＜Episode 140＞ Father-in-law
Saying goodbye to someone you love is not an easy thing to do.
When I heard the voice I had heard until yesterday, and the eyes that had just blinked stopped. I’ve heard that there are many instances of weeping while holding hands that have lost their warmth.
It’s so precious that I don’t want to let it go.
A good breakup doesn’t exist in this world.
Those who have left may wish to be forgotten, but those left behind do not want to be forgotten. So that it doesn’t fade in my head, so that I can remember it over and over again. People keep their memories somewhere.
The ossuary was usually such a place.
This was the reason why Si-eun and I could hardly speak while we were moving to the ossuary where the father-in-law was.
The next day I met my mother-in-law. We had lunch and headed to the ossuary.
It was quite a distance from Si-eun’s house. Still, I had to get into a more remote place by car in a quiet neighborhood. At this point, it could be called a mountain valley.
The one who had no way of knowing where he was going or why he was just having fun. “Mom! Daddy!” on the back seat car seat. and babbled.
Si-eun, who was sitting next to her, looked after her with a slight smile in her rear-view mirror. My lips also loosened at that lovely scenery.
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Maybe even one thing, he was trying to soften the hardened atmosphere.The parking lot was empty. It would be even more surprising if the ossuary located deep in the countryside is crowded on a weekday afternoon.
Si-eun did not say a word even when she arrived. I also didn’t say anything. Si-eun, who knew where she was, quietly followed her one step back.
We entered the ossuary through the entrance of the building that exudes a solemn atmosphere.
Si-eun, who was moving quietly, headed to the Bonandang on the third floor.
I’ve never been to a place like this before. My first impression was that it was surprisingly cozy. It smells like wood if it is well maintained. The sun was shining through the window, diluting the solemn atmosphere.
It would be rude to look around. As I moved to the inside, staring only at Si-eun’s back, Si-eun’s footsteps stopped.
Then he reached out his hand and pointed to a square.
“It’s my dad.”
“… … Well.”
answered thinly.
He followed Si-eun’s hand and moved his gaze.
There is one large jar. There was also a flower arrangement on the left. Car keys, wallet, and a fountain pen were also there. Maybe it’s my father’s memento.
To the right was a pile of family photos.
The three people in the photo, Si-eun as a child, and their parents were all smiling broadly. Valley water flowed in the background. Maybe it’s a picture of when I went to play with my family one day?
Just by looking at this one chapter, I could guess that it was a very harmonious family.
He glanced at Si-eun and glanced at Si-eun. Si-eun, holding one, was staring straight at the family photo. It was not a situation to open his mouth recklessly. He bowed his head as if in silence.
I rolled my eyes and waited for a while, and Si-eun’s voice woke the stillness.
“honey.”
“uh.”
When I answered the call, Si-eun turned to me. Si-eun, who met her eyes, asked with a smile.
“Can I tell you about my dad?”
This was answered right away.
“If you want to, do it. It’s okay if you don’t have to do it.”
If your father’s work hurts, I want to hear it. I don’t want my wife to be with me for the rest of my life. It was possible, but somehow I wanted to heal him.
However, it is a different story if it has already become a scar and it is difficult to even put it in your mouth. He has no intention of resolving his curiosity even by inflicting pain on Si-eun.
“yes… … .”
After hearing my words, Si-eun drew a fleeting smile.
“Then I will tell you.”
said this
As she nodded silently, Si-eun’s story began.
“It’s my dad. You have been very busy.”
“busily?”
“yes. Go out of the office and work overtime. He comes home late at night and helps with housework. Play with me until I go to bed. If you get good test scores and show off to your dad, he will stroke your hair… … .”
Si-eun smiled bitterly.
“Of course, my memories are hazy. I can’t remember what I was playing with my dad. anyway it was Even though he was busy with work, he was very nice to me and my mother.”
“Ugh.”
If you think about it, it would be
Si-eun said that she had been to an amusement park with her father. But Si-eun’s house is in a pretty remote area, isn’t it? Even now, it is such a remote neighborhood that there are only a few buses a day.
If you were busy working on weekdays and went to an amusement park far away with your family on the weekend. You must have loved your family terribly.
“And then.”
Si-eun said with a clouded expression on her face. One in her arms murmured as if trying to comfort such a mother. Thankfully, the smile came back to life.
Perhaps a very difficult story would continue from now on. He bit his lip and listened.
“One day, Dad won’t come home until late.”
“at work?”
“yes.”
Si-eun nodded slightly.
“He left for work in the morning and didn’t come without a call. When I worked overtime, I always called my mom and told me to go to bed first. Did you have a cell phone back then? If I didn’t have a battery, I would have been able to make calls from my work phone… … .”
Still, there was no contact.
That was the moment when I realized something was wrong.
“So, my mother kept calling while panicking. Sit in the kitchen chair and press the button on your phone all the time. “Are you too busy to have time to answer the phone, mumble?”
