The Bomb

Obediently, like the dutiful son that I am, I walked on over to the small kitchen area further inside the small villa. Setting the food basket onto the counter, I strained my ear to hear out for their talk. I leaned over the counter, saw how their silhouettes disappeared to another part of the house and huffed. It’s so like adults to leave us teenagers out of conversation and even reap away our chance of even eavesdropping by discreetly moving to another room. That was when I solely focused on placing the foods into respective plates.

Utilising a tray I found in one of the cupboards, I first brought over the tea I took the trouble of making – for fear my Mom might just actually yell at me for not doing so earlier. Mom was in the midst of talking about some area and listing out its good qualities when I put the pot down and poured a cup for everyone. I didn’t stay long and listen more intently to the conversation because I had to bring in the food next.

Bringing over the titbits and snacks, I catch my Mom say, “The moment we’ve all moved in, we are going to have a traditional Do house-warming feast.”

“Who’s moving where?” I piped.

Both adults turned to my still form in the corridor and then Grandpop turned to Mom. “You haven’t told him yet?”

“Not… exactly,” Mom sheepishly let in on, her cheeks tinting pink as she rubbed her palms onto the skirt of her dress.

“Mom, tell me what?” I inquired, more curious than ever.

She sighed and looked at me rather forlornly. That terrified me. I sensed something bad coming my way.

“Sweetie,” she started sweetly. I gulped. “I really didn’t want to tell you this because it technically just happened, but we’re going to be moving over to this side of Gyeong-Ju by next month!”

My eyes blinked.

“Surprise~!!”

“MOM!!” 

Acceptance

“Mom… I really am sorry,” I reluctantly apologised. “I wasn’t…” come on, say it, “thinking… about you. I was being... selfish. I…” I can’t believe I’m saying this. “I guess… moving isn’t so bad.”

There was a gasp and the breath I held in was extorted. Mom’s strong arms, famous for suffocating, did so to me. We jumped up and down, her giggles deafening me since they were right next to my ear, while I grew purple from lack of oxygen.

“Oh, I knew you’d warm up to the idea! You’ll love the area! It’s close to town and your grandfather and your future school!” Swaying me from to side-to-side now, she sighs dreamily, “Oh it’ll be just perfect.”

“Um… Mom…?” I managed to squeak.

“Hmm?” she hummed, averting her attention down to my squished, possibly blue face now.

“Can you let me go now?”

She spared no time to question and released me where I dropped to my knees and inhaled a sharp lungful of air. Lying on my bed minutes after regaining strength in my muscles after, I stared up to the ceiling and ruefully thought to myself:

Perhaps I should’ve just let her choke me to death.

Because then I wouldn’t have to horrifyingly face the reality that is moving to a land unknown a few months later; leaving behind my friends, school, and my escape: the record shop. 

What is to be a future project. I sort of continued it after abandoning it some time ago. And I have an exam tomorrow. Wish me luck guys? Heh...