Days passed and so did Yeori’s independence. It lead to their drifting connection that one morning, Yeori didn’t greet Eunbi and just grabbed a can of soda like she didn’t exist. They would’ve done the usual routines but it was disrupted most of the time.

Today, they were supposed to do the routine but they became an hour late from schedule. Eunbi realized this and got furious, storming towards Yeori’s room.

She was close to getting pissed. The drawing of a duck’s skull stuck on the door wasn’t pleasing her one bit.

“Lee Yeori!” Eunbi opened the door. “What are you – “

Eunbi was frozen. Yeori’s room was a mess plus its owner was busy calling someone, her laugh surrounding the room. Yeori saw Eunbi that she held the call and drew closer.

“Ma! You messed up my call!” Yeori got up to shut the door in front of her.

Eunbi couldn’t believe what was happening. Her own daughter suddenly yelled and shut the door. She formulated the reasons to why Yeori acted like that, concluding that maybe she was just tired or hungry.

And with that, Eunbi had an idea.

+++

Eunbi placed the Peking duck on the center. She looked back while wiping sweat, feeling proud of her accomplishment.

She had cooked a feast. It was of great timing that Chaeyeon will return from work and that Yeori was in the bad mood. Food has always done wonders and that has been Eunbi’s way to keep negative emotions away from her family.

Yeori finally got out from her room and Eunbi got to hug her. Yeori didn’t hug back but she did pat her back.

“Ma…” Yeori saw the feast on the table. “…what’s with the occasion?”

“Your father will return home plus you look distressed. You must be tired and hungry.” Eunbi lets go to pull her and sit her down. “Have some food. I even made Peking duck, your favorite.”

Yeori was silent. Eunbi went to grab utensils for themselves when Yeori stood up and got to the door. “Sorry, Ma. I won’t be joining you for dinner.”

Eunbi almost dropped the utensils. She puts them on the counter and wondered. “What do you mean? Where are you going?”

Yeori opened the door, just in time for her friends to arrive. Eunbi went to her and raised an eyebrow as she saw Hyewon and Yujin with shades on.

“Good day, Mrs. Lee.” They waved then spoke. “Come on, Yeori. We’ll be late for the party.”

Eunbi was shocked. She would’ve asked Yeori but the latter already bid her farewell and went with her friends. She even puts some shades on and Hyewon drove them off to the party. Eunbi was still frozen but as she slowly got inside and closed the door, her blood boiled.

She doesn’t usually get angry but when she does, it never leads to anything good.

A text got to her phone. Eunbi checked and saw a message.

From: Hubby
Hey, love. Our boss decided to extend our conference at the last minute. I won’t return tonight. I’m really sorry.

Eunbi sighed again. She replied and sat with a dreary heart. Looking at the food she prepared, it would go to waste if no one ate it.

Maybe it was a good way to lessen the raging anger inside.

+++

Eunbi puts the last bowl of food down and her burp and fart filled the room. The food she prepared for three was downed by her; a manifestation of her sadness of frustration. She was sad because Chaeyeon couldn’t come home yet and frustrated because Yeori became too independent again.

As she tried to relieve her anger through pigging out, she questioned herself. She raised Yeori with everything she could give yet her daughter was drifting away. Eunbi would’ve accepted the fact it was part of life but this was her daughter; the precious result of her union with Chaeyeon, and the one who kept her loneliness away. Even if she was a humanoid Peking duck that maintained the height of a toddler, she was their daughter.

Eunbi stared into space. She questioned herself of what she had done to make Yeori drift away.

She didn’t realize that it was late in the evening. The TV had been on for so long and the table was still a mess. Eunbi checked the time, feeling angry and worried that Yeori hadn’t come home. Even her calls and texts deemed useless because Yeori didn’t answer nor reply them. For now, Eunbi decided to turn off the TV, wash the dishes, clean the table, and clean herself up.

After those chores, Eunbi sat in the living room, eyes fixated at the door. A knock came minutes later and she quickly went to open it, seeing Yeori.
She would be relieved that her daughter returned home but with the previous treatments, she couldn’t hold her anger. 

“What happened to curfew?” Eunbi crossed her arms. “I thought you’d be back by 10.”

“I’m sorry, Ma. It won’t happen again.” Yeori spoke. “I brought someone with me.”

Eunbi wondered when Yeori pulled another girl to her direction. The girl had a meek expression and bowed respectfully to Eunbi.

“Ma, this is Jo Yuri…my fiancée.”

If Eunbi could drop her jaw, it would’ve gotten to the floor in seconds. Yuri showed her hand with a ring finger, even Yeori showed an identical ring.

“It’s been a pleasure to see you, Eommoni.” Yuri spoke and hugged her.

Eunbi remained frozen as she patted Yuri’s back. Yeori made her feel at home, leaving Eunbi to close the door and maintain her shocked expression, even until she sat on the couch where Yuri sat on the opposite side.

It was quiet. Yuri wasn’t much of a talker whereas Eunbi was still shocked. However, it grew when Yeori returned with bags on her hand. Yuri got up and had a cute moment with Yeori. She pinched her cheeks and got her luggage to take it to her car.

