𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞

Episode 37

South Korea 📍

The sweet aroma of freshly baked cupcakes hung heavy in the air of the cozy bakery in South Korea. Dunk, a smile finally gracing his lips after months of worry and hardship, carefully arranged a batch on a display rack.

Suddenly, a small boy with curious eyes peered through the glass window. Dunk's smile widened, and with a gentle touch, he selected a cupcake, its vibrant frosting a burst of color.

The boy hesitated, then cautiously stepped inside, his gaze darting nervously between Dunk and the treat. Dunk knelt down, offering the cupcake with a warm smile. "For you," he said in Korean, a language he'd been slowly mastering.

The boy's eyes widened with delight. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly, and took the cupcake. Then, with a seriousness that belied his young age, he dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins.

Dunk's heart ached. The boy's sincerity struck a deep chord. "It's a gift," Dunk said gently, pushing the coins back towards the boy.

The boy shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. "Thank you," he mumbled. "It's my little sister's birthday. Now we can celebrate."

Dunk watched as the boy, his smile as bright as the frosting, skipped out of the bakery, clutching his precious treat. The sight brought a lump to his throat. It reminded him of Fourth, his playful cousin, who still lay unconscious in a hospital bed far away.

Just then, Phuwin emerged from the kitchen, his face dusted with flour. He'd taken on the role of baker, his natural talent finding a new outlet in the cozy bakery they'd managed to set up in this foreign land.

Four months had passed since they'd fled Thailand, leaving behind their shattered dreams and the life they once knew. Their aunt, their anchor in the storm, had supported their decision to drop out of college, understanding the emotional turmoil that gnawed at them. They'd disappeared without a trace, severing ties with friends and the familiar chaos of their past.

Seeing Dunk's pensive expression, Phuwin placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

Dunk sighed, recounting the encounter with the boy. "It just makes me think of Fourth," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "He would have loved a cupcake like that."

Phuwin nodded, his own eyes clouding over with grief. Every day was a battle against despair, a constant hope for Fourth's recovery intertwined with the gnawing fear of what might be.

Yet, despite the pain, a sliver of hope flickered within them. This bakery, a symbol of their new beginning, was also a testament to their resilience. They had rebuilt, brick by brick, their love for each other and their aunt forming the foundation of their new life.

Taking a deep breath, Dunk straightened his shoulders. "We'll be okay," he declared, a newfound determination lacing his voice. "We have each other, and now, we have this bakery. We'll make it work, for ourselves, for Fourth, for Aunt."

Phuwin offered him a hesitant smile, a silent promise echoing in the air. Their journey in South Korea had just begun, a future filled with uncertainties, but also with the possibility of healing and, perhaps, even happiness.

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The days bled into weeks, each one a blur of flour-dusted mornings and the comforting scent of warm bread. Dunk and Phuwin poured their hearts into the bakery, their tireless work ethic a testament to their determination to build a new life. Every cent earned went towards their cousin's medical bills, a constant reminder of the reason for their sacrifice.

One evening, as they sat down to a meager dinner after a particularly long day, their aunt, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "You know," she chirped, a playful glint in her eyes, "a nice lady visited the bakery the other day. Seems she's in the matchmaking business."

Phuwin, startled, sputtered on his water. "Matchmaking?" he sputtered.

Their aunt grinned, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "Yes, matchmaking! What's wrong with that? Don't you boys want to find nice girls, settle down?"

Dunk slammed his forehead on the table with a groan. "Aunt, please," he pleaded. "Did you really…"

Before he could finish, a sheepish grin spread across their aunt's face. "Of course I did! What mother wouldn't want her sons to have happy lives?"

Phuwin threw his hands up in exasperation. "But Aunt, we never said we wanted anyone!"

"Exactly!" Dunk chimed in, finally lifting his head. "We have you, each other, and Fourth! That's all that matters."

Their aunt's smile faltered slightly. "But sweetheart," she said gently, "I won't be here forever. Don't you want someone to share your lives with, someone to love and be loved by?"

A tense silence descended upon the room. Dunk exchanged a look with Phuwin, a silent understanding passing between them. Their aunt's words, though well-meaning, struck a raw nerve.

"We're not… alone," Dunk finally said, his voice thick with emotion. "We have each other. And Fourth. You guys are all the family we need."

Their aunt sighed, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Don't be silly," she said, reaching out to pat Dunk's hand. "A mother always worries about her children's happiness."

Phuwin, sensing the shift in mood, quickly interjected. "Okay, okay," he said placatingly. "Let's just… drop the topic for now, alright?"

Their aunt nodded reluctantly, a shadow of disappointment crossing her features.

As they cleared the table, a heavy silence settled in the room. Dunk's thoughts drifted to Joong, a pang of guilt twisting in his gut.

Leaving without a proper goodbye, without explanation, felt like a betrayal.

He couldn't help but wonder how Joong had reacted, the hurt he must have felt mirroring his own.

Phuwin, on the other hand, found himself lost in memories of Pond. The guilt that had become a constant companion gnawed at him. He yearned for a chance to explain, to express the depth of his feelings, but fate had dealt a cruel hand.

Both brothers, bound by their unspoken grief and unrequited love, carried the weight of their past relationships. Yet, despite the pain and uncertainty, they found solace in each other's presence. In the quiet moments after their aunt had retired, they shared their unspoken thoughts, a silent understanding bridging the gap between their unspoken words.

As they drifted off to sleep that night, a sliver of hope flickered in their hearts. They had each other, a bond forged in hardship, and a future, however uncertain, that they would face together.

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