Unbinding Tradition

82. Mama's boy 💓

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Time skip to five months.....

The sky burned a muted shade of gold as the sun began its descent behind the horizon, casting long shadows over the land. A warm breeze carried the scent of dry earth and marigold garlands, remnants of a passing festival.

The villagers, from young boys with curious eyes to elders with folded arms, gathered at a safe distance, whispering amongst themselves.

Jungkook stood alone before the towering structure that once symbolized generations of Jeon lineage—the Jeon Haweli.

A structure so grand, its very existence was once revered.

Its colossal gates, made of intricately carved teakwood, bore the marks of time—edges softened, yet still standing tall with an air of forgotten royalty. The main courtyard, where once grand processions and wedding ceremonies had taken place, now stood eerily silent. The sandstone pillars, carved with detailed peacocks and floral motifs, had withstood centuries, witnessing countless stories of pride, power, and sorrow.

The main entrance, flanked by two imposing elephant statues, stood as the last remnants of a time when the Jeon family’s power was unquestioned. But power had shifted. Tradition had crumbled. And now, so would this Haweli.

Jungkook’s eyes remained fixed on the grand structure, his expression unreadable.

The weight of history pressed against him—this was not just a building, it was a witness to his childhood, his mother’s silent struggles, Jiminee’s tragedy, his father’s descent into recklessness. Every stone had a story, every room held echoes of a past he had long tried to escape.

But it was time.

The low hum of a bulldozer roared to life, its monstrous form moving closer to the aged walls. The machine’s rusted edges glinted under the setting sun, a stark contrast to the regal architecture it was about to demolish.

A final breath. A final glance.

Jungkook took a step back, his gaze sweeping over the Haweli one last time. He could almost hear the distant echoes of anklets on marble floors, of his mother’s soft lullabies, of his father’s proud footsteps, of Jiminee’s laughter.

His jaw clenched.

Let it go, Jungkook.

The first impact came.

A thunderous crash. A cloud of dust erupted into the air as the bulldozer struck the outer walls. A loud creak, a groan from the very bones of the Haweli, as it trembled from the force.

Another strike.

A section of the jharokha crumbled, sending broken pieces of sandstone tumbling down like fallen stars. The villagers gasped, murmuring amongst themselves, some grieving the loss of a legacy, others indifferent to the downfall of an old dynasty.

Jungkook exhaled, long and slow, before turning on his heel.

He didn’t stay to watch it crumble.

Didn’t stay to watch the walls collapse or the last remaining memories get buried under dust and debris.

He had already buried those long ago.

With steady steps, Jungkook walked away, leaving the past behind.

~~~

The sun cast a warm glow over the Jeon residence as Jungkook stepped out of the car, stretching his arms after a long day. The moment his feet touched the ground, the driver respectfully opened the door for him. He removed his shoes at the doorstep, inhaling the comforting scent of sandalwood incense drifting through the house.