Tin Whistle (NAMJIN)

// 3 //

Seokjin

It turned out, what father called me for wasn't anything important at all, he was just calling to praise me for doing excellent in my recent exams.

On my way out his office, I playfully glared at Mister Park for tricking me, receiving a wink in reply. I headed back outside wanting to continue where I left off. When I got there, I turned a corner as it unveiled before my eyes.

I was shocked for a second, a loud gasp escaping my lips thinking someone had broken into the palace gate. From afar, anyone could easily mistake it for a person with a different skin colour.

Realisation finally hit me, it was a statue, stood perfectly on top of a granite boulder. I carefully proceeded towards it wanting to take a better look at it.

The statue appeared to be a male, most probably of a royalty judging by the crown that sat nicely on his head. I studied its features, its mouth was curved downward and his eyes seemed so sorrowful. "Just like everyone here" I thought.

I slowly climbed up the boulder. I touched one of its hand, I flinched. It was cold, freezing almost. I was curious so I asked my parents about the statue.

They told me it has been there since forever. Father's late mum said long ago, people tried to remove it.

However, it was as if the statue had been glued onto the earth and it was left there, untouched for years. I thought the story sounded magical but father dismissed it as an old wives' tale.

Weeks had gone by and I grew to love playing near the statue. I even requested the gardener to place a swing and a bench there so I could sit down comfortably to which he complied to without any questions.

I have to admit, at first I was sort of creeped out by the statue and its glum features but now, it has been like a friend to me. I would play my instuments and I'd feel like the statue's listening to me play them.

---

One day, just like any other day, I went downstairs to the garden to play my flute to release all my stress after completing my homework.

I kept on getting distracted by a bright light and I was growing annoyed by it. I looked up to see that it was coming from the statue.

My brows furrowed in confusion. Setting the flute down, I got up to see what had caused it. As I got closer, I was able to see a golden key in the statue's hand. I thought it was odd for I was very certain that it hadn't been there before.

I took it and ran to the gardener showing it to him, "Does this key open any of the castle's door, mister?" I questioned him, feeling gleeful that I found something beautiful.

He shook his head, "All keys to the doors in the palace are silver sir". My mouth formed an O as I nodded understood. Still curious, I decided to keep it first.

I was about to wash up for the day but father called me up to his study, again. I wondered why he was calling me, creating all sorts if scenarios in my head. I knocked on the door. "Come in" I heard his voice say.

"What is it that you need father?". He looked at me seriously before saying, "Why do you sit around that statue so much, Seokjin?" I shrugged not really seeing the problem with it "It's fun"

"People your age are not supposed to hang around things like that thing. You're supposed to go out and have fun with your friends". I gasped taken aback, "But I do have fun"

"Yes, with something that isn't even alive" he raised his voice. "So what? What's the matter with that?" he slammed his mahogany table making me jump back. " You dare not question me anymore!"

"Yes father" I looked down. "Now go" he hissed. I dashed into my room and jumped onto the bed, planting my face on my pillow.

My eyes stung so much when I fought back the tears, I didn't want to cry. I'd look stupid if I did. Not that anyone would know when I cry but who really cries over a statue right?