option, shift to a different city and earn more but lanlenese people consider it as a shame for themselves as they cannot trade their land just for money.
They were mostly dependent on their farms and cattles for livelihood. Children also used to get education till a certain time and if the child is girl or a carrier, then they used to get married before 20. This was common for lanlenese and they had no problem with it. Well there's also a reason behind it. Because of the conflict with neighboring country, people consider it safe so get their children married early, atleast it is better than getting abducted and killed later.
Because of being situated on a hill and northern part, lanlay was usually colder than other places of the country but this wasn't a hindrance for beautiful landscapes.
Through this story,I want to introduce you to this one family, Kim family. It's a small family with two sons and parents.
Father is a farmer, mother has a small bakery shop. Elder kid Namjoon is 19 and younger is Taehyung 17. Namjoon gives tuition whereas Taehyung helps his mother in bakery.
Kim family was no different than any other lanlenese family. They also had a simple routine, work during morning time and dinner with family at evening, sleep at night and same usual routine for other day.
Thursday was little different as they used to go to the village temple for worship and prayer. Taehyung was a part of choir group and namjoon was in a team which reads scriptures. They used to stay at the temple only till afternoon.
This story starts from the day of Thursday when Taejoon had to go to the temple. They leave early in the morning for preparations and their parents join them later at 10 A.M.
As usual, tae was sitting among choir group in traditional outfit, a yellow long dress with golden embroidery. They were taking oaths and praying like how usually used to happen. Namjoon was on the different area where scripture reading and offering sacrifices was going on. Offering sacrifice means, offering god a small amount of whatever they harvested. After this, a meal will be prepared from the food items collected and people will be fed together.
Namjoon wore a white long dress which only showed his face and palms. A couple came forward to offer their sacrifices. Temple priest asked them to sit in the front of the alter, just beside Scripture reading group.
Couple did whatever priest asked them to do. At the end, priest ordered,
"Read 64th verse from 7th chapter"...
It was namjoon's turn, he started reading and the couple folded their hands. But.. their attention was on namjoon. What a lovely child. Beautiful, mannered, obedient. A scripture reader. Comes from a good family. Can do house chores. Talks gently. Knows everything about taking care of a family. Also knows old traditional cultural roots of lanlay as it is taught to all scripture readers. 19 years old. No flaws left from any side.
After the prayer ended, that certain couple smiled at each other. Namjoon's parents were not there. They sat at their respective place. The lady said,
"I have heard he is educated also and our son wanted a literate bride.. he will definitely meet Kim's boy after we tell him this"...
The husband said,
"After lunch, let's talk to the priest as well"...
Yes, I forgot to tell you this.. Parents don't directly meet to each other,they go to meet temple priest first. They communicate through temple priest first time. Marriages used to be arranged generally. Priest first examines whether they're fit for each other or not,then only he proceeds.
Namjoon's parents were worried about namjoon's marriage too as they had one more child. Namjoon's friends and cousins were already married and two of them had kids.
Just in time, Namjoon's parents also arrived. They went to the priest and register themselves. They will be called after thirteen members. Priest smiled at them and told them that namjoon is really a good son. What else a parent would want to listen. They went to find a seat and sat in one corner with their sacrifices. The couple,surname Wang smiled at each other again. They had chinese origin and later their ancestors migrated to lanlay and that's why they had a chinese surname.
They waited till their turn. Priest called them. After the sacrifice, they went to the lecture hall. Taehyung was there as well. In front, there was a big wooden podium. On the left, a group of advisors and seniors of the temple sitting, on the right side, choir group was sitting and in the middle Head priest was sitting along with his two subordinates.
Prayer started. Choir group started the chanting. Son of Wang's also arrived before the prayer and sat beside his parents.
The prayer finished and the hall started emptying slowly. Wangs didn't leave,they waited to talk to the Head Priest. Some people were already talking so they waited for their turn to come.
