Goodbye - Hong Daekwang and Soyou of Sistar

*Read A/N below! Thanks!

Chapter 53: Acceptance.

Once the annual graduation ceremony ended, each and every student immediately dispersed around the area, running back towards their parents and families. Jaera and Sehun weren’t  exceptions. Once Jaera had acquired her certificate, Chen, Kai, and their parents immediately went to where she was, hugging her proudly. Likewise, Sehun was met by his parents too, congratulating him for a job well done.

“Ahjussi!” A voice suddenly called afterwards as I was making my way towards my car, causing my head to snap back. Turning around, I saw Jaera and Sehun running towards me with heavy breaths. “Sehun told me you’re going to visit your mom today and I want to come with you.” She said. “I know my gown fitting’s today but I already asked permission from mom and dad. I told them that I’ll just follow after.”

I was a bit hesitant about it, but the pleading face of Jaera made me think otherwise. “What about Chen and Kai?” I asked. Knowing those two, they would make a fuss over this again.

Jaera only smiled. “Mom and dad already took care of them.”

Sehun then turned to me with a shrug. “Can’t say I didn’t stop her.”

Having no other choice, I eventually nodded as a wide grin appeared on Jaera’s face. Sehun just shook his head, amused, before grabbing the car keys from me. I gave him a sceptical look, but he only chuckled in response. “Are you sure you can do it? I don’t want to die young.”

“Hey, I already got my driver’s license now so quit being so doubtful!”

“Sehun’s right,” Jaera agreed, entering the back seat of my car first, as Sehun and I followed, with him taking the driver’s seat. “Cut him some slack, will you? We’re finally high school graduates now, so I think it’s perfectly fine for him to drive.”

Whilst Sehun started the engine with a smirk, I just rolled my eyes at him and buckled up, ignoring the snickers he and Jaera were giving me. “Yes, your highness.”

It was a happy and meaningful day for the two of them, and I as well, felt good seeing their hard work finally paying off. Although, I couldn’t deny the fact that a part of me still felt melancholic after seeing them being congratulated by their parents. I had also undergone the same event, graduation from high school. My classmates’ parents and families were there, but Kris was the only one who sat on the seats allotted for mine. He was the one who came up on the stage with me, who took a picture with me, who cheered and congratulated me after everything was done. Even though he wasn’t the one who had just graduated, he was still all smiles, acting as if he just got an award.

I was honestly grateful for everything that he did for me, but I also thought that it was foolish. I knew that he was only trying to make me feel better, knowing that our parents weren’t there, especially our mom. I understood what he was trying to do, and even if I felt lacking that day, I made no fuss and acted as if I was indeed happy even if I wasn’t. I couldn’t really blame my parents, nor could I blame anybody else, because I knew it in myself that it was my fault. I was the reason why our family was broken.

Throughout the years, ever since our mom left us, I’d been swimming in an ocean of guilt and despair. Although my dad and Kris never said anything, I saw perfectly well how deeply they were hurt over mom’s death, probably more than I ever was. She was our light, our salvation through everything that oppressed us. She was the one who made us whole, who held onto us so we wouldn’t break. Our mom was the most important woman in our lives, yet because of my carelessness, she disappeared.

I hated myself for it, for taking my mom’s presence for granted. I hated myself for being immature. I couldn’t forgive myself. Albeit, it wasn’t until recently that I realized something. It was only until I was finally able to sort out my thoughts and look back to all the tribulations I came across with that I realized that, failures are meant to happen so that one would be stronger. If not for it, then my life wouldn’t progress. I wouldn’t learn from my own mistakes and move on.

What Kris was trying to do before wasn’t foolish. He was just sincerely and genuinely proud of me, forsaking everything that I’d done to our family. He only wanted for me to be happy, for he knew that our mom would’ve wanted the same thing. He was just showing me what our mom would do if she were still alive.

I believed that my dad, as well, did everything that he did for a reason. Nearly half of my life was controlled by him, and I hated him for it. I thought that he was doing it because he wanted me to repent for everything that I’ve done and feel more pain than I already had, but I was wrong. I was only blinded by my hatred for myself that I ended up pushing all the blame to him. He never blamed me for my mom’s death. He never intended to make me feel like I was neglected. Sure, he changed because of what happened, but it was only because he wanted to protect me. He wanted me to learn and grow into a person that would be able to face reality courageously.

I might be late to understand the way how his mind works, but when I did, I was thankful. If not for his strict control on my life, then I wouldn’t wake up from my naivety and mature. I wouldn’t be strong and determined.

I wouldn’t be what I am now.

“We’re here.” I said, unbuckling my seat belt before alighting the car. I then opened the door for Jaera to which she smiled at me, whereas Sehun went to the trunk to get the basket of White Stargazers and incense that I bought earlier that day.

With the wind around us becoming stronger, Jaera held my hand as I smiled at her, thankful that she was by my side again. The skies were bluer that day and the trees and flowers around us were fuller. It as though life had suddenly came back to the place that not a single hint of sadness was to be found. I felt relief coming on a day like that, because for once, I actually had the guts to face my mom proudly.

“We’re back, aunty.” Sehun said, placing the basket of flowers in front of my mom’s tomb before handing Jaera the incense. “And we brought a guest, if you don’t mind.”

Jaera looked at Sehun and me in confusion, surprised to have the incense in her hands. Usually, it would be the family members who would light the incense, but Jaera was one of us now. She was our family now.

“Go ahead,” I said, pushing Jaera downwards before kneeling beside her. “I’m sure mom would love to meet you again.”

Though a bit hesitant at first, Jaera eventually obliged and lighted the incense cautiously. Once everything was finally in place, she then stood again and bowed, surprising both Sehun and me. “Aunty, even though my childhood memories are hazy, I know that we already met before when I was still a kid. Nonetheless, I want to introduce myself again.” She then held both my and Sehun’s hands before turning again to my mom with a smile. “My name’s Kim Jaera, and I am your nephew’s best friend, as well as your youngest son’s girlfriend. I know that even if you’re not here anymore, you’re still watching over their family, guiding them with your love and care. I promise to give them more, but there’s only one thing that I want to say,” She then bowed again, but not without pulling us with her. “Thank you aunty, thank you.”

Sehun and I were astonished, especially me, but that was only short lived for the two of us eventually found ourselves chuckling. Jaera was displeased at first, but no sooner than later did she find herself laughing as well. It was the moment that marked my freedom, the moment where I was finally able to face my mom without any indignation or regrets.

It was the moment where