Unbinding Tradition

16. Angel Jiminee 😇

Yaah; you all... Nobody will go without voting and commenting otherwise I will be mad 😾....

Tae slowly opened her eyes, feeling the weight of the day's events still pressing on her. She hadn't even realised when she had fallen asleep after returning from Kim Haveli, her tears drying on her cheeks as she cried herself into unconsciousness.

She pulled herself out of bed and walked toward the bathroom. Standing in front of the sink, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes, swollen and red, moved slowly to the mangalsutra hanging around her neck.

She ran her fingers over the black beads, the weight of its significance sinking in once again. Her gaze shifted upwards, where the smudge of red sindoor stood out starkly against her dark hairline.

Tae chuckled softly, but the sound held no humor. It was bitter, tinged with sadness.

Tae- This is my life now. A life bound to this house, to my husband... to his family. Forget about my own parents who raised me.

A deep sigh escaped her lips. Her reflection blurred as she splashed cold water onto her face.

Wiping her face with a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom and walked down the stairs, the faint sounds of conversation from the living room grew louder. She heard Dadi-sa's voice first, commanding and cold. Before she could fully enter the room, Dadi-sa's sharp words cut through the air like a blade.

Dadi-sa- So you've finally decided to wake up? What kind of daughter-in-law sleeps through the day while the rest of the women of the house are busy preparing for the evening? Your place is in the kitchen, not in your room sleeping away your duties.

Dadi-sa's tone was laced with irritation, and Tae could feel every set of eyes in the room turn toward her. Jungkook sat among the male members of the family, his expression unreadable as he observed her quietly. But Tae could feel the tension in the room—tension that had lingered since their return from Kim Haveli.

She kept her eyes lowered, not daring to meet Dadi-sa's gaze or glance toward Jungkook. The memory of his harsh words still echoed in her mind.

Tae- I'm sorry, Dadi-sa. (she whispered, her voice soft yet steady)

Dadi-sa- Sorry.. (said mockingly) First do mistake and then say sorry. Your parents didn't taught you even the basics of how to behave at your in-laws house. Now go and make yourself useful. Prepare tea for everyone. (she scolded)

Without another word, Tae nodded and turned on her heels, making her way to the kitchen. Her mind was numb, and each step she took felt heavy with the weight of her newfound reality.

~~~

The dining hall was quiet as the men finished their meal, their conversations winding down to a murmur. The women, including Tae, stood silently by the kitchen door, waiting to serve as was customary. Tae felt a weight in her chest, her appetite long gone.

When the men had finally left, the women sat down to their own meal, but Tae barely touched her plate, her eyes lingering on the scraps Jungkook had left behind. She ate only a few bites, picking at the leftovers, her mind elsewhere.

As the evening routine continued, the women gathered to clean up, each silently going about their tasks. Mrs Jeon noticed Tae's quiet demeanor as they stood by the sink, washing the dishes side by side. She gave Tae a glance and asked, her voice gentle,

Mrs Jeon- Everything alright, Banno? You barely ate tonight.

Tae forced a smile, her lips trembling slightly.

Tae- I'm fine, Maasa. (she lied, her voice soft) I ate a lot at Maa, Bapu-sa's house. I guess I didn't have much of an appetite tonight.

Mrs Jeon nodded thoughtfully, accepting the answer, though the look in her eyes suggested she wasn't entirely convinced.