3rd Person’s POV

[Choi’s family mansion…February 28, 20XX]

Anika paced back and forth as she wait for her mother to come home after talking with Erika. Mrs. Choi came to South Korea when Erika wanted to talk, now it’s her turn to do her part.

“Calm down, sweetie. She’ll understand.”

“But what if she doesn’t approve again, dad?”

“There’s nothing she can do, I’m supporting you.”

“Thanks, dad.” Anika hugged her father tightly. “Why can’t mom understand things like you do? I wish she would also see how much I love music and would support me for once.”

“Once you show your talent to her, I’m sure she’ll see it.”

“You flatter me, father.” Anika said with a chuckle.

“You’re my daughter, ofcourse I had to.”

Anika slap her father’s shoulder amd laughed together, but stopped when the doorknob turned to open. This is it… Anika thought as her mother enter the house.

“Your friend is great at being a lawyer, I’m amazed.”

“Yeah, she’s great at everything. Don’t let it bother you.”

“She also told me you have something to tell me, what is it?”

“I think we can talk about that during dinner.” Mr. Choi interrupted and lead the two girls to the dining room. “Have a seat, then we’ll talk about Anika’s decision.” and, they all did.

“Alright, here goes nothing.” Anika whispered under her breath. “Mom, I want to be an idol. I want to inspire people through music, I want to show people about my feelings using my songs, I want to convey something to everyone using only my voice. That’s what I want…”

Mrs. Choi was about to interrupt but her husband stopped her and motioned to let Anika continue her speech. His looks tells her that she needed to her Anika’s opinion too.

“Ever since I was young, I’m obsessed with music. I’m sure you’ve noticed that, and that’s all because music speaks to me something that normal words can’t. I want to do that too.”

Anika let out a deep sigh, causing her father to shot her a supportive look.

“Music will always be my number one choice. I’m sorry, mom.”

“Why don’t you hear her sing before deciding anything?”

“Yeah, hear me out. The things that I couldn’t convey through normal words, I’ll convey to you through a song.” Anika took a deep breath before she started singing…

Lost the way

Mrs. Choi felt the emotion just from those three words that came out of Anika. Her feelings spilled just from the first sentence of the song, and Mr. Choi couldn’t help but smile.

I’m lost far away, far away

Looking for myself again…all day

The sky shadowed by the sun, I asked it again

Where do I have to go?

Exhausted steps

But I can fly past the countless stars, fly away

Memories are asleep here, your space

When will I be able to wake up?

Lost the way, oh lost the way

Anika couldn’t help but hold her tears in as she remembered all the years that she wanted her mother to hear her and to tell her how great she sings. The support a mother gave…

Find the way

I want to know, let me know

Tears smudge like paint, is there even an end?

Maybe, hhm, hhm…

When I open my eyes again, dazzling sunlight comes through my window

Like a dream, like a dream…

At this point, even Mrs. Choi couldn’t help but tear up at the raw emotion Anika is showing.

Where should I go? I think I know…

Mr. Choi reached for Anika’s hand and held it as he held Mrs. Choi using the other one. Anika continued to sing the second chorus, not caring if she’s crying out.

But I can wait, I waited endless days that came

I held myself in but I let myself go

Some day, I will be standing there

Lost the way, oh lost the way…

Suddenly, Mrs. Choi reached out to the other side of the table and held Anika’s hand, making the girl smile brightly as she finish the song with her mother smiling back softly at her.

Found the way, I found the way…

“Mom…” Anika let out a broken sob. “I know how important to our family that we must follow tradition, but I think it’s more important to follow our heart. Great-great-great grandfather did it because he wanted to, this is what I want. Please support me, mom.”

“Anika…” Mrs. Choi couldn’t help but let out a sob too as she held her husband and her daughter’s hand tightly. “I’m sorry for forcing you to a lot of things, I don’t want to be a failure. I don’t want you to feel like you’ve failed a generation, like what I felt.”

“I don’t care about generations, mom. What important to me is what we have now.”

“i know, and I’m sorry that I had burden the past. I didn’t even let my own husband help.”

“And I think you should consider giving me some burden to hold.” Mr. Choi interrupted, smiling a teary smile. “This is our family, your family’s opinion doesn’t matter anymore.”

“I’m really sorry, I hope you can forgive me.”

“It won’t be easy.” Anika sigh. “But you can try.”

“I will, I promise I will. I’ll make it up to you, dear.”

“You can stay until her graduation.” Mr. Choi suggested.

“Alright, I’ll do that. Your friend told me about your group, are you debuting together?” Anika nodded. “I’m glad you have friends like them, they treat you like a real family does.”

“I’m very happy to be a part of our group.”

“Well, I’m hoping to see the perfect group rise.”

“You flatter me too much, mom.” Anika said with a chuckle and her mother only caressed her hand with a soft smile in her face as she said…

“You’re my daughter, I had to.”

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