chapter 14

Bo Mi and her grandmother were walking back home under the dim streetlights.Their bellies were full-thanks to the tiny ramen shop tucked at the corner of the market.

Bo Mi had eaten like she hadn't tasted food in weeks.Her grandmother kept chuckling beside her, reminding her gently,"Slow down, you'll choke."

But Bo Mi just grinned, slurping noodles like a child.

Now, as they strolled in the cool night air, her grandmother was in the middle of a soft story-something about the ramen shop's owner-when she suddenly began to cough.

"Bo Mi-" her voice cracked between coughs.

Bo Mi stopped immediately, her expression changing.

She gently rubbed her grandmother's back, concern flashing in her eyes.The sound of that cough-it wasn't new. But it wasn't something she liked either.

"Are you okay?" she asked, voice low, eyes searching.

Her grandmother waved her hand, laughing weakly. "Of course. Don't look at me like that. I've still got a bit of time."

Bo Mi frowned. "Grandma... stop saying that."

Still smiling, her grandmother reached out and squeezed her hand.

"Come. Let's sit down for a while," she said, pointing at a nearby bench under a streetlamp.

They sat together, side by side, Bo Mi's hand still tightly holding her grandmother's wrinkled one.

There was silence.

Then her grandmother spoke, voice much quieter this time.

"Bo Mi."

Bo Mi glanced at her. "Hmm?"

"I don't have much time left. And I can't lie to you. So-"

"Grandma, stop." Bo Mi forced a smile, trying to keep it together. "You have time. You have to be there at my wedding. To see me ugly cry in front of everyone."

Her grandmother let out a soft laugh. "Oh, I'd love to see that... but-"

She paused. Her next words hung heavy in the air.

"...I don't think I will."

Bo Mi didn't say anything. Her throat felt too tight.

Then her grandmother gave her hand another squeeze.

"There's something I want to talk to you about," she said.

Bo Mi looked away. "Please don't..."

"It's about your father."

That stopped her.

Bo Mi lowered her gaze, her voice barely audible. "I don't want to talk about him."

"I know," her grandmother whispered. "But maybe it's time."

Silence again.

"You've carried that silence for too long, my child. Sometimes... we have to step out of what's comfortable, even if it hurts. That's how we grow. And that's how we heal."

Her eyes welled up.

"I know you lost him when you were too young to understand. And I know you've been pretending it didn't matter. But it does, Bo Mi. It always did."

Bo Mi swallowed hard, blinking back the sudden sting behind her eyes.

She didn't know what to say.

And maybe she didn't need to.

Her grandmother just gently leaned her head on Bo Mi's shoulder, both of them staring into the quiet night.No more words for now.

Just hearts that finally started to crack open.

"He was such a good child," her grandmother began, her eyes distant, misted over with memories. "Never complained. Never disrespectful. Always top of his class..."

She smiled, but it was a fragile kind-the kind people wear to keep from crying.

"He did everything for his family. From the moment he was born... he raised himself, really. Scored well in school, got into college with a full scholarship. Got his law degree. Became a lawyer."

A pause.

"Married someone he truly loved. Had a beautiful daughter. Gave up his job to raise her... to raise you."

Bo Mi listened silently. Her throat tightened.

Her grandmother's voice wavered, but she pushed through with a gentle smile. "And then, he passed away... far too young."

Bo Mi could see how much it hurt her to say that-how the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Did he deserve to die like that?" she whispered. "No. No, he didn't."

She turned to Bo Mi and held her gaze.

"But you know... he was happy. He truly was. Especially when he was raising you. That time he gave up everything-his career, his dreams-that was the happiest he'd ever been. Because he had you."

She reached out, brushing a tear from Bo Mi's cheek.

"Your father was a great man."

Bo Mi's lips trembled. Her eyes shimmered with tears, barely holding them in.

Then she spoke-softly, almost in a mutter.

"He didn't deserve Mom."

Her grandmother's eyes widened at the words.

"No," she said quickly, firmly. "That's not true."

"It is," Bo Mi insisted, her voice shaky. "She never loved him the way he loved her. That's why she-"

"Bo Mi," her grandmother interrupted, her tone sharper now, serious. "Think before you speak. Don't let anger blur the truth. Before you blame everything on your mother... ask yourself-what would your father say?"

Silence.

Bo Mi looked down, her fists clenched.

"Dad... died because of her," she finally burst out. The tears she'd been holding back came pouring now, freely, painfully. "She left him! She left him when he needed her most!"

