I Will Fight For You (A The8 Fanfiction)

Chapter 33

I applied layers of concealer in an attempt to cover up the dark eye bags and swollen area around my eyes. I had to go visit Halmeoni's grave today. I did not like when people came up in my face asking if I was fine. I had to hide the fact I had been crying. When my parents arrived last night, I had to put on an impromptu face mask to hide my eye bags.

"I'm a strong girl. I can do this! I'm a strong girl, I got this!" I said to myself.

I adjusted my clothes before exiting my room.

"Sweetie, isn't that too much makeup? You look almost as white as a ghost!" my mother pointed out.

"I read that you are more likely to see spirits if you look like them and make your face pale," I lied.

My mother chuckled and left me to be. Well, she bought it. My innocent look made me seem gullible to believe such myths which never existed in the first place. She was probably led to think I used so much powder not because I wanted to take a shot at being able to see my beloved grandmother. I took some belongings of mine and grabbed my bag before entering the car. We drove off to the graveyard where my relatives were. On the way there, I tried to blend the makeup a little better so that it was less obvious. I guess sacrifices had to be made to cover up the fact you cried over your cheating ex-lover.

Everyone left mostly flowers by the grave and I was last to leave my single flower. My parents gave me some space to talk to her. I crouched and squat in front of the grave.

"Halemeoni... I don't know if you can hear me but... Happy Birthday! I miss you! A lot has been going on, I don't know what to do anymore. Minghao's parents were against us, then Minghao and I had to separate for 3 months to throw them off. When we got back to meet, I found out he was out galavanting with another girl during the 3 months when he went back to China for Chuseok. We fought and broke up a few days ago... I wish you were here to tell me everything would be fine and tell me what I should do. I am really lost. I hope things turn out well for me. Please pray for me or send me a sign while you're up there. I love you," I cried softly, speaking to her grave.

I slowly stood up and glanced at the grave I regretted to see before moving off. I sat in the backseat of the car, crying to myself. My parents probably thought it was because I missed Halmeoni but it was actually more than just that. They asked if I wanted anything to eat. I shook my head.

"It'll be ok, dear. Halmeoni won't want to see you cry," my mother comforted me.

She reached from the front passenger seat she sat in and rubbed my shoulder. Upon touching me and feeling how skinny I've gotten, she gasped. She whispered to my father. They had a  discussion in harsh whispers before she turned back to me.

"Hee-young, honey. I am going to cook tonight and you will eat. It's for your health," my mother told me.

"O-ok. Thank you, mum," I thanked her.

She cared for me. It felt nice to have someone care for me. It had been a while.

That day, I tried to do something other than drowning in self-pity. I spent each minute with my parents who were rarely home. I watched TV with my parents, I listened intently to all the funny stories my father had to tell and helped my mother to cook. She imparted some knowledge on cooking to me.

Finally, we had dinner. However, unlike before, they put their phones on silent and set them away. It was a peaceful dinner without the sounds of mobile phones ringing or my parents' business talk. For once in a long time, I got to have a proper conversation with them over dinner. No interruptions or being ignored. Just pure human to human interaction.

"Hee-young... You've eye bags. You look pale too. How much have you been crying?" my mother asked with worry clearly written on her face.

I held my fork and spoon with weak hands and played with the food. I moved the bits of food about. It was one of the questions I did not answer that night. They did not push me either.