Stigma #3 » k.th ✓

thirty two

Taehyung

"That wasn't so bad now, right? He's more stable and behaved. Maybe because he's grown old." Lisa started, after washing the dishes we used from the shelf. He’s been living here and he still hasn't quit with drinking. Still making us pay for what he’s done.

I clearly beg to disagree with her. "I'm not buying it."

Looking at him, now all weak and even forgetting who we were; it's making me sick. We called a doctor over earlier even though we had not enough money for the check up, he insisted since he’s known us when we were little. The day our mother gave birth to us. Said that dad is suffering from dementia due to his age and our presence not being here so often. I have to say; a bit relieved on that part. He doesn't deserve to remember the children he abandoned. Let alone make us take care of him just like that when he's done nothing but traumatize our past.

After he left, I still paid him with a bit of what's left. Enough for a ticket to get back home.

"I believe in dad. He could lose his senses and end up straight into a coma, who knows?" When she was done, she wiped her hands with her old clothes and then went back sitting beside me on the old couch. Clearly, we should be leaving and getting our own place far away from here.

"I think it's best if we leave him with the doctor."

"But you said we don't have any money..."

"Wht are you expecting me to do?" I click my tongue in anniyance at her. I apologized immediately when I realized that. "Sorry, I just don't know what to do with this situation."

"Maybe we could tell him we’ll come back every once in a while to pay for the fees?" Thank God she still has her scholarship. I still have my job. But I'm pursuing a harder course and a more expensive one at that. How will I manage?

"Maybe." I'll think of something somehow. I already contacted the doctor just now while both of us were making our way to look for a place. He agreed about the deal and will be on his way tomorrow to pick him up and get him to his hospital. Our feet ended up dragging us back to Ahjumma’s, for some reason.

"Ah, you two came back! Come in, come in!" Sanha held both of our hands and had us seated near the counter. The restaurant was nearly closing at this time. "Tae?" he snapped his fingers in front of me. I must’ve looked annoyed that made him back away. "You were spacing out. What's going on?"

"Our dad is—"

"We were looking for a place to stay," I looked towards her direction, shaking my head to not let him know about his condition. "We were wondering if you had any spare room?"

"Not a problem!" He goes through the kitchen, gesturing us to follow him. Behind was a flight of stairs. He opened the light of the room, revealing one futon on the floor. "Though you'll have to share...is it okay?"

Lisa was about to say no, but I raced her to it.  "This is fine. How much do we—"

"Take that money back into your pocket, Tae! This is for free. You're only staying here for, like, what? Two nights, anyway. May as well get the best of the vacation. I owe you one, after all." He fist bumps me on the chest before showing us the pile of pillows he was saving in the box inside the cabinet. After that, he left with a smile to make ourselves feel more at home. I was dusting off the only futon he had and made it comfortable for Lisa. Only then did I bring out my bag to use it as my pillow on the floor.

"Yah, oppa. I want you to sleep on this one. For once, let me make sacrifices for you."

"Oppa is fine." I told her. "Go to sleep. Oh," I brought out something from my stuff to make her worry about it less. "I have this blanket to keep me warm."