Thirty-One Days

Day 19 - Remedy

How could a brief conversation with a woman over a bowl of noodles make a longing mother's heart know that she is the remedy his son ever needed?

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REMEDY

"Ri Jeong Hyeok must have gotten his cooking skills from you."

Kim Yunhui was caught by surprise. The words spoken by the woman in front of her was totally unexpected.

"Did Jeong Hyeok make noodles for you?"

"Yes, he made me great noodles and nice coffee, too."

Ever since her older son Mu Hyeok died on duty, his younger son Jeong Hyeok turned distant and cold. What used to be a warm and affectionate boy became nothing but a dutiful soldier who would follow commands even though his heart was not into it. Even to the point of submitting himself into a loveless marriage out of his father's promise.

"Hmmm... He must have gotten the kind heart from you."

Kindness... Like healing balm to an open wound, these words soothed the mother's longing and broken heart.

Seeing the light that came from her eyes, and as a woman herself, she knew that Seri received his son's genuine kindness. Her smile showed she received his true affection.

It was not a one-sided love after all, as what she told her husband when she listened to their interrogation. She, too, made him smile again. Something Seo Dan was never able to do in those seven years they were engaged.

This woman eating with gusto in front of her is the remedy to his Jeong Hyeok, whom she thought had long been dead in his soul.

"You just said he is kind. I am relieved."

Seri was close to finishing her bowl of ramyeon but Kim Yunhui would not want to let go of the lovely lady just yet.

"If you may, I would like to hear more from you. Can you tell me more stories about Jeong Hyeok? Please? And uhmmm... can I call you Seri?

Seri gracefully wiped her mouth, looked to her in the eye, and smiled from her heart.

"I would love to. And yes, please call me Seri, Eomeoni."

That morning, Kim Yunhui enjoyed the company of a sweet daughter she never had. Same way that Seri never felt as well-listened to, as a mother would attend to her daughter.

She told him stories of how Jeong Hyeok was an expert at grilling meat. Of how he found her when she got lost in the market using a scented candle. Of how he could grow a tomato plant by saying 10 nice words to it daily. Of how he took care of his men like they were his own brothers...

Right at that moment, a mother's prayer was uttered and heard in silence.

I pray that Seri will always be full of beauty, grace and wisdom. I pray that she will be gentle in her heart but strong in her mind. I pray that she will laugh at his jokes and comfort with him when he cries.

Thank You... that through this woman's love, my son Jeong Hyeok has found life again and remedy to his soul. Bless them and protect them always. Amen.

-Ends-