As I was in the car, I received a call from Luther.

-Miss? I believe we ought to postpone your trip a couple of days-

-What happened?-

-Miss Kim So Jin's father passed away-I was shocked to hear the news, she was the head secretary in our office, a big help to us, and her father whom we met weeks ago seemed very healthy -We already sent some flower arrangements-

-When is the funeral?-

-Tomorrow morning and afternoon-

-Thank you for telling me in advance, will you be able to talk with the U.S military based? Will they allowed to post poned it?-

-I'll make them allow it-

-You do your magic- I softly laughed, and thought how different funerals must be in South Korea - I have no idea how to pay my respects properly, I have to make a call first-

I hurrly called Eun Sang for some assistence:

-Eun Sang? I need your help-

-What happened?-

-Remeber Miss Kim So Jin's father passed away today-

-I heard from my Mother, she was a good friend of So Jin's Mother-

-Will you explain me how to properly pay my respects?-

-Where are you? I'm at school picking up some books, lets meet here and I'll explain-

-At school on vacation time?-

-I have to solve some responsabilities with the radio station before I can be freed-

-I'll go there now then-

I warned Luther of my sudden change of plans.

-This is what normally happens-

-Tell me everything you can-

-Families often have three days of mourning to accept visits from away relatives who come to pay their respects. After those three days, and the funeral rites are over, they prepare for jesa -

-Jesa? What is that?-

-Memorial rites, where they make sure the ancestor memory is being respected-

-It sounds... traditional and specially long-

-They're considerate, eventhought the mourning family is who sufferes the most, they consider other's initiatives to pay their respects-

-How should I go dressed? What should I do when I arrive?-

-We can go together, Mother is also going tomorrow, you can watch us first and then follow-

-I'll appreciate that... one last question, How would she feels if the boss goes to her family funeral?-

-Honestly?-

-Shoot it-

-They feel a little bit burnden because they will have to pay attention to you more, however, in social status' case, they'll feel honored that someone important goes and pays his or hers respect. You definetly should go, since you met him, right?-

-I did, briefly, but I did-

-Its enough for you to go-

-I heard about an envelop in the entrence? What does it mean?-

-Its a small donation to the familiy in order to help with spences of the funeral and the memorial-

-Average rate?-

-50.000 w-

-What if some more happens to slip in the envelope...-

-Slip? perhaps accidently?- she said with some sarcasm, she knew my intentions to help - Don't go overboard-

-Thank you, we'll see each other again tomorrow-

When I went back some search was already done for me. Luther thought of some ways we could extra help them without being too much.

-What do you have?- I asked.

-We came to know that her families grave was about to be taken due to lack of payment-

-What is that again?-

-The small land they owned to this purpose was sell to them when her grandfather passed away. Since they emigrated from Boseong, they decided to buried the rest of their family relatives here. To owned that piece of land is... expensive-

-To give them a little piece for their future memorials seems a good idea-

-They'll appreciate it-

-Can you arrange it?-

-I already did it, something told me you will agree to this one-

-Thank you... for being always one step ahead of me-

-My pleasure and honor-

Next morning, I meet up with Eun Sang and her mother before entering the funeral hall. I placed my offering inside the envelope while singing the guest book. There were dozens of pages already signed, he must've been a dear man. As I walked inside, I saw a young men standing next to So Jin's mother, but she wasn't there. There was a man paying his respects before Eun Sang and her mother.

When it was my turned, So Jin appeared from one side, very sourprised.

-Miss Stephanie?- she mumbled saying.

-I'm really sorry for your lost- as I waited for her to be sitted next to her mother, I performed a deep bow and as I sitted up again, I could feel the tears in both our faces.

-You did not had the need to come here Miss-

-I know how it feels to loose a parent-

-You surely remember my mother- she said while pointing to a very sad looking lady, she didn't move as I tried to say hello, So Jin a little ashamed, quickly turned to young man next to her - He's my little brother Han So- I nodded lightly. I had, again, a small glimpse from her mother and I worried, I saw my father's face from many years ago and I was afraid. Without thinking about breaking the traditional protocol, I kneel in fron of So Jin's Mother, Miss See Ho, I slightly touched her hands while softly whispering:

-The whole is too deep to try and filled it up with ceremonies and memorials- she looked my way -it doesn't get better with time, some times is worse. Do you wonder how I survived my mother's passing? - she gently nodded - I had felt her since she left us, I believe her love was so deep for me to forget it. The whole never left my heart, it's still here, but now is slowly being filled with new love, my father's love. The scar's still there, but it does not hurt as much as before- I turned and saw how So Jin was tearing up, I took her hand too - It's a test...not to prove your love, but to enhace your perseverance. To honor is the only way to feel better, or at least, it has been for me-

I stood up and went to one of the tables placed for the visitors. While we sat, Eun Sang and some other workers under me were small talking about work and how the week was. I felt the urge of getting out of there, it was soffocating. I stood up and left with the excuse of a phone call while trying my best to hold in the tears. As I stood outside, I look at my black clothes and cried. With a respectful indifference, the ones passing by ignored me. I couldn't catch my breath... it was hurting again, I hadn't attended a funeral in years.

I tried to whipe my tears but they kept on falling. I felt a strong hug from behind, how does he make it? to appear from nowhere right when I need him. I tried to put myself away but he did not let me.

-Stay... like this for a moment-

-No... let me go-

-You need it, don't you?- I was too ashamed to confessed I needed comfort, so I stayed in his arms. They felt like home.

-Thank you for carelessly being  here-

-Whenever...-

After a few more moments, he took my face between his hands:

-Now you'll tell me what is going on?-

-I'm in a friend's father funeral-

-Why are you crying then?-

-I haven't been in a funeral for some years. The sudden shock from the enviroment took me back to my Mother's passing-

-I had no idea...-

-Most people don't, its ok-

-Is her funeral coming soon?-

My tears begun to slowly shed again:

-It is.... now that I think about it, it is close-

-When?-

-Next week- I forgot about it, how could I? What's wrong with me? Ah, yes, Young Do is my problem.

-Would you mind if I accompany you?-

-It doesn't matter, Mother's grave is far away from here, I couldn't go even if I wanted too- I knew the U.S Army base will give me half a day to have to my own, I can't even dream about going to her grave.

-Where is it?-

-Is in Colombia, where my family is originally from. I was born elsewhere.-

-Colom... where?-

-It doesn't matter. Thank you for...- I couldn't find the proper words for me to say, the situation even our relationship, if we even have one, everything is strange.

-You're welcome-

Sometimes hardships come to make you stronger, sometimes broken hearts come to help you mature, sometimes friendships come to rise you up, sometimes unexpected love comes to set you free.

And some times death comes, to take away what you cherish the most, as it did take away my mother.

Hope you all liked the chapter! Please don't forget to post your comments and subscribe!

(I wanted to change the letter's color according to the language the characters are speaking at the moment for a better understanding of what is going on. So here are: English, Korean, Spanish, Japanese, French,. Also I wanted to complement the story with some pictures... hope you guys like them!)