Kang Chi: Beyond Life and Time

Chapter 13: Beyond Life: A Daughter's Love

Yeo Wool got up before sunrise to prepare breakfast. She had to, since she purposely went on leave from work for this. Her father's long-time friend and neighbor, Sung Han-ssi, called her because his father lost consciousness while harvesting potatoes. She decided to come over—with Han Wool in tow—even though Sung Han-ssi told her it was not necessary. She just could not feel at ease until she personally checked on her father and made sure that he is fine.

She slid open his bedroom door—careful so as not to wake them up—to take a peek. He is still sleeping soundly, Han Wool curled up beside him. Satisfied at what she saw, she silently slid the door closed and proceeded to the kitchen to cook breakfast for them.

While doing so, she was mentally composing her speech to convince her father to go to Seoul with them. He had always been adamant on his decision not to, but after what had happened, she would only have peace of mind if the three of them would live together under the same roof.

But, as she had anticipated, her father did not want to talk about it. Breakfast went in awkward silence because she was afraid that if she kept on convincing him, he would be stressed—something that he definitely needed to avoid. She would not want her father to be losing consciousness again because of her.

Her father went back to rest after breakfast, while Han Wool went outside to stroll around. She cleaned up the kitchen while still thinking about how to persuade her father to go back to Seoul with them.

With her father peacefully resting inside, she went outside to relax in the garden hammock. Then the Violets caught her eye. The lone flower that she remembered during her last visit is now a bush boasting numerous blooms, and almost covering the entire base of the tree. She was tempted to pick one, but restrained herself from doing so, thinking that it would be a waste for it to wither prematurely.

She was startled by Han Wool sneaking up behind her.

"Nuna..." He called, his voice sullen. She turned around and almost fainted when she saw her brother's bleeding elbow.

"Eomeona sesange!" She exclaimed. "Eotteoke dwen geoeyo?!"

"I was just walking outside but a stray dog started barking at me. I ran away and fell. When I looked back, the dog was gone."

"You shouldn't have run..." She said with a worried tone. "Let's get this treated before Abeoji sees it."

Too late, though, because their father was already standing at the door, staring at them.

As she was giving her brother first aid for his wounds, their father silently watched. He was not saying a single word, and he seemed to be detached from the present. He obviously has something else in mind, and it is apparently bothersome.

She waited until she was finished with Han Wool before she confronted her father.

"It's nothing...."

She raised her eyebrow to imply that she knew it is something, and she has to know about it.

"Geulse...I am thinking of...well...hiring a helper...."

Why do I seemed to know he'd say that?

She could not remember how many times she had suggested to her father to sell the land and live with them in Seoul. For her, it would be much easier for all of them. But her father adamantly thinks otherwise. Him hiring a helper would emphasize his point of staying whatever the outcome. Her compelling him to go her way could stress him more and do more damage than good.

Sigh. I guess I'd have to wait until next time to convince him.

"Then you should hire one before Han Wool and I leave for Seoul." She suddenly found herself saying. Cham...Where did that come from?

"There's someone who came by last week, looking for a place to stay." Her father informed her. "He said he's living deep in the forest, but he decided to settle down near the town. He asked me if I needed a helper in the field in exchange for a place to stay. I rejected him then. I hope he comes by again."

"If he doesn't, you're coming with us to Seoul."

"If he doesn't, I can hire someone else."

She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh to relieve her own stress. She just could not win an argument against her father. Not ever.

"Well, you better do, because Han Wool and I are leaving for Seoul in two days." She retorted to put an end to the conversation that obviously would never end in her favor.

"I'll prepare dinner...." Was her father's reply instead, as he turned towards the kitchen. She, in turn, went outside to the garden to relax. The talk with her father raised her stress level a bit, she needed to lower it down.

She sat in the hammock and began swinging herself absentmindedly. An unknown man's voice startled her.

"Annyeonghaseyo."

"Uh...A-Annyeonghaseyo...." She said as she stood up for a slight bow.

"I am looking for Pyeong Joon-ssi. Ne abeoji, matjjyo?

"Ye, majayo."

"Song So Jung jeonhae juseyo."

Before she was able to call her father from the kitchen, he came out, excitedly greeting the stranger asking for him.

"You came!"

"Ne. I know you said you don't need a helping hand, but...."

"Of course, I do!"

"Ye?"

"Let's talk about it inside. Deureooseyo." He said with a matching hand gesture of welcome. The man stepped inside and sat down on the floor as directed. She went to the kitchen to prepare some refreshments. She could hear her father and the man engaged in a lively conversation as if they were long lost friends.

Apparently, he is the man her father was talking about. He is a stranger, but how come her father is talking and treating him like they have known each other for quite a long time?

She set the small table on the floor. She gracefully began pouring tea for the guest and her father.

"Eo! Geuneun nuguimnikka?" The man asked when he saw Han Wool. "I've never met you before!"

"Ah! He's my son, Han Wool. He lives in Seoul." Her father answered. "And this is my lovely daughter...."

"Eo, ye. Yeo Wool-ah...We meet again...." The man said with a soft, dignified voice. "Eotteoke jinaesseoyo?"

We meet again? That's weird...I've never seen you before!

"Jeoneun jal jinaego isseoyo." She answered politely.

"You are as beautiful as I remember you."

Okay! This is getting weirder! I've never seen or met you before!

"You must have mistaken her for somebody else." Her father said. "She lives in Seoul...."

"Eo, Ye...I must have." The man said. If he insisted that he had met her before, she would have thrown him out of the house.

"Mianhaeyo, Yeon Wool-ssi." He continued, addressing her directly. "I must have startled you."

"A-Aniyeyo...Gwaenchanhayo...." She answered politely.

"Geokjeong maseyo. If your father decides to hire me, I will be a good companion to him. Yaksokhaeyo." Su Jung said, his right hand raised to seal the promise.

"Eo...Jeongmal kamsahamnida."

He may be a stranger, but somehow, she felt a little at ease, knowing that someone would be with her father when she and Han Wool go back to Seoul. But she just could not get over the weird greeting from the man who calls himself So Jung.