Annyeong!

My name is Sandara Park. I’m a 21 year old lady attending Dongguk University majoring in accounting and management. I was able to enter this university as a scholar by passing and acquiring the top position when I took their entrance examination. I take my school very seriously and I am cold & uninterested towards people except for my friends of course. I don’t care if others hate me at all. What is important is that I finish my school with top notch grades, get a good job in the future and earn money.

I actually have a deep secret within me.

12 years ago, a very tragic event happened in my life.

I came from a rich family but my parents taught me how to be warm and loving towards other people.

I was 9 years old and my baby brother, Chanyeol was 5 years old when my parents died. I remember it clearly. I was in school when I got hold of the news. Our driver fetched me and Chanyeol in the middle of our respective classes.  When we arrived at the hospital, it was already too late. Our parents were both gone. I was so scared and sad at that time and the only think that I could do was cry. I felt really weak but when I saw Chanyeol, he was worse than me. He was crying loudly and he was shaking uncontrollably. I hugged him tight because I instantly felt the need to protect him. We were both too young for this but I knew that Chanyeol is the one hurting more. Right there and then I decided that I will be strong not only for me, but also to protect and make Chanyeol happy.

Days after my parent’s funeral, our relatives decided that we stay with my father’s sister, Park Min Young. She never treated us well and we had to work like slaves in her house. We were given poor treatment but we never complained. At least she feeds us and gives us space to sleep. She also made us sign papers that my feeble mind could not understand at that time but nonetheless, we still signed for fear of being kicked out of her house. But one day I heard a shocking revelation. I overheard her talking to a similar person on the phone, Kim Seung Ho, my father’s best friend. I heard their conversation loud and clear. How they had successfully deceived my parents and how they were able to make the cause of death of my parents appear like an accident. She also told him how she was able to make us sign the papers that would transfer our parents fortune for us to her. Apparently, it was all planned. These devils killed our parents.

I can’t stomach their conversation anymore. I hurriedly ran to our bedroom and packed our few belongings. I saw the confusion on Chanyeol’s eyes but I had grabbed him and we hurriedly left Aunt Min Young’s house before she finds out that we left.

We had no choice but to be on the streets the following days. We were both hungry and weak. Due to this, Chanyeol collapsed. I didn’t know what to do. I asked the people around us for help but I was ignored. I felt hopeless and scared then suddenly an old lady who was holding a young boy on her right hand approached me and asked me what’s happening. I briefly explained what happened. She wasted no time and brought Chanyeol to the nearest hospital. I was so scared. I can’t lose Chanyeol. While grandma talked to the nurses, I was left with the young boy. I just continued crying but then he suddenly spoke, “You shouldn’t cry. What if your brother sees you like that? He’ll just feel unnecessarily guilt”. That made me stop. I didn’t want Chanyeol to feel that way. He spoke again. “My name is Kris. And that old lady is Grandma Tae Hee”. I nodded at him and I introduced myself as well. After some time, Chanyeol was released from the hospital. I was ready to wander the streets again but Grandma Tae Hee stopped us. She offered us to stay with her and Kris. Apparently, Grandma is a rich lady who takes care of abandoned or orphaned children like us. She also has no family and relatives left. I agreed to go with them and there I met the young Baekhyun, Kai, Suho, Lay and Tao the other children she was taking care of. Some children stayed while some where picked up by their real parents. Others arrived at our home as time flew by. Xiumin, Chen, the brothers Luhan and Sehun, and D.O were the late additions to our family. I was also the oldest among them.

Grandma Tae Hee treated us as her own children. She provided warmth and love to each and everyone of us.

However, as years passed by, Grandma grew weak and sick. She died eventually.

Every one of us mourned for her. We all felt depressed. We missed her already in the short span of time that she died.

After her funeral, we had discovered that she left us a huge amount of money.

Since I was the oldest I felt that I should be responsible. I made it my goal to be like Grandma Tae Hee to the 12 boys including Chanyeol.

I promised her at the funeral that I would do my very best for the 12 boys that she left.

I will take care of them and love them just as how she loved us all.

Even if it makes me an omma to 12 young boys.