This Damn Love

Part-1: Graduation

📍 Place: Kentaa
Northernmost part of S. Korea

“Amidst all the chaos, the board of kentaa university is pleased to declare their first batch to be graduated from the university. Whereas the atmosphere is still thick, where any public gatherings is prohibited by the local Government until the terror go down, will they be able to perform their ceremony in peace? If yes, then they are surely going to write history today… “ Student reporters representing Kentaa university are in the ceremony as it is their first-ever batch to graduate in the past 10 years.

No one knew about it until today, so there's no way any hurdle can come their way in successfully completing the ceremony. Everything is going peacefully and as planned.

News reporters are not allowed inside the campus and hence stood outside. There are heavy security by military personnel guarding the entire uni. As it's a border area, it's the duty of SK army to safeguard the village.

“Attention everyone!”

And the murmures spreading the large assembly Hall shut down and all the eyes are now on the main stage where the speaker has demanded everyone's attention.

“As we all know, this is the first time this university has celebrated a graduation day in this last 10 years, we are proud to announce the students who were determined to not let the outside environment deter their excitement and has planned to enjoy the charming moment of their life.”

A massive round of applause resonates around the Hall with broad smiles on their faces.

The names of student are declared as they come up to stage one by one to receive their graduation degree.

“And last but not the list, Mr. Seokjin Kim, who was the mastermind behind this event!”

Everyone looked in awe as a very handsome young man rises from the front seat and make his way to the stage. And one can literally see how many hearts flippes out of their original position as Jin presents himself in front of them with his unique smile and charisma, bowing politely to the crowd.

Kim Seokjin!! There is barely anyone in Kentaa who is unknown to the name. Not only him but his whole family is popular and respectable among local.

As Jin received his degree, he waves towards where his mom, little sister and aunt Rose are seated in the crowd with a huge smile on their faces. With a final bow towards the teachers and members of the board, he proceedes to step out of the stage but was called back before he could make an exit.

“Seokjin, I would like you to say something as a student representative. Tell us about your experience today!”

Seokjin smiles, flaunting his curves and dips around his mouth and takes the mic in his palm before clearing his throat. He's thankful for the opportunity to speak before though it's nothing new for him. Due to his leadership speaking ability, he's often invited by students to various events organised by the uni.

“Personally, I'm a bit sad. I never thought celebrating our graduation would be so overwhelming to us and for the people of Kentaa. Like some might think, we are just graduating. What's so the big deal about it? Then let me tell you, it's big for us as we don't have such freedom here. If we can step out of our home and come back safely at night, then it's like a big achievement for us.

Some of my friends say, they like the silence surrounding Kentaa. Which I don't really like. I like to find peace in noise. I like the sound of music. I like the clinking of dance. I like happy voices of the people around me! I love the concept of life!

We may be a small village, may not be covered by big media agencies, but I just hope people can study in peace. Spend their life in peace. Just like a bird, who make her nest, grows her family without thinking she is being watched or is about to get shoot. She just enjoys her life until the very end!”

As Jin ends his speech, he is showered with applause from the crowd including his family who looked proud, and he feels he has achieved everything in his life by making his favorite people happy.

But the face of his distraught mother isn't something Jin could ignore. He watches her mother looking at her phone, then towards the entrance and frowning to herself. He just shakes his head with a smile and came down the stage.

When the ceremony ends with a big success, Jin goes to hug his eomma, who returned it with the same love. But obviously, her mood seems a bit off.

“Eomma now enough! Appa might have stuck at work.”

Mrs. Kim frowns and glares at her son. “You just wait, Jin-ah! I will make him suffer this time. Who the hell misses his son's graduation? Is work so important for him?”

“Eomma, you know how serious he is about his patients.” Jin says and looks towards Aunt Misa who only sighed in return.

“She doesn't listen to me at all, Jin!” Aunt Misa says as he embraced Jin with her arms and congratulates him.

Mrs. Kim frowns for the nth time today. She wishes his husband was here to witness how their son has grown into a fine young man with the same big talks as his father. How he is acknowledged by society and has set an example for younger ones as well.

“Congratulations, Jinnie! Now you need to get me my alpaca toys as you promised, ok?” His 7 years little sister runs to hug him as well.

“Your stuffed toys are ready once you get back home, Moon-ah!” Jin said, kneeling to embrace her. He pulled her cheeks, which caused the beginning of their bickering as she pulled his hair back and it continued.

“You little brat!"

Jin laughs at her making funny faces and stands up to see his eomma still in her thoughts, so they decide to leave. They take some pictures capturing the moments and leave for home.