Chapter 2
Their flight finally landed in Korea after 2 hours in the air
Taejin and his secretary Minseok waited for their ride then went straight to their hotel
Kang Taejin
Hyung...I'm going to the hospital to see my mother, I'll probably not be back till tomorrow so don't wait up
Minseok
Okay, I'll see you when you get back
Minseok followed Taejin outside to see him off
Taejin took a cab to the hospital, the car he was going to be renting for the time being would arrive tomorrow
Taxi driver
Your location sir?
Kang Taejin
Seoul University Hospital
The man nodded his head and drove off
Taxi driver
We're here sir
Taejin payed the man and rushed inside, worry was eating him inside out
Taejin went straight to the reception
Kang Taejin
Excuse me, I'm looking for Mrs Kang Soojin, she was admitted here a few days ago
Nurse
May I ask your relationship with the patient sir?
Kang Taejin
She's my mother
The nurse nodded her head and typed on the computer then looked at him
Nurse
Mrs Kang is in vip room number 302
Taejin nodded his head and went to look for his mother, if she was still in her ward room then she was serious when she said she wouldn't be operated on until she saw him
He found the room and pushed the door open
when his mother saw him a huge smile broke through her face
His father turned to look at the reason for her smile and found Taejin standing at the door with a worried look on his face
Kang Soojin
Taejin-nah you're here
she beckoned him to come to her
Taejin smiled and went to give her a hug, he had missed her so much
Kang Taejin
I'm here mom, I'm sorry it took so long for me to come see you
He hugged her tight and she rubbed his back gently
Kang Soojin
It's okay Taejin, what's matters is that you're here now, I missed you so much sweetheart
Kang Taejin
So did I mom to the point it was driving me crazy
He heard his father scoff but decided not to pay it any mind
He released his mother then turned to look at his father
Kang Taejin
It's good to see you dad
Kang Yeohan
If you're mother wasn't sick you wouldn't even be here
Mrs Kang scolded her husband
Kang Soojin
Can't you say you missed him too and stop being so bitter towards our son Yeohan?
Kang Yeohan
I see no point because as soon as soon as you get surgery he's going back to Australia leaving us behind yet again
Kang Taejin
I really don't want to fight with you dad, can't we atleast pretend to get along for mother's sake?
Taejin's voice sounded tired but his father didn't respond
Kang Taejin
You know you really haven't changed a bit father, you're still not pleased with anything I do, all I ever wanted was your support and for you to be proud of me for making a name for myself
Kang Taejin
But I'm still not good enough in your eyes and yes I'll be going back to Australia but not as soon as mom's surgery is over and done with, I wouldn't do that to her
Kang Taejin
I plan on staying for atleast a month then I'll go back
Kang Taejin
I'm sorry that I'm still not good enough dad, I'm sorry that I choose to leave my family behind but I will never apologize for choosing to chase after my dream instead of living your own
Taejin's voice was breaking, it really hurted when his father treated him like this
Kang Taejin
I'm sorry mom, you probably don't need this right now, I'll go outside and get some air for a bit then come back
Taejin left closing the door gently behind him
Kang Soojin
Are you happy? Taejin is really having a hard time too you know
Kang Soojin
No child finds it easy leaving their parents behind but he had too because you were too selfish and only wanted him to do what you desired of him
Kang Soojin
If you continue this saga of yours we'll both lose him Yeohan
And at that moment Soojin felt an excruciating pain in her head making her ears ring painfully
She grabbed her head and closed her eyes to will away the pain she felt
Yeohan was immediately on his feet
Kang Yeohan
Should I call the doctor?
He was really worried but his wife shook her head
Kang Soojin
Just give me a moment it will pass
Yeohan looked like he was debating whether to listen to her or call the doctor
Kang Yeohan
Are you sure you don't want me to call in the doctor?
It took a while for the pain to dissipate unlike usual
Kang Soojin
It's still bearable although the pain took longer than it usually does to pass
Kang Yeohan
What do you mean it took longer than usual? Has this happened before? and if so why didn't you tell me about it?
