Chapter 6

No she wasn’t ready. She will never be ready for the truth to come out but it has and it’s not like she can hide something this big forever, especially to her daughter. She should’ve known the second she stepped foot back in Korea that this will happen and she fervently hoped that she could’ve prepared Yumi for this sooner.

It was the same case for Yonghwa it feels like everything keep falling to him even if he doesn’t do anything. Like they all come spiraling down. He didn’t expect to meet Joohyun again after all these years although at night he prays for her and her happiness. Never in a million years would he have thought that he will have another daughter. He and Haneul has come a long way, they have gone through hell and back and that made them stronger as individuals and as father and daughter. When Haneul first had her period he took it upon himself to explain it to his daughter. When he noticed that Haneul has been getting calls from boys. When Haneul introduced Siwon. God knows how he wished he has Joohyun with them but he knew they will never see her again. He thought that by leading his life as it is, he is paying Joohyun the heartaches his parents cause.

And yet there they are sitting in front of their daughter in Joohyuns and Yumis living room, all looking at each other, waiting for someone to start this conversation which is long overdue.

“I’m sorry” Joohyun started “I’m sorry because I caused all these troubles in the first place, if I stood my ground when your grandparents asked me to leave you Yumi would’ve grown up knowing your father and Haneul, sweetheart, we would’ve never been separated. But when you become parents yourself you will understand the love of a mother and a father to their child. Same as why your grandparents asked me to leave. They only want the best for your father and to them, I am not the best. I also wished the best healthcare for Haneul at that time because I wanted her to live, so I did what I did. I could’ve saved everyone from all these heartaches but I was young and I am a mother” she smiled solemnly at her daughters

“Yumi” she continued “I didn’t know I was pregnant when I left Korea, I found out weeks after I arrived in the US, your halmoni and harabeoji wanted me to keep you a secret and so I did. II know I lied to you about your dad but that’s the only way for you to give up on his existence. I’m really sorry Sophie, I should’ve been braver and I should’ve trusted that you will understand the situation but instead I kept you in the dark and now you must be shocked”

Their maknae chuckled “You think?”

Haneul snorted and tried not to laugh

“I’m really really sorry Sophie. I’m sorry for robbing you the chance of being with your dad while you were growing up.” She then turned to look at Yonghwa “I’m sorry for taking your youngest daughter away from you, for never giving you a chance to be her dad”

“It’s not too late Joohyun” he answered her as he took her hand and gently gave is a squeeze “We are all here, right now and this must mean something more”

Yumi gagged “This is sooo weird and cheesy and I’m getting goosebumps and” she stopped midway and looked at her parents “SO WEIRD!!!” she stood up “I’m so not use to this!”

Haneul was laughing

“I’m cringing! This is worst thatn a low rating primetime drama!”

She sat again and took Haneuls hand and imitated her fathers voice “It’s not too late Joohyun,,we are all here”

Their parents were baffled

“Oh Yonghwa!!” Haneul played along and Yumi answered in a manly voice “Oh Joohyun!!”

“Yah!” Yonghwa sneered at the two while he was answered with a bucketful of giggles

“Okay” as she and Yumi tried to calm themselves down “My turn” she cleared “Even if it hurt me, and though it was not easy, it’s in the past and looking at it now, I think none of us has really moved on, especially you two” pertaining to their parents “I mean, 2 decades has past and yet here you two are. We were all just victims of the circumstances. What I mean is there’s no point in dwelling in the past. It will not change anything. All I’m trying to say is, it’s okay now.” She then looked at Joohyun “Though I will have to get use to the idea that I have a mom now and that I have a sister” she smiled at Yumi

“Okay I guess I now have to say something” their maknae spoke “I think we will all have to learn to adjust to each others existence. And it won’t be easy so maybe let’s all give each other time. Let’s all give each other chances. I’m not saying I’m the most affected one but aside from me, you all know that you guys are existing while I on the other hand don’t. I didn’t know that my father is still alive let alone I have a sister. I’m still taking this in, believe me, I’m laughing but I’m so confused right now and I just badly wanted all these to work”

She didn’t realize that she was suddenly crying she shook her head “and no I’m not crying because of anything else, I guess my heart is happy that mom and I are no longer alone. Not just having thee two of you” as she addressed Yonghwa and Haneul “but being around halmoni and harabeoji and Uncle Jonghyun and Aunt Yoona and the my two cousins and as unimaginable as it seems, I’m glad that I also have a family in appas side.” She looked at her father and shrug as she herself can’t understand what she feels “I always thought we are happy just th