The Border Of Us

Past's Shadows

"What?"
My mother said. I got nervous. "Mom, I am sorr-" She cut me off before I completed my sentence. "You are a heroine!" My mom exclaimed. She hugged me and shook Kyeo Weo's hand. "안녕하세요 [(Annyeonghaseyo) Hello], My name is Kyung Kyeo Weo." Kyeo Woo looked so confused. He faced me and made a silent, "What is happening?"
"Omo, come on. Go in, you are welcome." My mom said with an excited face. Kyeo Weo went in. "Sit down, I'll bring you food and drinks. I know you have gone such a long way." My mom instructed him. Kyeo Weo sat down, followed by me. "Your mom is nice, Ji Ya. Thank you for helping me." Kyeo Weo said. "Your welcome!" I replied.

Kyeo Weo's POV
I talked to Ji Ya for a while waiting for her mom. It's crazy to think that we're already close in just one day. I am enjoying it here in the southern part of Korea but my parents aren't. Sigh, I am greatly sorry mom and dad. Soon, I'll be able to bring both of you here. I love you both...

Ji Ya's mom finally arrived. She was bringing sandwiches and cups of tea. I wasn't full at all so I was glad. "Thank you for the food, Ji Ya's mother." I thanked her. I only grabbed one sandwich because I was shy and it would be embarrassing to eat a lot. Ji Ya's mom was looking at me. "That is all that you are gonna eat? Eat more! Take 3 more sandwiches. I am already full, I just ate lunch." She said. "Yes, 어빠 [(Oppa) term used by women for men older than them] Eat it all. I get full easily. The Big Mac was enough for me. Plus, I am on a diet." Ji Ya giggled.

I grabbed the remaining sandwiches. I ate them all. I bowed and thanked Ji Ya's mom. "Oh, stay here for the night. You can stay in Ji Ya's room. She has a bunk bed." Ji Ya's mom offered. "Thank you." I said. "Ji Ya, guide Kyeo Woo. I'll go to bed" Ji Ya's mom instructed Ji Ya. Her mom then walked to her bedroom. "Hey, that was awkward wasn't it?" She chuckled. "Come on, I'll show you the way to my terrible room."

"Haha, is it really that terrible?" I laughed. "You'll see." She said while she took me to her room. She opened the door and exclaimed, "Here is my room!" I looked around the room and it was covered with pictures of 7 guys and words that read "방탄소년단 (Bangtansonyeondan/BTS)"

"Who are they?" I asked. "They are the biggest K-pop group in the whole world!" She replied. "Enough talking, just sleep." She said while going to her bed. "You'll be on top of the bunk bed. I'm scared that I might fall." She told me. "Well, you should be more scared because I might fall on top of you." I jokingly said. "You are not fat though." She laughed. I placed my backpack on the side of the bed. I then went up the bed. "Good night!" She exclaimed. "Good night!" I replied.

I closed my eyes, about to sleep but then Ji Ya slapped my face and said "Take a bath. You haven't took a bath yet." She ordered me. "Fine." I said. I took my clothes and I went out her bedroom trying to find the bathroom but I heard a voice singing in the living room. I took a peek and I saw Ji Ya's mother singing while holding an album filled with pictures of a man that seemed like... Ji Ya's father! She was singing a tune that seemed familiar, she was crying.

After 5 seconds, I figured out that the song was "Resignation" by Lee Young Hyeon. She finished the song so I walked in the room to ask where the bathroom is. When she saw me. She quickly closed the album and wiped her tears. I asked where the bathroom was and she told me it was beside her room. I thanked her and I went to the bathroom. I took a bath and quickly changed my clothes.

I went to Ji Ya's bedroom and I asked Ji Ya what happened to her father. Ji Ya was shocked and she looked like she didn't want to answer but answered anyways. "He died when I was 10 years old. I still remember the past's shadows until this day. It's very painful..." She said while getting emotional. "He died because of lung cancer. He already got lung cancer but he never knew. He was a North Korean defector, just like you. He got it during his time in here. That is why my mom cared about you, and I thought she would get mad because she doesn't want to remember about the past."

"I am so sorry for asking you." I apologised. "It's fine." She got teary-eyed. I went up the bed and said "Good night!" While she replied, "Good night!"
I closed my eyes and slept in peace...

"미안해요 [(Mianhaeyo) I'm sorry], Ji Ya."