Memories || Wonu ff

twenty one

Ji Young - One year later

A lot has happened over the past year since I learned about mom. One of them being that dad kept his promise and we drove out to Incheon to mourn mom's passing finally meet my grandparents--mom's parents: Kang Sang Woo and Chu Mi Yeon.

It felt odd, yet comfortable to meet them for the first time after nearly 17 years. My grandmother, Mi Yeon, couldn't stop holding my face and kissing my forehead and saying how pretty I was--along with how much I resemble my mom. She then gave me heaps of gifts out of excitement of meeting me for the first time. Clothes, books, beauty products, art supplies--almost everything a girl could ever dream of having under the sun.

My grandfather, Sang Woo, while a man of few words and expressions--held me tight and listened to me talk about my passion for design and animation. The second he heard me talk about fine arts and my passion for it, he sprung up and immediately showed me mom's old portfolios that she left behind before moving out to live with dad. They still kept it because it was a small bit of her that they had left. I thanked him as I continue to flip through her old portfolio before he kept going on about what she was like. Holding the pendant of the necklace she gave me, I then felt more connected to her than ever.

After hearing stories about her and having dinner, we prepared for the reason why I was here today: visiting mom's grave--along with Jae Beom's grave as well, the baby brother I was supposed to have.

We took the candles and bouquets that grandma and grandpa had bought and headed out to go to the cemetery. Once we arrived there, we got past the iron barred gates as the three of them lead me down a winding path. After passing so many headstones, the three of them stopped in front of a certain headstone before turning around to face me. It was silent, everyone was unsure what to say.

"Sweet pea." Dad decides to break the silence "since you've never been here before, your grandparents and I agreed that after all these years, it would only be fair for you to go first and pay your respects to both your mom and brother."

Nervous, I nod as I then walk over to the headstone. Kneeling down in front of it, I began to take in the writing on the headstone while I ran my hand over the engraved words; my heart ached at what I read.

Kang Seo Hyeon

Caring daughter, amazing wife, and loving mother. She was a wonderful inspiration and a motivating light to those around her. May her light burn on in others.

(1996 - 20XX)

Jeon Jae Beom

Son of Kang Seo Hyeon and Jeon Wonwoo, little brother of Jeon Ji Young.
Never had the chance to experience life.

(20XX)

I slowly began to tear up as I placed the bouquet on the ground.

"Hi mom, hi Jae Beom. It's good to finally meet both of you." I quietly greet as I stare down at my curled fists in my lap.

Silence goes by for a moment before I continue "Mom, Jae Beom, I'm sorry it took so long to meet you like this. I wish I could turn back time so that we could all be a happy family. Though it's a little to late for that, no?" I let out a dry laugh "I'll do my best to come visit you two more often- just to make up for all the years I wasn't able to."

After a while, I lift my head to see all three of them we behind me. Grandma crouched down and gave me a hug, comforting me and wiping my tears as I began to cry.