Unbinding Tradition

73. A step towards change ✨

YAAH EVERYONE! DO COMMENT AND DON'T JUST BE A PASSERBY.

The Jeon residence was alive with an energy that Tae had not experienced in quite some time. Jiminee's laughter echoed through the hallways, her little feet darting from one corner of the house to another as she talked non-stop. The usually quiet house felt a little lighter with her presence, bringing a sense of playfulness to its walls.

As she started to head toward the kitchen to continue her unfiltered chatter with Jasoda Kaki, Tae noticed the little whirlwind and decided to pull her aside. With a gentle but firm grip, Tae reached out and guided her to the nearby sitting area in the living room.

Tae- Bas, bas! Now sit here with me, or Jasoda Kaki will throw you out of the kitchen! (she teased, wrapping an arm around Jiminee’s tiny shoulders)

Jiminee pouted but obediently settled beside Tae, adjusting her little lehenga as she sat cross-legged.

Jm- Mami-sa, I was only helping!

Tae- Oh really? And how exactly were you helping? By eating all the sugar? (she raised a playful eyebrow)

Jiminee giggled, not denying the accusation. Tae shook her head with a smile before tucking a loose strand of hair behind Jiminee’s ear.

Tae- Alright, tell me, how’s your homeschooling going? What have you been learning these days? (she asked, genuinely curious)

Jiminee’s eyes lit up.

Jm- Mingu is teaching me new things! (she chirped)

Tae- What new things?

Jm- Hmmm… umm… he taught me how to write my full name in English! (she beamed proudly)

Tae- Oh, is that so? Then tell me, how do you spell it? (she asked, crossing her arms as if testing her)

Jiminee scrunched her nose, concentrating hard before carefully spelling out each letter.

Jm- J-I-M-I-N-I-E-E J-E-O-N!

Tae clapped her hands.

Tae- Wah! Look at our Jiminee, so smart! What else did Mingyu teach you?

Jiminee thought for a moment, then giggled.

Jm- He is teaching me big numbers, but they are boring! And he keeps telling me to sit straight and not lie on my tummy while writing. But it’s so much more fun like that!

Tae chuckled.

Tae- Of course, it’s fun for you, but how will you write properly if you keep rolling around?

Jiminee sighed dramatically, leaning her head against Tae’s arm.

Jm- Mingu says the same thing! He is always scolding me. ‘Jiminee, don’t slouch! Jiminee, pay attention!’ But then sometimes, he gives me jaggery if I do my work properly.

Tae smirked.

Tae- Ah, so you listen to him only when he bribes you with sweets?

Jiminee giggled mischievously.

Jm- Maybe… but he is also funny! One day, he forgot a sum while teaching me, and when I laughed, he said, ‘Jiminee, if you keep teasing me, I’ll make you do double homework!’ But he didn’t really do it.

Tae smiled warmly, stroking Jiminee’s hair.

Tae- It’s good that you have a teacher who is patient. Does he ever tell you stories too?

Jm- Oh, yes! He tells me stories! (she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement) One time he told me about a big lion that ruled over the jungle, and how all the animals had to listen to him, but the lion was very kind, and he always made sure everyone had enough food! (she paused for a moment, trying to recall another story) And there was also a story about a little bird who saved the whole village from a storm! Mingu says that’s why we always need to be brave, like the bird!