The Darker Fantasy

CHAPTER 1

Jisoo was running away from Lisa, to avoid getting caught by her sister. She kept checking behind her to see if she was drawing nearer, knowing full well that her sister was pretty good at this. She was trying her best not to get caught, when she slipped and fell down. Her knees started to bleed. She could hear her sister calling her name and the voice got nearer. She looked up and saw the worried face of Lisa.

Lisa shouted, "Mom! Mom! Jisoo fell down and got hurt." And then she saw her knees bleeding. "Mom she is bleeding. Come fast. "

Lisa tried to carry Jisoo but it was an utter failure. Even though Lisa was only 5 years old she wanted to do anything to help her 8 year old sister. Jisoo was touched by how caring her sister was, and she thought about how cute she looked right then. Mary rushed out with a worried face and picked Jisoo up and went straight to their house. She took a first aid kit, and started cleaning up her wound. "How many times have I told you not to run around? Why can't you listen to me? You guys have no idea how worried I am about you two. Why can't you play indoor games?" Mary demanded. 

They heard a knock on the door and Mary asked Lisa to go and open the door, knowing it must be their father, John. Lisa followed her mother's order and went to open the door. Her father had come home from a hectic day of work to see their mother dressing up Jisoo's wound. "What happened to her?" he asked.

Before Mary could reply Lisa said, "We were playing hide and seek. As I was about to catch her she slipped and fell down." "Oh that's all." He said, heaving a sigh of relief. "It's okay ... it happens when you play. Don't take it too seriously. "

Mary replied incredulously, "That's all? What do you mean by "that's all "? What if she hurt her head? John tell them not to run around anymore." John smiled at his wife's concerned expression and said, "Darling, let them play! It's their age to play now. If not now, then when? And kids be careful not to hurt yourself" he said, turning to face his kids.

Mary replied angrily, "Fine, I won't say anything." John laughed lightly and said, "Darling, don't get angry. As an apology, How about we go for a movie after lunch and have one of your favorite ice creams. What do you think, kids?"

Jisoo and Lisa chanted in unison, " Yes, Dad it is a good idea." Mary's anger had subsided. After lunch, they went to a movie. As they were watching the movie, John and Mary got an urgent message from the office where both of them worked. They quickly exited the theater and got into their car. Lisa inquired, "What happened mom?" Mary replied, "We got a message from work saying that we both have to reach there immediately, for an important meeting." She let out a sad sigh seeing the disheartened faces of her daughters. "Sorry kids, we will watch the movie next time. And I promise you guys will get extra 2 more ice cream okay?"

Jisoo and Lisa nodded. Jisoo, " It's okay Mom we can understand." Mary was overcome by a sudden wave of emotions, which was a mixture of love for her kids, a painful pang about how they never got to spend enough time together, and pride at how they were so understanding. "We love you, kids."
They dropped Lisa and Jisoo home and headed back to work. Mary had taken the day off while John had ben to work earlier. But the message they had received earlier required both of them at the office as soon as possible.

At home, Lisa and Jisoo had the takeaway dinner they'd picked up on their way back home. While waiting for their parents to get back, they dozed off on the couch. It was nearly midnight, when the parents came got home, utterly exhausted from their tiring work. The sight of their daughters sleeping on the couch touched a soft spot in the parents' heart.

Mary said quietly with a touch of guilt in her voice, "We are not spending much time with them, don't you think John?" "I do," he replied sadly. "But what can we do? Our boss has put too much on our plates."