“Yeori-ya…” Eunbi couldn’t believe it. “…what are you…”

“Ma, I’m leaving.” Yeori spoke. “I have a fiancée now plus we’ve been pretty distant. You must not want me around anymore.”

“Yeori-ya, why didn’t you tell me about this?! About everything you’ve been doing?!” Eunbi couldn’t bear it and just exploded. “I’m your mother! I should know everything before you do anything!!”

“That’s another factor, Ma. You’re too emotionally attached!” Yeori spat back. “You take care of me too much, you don’t let me do things on my own, and you stop me from hanging out with my friends!! If you even try to stop me from being with my future wife, I – “

“You’ll what?” Eunbi remained strong despite her slightly trembling voice. “Did you even think through about this? You just met the girl – ”

“We’ve known each other for five years, Ma. Yuri is a nice girl – “

“I don’t know that. I’m saying this to protect you from someone with an unknown background!” Eunbi snapped. “I’m doing this for you! You’re my little girl.”

“Well, I’m not your little girl anymore, Ma.” Yeori spat. “I’ve grown up. I’m starting my own life now.”

“Love?” Yuri called from the door. “Shall we go?”

Yeori nodded. Yuri returned to bid Eunbi farewell. Yeori did the same and the two walked away.

For Eunbi, however, she never thought of letting go.

“Yuri-ya, I need to talk to my daughter again.”

Yuri nodded and went ahead. Yeori started to grow furious because she knew what it meant. She decided to go anyway but Eunbi blocked the door. 

“You’re not going anywhere!” Eunbi spat. “Let’s talk, Yeori.”

“What’s there to talk about, Ma? And what’s wrong with starting a new life?” Yeori reasoned as she went ahead, excusing herself from Eunbi’s block. “I can’t be in your nest forever. Can’t you let me go for once?”

“No…” Eunbi stopped her. “Yeori-ya…please…”

“Tsk! Let go, Ma!” Yeori drove her hand away. 

Eunbi didn’t. It ended up as a tug-of-war, with Yeori pulling herself away as Eunbi stopped her, tears dropping on her face.

Yeori was her baby and she was her mother. And in most cases, mothers made sure that their babies will always be in their nest.

It was then that Eunbi acted on impulse. She ended up grabbing Yeori and ate her head. Then she ate every part of her body until there was nothing left and that Yeori was inside her stomach.

Because even if Yeori was a living piece of food, she was technically food.

Eunbi realized what she did as remnants of plum sauce messed her hands and the corners of . It was then she broke down, crouching by the door and burying her face on her knees.

In the end, both had their own huge hubris. Because of Eunbi’s desperation, she had completely lost her daughter.

She lad lost her baby girl that she loved so much.

+++

“Eunbi-ya…”

Eunbi jolted up as she was shocked that she was in her room. Not only that, Chaeyeon was in front of her, also teary.

“You dreamt about our Yena again, didn’t you?”

Eunbi nodded and continued to cry. Chaeyeon hugged her closer and comforted her, feeling teary because her wife was crying.

The previous events were Eunbi’s dreams; a manifestation of what happened in the past. Yeori was a manifestation of their real daughter; their precious Peking duck that had been away from home for the past 10 years. Eunbi’s desperation and sorrow were her manifestations of empty nest syndrome; a manifestation she always bore because of her undying love for their daughter.

She missed their only child everyday. Ever since Yena moved out angrily to start her own life, she cuts connections with her family, especially with her mother. Yena realized that Eunbi was too protective of her that she had to earn her independence. It didn’t end on a good note because Eunbi and Yena argued before they cut their connection.

“Love…it’s going to be okay.” Chaeyeon broke to wipe Eunbi’s tears away. “Wherever our Yena is, she’s fine. I know you love her so much but our little bird can’t be in the nest forever.”

“But…she didn’t come back.” Eunbi wept again. “It was my fault…”

“She will. We just need to give each other time.” Chaeyeon spoke. “No one’s at fault. It’s just that the languages of love are different.”

Eunbi sighed and nodded because Chaeyeon was mostly right. Chaeyeon was the strong and neutral-minded husband that when the news of Yena leaving got to her, she was more open and frank with her points. She couldn’t blame Yena yet she scolded her because of what she did to Eunbi. She also couldn’t blame Eunbi yet she talked to her that she had been an overprotective mother to Yena. With all those points, Chaeyeon concluded that they needed time and space to heal on their and reunite when the right time comes.

A knock disrupted them. Chaeyeon had to lay Eunbi down, kiss her forehead, and get the door. Eunbi continued to lie down and cry until a familiar call was heard. She jolted up and squinted of a familiar figure of a Peking duck. She rubbed her teary eyes again and felt her emotions mix together.

In front of her was a 25-year old Yena. The black ponytail was now blond, her puffy cheeks were reduced to fine ones, yet her iconic lips were still there. She was silent, her face showed a heavy heart, and she had her head low, a pack of cream puffs on hand. 

Eunbi would’ve died to see her after so long but after all that had happened, Eunbi got mad and laid back down, her back facing Yena.

