The Love Maze // PJM //

5. Mom's adversity

" I think I would love to get along with you, Jimin-ssi." I finally said it but I wasn't sure if it's true or not.

He stopped laughing and looked at me unbelievably. I was super nervous right now. Is it okay if I run away?

" Uhm... you made me speechless." He finally said something after being shocked.

" I gotta go. Goodbye, Jimin-ssi." I stood up immediately and ran away as fast as I could.

When my legs got weak, I stopped and caught my breath. I really didn't know why had I said that out? I would be so embarrassed to face him again. I hoped he wouldn't mind me.

" Aish! Haeyoung, you stupid!" I cursed at myself in the middle of the street.

I tried to calm down and walked home alone along with the blossom flowers on the trees. This was what I loved about spring. I could see many beautiful flowers on the street. It felt so good.

As I arrived home, I untied my shoes and I saw my mom's shoes were there.

" Mom? Are you home?" I asked for her out loud inside.

" HUH?" she answered from the kitchen.

As soon as I heard her, I ran to see her immediately. She was making soup. I was dazed since she barely cooked at home. Something might have happened to her.

" What are you doing?" I asked in confusion.

" Of course, cooking. What's wrong?" She glanced at me.

" Why? Is there any occasion today?"

She chuckled, " No, I just want to cook for you. You have been eating out for a while. It's not good for your health." she explained and it's so touching.

" How about you? Aren't you going to drink today?" I asked as I placed my bag on the dining table.

She sighed, " I think that I should stop drinking from now on. Drinking is just an excuse. I would never be better even I keep drinking every day." she turned off the gas.

I thought that I knew what she meant. She had been broken-heart since the day my parents divorced. She was the one who asked for the divorce but she was also the one who was in pain the most. She missed my dad every single day. I didn't know the details of what happened to them but I just knew that they both lost feeling from each other, just like Jimin and his ex-girlfriend. Why am I bringing him here?

Instead of just standing and listening to her, I thought that I would say something because I wasn't the type of person who expressed opinions often.

" You should stop drinking. It's bad for your health and also a waste of time and money. You should find a way to build your happiness, rather than sitting and drinking while thinking of painful memories." I said without looking at her but I could see that she was looking at me.

" You're right. I should've not wasted my time for these past 8 years," she said melancholy. " I should've taken care of my precious daughter well. I should've cooked for you. I should've traveled with you." suddenly her eyes brimmed with tears as she was talking.

I couldn't handle this moment anymore. I ran to hug her tightly, " It's okay, mom. I understand it. You have been in a hard time alone. You might have no one by your side." I patted her back. " But you can move on from now on. 8 years seems long but you can still start over again. Your life hasn't come to an end yet." I tried to comfort her while we both were crying so hard in each other's embrace.

" I regret," she said between crying. " I want to go back and change everything in the past."

I pulled her out and shook my head, " No, mom. Please don't think that way. Now it becomes your lesson so later you won't make another mistake. Mom, you're only 50. You still can have lots of time to make your life better and happier. Importantly, you have me. I'm here for you, mom." I wiped the tears on her face.

She slowly smiled, " Aigoo... when did my girl grow up so fast? You're a grown-up woman." she stroked my hair.

" I'm not a little girl anymore. You can depend on me. You can talk to me, discuss with me, laugh with me, cry with me, and open up with me." I grinned at her.

" I will do those things with you from now on. I can feel like living life again. Thank you so much, my love." She pulled me in her embrace once again and we hugged each other tightly.

Actually, we weren't that close. We barely talked but I always wished to talk with her. Now I did it. I could say everything I had been keeping in my mind. I hadn't seen my mom's smile for years. I was glad to be a reason for her to smile again.

-

Sunday!

No class today and it's my day off as well. So I would be sleeping the entire morning. But suddenly a ringtone ruined my sleep. I ignored it but it kept ringing which was so annoying.

" Aish! Who's calling in the early morning?" I snorted as I reached out my hand to take my phone on the table.

I answered, " Hello, who is it?" I said in a sleepy tone.

( Yah! Beanie! Are you still sleeping?) Jihyun yelled through the phone.

" And why are you calling me in this early morning? You just ruined my sleep, stupid." I cursed.

(Yah! Pabo! It's almost 10 am. Get your ass off the bed.)

As I heard that, I turned to look at the clock and it's really 9:40. I yawned, " So what's the matter?"

(Would like to hang out with me? I will be waiting at your house.)

" Uhm... wait for me. I will be ready in 20 minutes." I said as my eyes were still closed.

(Ugh! Alright, hurry up!) then he hung up.

I didn't want to wake up at all but I wanted to hang out. So let's stay awake, Haeyoung-ahh. I sat up and tidied my bed before taking a shower.

After that, I scanned my closet to see if there were any nice outfits. But I thought that I had too many black clothes. I might be loving black so much. I decided to wear a white plain t-shirt with blue jeans and a black cotton cardigan. After getting dressed, I just brushed my hair down and sprayed perfume all over my body. Then, I stuffed my phone, wallet, and some personal things in the tote bag. When I was all done, I got out of the room and headed out.

As I got out, Jihyun was already there. We hi-five as greeting. Not to waste any time, we just went straight to the place where Jihyun had planned.

Unexpectedly, it was a kind of vintage coffee shop. I had no idea why he brought me here.

" Why are we coming here?" I asked as we stopped in front of the coffee shop.

" Let's have a cup of coffee. Then we will go somewhere else." he grabbed my arm and walked in it.

As soon as we went in, someone shouted Jihyun's name, " Jihyun Oppa!"

We looked in the direction in which the voice came from. It's a girl. She seemed like a mixed Asian and American. Jihyun walked towards her and so did I.

" Hey, Sara." he greeted her. " How long have you been waiting?" he asked as he went to sit next to her.

" Maybe about 10 minutes." then she turned to look at me suspiciously.

I didn't know what to do either. I didn't know who she was. Perhaps she might be Jihyun's girlfriend.

" Oh, hi. I'm Kang Haeyoung, Jihyun's friend." I introduced myself.

" Hello, unnie. I'm Sara, his girlfriend. Nice to meet you." she extended her hand to shake and I shook my hand with hers.

" Would you mind if I want Haeyoung to hang out with us?" Jihyun asked his girlfriend politely.

" Yah! Jihyun! It's your date. Why would I be there too?" I refused immediately. " I think it's an honor to meet you, Sara. Have a nice day and enjoy your date. I won't disturb you guys." I said to his girlfriend.

Then I turned to glare at him and mouthed, " Are you crazy?"

" Have a nice day, unnie," she said in a sweet tone.

Later, I left the coffee shop and sighed in relief. Jihyun must be out of his mind. How could he bring me to his date? This idiot!