His Obsession | kooku

Chapter 23: That's Okay

"Sweetie, lunch is ready. Are you still not gonna come out of your room?"

"I'm not hungry, Mom."

Mrs. Lee sighed and let her. Guess she'll just bring her food again.

Jieun hasn't been going out of her room for two days already. From the night of the competition up until now.

"What happened to her?"

"Finally! You're here." Mrs. Lee hugged her eldest and explained to him what happened. She thought that maybe her brother could help her in some way.

"Has she been eating?"

"Yeah. I bring her food from time to time. Jungkook also visits her and bring her food but she refused to let him in."

Jongsuk went upstairs and knocked on her door. She didn't answer but she left the door unlocked so he came in. There he saw his sister hugging her pillow and staring into nothing.

"Hmm. What's that smell?" He jokingly covered his nose.

"I just got out from the shower." Jieun answered without looking at him.

"I heard you haven't come out of your room for two days."

"I have no time for your jokes, Oppa."

He sat on her bed and held her hand. "You know I'm not good with words, Jieun. But you know that I'm always here to listen to you, right?"

Jieun looked at her brother and the moment their eyes met, she hugged him and cried her heart out.

"I don't know what to do anymore, Oppa. That was my last chance. And I ruined it. I'm so stupid."

"Hey, don't say that." He said, caressing her back.

"I'm so ashamed of myself and...and to Jungkook as well. He helped me practice everyday. He gave up his time to help me but I put it into waste."

"And... D-Dad. He's the main reason why I wanted to join that competition. It took me years to gain the courage to join and it just took me minutes to mess everything up."

Jongsuk felt the pain in her words. He knows how much pain she went through when their Dad passed away. He then remembered the day of the accident. The day their father died.

It was Jieun's first singing competition. She just turned 16. She was a shy girl. She even refuse to sing at every family occasion but their father was so supportive that he was the one who signed up for her. She was hesitant at first but their father encouraged her and she ended up joining.

She was so excited that day. It was summer. The weather was nice. Everything was so perfect—until it happened.

Mr. Lee picked up Jongsuk from his University before they went together to the venue. Jieun and her mom was already there to prepare. The drive was smooth, Jongsuk was happily talking about his new project until he noticed his father's uneasiness. He was sweaty and his breathing was becoming unstable. Then he stopped the car. Jongsuk was in panic, he came out of the car for help but his father stopped him. His face was becoming paler every second but instead of going to the hospital, Mr. Lee asked his son to drive to the show's venue. Jongsuk was hesitant but his father kept on insisting it so he had no choice. He was crying all the way to the venue, he knows his father is dying.

They reached the venue and it was exactly Jieun's turn. Jongsuk assisted his father on the back seat. Mr. Lee even tried his best to smile and wave at his daughter despite the pain he's feeling.

Jieun waved back at her father as she stood in the stage. She was so nervous but seeing her father calmed her down. She started singing the song. It was her father's favorite song. She was just in the middle of the song when she noticed the crowd went in chaos. And there she saw her father. She dropped the microphone and ran towards him.