My Father Is Jung Yunho??!!

Our Own Ways...

JanDi was playing with Dylan as the two of them were huddled together in the room.

“And then he pulled her hair and everyone started laughing.” Dylan giggled as he finished telling his mother a story about how a bitchy girl got what she deserved.

“My baby boy is growing up so fast.” JanDi tickled him and he started laughing. A loud obnoxious laugh similar to his father’s.

There was a knock on the door and JanDi tucked Dylan into bed and went to see who it was. A gruff man barged in.

“Where’s the rent?” he growled. It was the landlord. He was a short, chubby man with a receding hairline and a bad demeanor.

“I..I…I just paid it last week.” JanDi stammered. Making a mental check of whether she had paid or not.

“This is the follow up rent.” He snapped.

JanDi’s heart was pounding against her chest. “Okay…how much?”

“8000 won.”

JanDi’s knees became weak. Where was she going to come up with 8000 won!?

“I don’t have it right now. But I’ll get it to you first thing tomorrow!” JanDi tried to negotiate.

“No deal.” The evil man shrugged and began rummaging through her stuff. He ruthlessly switched on the light to the room where Dylan was fast asleep.

“Please…my son is sleeping. Can we take this outside?” JanDi begged.

But the man paid no heed to her. Single mother’s who had illegitimate children had a hard time in any society and for a society as tight knit as the Korean one, she was vermin. He threw out her clothes, smelling her bra’s briefly before making a face and tossing them too.

“I don’t have any money!” JanDi fought back tears.

“AHA!” The man laughed. He pulled out a brown envelope and carefully counted the money inside. JanDi’s heart sank as he pulled out 10,000 won, crumpled the envelope and threw it on the heap of clothes.

“The extra 2000 for your lies! You know its wonder I still let you live under my roof. You lie, you cheat on the rent! I should throw you out but alas…Im a good man.” He nodded to himself before banging the door shut.

“He cant just walk in and take your money!” Lana was outraged as JanDi filled her in on the previous night’s incident.

“He’s the landlord…he can do whatever he likes.” JanDi mumbled. Her fingers wrapped around the cup of coffee she was having.

"Move in with me!” Lana said abruptly. “We’re family!”

“Thanks for the offer Lana…but I cant.” JanDi smiled.

“Youre a single mother living in a run down apartment with an insane landlord! Are you fucking out of your mind!?” Lana shouted.

“I’ll manage it!” JanDi said firmly.

“Oh…and what about Dylan’s school fee? I suppose youre going to conjure that up some how?” Lana scowled.

“I’ll ask my boss for a raise.”

“Yeah sure…tell me how that works out for you. Im sorry I just cant talk to you right now.” Lana stood up and left. She was really pissed at how stupid her friend was being. She knew life for JanDi wasn’t easy and being Yunho’s ex made it even more difficult but she wanted her friend to stop struggling and accept her help for once. But JanDi’s pride, or what was left of it, wouldn’t let her.

Dylan sat alone on the swing. The playground was empty and all the kids had gone home. His mother was late to pick him up. He gazed wistfully at the gate, hoping to see her frail figure in over-sized clothes appear with a gentle smile on her face.

“Dylan? Do you want to call your mom?” The teacher asked as he packed up to leave.

His mother didn’t have a cellphone but he knew someone who did…

“Ne Appa…Could you come get me from school? Im alone and they’re closing the school.” Dylan mumbled to the insolent man on the other end. Hoping to find some space in his heart.

“Im in Japan right now.” Yunho lied. “Sorry Dylan. Im sure your mother will come soon.”

Dylan frowned. “…I understand. Appa doesn’t have time for me. Im sorry.” He hung up. Being rejected by your own father at the tender age of 5 wasn’t something a child could take. But Dylan had been taught by his mother never to expect anything from anyone because they would only disappoint you. Wiping a fat tear from his cheek, Dylan grabbed his bag and left the school premises. Like his mother, he’d find his own way.