The Journey Of US || A Seventeen FF

15

Reaching home you were greeted by your mom's smiley face, which made you happy. She deserves all the happiness, moving on from dad wasn't easy for her. She had to fight a lot of inner struggles before deciding to marry Appa. She had always put you first, even with Appa as well, There were times when you felt she was prioritizing you over him, but he was understanding, and over time he slowly took up her role. He became your comfort space. And you were glad he did that, Mom felt a lot at ease seeing you both getting along. And you did what you felt was right, hide the pain from her. You didn't want to put her in more pain than she already is. And with Appa, she found the lost colours of her life and you're always thankful to him for that.

"Ommo, you look tired, didn't you sleep yesterday?" She asked hugging you,

👶Aniya, I slept, but woke up early because of them.
You pointed at the fathers

"I told them to not go so early, but these two were hell-bent on leaving early," She playfully glared at them. "Let's eat, I've made seaweed soup with your favourite."

👶Tonkatsu?

"I don't know, maybe." You dashed inside to find Tonkatsu cutlets and took the biggest piece before biting into it.

.

Instead of going out, you spent the entire day with your mom. You both talked a lot and almost caused a ruckus in the house with your laughs. It felt good to be with her, forgetting everything but you were afraid, coz after all she is your mom. A small misstep and she would unravel you within minutes and you don't want that.

Boys came back at a different time and nobody didn't care about them, as all the attention was on you. Indeed, you've never cried in front of them, but they know that you too are in pain. So everyone will do almost everything to make you comfortable. Ahh, you're such a high-maintenance, kiddo👸

Dinner was together at your home since it's your birthday, even though you don't celebrate it with cake, music, and people, Dinner with Appas, Eommas, and siblings felt nice. After dinner, you ranted about your petty boyfriends to Big Choi and Big Wen, who laughed their asses off at you. You found the boys with a confused expression looking like here and there not wanting to leave after dinner. You asked them to go back and sleep alone and they agreed after a lot of struggle.

.
.

"You're still up?"
Your mom asked as she spotted you on the couch alone in the dark, it was around 3 in the morning. Wiping your tears you turned around and found her walking closer.
👶I woke up and couldn't sleep again
You lied, she nodded and sat down.

.
.

"You miss him don't you?" She asked and you hummed in response, "You never talked to me about him... About anything that relates to him."
...
...
👶I didn't know how to. You were struggling and I didn't want to remind you of him.

"I was selfish, I know. I was too scared to be alone after him. I was sad and I wanted someone to rely on, And I didn't care for you-"

👶Ani Eomma. You did everything you could, I understand. You are not selfish,

"But, I should have been there, I stopped caring for you at one point. And I'm mad at myself for that."

👶No mom. It's all fine. You always cared for me I know and I also know how much pain you had to go through, maybe I will never understand you but I know your struggles. I'm not angry, I can never be angry at you... And I'm happy you got married and I'm happy that it's Appa. I'm glad you have someone in your life, Mom. And I love you.

"I love you, baby," She pulled you closer placing a kiss on your forehead.

👶You should go to sleep, I'm going too.

You urged her inside her room and went back to yours. Walking towards the balcony, you sat down on the bean bag staring at the sky as the tears rolled down again.