Kang Soojin
I didn't tell you because I thought it was just a passing headache and that was stupid of me I'm sorry
Kang Yeohan
I feel like a bad husband for not knowing you've been feeling all this pain for quite some time
Kang Yeohan
Taejin is here now my love, can't we just proceed with your surgery?
Kang Soojin
There's a chance that I might not wake up...I'm scared of leaving you two behind and you still don't get along
Kang Soojin
The reason I said I wanted to see our son before the operation is because I hoped you two would mend your relationship
Kang Soojin
We're parents Yeohan and parents should always support and be proud of their children but look at us, fighting at every chance we get
Kang Soojin
This is not how we should be behaving, life is too short to spend so recklessly
Kang Soojin
So I ask again can't you stop fighting with Taejin? it's pains me to see you two hurt each other like this
He wasn't really angry at his son, in fact he was proud of the man he'd became
He only just wanted Taejin to come back home but the direction he was going with was driving their son father away and it hurting their family
Kang Yeohan
I'm a bad father
Kang Soojin
I agree but not fully, you're a bad father for not expressing how you really feel, I've been married to you for 26 years and I know that you're proud of him but you burry your feelings inside
Kang Soojin
Communication is really important honey and all you need to do to mend your relationship with Taejin is to communicate with him
Kang Soojin
Show him what you need to and you'll be surprised to see what's you'll get in return
Taejin went to the rooftop to cool off
He felt like crying but he wouldn't, crying was but a weakness he didn't want his body to get used too
The night air was nicely cool blowing on his face
Kang Taejin
Just what I need
As he went in futher on the rooftop he saw a figure seated dangerously at the edge of the building
He noticed that her shoulders were shaking as if she was crying
He didn't want to intrude but her seating there meant only one thing, she might be thinking of throwing herself off the building
It was as if she heard him because just then she turned and looked at his direction
Taejin was struck by her appearance, from her small face to her big glassy eyes
His heart skip a beat and he swallowed hard
Kang Taejin
I'm sorry to intrude but can you borrow me a little of your time?
He didn't know what he was doing but he hoped it worked, seeing her sitting there made his stomach twist and turn in worry
The woman looked at him and blinked her eyes
？？？
Why? You don't even know me?
Kang Taejin
I don't even know myself but can we please talk for a moment?
Kang Taejin
And it would be nice if you got down from there, you're sitting very dangerously to the edge, one wrong move and you'll fall
The woman signed deeply and wiped her teary eyes
She got up only to slip and she let it a scream in fear
Taejin felt his heart lip out of his check and extended his hand grabbing her at last minute and pulling her to him only for the both of them to land painfully but safely out of harm's way
Kang Taejin
Are you crazy? You almost fell? Do you care so little about yourself that you'd do something so stupid?