Si-eun, who said that her old memories are not very clear, is vividly recalling this day. It must have been a shock to the extent that it was not easily forgotten until now, after more than 10 years have passed.
A delicate sigh escaped Si-eun’s trembling lips.
“I sat next to my mother and waited anxiously. Afterwards, I nodded and waited. Maybe that day you received an award… … . I don’t know about this. I have received many awards since I was very young.”
“Because she is smart.”
“Not as sweet as honey.”
At the joke that Si-eun barely threw, I also laughed lightly. Si-eun with a satisfied face continues the story.
“Then I finally fell asleep. I would have told her to go to bed and go to bed because my mother would keep calling me.”
“yes… … .”
“By the way.”
Si-eun whispered like a complaint.
“Early in the morning, my mother woke me up.”
A wrinkle formed on Si-eun’s forehead. It felt like I was gradually reaching the end of my memory.
“Besides, my mother was different from usual. He was also biting hard. Please bring neat clothes and put them on. When I asked why, he just said to go quickly… … .”
Then Si-eun said, “You know from here, right?” he added.
I carefully opened my lips.
“… … Are you dead?”
“yes.”
The answer was small enough to mix with the air.
“I followed it and it turned out to be a hospital. As soon as you arrive, where does your mother go? A relative I saw during the holidays was with me for a while… … . After a while, he took me to the funeral home.”
Si-eun recounted the situation at the time when the shock was severe, as if it were someone else’s business.
I couldn’t even put in the chuimsae, so I nodded hard. Si-eun nodded at the same time and spoke.
“Later, I secretly stole the documents and they said it was a heart attack. … … He was working late by himself, and he collapsed in an empty office.”
Si-eun closed her mouth only after telling this. There was a bitter smile on his lips.
It certainly didn’t seem like he was laughing.
The heart stops due to fatigue from the heavy work. This is what is called overwork.
The father-in-law, who worked tirelessly for work and family, could not take care of himself and closed his eyes.
After this, as far as I know
As income decreases, taxation declines. The mother begins to work hard until the father’s share. In the midst of this, my mother also became ill… … .
As a result, Si-eun had to live a part-time job, taking care of her academic achievements and personal relationships. Just like his father did, he continued to suffer by reducing his sleep.
It was quite ironic.
When I recruited a part-time housekeeper for 500 a month, Si-eun applied without even considering it. Looking back now, it was just sad.
Living in the house of someone you don’t even know. It must be scary In fact, wasn’t Si-eun so worried that she couldn’t sleep for a few days?
However, he persisted, pretending not to be Si-eun, pretending to be strong.
I have to deal with it all by myself.
When I looked at my usual behavior, I pretended to be strong to say that I wouldn’t be treated harshly.
The delicious food you made for me was a by-product of my early life alone.
The reason I chose to use the room farthest from my room, even if it was small, was because I was afraid of being harmed.
Every scene in my memory felt warm.
“So.”
Si-eun’s voice was heard. came out of deep recollection.
When I woke up, there was a hand tickling my head.
Of course it was Si Eun.
Si-eun was stroking my hair with her lovely eyes. One was held by one arm. Usually, I pat Si-eun. How could the roles be reversed?
Si-eun continued to speak as she was about to mumble in embarrassment.
“Sometimes I was nagging at Honey not to overdo it. I wanted it all to not be like this. Idiot.”
“… … I see.”
He replied with a chuckle.
It must have been for the same reason that I said not to eat ramen and that I should cut down on coffee.
I’m worried about my health.
And the reason is because I became Si-eun’s precious person.
Eventually, one of Si-eun’s arms spit out a babbling woohoo.
Si-eun immediately removed her hand and tapped one. Then, the two of them looked at each other, and one of them had closed their mouths and it had been a long time since they regained their composure.
okay. Now, the number of precious people has increased again.
Our relationship, which started in a rather unusual form, has reached this point.
Si-eun, who had to bear the burden of her parents alone, was able to share that weight with me.
Just as there is a meeting, there is a parting.
Because there was a farewell, we were able to meet.
He made fun of the emotions that were boiling in his chest.
“I won’t leave you alone, honey.”
“What?”
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Maybe it was because it was too sudden, Si-eun asked.He smiled and said it again.
“Don’t leave me alone, honey. If possible, without leaving the honey. I promise to stay by your side.”
It was a word that conveyed my feelings.
Si-eun took a deep breath.
Both eyes narrowed as much as possible, and the corners of the mouth were clearly raised.
It was a very different face from before when he was recounting a sad story of the past.
Si-eun, who had been staring at each other all the time, muttered a little.
“Aren’t you going to work?”
“… … Because it is irresistible.”
Si-eun chuckled exaggeratedly at my answer.
If I even play pranks like this, I think my heart has become much more comfortable.
After a while, Si-eun spoke in a warm tone.
“yes. okay. I will believe you.”
