𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚. yeonji

𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞-𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞

trigger warning: mention of death

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Walking on the stone pavement, Kali tightened her grip on the bouquet she was holding. She truly hated coming to the cemetery. It's a painful reminder of her mother leaving her.

"Hi, mom," Kali greeted upon arriving in front of the columbarium where her mother's remains were placed.

She placed the bouquet in front of her mother's picture as a small apologetic smile spread on her lips, "It's been a while, huh? I'm sorry if I haven't been visiting you as often. I've been very busy with school... and work."

"I went to the doctor last saturday and he told me some bad news. The tumor... it spread," tears escaped her eyes as she bit her lower lip. She could feel a dam slowly breaking but she tried to hold it in. She didn't want to cry in front of her mother. Kali wanted her mother to see her daughter stay strong.

Clearing her throat, she continued, "He gave me 3 months to live, give or take. He did say that I could do chemo but it'll only help lengthen my days. I kept on missing my appointments before because I couldn't pay. So, obviously, I wouldn't be able to afford that treatment..."

She paused, inhaling deeply as she looked up the sky, trying to hold back her tears but failing to do so.

"I rejected it."

She wiped her tears with her fingers. This was the second time that she has broken down like this. The first was when her mother left the world. It was due to a car collision.

Her mother's death was so sudden. One minute she was fine and working like any other day, then the next she saw her lying on a hospital bed with a white blanket over her body indicating that she had already died.

She didn't even had any chance to say goodbye.

"Mom, I... I'm sorry. I don't think I can keep our promise. I tried to stay strong everyday. I truly did," her voice broke.

"I hope you'll forgive me when we'll meet each other again."

Kali stayed there for a while, calming herself down and spending a little more time with her mother. Then a thought occurred to her, "I'll also be moving to the countryside. I think it'll be nice to spend my remaining days there — in a peaceful beach house."

"You know how the sound of the waves helps me calm down," a soft smile crept its way to the corner of her lips as she imagined how nice and peaceful it would be.

"Don't worry, I was able to save up enough money for the place. I... think I'll love it there."

She paused once again. After letting out everything she has been bottling up, Kali felt relief washing over her entire being.

She heaved out a sigh before finally saying her last words to her mother, "I need to go... I'll see you soon. Goodbye, Mom."