Catfish | P.J

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I was about to head downstairs into the reception room where my aunt had a large bottle of wine in her hand and the cork in the other. I sat down on the marble steps and put my head in my hand. Taking in a deep breath I looked back up at the plain ceiling above me. The smell of fresh bibimbab rushed through my nose and left a tingly, uncomfortable feeling at the back of my throat. I hate bibimbab, but Jongmin likes it and this is for Jongmin because Jongmin is taking care of father's business and Jongmin's hard working. How could a family member that's meant to be the closest to me leave a bad taste in my mouth after I say his name every time..?

I straightened my checkered shirt on my body before standing back up, feeling the pounding in my head getting worse. I jogged down the rest of the steps and continued my journey to the reception room. There was my aunt Seonguen (Song un) holding onto the back of Seomin who had created a conga line. I rolled my eyes at them, watching Jongmin's smug face before giving my attention to the food table on the side. Junk. I should have known better anyway; whenever he's around the whole place changes, from the food I eat to the friends I hang out with. Turning head to the left, a familiar looking ajumeoni (older woman) caught my eye.

I studied her appearance carefully. She was wearing a white shirt with a black, short pencil skirt. Her hair was a golden brown and in a long bob. Across her small lips were a Barbie pink that faded out to a baby pink on the edges. In her hand was undoubtedly a bag worth more than my life, yet she clutched it loosely. A white earpiece hooked her left ear on the same side she had hair tucked behind her ear. Then I scanned her name badge and I stood there dumbfounded. A little bit of my heart broke yet I felt it combust with happiness at the same time.

송지수 씨 (Jisu Song)

"Eomma..." I whispered before stepping back, hitting the table in the process.

Although my whisper wasn't loud over this music, her eyes suddenly met mine. My bottom lip hung open, catching flies. She stood up and her bag fell to the floor. The expression on her face was hard to decipher. A small smile formed on her lips but her brows furrowed. Her cheeks grew red but she held her arms out to hug me. Soon enough, I found myself in her arms, my face buried into her chest just like when I was younger. Her embrace tugged at my heart, making me think that everything else was pointless. The smell of purple bloomed lilies sprung off of her. Lillies have always been her favorite flowers.

"Chim Chim, my son. You've aged well," My mother smiled at me as she caressed my cheeks.

Her hands felt softer than rose petals and her smile was fresher than a perfect spring day's  mist. Crescent shapes took over my eyes as I ran out of words to say. There I stood dumbfounded in front of the woman who gave birth to me after almost ten years of losing her. The last time I saw her I had just learned to tie my shoelaces. My face scrunched up from trying not to let out any tears.

Behind my mother was Seomin, observing every interaction I had shared with my mother. My excitement soon died down when her hands soon left a cold feeling against my skin. My brows knitted together and I shook my head in shock.

"Why are you here?" My chin crumpled at the sight of her frame ten years older, "Because you wanted to surprise Jongmin?"

In seconds smiles turned to frowns. My aunts escorted us both out of the reception room and into a quieter area in the house. I tried to keep my distance from her, stopping our shoulders from brushing each other when Seongeun tried to push us together. A small, sympathetic smile shone on her face before she closed the two of us in the not so spacious guest room. Legs crossed, she sat up straight and tilted her head to the side.

"I'm guessing Jongmin's didn't tell you..?" My mother questioned before shaking her head, " I came here to look after you and Seomin."

She suffers over to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, "your aunt Seongeun said you guys were feeling down and I thought you needed me. Your fathers no longer here to look after you and you need a stable life."

"So what... did your husband agree with this? You think dad wouldn't tell me you remarried?"

Her hands fell to her lap as she looked me in the eyes for the first time in minutes. An upset smile appeared on her face, trying to give me the impression she was upset. She played with her finger with seemed to have no ring around it anymore but more like a red ring of skin instead. That's when I realized that her chin was crumpled too and tears were filled at her eyes.

"I get it. Because you don't have dad to go to anymore, you thought your helpless son you left crying at home with his five year old sister on her birthday will take you in? Because no other man will take you in? Is that it?" I ranted.

How unbelievable is she. Doesn't she think that she has done enough. Does she want me to let me open myself up to her again just so she can leave me again? Without taking another look at her I stormed out the room and right to the front door. Never will I accept her as my own flesh and blood, never mind her being the one who birthed me.

A/n

Shizzy Shizzy chapter T.T

Sorry 😐

On a brighter side I uploaded coffee stains because I was bored 🙀

Show it some lovin' (please👾)