This time I added.
“I will go to work.”
“know. me too.”
shudder and bite his tongue. Well, I’m glad you know.
While I was laughing roughly, Si-eun opened her mouth again.
“honey.”
“yes.”
When she answered, Si-eun looked into the room where the father-in-law was.
“Can I say hi to Dad for a moment?”
asked.
Of course, that’s not something I’m allowed to do. The return was simple.
“However much.”
“yes. okay.”
And Si-eun handed him one. When I received it and hugged it, one of them said, “Wow,” and showed a sign of discomfort in planting. It must be annoying to change from the soft cushioned mother’s arms to the hard me one.
With her arms free, Si-eun put her hands in front of her belly button. It was literally a greeting.
Soon after, he spoke the first
“Dad. Long time no see.”
Si-eun nodded her head.
“I mean. I found someone important to me, so I got married and had children. you are such a pretty daughter My name is Hana below.”
“right!”
Hana heard my name and let out a powerful babbling. Si-eun and I were both fed up at the same time.
I trained them to respond to names, but I didn’t expect an innocent babbling to get in the way. It was a natural way to laugh.
Perhaps it was because of it, the atmosphere was also shaken.
Si-eun greeted with a beautiful smile.
“Even though I went through ups and downs, I am living a very happy life now. A few days ago, I even had a first birthday party. My daughter, don’t the guests praise you so much?”
Were you happy to hear your daughter praise you? I am proud not only of my mother but also of my father.
Si-eun said, “Woohoo,” and then let out a smile on her lips.
“I’m sorry for having to go to heaven alone, alone and lonely, because of you, because of me, I haven’t been able to say good-bye until now… … .”
Blurred back words were followed by powerful words.
“From now on, I will come whenever I get a chance. Thank you. Dad.”
Then, Si-eun sighed.
A long sigh, as if to vomit out the emotions he had been holding back.
I was worried that I might cry today, but there was no sign of that. Si-eun, who was in tears at the first birthday party and even at the news of her mother’s recovery, didn’t seem to want to cry in front of her father.
soon look back at me
“Now it’s over. Shall we go?”
“no.”
answered immediately.
There was still one thing left to do.
“I want to say hi too.”
“ah.”
After hearing my story, Si-eun slowly closed her eyes.
“I know. I wish that.”
He accepted it as if he understood the insider.
Si-eun then took a few steps back and spread her arms. When I handed one over, Si-eun took it seriously and swept her back. Looking at one face, it seems that my mother’s arms are more comfortable than mine.
Anyway, I stood where Si-eun greeted me. This time I put my hands together.
I made eye contact with the father-in-law in the photo. As my mother once told me, I felt like I had a little resemblance to me.
He looked into his eyes and opened his mouth.
“father. Nice to meet you. Si-eun’s husband… … My name is Hwimin Lee.”
After the self-introduction, I organized the words in my head. What are some things you must say to your father-in-law? I pondered for a moment.
After much deliberation, the results were brief.
“As Si-eun said earlier. We are married and have a daughter, and we are living happily ever after.”
Follow in the brightest tone possible.
“Si-eun always talked about good memories with her father. They said that it was a lot of fun when we went to an amusement park together.”
“Why are you talking like that?”
He pretended not to hear Si-eun’s complaint.
“Forward, until the end. We’ll live happily ever after. I want you to watch it.”
I am determined to live my life hard so that this happiness does not cease now.
The next word here was the same as Si-eun.
“I will come back again next time.”
It was a story that I would like to see you again someday.
Until the end, he finished greeting the father-in-law face-to-face.
I may be mistaken, but I also felt like my father-in-law was cheering me on by telling me to do my best.
I looked back. Unlike when I came in, Si-eun with a bright smile was waiting for me.
One looks very happy, but… … It’s probably just because Si-eun’s arms are soft.
He also said goodbye to his father. I even promised to see you again, so now is the time to go back.
“Shall we go?”
asked Si-eun.
Si-eun, who smiled softly, responded.
“okay. let’s go.”
“right!”
For some reason, not a single answer made a shrill sound.
I hope you really understand us… … ?
After leaving the Bonandang, we took a step outside the ossuary.
The bright sunlight was shining through the window at the back.
In the dazzling, warm light from the sky, we teased our feet.
Unlike when he came, he flirted with ordinary conversation.
I was all the code and program in the monitor.
Si-eun, who endured hard times and finally came to me.
Hana came to us like a gift.
Leaving behind a past that must have been filled with pain.
Our family moved towards the future.
As happy times pass, the clock turns faster.
The company works diligently in the duties assigned to it. After leaving work, she takes care of Hana, who is becoming more and more aegyo like Si-eun.
And, of course, she is constantly in love with Si-eun… … In the ordinary, so much happier, everyday life that is nothing.
One month, two months, half a year, another year passes… … .
The time is December 2024.
It continues on a day two years and three months after Hana was born.