JOURNEY || JinKook ☑️

SEVEN - FORGOTTEN

The class ended fast. My very first class goes out well.

"How's your first day?" Hoseok asked when he saw me in the hallway as we walked to the faculty room.

"It's nice. The students were very welcoming." I can even tell that they like me.

"That's so nice to hear. At least you don't have any problems with your students." Hoseok said as we sit down on our table.

"Hmmm... I have one particular student who doesn't have a packed snack. He was very sad and it made my heart hurt for him." Soobin's sad face never left my head.

"Who?"

"Jeon Soobin," I answered.

Hoseok's eyes widen. "Oh! The new student. He is a late enrollee. His uncle actually went here to ask if the school can still accept him."

"So it means his father doesn't even have time to look for a school for him. How irresponsible!" The thought of Soobin's father annoyed me.

"His uncle said the father is super busy. I heard he is the owner of Jeon Technologies." Hoseok whispered.

Well, Jeon Technologies is well-known even abroad. I've heard about it before.

"It doesn't matter if his father is the owner. Why doesn't he get a nanny who can take care of his son? If he is wealthy, then he can pay a hefty amount so someone will take care of Soobin." I guess knowing that he belongs to a rich family made me angrier.

Hoseok shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. But yes, I wonder too. I don't know the child's past but what if his father is okay at home?"

I shake my head. "You know, it's not that I am invading other's life but I guess he's not a good father for him. Thinking that his appa is already dead, I guess he should have foreseen what will be his child's future with only him raising his son. Soobin is seven, his father should have realized that by now."

Hoseok nods his head in agreement. "Well, I guess you're right. Do you have plans to talk to his father? We haven't seen him here yet. It's his uncle who enrolled him here."

"Maybe soon. I will observe the child first. Besides this is the first day. And I'm sorry that I am being judgmental. If you will only see the sadness in his eyes." I love my students even before. I have encountered a lot of problems.

Parents usually have no time for their kids because they are working but they still have time to look for school and pack foods for them. They were there to pick them up after school.

After I fixed all my lessons for tomorrow, I realized I'm the only one left inside the faculty room. I looked at the clock and it's already 5 p.m. I gathered all my things, put them inside my bag and I'm ready to go home.

I started to book for an Uber when I noticed a kid still in the waiting area. And I'm surprised to see Soobin sitting on the covered area and it's already 5 p.m. I dismissed them at 3 in the afternoon.

"Soobin?"

His puppy eyes looked at me. I can see and feel the anxiety laced through them.

"What time your daddy's driver is going to pick you up?" I sit down beside him. He bowed his head and heard him sobbing quietly. I put my arm around his shoulder and rub his arm.

"Daddy said the driver will be here at 3."

But it's already 5. Of course, I can't say that. It will only make him sadder. "Do you know your daddy's phone number?"

He gets his bag. He picks something from the inside and shows me a number written in a paper.

"I have a phone here. Do you want me to call your daddy?"

He nods his head and his face brightens. It's as if I asked him if he wants ice cream.

"Okay, I will call your daddy."

I dialed the number written on the paper. A woman answered the phone. "Hi, good afternoon. This is Teacher Jinnie from Gwacheon Elementary School, I would like to speak to Mr. Jeon."

"May I know if he's expecting your call? He is currently in a meeting."

I wanted to blow up. So he literally forgot about his son? "Miss, his son is still here in school and it's already 5 p.m. Their school ended at 3. His son is waiting for someone to pick him up." I want to give that irresponsible man right there a punch on the nose.

"Oh! For a while, I will try to tell him. Give me a minute."

I waited for a while before a woman answered the phone again.

"The driver will arrive there around 6:30. Mr. Jeon sent him to pick a client up from the airport. I'm really sorry Teacher."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself down. "Please tell Mr. Jeon not to bother. I will bring his son there. Can you please dictate to me the complete address?"

Jeon Towers. He owns a building but he cannot own up to his son. Bastard!

"Soobin, daddy said Teacher Jinnie will bring you to his building. Is that okay with you?"

Soobin hesitates but nods in the end. Maybe because he has no choice. I cannot let him wit until 6:30. I don't want him to get traumatized to think it's only the first day.

I am deeply saddened when his small hand wrapped my own. It's as if he doesn't want me to leave. It's as if he's asking for safety.

"You want Teacher Jinnie to buy you ice cream?" I asked and he smiled widely. His bunny teeth reminded me of that arrogant reckless driver who almost got me killed.

I bought him ice cream before we head towards his father's tower. Soobin is very quiet and will only respond when being asked. Unlike his classmates who are very talkative and active.

"Do you have a brother or a sister?"

"I don't. Appa died when I'm still a baby." He said while licking the ice cream.

"So when daddy is not around, who is taking care of you?"

"Grandpa. Sometimes my uncle's mama. But my favorite are my uncles because I can play with my little cousin." He's now starting to open up. "Daddy said I'm already seven. Sometimes I'm alone at home. I'm watching TV."

"Who is cooking for you?"

He shakes his head. "Daddy will buy food."

"Fast food?"

"Sometimes. But we usually eat take out foods. When grandpa or grandma is around, they will cook for me. Daddy can cook too but he is always busy." He looks adorable while eating ice cream.

"We're here," I said as the Uber stops in front of a very modern building. The lobby is very spacious and bright. The furniture, the lights, the large glass walls are all very classy.

A woman rushed as soon as we entered the building. "Soobin I'm sorry. Daddy is very busy."

The woman looks shocked when she saw me. "Oh!"

I smiled. "I hope tomorrow, someone will pick him up on time."

"Yes, I'm sorry Jinnie. I'm sorry for bothering you." The secretary looks apologetic but she keeps on smiling at me. I hope she's not thinking what I am dreading for her to think.

"Soobin, Teacher Jinnie needs to go now. I will see you tomorrow?"

He flashes his bunny teeth again as he nods. "Thank you Teacher Jinnie."

I watched as they head on to the elevator. I hope tomorrow, everything will be better for the little kid.