Upon finding that they can talk to the Head Priest now they went closer to the podium. They bowed down in front of the priest and sat in a reasonable distance.
After some little talk priest asked about the purpose of their arrival...
Mr. wang
We have a marriage proposal.. We want this certain family's older son to be our son's bride before the the arrival of spring..
Mr. wang
December is already about to end.. We want to marry our children as soon as possible...
Priest:- Who are they?How do you adress them?
Mr. wang
They are loyal to our holy motherland lanlay... People of words and pride yet simple and humble... Their sons are a part of this holy temple as they have devoted their chastity to the holy above and we adress them as Kims...
Priest:-.. Kims from South or springroot (residential adress)
Mr. wang
Kims from springroot...
People can have same surnames so adress was a good mode to distinguish.
Priest smiled at them as he knew who are they adressing. Tae was already there and got all excited after hearing the conversation. His friends started elbowing and pinching him. He dodged playfully and started giggling. Priest's subordinate gave them a side glare and they brought themselves back to still. Submission.
Priest:- Give me your son's birth chart.. I will arrange a meeting soon...
Couple exchanged a warm smile. They handed over the birth chart and left..
chapter 2
By the evening all the members came back. Namjoon was running after taehyung, he heard something about namjoon. Upon hearing that namjoon pushed him to reveal it but younger started teasing him.
Parents just thought kids were having fun. Tae sprints faster than joon so it was almost impossible for older to catch his brother.
Tae entered the kitchen and bumped into his mother.
Mrs. Kim
Aye kid.. now you're crossing your limits ...
Mrs. Kim
Don't tease your brother like that...
Taehyung
I have a news eomma..
Taehyung
what news... A family came with marriage proposal today... and they want hyung to marry their son...
Mother stopped immediately. She paid more attention to what her youngest speaking.
Mrs. Kim
Who? Did you see their face? What's their name?
Namjoon stopped outside the kitchen and hid himself behind the door. His mother knew how shy joonie was so she only smiled. Joon wanted to hear everything too but his shy self wasn't allowing him to go and listen everything directly.
Taehyung was most excited so he tried to speak..
Taehyung
They.. they're.. (thinks harder)
But didn't know the name or anything
Taehyung
I don't remember their names..
For a moment mother thought that taehyung must've received some wrong information.
Mrs. Kim
Don't tease your brother..
Taehyung
But I'm speaking the truth..
Namjoon who was behind doors, sighed and left. Tae's whole excitement started vanishing and he rushed to his father...
Taehyung
Appa nobody is believing me.. I'm speaking the truth...
Father was busy watching TV.
Mother followed her younger and appeared with tea.
Mr. Kim
What is he saying..
Mrs. Kim
He said a couple came with a marriage proposal for our joonie...
Taehyung
(shakes his head as no)
They both sighed at the same time. Mrs. Kim gave a cup of tea to her husband.
Mr. Kim
I guess.. Yenzemar will continue attacking...
Mrs. Kim
What did they update?
Mr. Kim
It's critical again.. Last time the blast almost destroyed half of the village...
Talk was serious but tae's focus was on pistachio cookies his mother brought from the kitchen. He tried taking one but mother slapped his hands and said ..
Mrs. Kim
Call joonie too..
Tae pouted and went to call joon.
Taehyung
They're calling you...
Tae got agitated like a small child.
Namjoon
I won't beat you.. I promise .. come...
With small steps tae walked closer.. he was pulling the hem of his knitted sweater. When joon touched his shoulder, he flinched.
Namjoon
Why didn't you tell me first.. (pulls tae's left ear)
Taehyung
Hurts hurts hurts..(screams)
Joonie let him go. But when he saw his brother's tear filled eyes, he walked near his book shelf and took out a small jar which he kept hidden. He opened it and called tae closer again. Younger was already scared but walked closer anyway. Joon offered him what was inside jar.. Sweet and sour Candy.
