Walk slowly (edited)

Chapter 22

All of them gathered in the living room.

I did not even look up. Jaebum! I wondered what Jaebum had to do with Mark’s family? Do they know each other? Impossible! But why would he be here?

“I hope everything is clear today.” Mr Tuan started talking after all went quiet.

“I hope so. That’s the purpose of my coming today.” Jaebum said. His words made me more worried about the situation.

“Please proceed, Jaebum.” Mr Tuan gave Jaebum permission to talk.

I carefully listened to Jaebum, wanting to hear the real explanation of what is happening now. I do not want to miss even a single word that comes out of the mouths of those who were there.

“I’m sorry because I had to meddle in your family affairs, uncle. But I had to. I wanted a certainty for my younger counsin. Kim Jiyeon. She’s sacrificed a lot just because of the love she had for Mark. I do not want her to be wasted.”

Cousins? I immediately got up from sitting. I looked at Jaebum who kept defending Jiyeon. Sadness and disbelief overwhelmed me. I felt so stupid, because without me realizing, I was mocked by everyone around me, fooled by people that I respected and cared for.

“Jinyoung, I’m sorry because I didn’t tell you the real thing.” Jaebum also stood and looked at my face, hoping that I could understand why he did so.

I laughed. A laugh filled with tears. I felt so foolish, because I could easily be tricked by Mark and Jaebum. Apparently they both pretended not to know one another all this time. Tears began to flow. I can’t take it anymore.

“Why does everyone want to fool me? What sin did I do to you guys for all these?”

Tears couldn’t stop flowing.

I walked away, leaving them all behind. I do not want to know what happens next. My belief in an honest heart is dead. I feel totally betrayed.

My steps led me to leave the house. I heard Mark and Jaebum screams and shouts, calling for my name repeatedly. But I just ignored them. I walked without direction, weak and crippled. My mind does not stop from thinking about all that has happened.

My eyes are almost closed but I still try to reopen it. But I’m too weak. I walked unsteadily on the side of the road. A moment later, everything around me blurred and I fell, with the company of light and sound so loud…

*****

All my limbs ached. No one was in the room when I opened my eyes wide. I hesitantly touched my head, realizing that it was wrapped neatly. I can still feel  pain, especially in the head. I don’t know how long I was there and who was kind enough to send me to the hospital. Yes, I could still feel my surroundings for a while before I lost my consciousness.

I got out of bed. It’s not as bad as I thought, though my head looked bad because of the bandage. My right hand was also wrapped while my feet only had small wounds. Step by step, I shuffled to the door.

“Why are you worrying? It’s not because of you that he is like that!” The words I heard when I opened the door a little made me close it back.

Jiyeon! Certainly, she was talking with Mark in front of the door.

I continued to stand there, wanting to hear their conversation.

“Please Jiyeon, this is not the right time for us to discuss anything. I just don’t want anything to happen to Jinyoung. I’ve done a lot wrong to him.”