Rebel | Jinkook

Thirty-Two

"Honey, you know I love you, but why did you say Seokjin will get married after he graduates? I thought we agreed on him getting married sooner rather than later?"

Jisook, staring out the room window, turned to look at her husband, "he doesn't want to get married. I heard it for myself earlier today. He cried, and it broke my heart. He likes this Jungkook guy a lot. I don't know what to do, but I am starting to feel like I shouldn't be doing anything.

Maybe it's time we break the cycle of these arranged marriages. We already broke the cycle of the first son getting the responsibility of taking over the company. What's wrong if we break a few more of these outdated rules, Minwoo?"

"Baby, we just can't do that," Minwoo shook his head and said. "You are aware that I agree with you on the majority of issues, and there was a time when I did not want to impose anything on our son; however, you saw how pleased my father was today. He is also correct in saying that the Min family is not one to provide favors to others readily; this is an important consideration for our family.

I know Seokjin won't be pleased, but he is a Kim and must bear some responsibility. I am reluctant to return to my father and inform him that this will not be taking place."

"Of course, you can't; you never have the guts to stand up to that man! Do what you want, but I will not force Seokjin to get married if he doesn't want to. I made the meeting happen. If you want him to get married, figure it out on your own. My son said he wants a marriage like ours, one with happiness and love. I won't deprive him of that because I know how meaningful it has been to me to have a husband like you."

Minwoo stared at his wife, unable to understand her, "I want our Seokjin to have a happy and healthy marriage, too, and he can have that, just like we have." Minwoo said. "Even you said that in the past. We didn't get along in the beginning, but look where we are today!

He needs us to guide him; he is our son and dependent on us. That guy he is now involved with, my dad, will never accept him or Seokjin's wishes to marry some outsider." Minwoo said, hoping his wife would not go back on her words. Walking toward her, he added, "You have disregarded all of the norms and customs that we observe as a family; therefore, I ask this one time, please let this one go."

"I have disregarded every one of your cherished customs? Is that so?" Jisook remarked as her irritation grew at the phrases that her husband had chosen to use.

"Yes! You babied Seokjin; you made him into this coward, having no responsibility whatsoever. You made him believe the world is some sweet fairytale where, with a click of a button, things can happen for him. Life is not like that, Jisook! He needs to see the reality of it. He has a responsibility as a Kim."

"Why don't you show him the reality of it instead? Minwoo, why don't you reveal to him that I am not the one opposing his freedom to live as he pleases? I am leaving."

"Jisook, baby, get back here. Don't yell and walk away. That's not how we do things." Minwoo desperately called out to his wife, who had already left through the door.

He sighed and asked, "Seokjin, why did you have to cry?" He audibly expressed his disbelief, aware of the pattern that whenever their son cried, Jisook tended to rethink her decisions.

*****

As the car door swung open, Jin took a deep breath and gently brushed away the tears that had welled in his eyes. He was torn between not wanting to let down his parents and feeling guilty for disappointing Jungkook.

He was about to meet a potential marriage partner, causing him a lot of inner conflict. However, he trusted and valued his mother's advice and hoped things wouldn't turn out in a way that would cause him to be sad.