ISTTIMI

CHAPTER 30: WINGS

"So... why are we going there exactly?"

It has been 15 minutes since I pulled him inside a cab and I haven't talked to the guy next to me since I told him to tell the driver to drop us off at the coffee shop near their street.

"Jisoo, your reason better be valid because your college application is on the line here." he said.

When the cab stopped in front of a vintage-looking coffee shop, the one I never got a chance to go to before because it's my first time coming to this part of the village. I'm not really the outgoing type so I've only known this coffee shop because of Joonie.

"Jisoo, we're here." He was about to pay the driver when I placed a hand over his, stopping him. Immediately, I paid the driver and went outside the cab. "Why are we here? Please answer me. I'm so confused right now."

"I'm meeting the guy who found my handkerchief." I told him, "I'm meeting my real father." Mark Tuan didn't move when I said that. He looked utterly surprised, so I pulled him along with me inside the shop. "Can you wait for me here?"

Mark nodded. "I'll be here just by the entrance. Stand up or yell if you need help."

"I don't think he'll do something bad when we're in a public place." I said, "But I guess I just need someone after this."

I found him sitting at the left corner of the shop, where no one was seated on either side. He was sitting straight, like a tensed person would do.

Alright, Jisoo. Talk to him quickly so you can finally let go of the fear and hopefully, get back to your school on time before the performance ends. This is the path you've chosen, don't chicken out now.

"Jisoo.." He said once I sat down across him. "You actually came to meet me."

"I'm here for my own benefit." I figured I should cut the chase, I don't have much time left. "Please tell me what you want to say."

"Well, I.." Judging by the way he looked tense and was avoiding eye contact, he really thought I wouldn't come here to talk to him. Did he really change? Is he really harmless now? "Why don't we order some coffee first?" I nodded, trying to go along with the situation. "What coffee do you want?"

"Caramel macchiato, please." I softly said. It was the first time he asked me what I like. Even before, he never asked me what I wanted, he just bought me things he thought were cute.

We could have had a good relationship, our family, if only he didn't lose his job and he managed to get ahold of himself after that instead of drinking alcohol all day.

Until the coffee we ordered arrived, we didn't start our conversation. My father looked really nervous, and I was just acting like I wasn't too. I think I'm really good at faking, I really should have my Oscar award by now. Anyway, after sipping his coffee, he finally opened up

"Jisoo, I'm sorry." he said, looking at me with teary eyes. "I was a jerk. I threatened you, I hurt you, I changed drastically as your father. I tried living my new life after you, Ji Won, and your brothers left me. I was mad at first. You all left me alone." I opened my mouth, thinking of cutting him off because of how he was apologizing but then he continued. "It took me a month of being alone, being angry at what our family has become, until I realized that I was really the one in the wrong. Not the day I lost my job. Not the alcohol. I was all to blame. I let myself drown in the effects of the alcohol. I stayed being a drunkard even when I know I have three kids waiting for me at home and a wife who's determined to work harder for us." his voice croaked, and the tears finally fell. He quickly took a tissue from the dispenser and wiped his tears. "I'm sorry. All these years, I couldn't stop thinking about the family I once had. I regret all the things I've done so I thought maybe I should at least try to check on you four once in a while."