"All I need is a smile" || PJM ff

Part IX

Taehwan's pov;

A few minutes later I came down running wearing a white t-shirt and sweat pants. I sat next to mom on the couch and asked," Mom I am back. Now will you tell me what happened with jjing-jjingi." mom let out a small laugh and said," you still remember that name Tae. I am impressed. 

Well, my son first eat something and then we'll sit and talk." She got up to get me a bowl of noodles. My mom got me my favorite food and sat down next to me. I took a bite and I felt pure bliss. 

My taste buds were blessed with the heavenly taste of my mom's handmade food. Ahhhh......... I missed her food so much. She patted my hair slowly and said," Eat slowly my little bear or else you'll choke on the noodle." I obeyed her and ate to my hearts content. I finished eating and laid my arms and legs out on the couch. 

I looked up to my mom and said," Mom did something really bad happen to Jaehwa?" Mom washed the dished and took a seat beside me.

She began," Almost a year ago Taehwan, I heard from Jaehwa's classmate that she was being bullied when I was on the way home from meeting her teachers. I couldn't believe my ears first. I decided to ask Jaehwa if she was harassed on a daily basis but she denied with a smile on her face. Who knew she was hiding a pain and sorrow behind that joyful mask. Days passed and I began to notice the small bruises on her arms and face and the eye bags under her eyes. She looked skinny and pale. She either said she fell down or got bruised due to desks at school. I was a fool not to enquire more. One day she didn't come home at all. I was worried sick and I started thinking of negative stuffs. My thoughts came true. I reported her missing to the police and found out that she was kidnapped. I couldn't sleep at night and became restless. I even told your father about it. He wanted to come to Daegu but I stopped him because of you."

I furrowed my eyebrows and said," why because of me mom? I would've come along with dad. I wouldn't have cared for my education because my family comes first in every aspect mom." 

She smiled gently and said," I know my winter bear. That's why I asked your dad not to say anything to you. I didn't want you to worry and the police were already doing their work and keeping me updated if they found her whereabouts. Still your father sent someone from higher police department for the investigation." I nodded at her words.

She continued," After two months, I received a call from the police department saying they found her unconscious on the streets and was admitted to a nearby hospital. Without any second thoughts, I drove to the hospital without giving a damn to the speed limits. I rushed to the receptionist and ask for your sister. They said that she was taken to the ICU because of her critical condition. After an hour the doctor took me to his office and said that she had been forced to do something against her will. Her pelvic area was severely bruised but it would heal as she rehabilites. There were other minor injuries too. I was furious and wanted to get my hands on that son of a bitch myself but my daughter comes first. They said that it wouldn't affect her fertility but she would've if she'd been harassed anymore." 

My eyes widened at her words. My sister was raped and I wasn't there to comfort her. Tears brimmed my eyes and dropped one by one. My heart clenched at her past condition. I wanted to bring this bastard back to life and give him the worst possible death for hurting my beloved sister. 

Mom seemed to notice my red teary eyes and patted my shoulders. She said," I know what it feels, Tae. But she's gotten better this year. Taehwan all we can do is look at the positive things now and overlook the negative stuffs. I want law enforcement to bring justice to my girl." I said," mom I wish I could be there for her. I am such a terrible brother who lost to a sick jerk." 

I looked down and regretted not being there for her when she needed me the most. Mom consoled me and said," You're here now, Tae. Be with her and treasure her with all the love you missed throughout these years. Make her smile just like she did before." I looked up and said," I promise mom, I will not let anyone hurt my sister anymore. I will bring back my jjing-jjingi. I just want my sister to be happy." 

Mom agreed to my words and said," that's like my boy. Now go and talk to your sister and I'll go prepare the dinner." With that I left to talk to Jaehwa.

I took steady steps to her room. I stood behind the door and contemplated whether to knock or not. I took a deep breathe and knocked twice. Receiving no response, I was about to knock again when the door open. 

There stood my innocent sister who would never even think of hurting someone. I immediately engulfed her in a tight hug. All I could think was to make my sister happy. But I was brought out of my thoughts when she pushed me away and shouted," what the hell are you doing!!!???" 

My eyes widened at her sudden outburst. I stepped back due to her actions. It was quite obvious for her to act that way. She snapped out of her thoughts and stuttered," o-oh I am s-sorry. I didn't mean to push you. I just-" 

I cut her off in between and said," Its fine sis. I know what you've been through. Its understandable why you acted that way. I just regret not being there for you when you were struggling because of that bastard." I tried to hold in my tears. Her eyes widened but soon softened after understanding what I meant to say. 

She didn't reply anything but took small steps towards me. At first, she hesitated but slowly took me in her embrace. I put my arms around her small figure keeping in mind not to make her uncomfortable.

She said," Tae oppa.... It's not your fault that you were not there with me. It's just I wasn't lucky enough last year. You are the best brother anyone could ask for. You can be annoying sometimes but still you love and support me a lot. I got those silly letters you sent. It was old fashioned yet cute and very comforting . I still remember our weird fights and arguments. But at the end of the day, mom's jajjangmyeon brought us together. These beautiful memories is what kept me going. Your, mom's and dad's smiling faces gave me strength to make myself even better. So don't blame yourself that you were not there to comfort me." Her words stopped but my tears didn't. 

TO BE CONTINUED...