“Ma…” Yena called.

Eunbi sniffled. It had been so long since she wanted to hear that call.

“Go.” Chaeyeon pushed Yena inside and locked the door.

Yena was shocked but she breathed and got to the other side of the bed. She puts the pack down and took time to formulate her words because she knew that this was the time.

“Ma…” Yena looked back slightly. “I came by to say I’m sorry.”

Eunbi’s hand clenched on the sheets. She never thought she’d get an apology after so long. Although it was always her obligation to care and to understand Yena because she was the parent, her leaving their house made herself empty and she deserved an apology. She took care of Yena like she was her world yet she was given such treatment.

“What I did was bad move after everything you did to give me everything…” Yena spoke. “I shouldn’t have lashed out without shrugging off the idea that you…” Yena started tearing up. “…that you just wanted me by your side and that was your way of loving me.”

Eunbi rose up slowly to face Yena. Seeing Yena cry reminded her of the times she was cheerful and hurting. Yena always plastered a smile thus she got used to hiding her hurt. 

And that’s where Eunbi raised her wrong and made herself realize that she had been too harsh on her.

“I shouldn’t have left. I wanted to be independent and fend for myself because as Pa would say, you won’t be there all the time. But…” Yena continued. “…as time went by, I regretted walking away  because I couldn’t bear leaving you, Ma…”

“Y-Yeori…”

“I don’t deserve that nickname anymore, Ma. I let you down and I’m really sorry…” Yena added. “But Ma…if you would have me, I want back in…”

Eunbi didn’t say anything. The perks of being a prideful mother was shutting her apologies up. Yena might be her daughter but she was also a human that needed validation for her emotions. Yet, this moment was screwing her up. For Yena, the silence must mean a no so she got up slowly.

“Those cream puffs are for you, Ma. I hope you’ll still like them.” Yena places the pack close to Eunbi.

Yena made the decision to go but Eunbi held her shirt. Yena looked back and saw Eunbi’s  eye bags, her streaks of tears, and her frown. Yena was reminded on the day she left and she realized just now that it always hurt her to see her mother unhappy. 

“Was I too harsh on you before?” Eunbi asked as she still held Yena’s shirt. “Be honest to Mommy.”

“You were, Ma. I was hurt when you won’t let me be with my friends and when you didn’t approve of Yuri…but it hurts me more when you’re hurt.” Yena spoke. “I realize now that you were doing it because you love me. All if forgiven now, Ma…”

Despite Yena’s assurance, Eunbi cried her apologies out. Her hands held Yena’s face as she spoke as Yena wiped them away and held her hands that were on her face.

“Ma…” Yena sighed and hugged Eunbi. “I should be sorry…”

“All is forgiven. It always was.” Eunbi spoke as her cries died down. “You’re my Yeori and I love you…no matter what…”

Yena continued to console her mother until she was calm. They sat beside each other and indulged on the cream puffs. With every bite came the waterworks as memories of all that had happened flooded by, leading them to reconciliation and better understanding with one another.

The mother and daughter may have had lapses before but now, they were opening up to each other to strengthen their bonds as a family.

+++

As a commitment to each other, Eunbi and Yena grew closer again. Yena made sure to visit them during their free time and that Yuri would come with her. Eunbi made sure to have an open mind with the visits and Chaeyeon was there to remind her. The results were slow yet progressive and for the family, that’s what matters most.

For today’s visit, the four bonded by making Peking duck for lunch. Each of them had a role to do and for Yena, she at making a plum sauce recipe. Everyone had a taste and their faces went sour.

“Is it really that sour, Ma?” Yena asked, pouting.

“It is but it’s okay.” Eunbi pinched her cheek lightly. “We’ll learn it together.”

Yuri added more salt and lets Eunbi taste first. She gave an approving pat on the head. “Good job, Yuri-ya…”

“How did you do it, love?” Yena asked, tasting it and wowing. 

“It needed more salt. Now come and help me prepare the duck.”

“Alright, kids. Time to shine~” Chaeyeon cheered as she placed the dressed duck.

“You two should rest. We’ll take care of the cooking.” Yena draped an arm around her parents.

“But what if – “ Eunbi spoke but Chaeyeon raised an eyebrow. “Okay. Just holler if you need help, okay?”

Yena nodded as she lets her parents sit by the living room, pecked their foreheads, and returned to help her wife. Chaeyeon couldn’t help but look back to adore their kids, hugging each other while sitting on the couch.

“They’re grew up so fast.” Eunbi commented as she hugged Chaeyeong tighter. “I’m ecstatic that our Yeori returned.”

“Only for free time, love. Remember that.” Chaeyeon reminded. “Our Yeori might leave the nest but she’ll return when she needs to and feels it. Just trust her timing.”

Eunbi nodded and looked at Yena and Yuri being serious in cooking the dish. They were called afterward for help and the parents willingly stepped in.

Eunbi knew Chaeyeon was mostly right. Even if Yena will sporadically leave and return, Yena will always be in her mind and heart, just as she is in theirs.

After all, she was their baby...their Peking duck.