Voiceless Cries

Chapter 12 : Torment

I sense that something bad is going to happen today, Jiyeon told her mother.

The morning was a bright one. The sun rays filtered through the window panes, bathing the room in an orange glow. The sun peeked over the rooftops: a blazing orange ball against the blue sky. Mrs. Park watched as her daughter brushed her locks in front of the mirror. She sighed.

“You always say that.” Mrs. Park wiped her mouth with a napkin after finishing her breakfast. She carried her plate to the kitchen. When she came back, Jiyeon was leaning forward towards the mirror, wiping something off her left eye. She faced her mother.

But this is different. I really feel something. Jiyeon told her.

Mrs. Park walked towards her daughter. She adjusted Jiyeon’s hair and presented a kiss on her forehead. She patted the area where her lips had landed and clasped Jiyeon’s shoulders. Her eyes softened.

“Nothing will happen, dear,” she assured, doing sign language at the same time. Mrs. Park checked her watch and her eyes widened.

“Honey, we’re late!” she called to her husband.

“Yeah, I know, I know,” Mr. Park mumbled as he ran down the stairs while lacing his watch on his wrist. If it was not because of his sadistic stomach, he would have been out of this house a long time ago.

Mrs. Park pulled Jiyeon into a quick embrace and said, “We cannot send you today. You’re oaky with walking, right?”

Jiyeon nodded and gave her a tight smile.

“And don’t worry about anything, okay?” Her mother gave her another kiss before opening the front door.

“Ah, look who’s all ready for school,” Jiyeon’s father commented and gave her his infectious beam. He walked towards Jiyeon, his arms stretched wide. Jiyeon went straight into his arms. Mr. Park folded his daughter into a hug and kissed her head.

“Don’t forget to lock the door.” He broke the hug.

“Bye Jiyeon!” He said as he hurried out of the door. Jiyeon followed. Leaning against the door frame, she watched as her father started the car engine. The car pulled out and Jiyeon went in. She picked up her bag and set out.

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The chaotic state of the classroom did not seem to bother Myungsoo. He stared at the keychain that was hooked on the corner his phone as his fingers carelessly fumbled with it. He was losing on all the games he played earlier and stopped playing altogether when he decided that its striking color was too distracting. Myungsoo let out a small sigh, and right at that moment, without his consent, Jiyeon’s grinning image flashed in his head. Before he could shake it off, Sunggyu barged in and crumbled the peace he had tried to keep so much.

“Myung… Myungsoo… Did you know—“

Myungsoo looked up at his panting friend. After regaining his breath, he straightened his back.  Sunggyu’s eyes strayed to his phone and noticed the chain attached to it.

“Is that a flower?” Sunggyu asked, laughter rimming his voice.

“A four leaf clover.” Myungsoo corrected, slightly annoyed that the other guy was questioning his manhood, “So what did you have to say?”

Sunggyu snapped up.

“Oh. Did you know that Park Jiyeon is mute?”

Myungsoo froze. His breath stopped. No one knew that the girl was mute except for him and the teachers.

“How did you know?” He asked in disbelief.

“What do you mean how do I know? The whole school knows.”