Tae's eyes immediately sparkled and he put his one hand inside jar to pull out as much as he can be his fist got stuck. Joonie chuckled, how cute and naive his brother is.
Namjoon
These are all yours ... You can have them anytime okay...
Taehyung
(nods and gives a smiles sheepishly)
They joined their parents. They were watching news. It was about the war going on between neighbouring country and them. Help from allies taken too but this was more intense this time.
Mrs. Kim
I guess this time it will cause more damage...
Mr. Kim
We must plan something on advance .. food will be biggest issue...
Children only heard their parents. Tae was still innocent but joon was understanding what his father was talking about. He gave his cookies to tae who smiled again. He had no idea what was going in the world. Their mother was sadly staring tae as she was concerned about him the most. Joon looked at his mother, he could understand his mother's concern.
Mrs. Kim
I kept a few more cookies in kitchen.. go and check.. you can have them too...
Tae ran with a speed of light...
Joon hung his head down as he knew why his mother sent taehyung into the kitchen.
Mrs. Kim
Get married as soon as possible...
Joon didn't speak anything in return..
Mrs. Kim
I know how you must be feeling but can you see your brother.. he is so innocent.. Wars are nothing new for us.. I just want both my children to be safe and settled...
Namjoon
(nods submissively)
Mr. Kim
This time. ...we can't say what will happen .. it's getting intense ..
Mr. Kim
Lanlay is not so far..
chapter 3
Next day, whole Kim family went to their work.
Taejoon were students. They used to attend school from 8 to 12 and then after school joon gives tution and tae helps his mother in their bakery.
Mrs. Kim was alone in the bakery as tae was attending school. She saw a man coming from temple. She greeted him and asked to have a sit but the man didn't stayed and told her that she is invited to temple with her husband.
Tae's words immediately striked her mind. She called her husband to tell that they received an invitation from temple.
Mr. Kim didn't waste any time and showed up before time. They waited for the kids to come,it would be a secret till certain time obviously.
Kids came back and Kim couple skipped for the temple.
After reaching temple, that same man who invited them, asked to go to head priest's chamber. They followed the guidance and went to the chamber area.
Chamber was situated in the backside of the temple. They stopped in front of the temple to pray for the best. Mrs. Kim prayed for joon's marriage as it was the only wish she had.
They moved ahead. When they entered inside, a couple was already there sitting in front of the priest.
They were sitting at a reasonable distance from the priest. Priest wasn't alone, there were three. They paid their obeisance and seeked for the enquiry.
Priest:- Your children are great blessing of god
Priest:- Meet them.. They're wangs from South
Both the families bowed to each other.
Priest:- I seek your opinion about the future of your kids..
Mr. Kim
I rely on god and your mercy...
Priest:- Answer shall be simple and straight
Mrs. Kim
We want to see them doing well with their new family.. My younger is more innocent so he needs time I feel but my older is prepared .. he has all the good qualities of a suitable companion...
Priest:- What's your opinion (asks Wangs)
Mr. wang
Our son is the only child of our family.. He is serving as doctor here.. He is doing great service to the society and people of our society.. He has no demands and only dependent on us and our choice...
Kim couple smiled at each other...
Priest:- You can ask questions to each other if you have any ... I propose a marriage between your families...
Both the families bowed and the meeting adjourned.
They were sitting in the garden area of the temple. By the time, they already had enough idea about each other.
Mrs. Kim
What's your son's name?
Mrs. Wang
Jackson ..(smiles)
Mrs. Kim
Oh such a nice name...
Mr. wang
He is 27 currently...
Mrs. Kim bit her lips. 8 years gap is a huge thing. It's almost like a generation gap but on the other side Jackson's everything was on point.
Mrs. Wang
We can call him if you want..
Mr. Kim
Then please join us for the dinner tonight..
Oop. That's a nice move. Joining for dinner means they're 50% fixed to get married with each other.
Wangs already wanted namjoon as their son's wife so they agreed.
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