The woman didn't respond still on top of him, she hid her face in his chest and sobbed quietly
Taejin didn't know what to do so he stayed in that position and let her cry
Kang Taejin
Whatever is it that you're facing will pass with time just don't take the easy way out
Taejin found himself saying
It took a while for her to calm down but when she did she untangled herself from him and got up
Kang Taejin
There's nothing to be sorry about, you needed to release your emotions I happened to be here
Kang Taejin
Just don't do that again, next time I won't be here to stop you as we met by coincidence
Kang Taejin
We all go through a lot in life but ending your suffering this way is a sin and will only burden those you left behind
Kang Taejin
Come with me, you scraped your knee when you fell
Taejin grabbed her hand and pulled her gently towards the exit
He told the doctor she had gotten hurt and they treated her wound, luckily it was just a small scratch
Kang Taejin
Seeing as you're okay now I'll head off
The woman nodded her head and Taejin left although his heart refused to and his body wanted to stay next to her side, he only hoped she wouldn't be so recklessly again
He was gone for a while and he was sure his mother was worried by now and his father had cooled down
The atmosphere was a bit different than when he came
Kang Soojin
I was getting worried, I thought you went home
Kang Taejin
Something came up but I wouldn't leave without telling you first
He grabbed himself a seat but before he could actually sit his father spoke
Kang Yeohan
Take a walk with me Taejin
Taejin looked at the man then his mother who gave him a smile and nodded her head indicating he should follow his dad
Taejin bowed at his mother and followed after his dad
They walked in silence, Taejin saw that his father was going to the rooftop
An image of the woman he met earlier flashed through his mind
Kang Taejin
Father maybe we should head outside, the air is nice and cool
Mr Kang didn't respond but changed his direction to show he heard him
Kang Yeohan
You're mother suggested I talk with you and she was right...I just don't know where to begin
Kang Yeohan
I'm the sole reason why you had to leave home and I'm very so for that, It must have been a hard decision for you to make
Kang Yeohan
My stupidity drove you away and I never got the chance to tell you how regretful I was, I'm really proud of you son
Kang Yeohan
I'm proud of everything you've accomplished so far and looking forward to see more of your accomplishments in the future
Kang Yeohan
I'm sorry for placing so much pressure on your shoulders all this time, I know you have your, company and friends back in Australia and I'm sorry for pushing you to come back home and leave behind everything you've worked hard for
Kang Yeohan
All I ask for is that you visit your mother and this foolish old man once in a while and I'm very happy to see you too my son
Taejin felt like a burden has been lifted from his shoulders and his heart
Kang Taejin
We've both made decisions that have hurt one another and I too am sorry father
Kang Taejin
Thank you for sharing your feelings with me, it's all I ever wanted and to be honest it feels a lot better than I expected
Kang Yeohan
I'm glad you're here, we missed you a lot
Peace was made just like that between the two stubborn men
They walked for a bit longer enjoying the night breeze and each other's company while catching up on this and that
Mrs Kang finally agreed to get surgery and signed the papers
Dr Song
Are you sure about your decision ma'am? your family will suffer for quite some time
Kang Soojin
I know but I'm doing this because I know they wouldn't let go even if I'm deemed never to wake up, it would torment them
Kang Soojin
And I want them to move on no matter what, having me connected to machines for a lifetime is not a life I want for them
She signed the papers that gave the doctor's leverage to switch off the machines if something were to go wrong during her surgery like being braindead
Dr Song
I respect your decision, your surgery is set for tomorrow so for now get yourself some rest, I'll come again later to check up on you
Dr Song
If you feel pain or any discomfort please let me know as soon as possible
Kang Soojin
Will do and thank you Dr Song
Dr Song
I'm only doing my job ma'am
Kang Soojin
I don't think they pay you to smile dear or I am outdated?
Doctor Song chuckled lightly then smiled, Mrs Kang was a very charming woman
Dr Song
You're not outdated ma'am, your personality would make anyone smile
After that Dr Song left the woman to rest
When Taejin and his father came back they found Mrs Kang sleeping peacefully
Kang Yeohan
Well would you look at that, we left for quite some time and she finally fell asleep
Kang Yeohan
Seeing as your mother already fell asleep you can head back to the hotel and get something to eat, you did say you didn't get to when you landed
Kang Yeohan
The air has became chilly now so wear something warm and get some rest, you're probably jettlagged as you came straight here
Kang Taejin
I'm okay father, I don't think I'll get any sleep until I see mom come out of the operation room safe and sound
Kang Taejin
I'll go shower and bundle up then I'm coming back, in the meantime you should head home too, you've been here since she was admitted, I'll stay here with her
Kang Yeohan
I really want to refuse the offer but I'm not that young anymore and my body needs rest, sleep will be foreign to me also
Kang Yeohan
I'll stay until you come back then leave
Taejin nodded his head and kissed his mother's forehead before he left
Comments
shora_ryuuka shoyo
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Five stars! I can't recommend this book enough!
2023-10-18
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