Got Her Back

Fear of Rona

Rona woke up to the sound of her phone ringing on her side table. Tossing and turning in her bed, she was suddenly awakened. She stared at the ceiling before deciding to turn off her alarm and go back to sleep. But she soon opened her eyes again. She still wanted to sleep but is now completely awake. She then remembered what had happened these past few days.

She rushed out of her room.

"Eomma?" she called, but did not receive a response.

She tried to search the whole house, but her mother was nowhere to be found. She tried to call her, but Yoonhee's phone was on the table.

"Mom? Where are you?"

"Mom?! She cried out and sat on the floor, looking down, and pressing both her hands to the floor.

"Mom.."

"Rona? Rona-yah! What's the matter?" Yoonhee worriedly said when she entered the house and saw Rona crying on the floor, looking lost.

"Mom!" Rona immediately went to her and hugged her.

"Shh. I'm here, Rona-yah. I'm here," Yoonhee said while rubbing Rona's back to calm her down.

"Mom. Where did you go? I thought you left me again," she sobbed, still hugging her mom tightly, not wanting to let go of her.

"I-I bought us something to eat. I wanted to cheer you up. I will never leave you, Rona-yah."

"Mom. Please don't do that again," Rona said between her sobs.

Yoonhee was so confused since the day Rona told her she won't go to Cheong-A. She can feel there's something wrong. It was painful to see her daughter like this. She can't think of a reason why her daughter is suddenly acting like this. All she could do now was to hug her and calm her down.

***

"Rona, can you honestly tell me what's wrong? I couldn't understand why you're suddenly acting like this. Is something bothering you, Rona-yah?"

Yoonhee couldn't help but ask Rona when she finally calmed down from crying. She was confused by what was happening in the past few days, especially now that she saw her daughter crying when she only found out she was not at home.

"Nothing's wrong, mom. I just got w-worried because you're gone and you left your phone. That's all."

"Is that really all?"

"Mm."

"If you say so. But tell me if something happens okay?"

"Yes, mom. What did you buy?" Rona asked when she saw the plastic bags lying on the floor that her mother seemed to have dropped when she saw her crying.

"I'll cook you tteokbokki. I want to cheer you up. Is there anything else you want to eat?"

"I'm okay with just that mom."

"Are you sure?"

Rona smiled at her as a response.

"Then... I'll go prepare it." Yoonhee sweetly smiled.

"Mom."

Her mother looked at her, still smiling, waiting for her to continue what she wanted to say.

"Thank you."

"This is nothing, my pumpkin. I just thought that you'll be upset so I wanted to do something."

Rona smiled and hugged her mother. "You don't have to do these things for me. As long as you're alive, I'm okay."

***

"Mom, can I go out for a bit? Take your time cooking mom."

"Where to?"

"Just there nearby, mom."

Yoonhee looked at her for a moment then smiled at her.

"Okay, sweetie. But don't come home late."

"Okay, mom. I'll be quick."

I have to go check Ms. Cheon. What if she also remembers everything and kill my mom again? I have to see and observe her so that I know what to do to protect my mom.

She then got out of the house.

As she went down the painted stairs, she was surprised to see a familiar figure from afar. She seemed to know who it was and she wasn't wrong because when she finally got to see the person up close, the man was who she thought it was.

Mr. Ha?

He didn't seem to see her because he just kept going up the stairs.

"Excuse me. Is this where Oh Yoonhee lives?" he asked the woman who lives in the house under Yoonhee's.

"Ah, Ms. Oh? Yes. She lives up--" the lady got cut off by Rona.

"May I ask why you're looking for my mom?"

"Oh, Rona! He's looking for your mother." The lady then turned to Mr. Ha. "This is Ms. Oh's daughter. You can ask her. Excuse me, I have to go somewhere," The lady said while smiling and walked away from them.

Rona just stared at him, waiting for him to answer her question.

"I have something important to tell her. Is she here?" he asked.

"I'm sorry but she just left earlier," she lied.

"Is that so? Do you know what time---"

"Rona! Buy some juice on your..." Yoonhee shouted and her voice trailed off as she saw who was with her daughter.

"Ha Yoonchul?" Yoonhee asked in disbelief.

Yoonchul stared at Rona in astonishment.

"Rona, go ahead. Also, buy some juice on your way home," Yoonhee said to Rona and handed her money.

"Mom."

"Hurry up," Yoonhee said to her daughter, motioning her to go down the stairs.

Rona had no choice but to do what her mother said. She looked at them one more time and then finally left the place.

***

What was Mr. Ha doing? Should I keep mom away from him too? I don't want my mom to be betrayed by him again.

She then looked at the building in front of her.

Cheong-A Arts School. This will be the last time I'll come here.

She looked at the entrance and her eyes widened.

"Joo Seokhoon?" she whispered..

***

☆