Her grandmother didn't say anything.

She simply pulled Bo Mi into a tight embrace.

Held her like she used to when Bo Mi was a child crying over scraped knees.

"It's fine," her grandmother whispered. "Let it out, my love. It's okay to hurt."

Bo Mi sobbed quietly into her grandmother's shoulder, the pain of years flooding out all at once.

And for a while, the world around them stayed still-just two hearts breaking quietly under the night sky.

The Next Morning

Bo Mi's grandmother glanced at the clock.

8:45 AM.

She frowned."Isn't she going to school today?"

She walked down the hallway and gently pushed open the door to Bo Mi's room.

Bo Mi lay curled up in bed - her face pale, nose red and runny, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.

"Bo Mi!" her grandmother rushed to her side, placing a hand on her forehead.

It was scorching hot.

She gasped."You've got a fever!"

Bo Mi gave a weak nod. She didn't have the strength to speak.

"I'm calling the doctor," her grandmother said and hurried out of the room.

Bo Mi lay there in silence, her body limp.Even her tongue felt too numb to swallow.

Her thoughts were foggy.Faces and sounds twisted in her overheated mind.One image lingered more than others-

Sugang.

---

At School

Sugang noticed her absence the moment he stepped into class.

Her seat - empty.

He stared at it for a little too long.

Moonki followed his gaze. "She's not here."

Sugang didn't reply.

Then the class was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Good morning, everyone!" Ms. So entered cheerfully.

A chorus of lazy greetings followed.

She tapped on her clipboard and looked around."Bo Mi won't be attending today. She's sick - down with a fever. So..."

She pointed toward a student near the back."You - yes, you - you'll deliver these class notes to her house after school, alright?"

The student blinked in confusion. "Me?"

"Yes. Just make sure she gets it-"

Before she could finish, Sugang was already on his feet.

"I'll take it to her," he said, walking up to Ms. So, hand outstretched.

The class turned silent.

Even Moonki looked up in surprise.

Ms. So hesitated. "And why would I give it to you?"

Whispers ran through the room like wildfire.

Sugang gave her a faint smile, tilting his head.

"Tch... You forgot why you're here?"

Her lips parted, unsure if he was being rude or warning her.

She started, "I didn't mean to-"

SLAM.

Everyone jumped as Sugang slammed his hand down on the desk in front of her.

The sound echoed through the room.

Ms. So froze.

His eyes met hers - calm, unreadable, but sharp.

"Ms. So," he said, voice even. "Just give it to me. I asked nicely."

After a moment's pause, she placed the note in his hand.

---

Back at the Apartment

The doctor packed up his bag."It's just a viral fever. Give her the medicine on time, and she'll be okay in a few days."

Her grandmother nodded, relieved.

"Thank you."

Bo Mi sat up weakly in bed, the blanket wrapped around her like armor.

Her grandmother sat beside her. "How are you feeling now?"

Bo Mi offered a soft smile. "A little better..."

Her grandmother sighed. "It's my fault. I should've noticed earlier-"

Bo Mi took her hand and squeezed it."No, Grandma. It's not your fault."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Her grandmother stood.

"Who could that be-?"

She looked over her shoulder and said quietly,"Don't be mad..."

Bo Mi's eyes narrowed.

"Wait-who?"

Her grandmother smiled sheepishly."Your mom."

Bo Mi sat up straight. "What?!"

Before she could protest more, her grandmother stepped out, leaving the door open a crack.

Bo Mi looked around in panic, then quickly laid back down and pulled the blanket over her shoulder - faking sleep.

She wasn't ready. Not today.

Not like this.

A Knock at the Door - Again

Bo Mi kept her eyes closed, pretending to be fast asleep.

She heard the front door open.

Footsteps. Soft voices.

Her heart thudded louder than her fever.

But then-

"...Sugang?"

Her grandmother's voice held surprise - and a hint of warmth.

Bo Mi's eyes shot open under the blanket.

What?!

She turned her head just slightly - just enough to peek toward the door.

There he stood.

Tall, casual, with his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets.His eyes scanned the room until they landed on her - weak, red-faced, blanket up to her chin.

"Uh... Hi," he said awkwardly.

Her grandmother smiled wide."Oh! You're the boy from school. You came to give her notes?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Ms. So asked me to. But... I also wanted to check in on her."

Bo Mi closed her eyes again quickly.

She couldn't deal with this. Not now.She felt like a melted wax figure - ugly, burning, and disoriented.

