~Locked Away ~

Left

[I want it to be made clear that Jin's mother does have some mental issues. Most of my books do tend to include characters as such, in order to educate that not all mental health problems can be clearly seen or judged, as I see most of media stigmatizing it. However, I do want to further educate, and incorporate it in multiple ways in my writings, while trying to remain as accurate and as little damaging to the community. 

I cannot go deep into what exactly the issues are or why- it'd spoil, but it's important to keep this in mind. Also I take all respectful criticism. If you feel i'm not accurate, call me out.]

Present day

"Mother, I am terribly sick of doing nothing." Seokjin heaved a sigh, closing his eyes. "I have so much energy, even with the exercise room, but nothing to do."

"Seokjin, you are such a drama queen. Be grateful you have such an easy life." She didn't turn around from making supper.

He frowned at his mother's back. That's not what he meant. "Mum, you are insufferable."

She turned slowly around from cleaning a pack of shrimp, a maniacal smile appearing on her face. "Run that back?" With her wide eyes daring and shrimp looking like a weapon in hand, he rethought his decision and chose to live.

"Nothing, mother dearest." He sighed, resting his head on his palm. "I just do get bored of watching the telly all day."

"Sit up straight, Seokjin." Mother said, turning back to her peeling. "And you always help out in the kitchen."

He straightened up. "I know. May I prepare dinner instead? You watch that screen, Mother. I want no more of it."

She laughs and flips the knife in her hand before handing it to him. "Okay, Seokjin, today will be your menu." She smiled at him and he smiled back, glad she let him win this one. Even though he's seventeen years old and 6 inches taller, his mom could take him on anytime.

She is a bit frightening. But she is also loving and all his family and all his purpose and all his world. 

He put the shrimp aside and look at the ingredients his mother already took out. He did love him some seafood. Since his mom did most of the work by fixing the shrimp, he just measured up the condiments and set them up.

He worked diligently to make this easy dish. He seasoned the shrimp with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, tossing them with the bowl. Then he mix the paprika and flour together, biting his lip like he usually does when he concentrated. He turn on the fryer, letting it heat up before he tossed the food in. Then he dipped each shrimp into the flour mix, then the egg mix, and finally in some panko crumbs. Some look ugly, but most of them turned out well.

His mom peeked over his shoulder. "Not bad. Try to do it more evenly all around."

Jin nodded, taking the notes in his mind. His mom was the greatest chef in the entire universe. Not that he'd eaten anything but his or her cooking. As he started dipping them in, keeping his face straight even as some oil pops onto his skin, he decided the question is harmless enough to ask his mom. 

"Mother? May I try, um, other foods?"

She leaned on the counter space next to me. "What?"

He avoided her eyes so he didn't cave. Her eyes are so void of emotion yet brimming with them at the same time- he'd back off if he looked into her eyes.

"Well Mother, uh. I've only had home cooking, right? And um, I had been thinking that you're the best chef ever born, right? But I've only had two kinds of foods." He put the last shrimp in, then pointed between them. "So I thought that if I tasted the food, like from the telly, couldn't I say it with conviction?"