Moonbow - a short novel [Completed]

2.

Finding the elders tonight felt like wearing a thermal blanket in a snow storm. Their laughter and hugs warmed me to the bones, and I knew right away everything was going to be fine. Haraboji handed me a plateful of kimbap and I hungrily devoured them one by one with bare hands. However, I knew the smiles and timid stares meant a lot of questions, too, so I offered them answers before they could ask.

“Haraboji, Halmoni, I’d like to stay for a while.” I wiped the corners of my mouth with my thumb and continued, “Please let me stay in the cabin. I can pay for the rent and the food.”

“Aigoo, what happened?” Halmoni asked, her voice carrying a deep compassion that I wondered how it was like having her as my own grandmother. 

I stopped chewing and forced a smile. “I just need a getaway.”

“Didn’t you return home this morning?” Haraboji asked.

“I did. But I don’t like staying in the city. So I decided to come back and spend a few more days with you.” The elders’ eyes hinted of reluctance when they looked at each other.

Haraboji asked once more, “Did you run away?”

I shook my head and gulped down the tea from my cup to avoid their eyes.

“Hae-na ssi, we’d love to have you here, but you need to go see a doctor,” Halmoni said while examining the spot on my head where she had applied a bandage two nights ago.

“I’m feeling fine,” I quickly answered, touching her hand as it reached down my neck.

But if your family doesn’t know about this….” Haraboji said, his voice a bit strained.

“I’m 27 and living alone. My mother doesn’t check on me everyday. I’m a professional model, and haven’t had a proper vacation in six years.” I smiled again after giving this brief introduction of myself. It was awkward, having to explain myself to two elderly people in a manner like a high school girl would in front of her class. I felt silly but at the same time crumbled a little inside when I recognized the affection in their eyes.

Finally Haraboji nodded. “Alright then. Stay as long as you feel like it. And please, you don’t have to pay for anything.”

“Do you prefer to stay in Min-woo’s cabin? I can ask him to remove his things,” Halmoni suggested.

My heart beat faster hearing Min-woo’s name. The futon in his cabin came to mind and the smell of it. It was nowhere near the softness of my own bed but I had slept so soundly in it that I actually wanted to own it. All things aside, I wanted to feel safe again in that cabin.

“He doesn’t have to. I won’t touch a thing, I promise.” My voice trailed off after seeing Min-woo outside the window. As he installed another light bulb under the tree, his white shirt hung loosely on his lean frame. “Where are his parents?” I asked, not knowing why my curiosity kept growing.

“They’re in Seoul.” Halmoni’s answer surprised me.

“Why isn’t he with his parents?” I dared ask one more time.

“I have adopted Min-woo, because his father didn’t want him. Min-woo was born with a defect. His limbs are not proportional,” Haraboji answered. “Tae-myeong is striving in the city and he could barely cope up with pressure in his business. He couldn’t handle raising a child with handicap so he decided to give him up for adoption. I was against it. Rather than having Min-woo live in a foster home, I agreed to take him in with us.”

I couldn’t distinguish if my throat had been blocked or my chest had been squeezed, but I had a shortness of breath. I looked at the window again but Min-woo was gone. Unlike the many heartbreaking stories that I could hardly relate to, this one went straight into me.