"She's sick," her grandmother whispered. "Came down with fever last night. But I think she's pretending to sleep now because she thought the knock was her mother."

Sugang raised a brow.

Bo Mi groaned internally. Grandma! Why would you say that?!

Her grandmother winked and whispered, "She doesn't want to talk to her. But you, maybe."

Then she turned to Sugang and asked warmly, "You had lunch?"

He shook his head. "No. Not yet."

"Then stay. I'll make you something simple. She hasn't eaten much either. Maybe you two can... encourage each other."

Before Bo Mi could even react, her grandmother had already disappeared into the kitchen.

Leaving them alone.

---

In Her Room

Bo Mi slowly opened her eyes again as she felt him sit on the edge of her bed.

She turned her head toward him.

"...You didn't have to come," she croaked.

He smiled slightly. "I know."

A pause.

"You look... terrible," he added with a chuckle.

She frowned. "Thanks."

But then he looked at her, really looked.There was no teasing in his eyes - only worry.

"You should take care of yourself more," he said quietly. "You always act strong, but..."

He trailed off.

Bo Mi bit her lower lip and looked away.

A wave of guilt washed over her - not for being sick, but for avoiding him yesterday. For hesitating. For letting her confusion push him away.

And yet, here he was.

Right in front of her.

Still choosing her.

She finally whispered, "Sorry. For yesterday."

Sugang shook his head, speaking in a serious tone."It's fine. Let's not talk about it."

Bo Mi lowered her gaze."Sugang... it's about the relationship. Between us."

He heard her. But he didn't say anything-And neither did Bo Mi.

Just then, her grandmother called out from the kitchen."The meal is almost ready!"

The sound caught them both off guard.

Bo Mi gave a lazy smile toward Sugang, who was still staring at the floor.

"Sugang," she said quietly, "I feel like... I'm not ready for a relationship right now."

He didn't respond.

"I truly don't feel-"

Before she could finish, Sugang stood up and walked out of the room.

She sighed in frustration."I shouldn't have brought this up right now."

Gathering her strength, she got up and slowly made her way out of the room. And that's when she saw Sugang-Helping her grandmother in the kitchen, laughing over something light.

Bo Mi's heart fluttered.Something about his laugh made her chest tighten in a way she didn't want to admit.What exactly was stopping her?

Then, suddenly, his eyes met hers.She hesitated... and quickly looked away.

Just as she approached them-

Knock.

She turned her head toward the door.

Her grandmother called out, "Bo Mi, sit down on the couch comfortably," and went to answer it.

The door opened.

There she was-Bo Mi's mother.

"Where's Bo Mi?" her voice rang out.

Bo Mi heard it.She didn't even need to look. That voice was unforgettable.

Her mother brushed past the grandmother, eyes scanning the apartment until they landed on Bo Mi.

"Yah... Didn't the doctor tell you to rest?" she said as she walked up to her.

The grandmother quietly walked back to the kitchen.

No greetings.Their relationship had never been warm.

Her mother touched Bo Mi's forehead. It felt a little better now.

"Where's your medicine? Let me check."

Bo Mi stayed silent.

Her mother frowned.

"Bo Mi. I'm asking you something."Her voice was louder now.

From the kitchen, her grandmother called out."Don't start yelling at her. You just got here."

Sugang stood still in the corner, unsure whether to leave or stay.

The grandmother walked up to him, gently whispered,"Sorry about this, don't leave without having meal." and smiled.

He gave a small smile back.

Her mother sighed, eyes back on Bo Mi.

"Bo Mi."

Bo Mi slowly got up from the couch.

Her mother's tone sharpened."I came all the way here, and this is your attitude?"

Bo Mi stared straight at her."Why did you come in the first place?"

Her mother gasped, shocked."Are you serious? What kind of mother wouldn't visit her sick daughter?"

She stepped forward again."Bo Mi, if you're still stuck on what happened last time. Omma has already forgiven you."

Bo Mi's face twitched.

Then-The anger boiled over.

"I haven't," she burst out, her voice cracking. "Omma, I haven't forgiven you."

Her grandmother flinched at the sound.

She rushed from the kitchen."What happened?" she called out.

And there she saw-Bo Mi, trembling.Her mother frozen in disbelief.Sugang standing quietly in the corner, unsure what to do.

The grandmother moved quickly and gently pulled Bo Mi toward her."Come. Let's go."

She led her back to the bedroom.

And her mother stayed where she was-Motionless.