02 | Childhood pt. 2

 

***

 

"We can no longer afford the bills, your operation is even higher. We have to sell it to give way for your operation and to finally pay your bills here, Yoong." Mr. Im sadly explained, to her now so sad little girl. It breaks her heart staring to her only daughter like that, but he has to stay strong. "You don't want them to cut your leg, do you?"

 

Yoongie's tears finally drops in the corner of her eyes. She looked at her leg, sadly then back to her father. She sobs silently as she uttered, "But our house... Appa... I have a lot of memories with Omma there. I can't afford to move to another house. Why don't we sell your car? My... my clothes. I think it's enough Appa..."

 

"I've already sell it Yoong. I mean my car. I can't sell your clothes. What will you wear the moment you get discharge, eh? But our car is not enough. The operation is just too expensive."

 

"Wae? Wae? Wae?!!!" Yoongie whined, couldn't understand. "We don't need to sell our house just because of this Appa!!!"

 

Mr. Im reached for his daughter's hands to stop herself from punching her bed. "Listen, they have to buy that knee supporter from the states, that's why it's expensive. That knee protector is going to save your leg, sweetheart. Please do understand. I don't want to see you being like this. And I don't want to see you having one leg only. You told me you're going to be a football player when you grow up, right? So please... do this for Appa... It's going to break Appa's heart if you won't. Please... sweetheart..." he brought her into his arms and there, his shallow warm tears slowly drops when her daughter started sobbing in his arms. His like being tore apart, he held her tight in his arms. "Stay strong, Yoong. May we be left our house, but in our hearts... the memories... of your mother will stay... she would never left in our hearts, in our memories..."

 

Yoongie couldn't stop from crying. She both sad about her leg and the house she grew up. The memories of her mother when she's still alive is still there - it's hard to think she will just let go of it because of an expensive operation. An operation that is uncertain for her part - if she still can even walk properly with her two feet. It's hard, it's heartbreaking and she felt blaming herself; because of her carelessness, she ends up like this.

 

-

 

Joohyun let out another sigh after she checks on the telephone, and it wasn't ringing. It's been 2 hours since she had talk with her new friend, yet, the girl has never call her back. She had a good dinner, though it was the first time she wasn't eating with her mother. Thanks to Yoongie, she wasn't too sad - because she thinks her mother is indeed still watching her.

 

She pout her lips and grabs her stuffed toy nearby, wrapping her small arms around it and place her chin on top of the penguin's head. Whilst, eyes are still to the telephone, hoping and waiting it will ring.

 

10 minutes had passed, she let out another huge sigh, as Yoongie still didn't call her. She's now disappointed... too disappointed.

 

"Peng, what happened to her? She did not call me anymore." As if her stuffed to will answer, she softly talked to it. She turned it around so the latter is now facing her. While staring to the penguin's face, she proceeds talking, "But... she didn't tell me when will she call. Aigoo." she realized something, sighing in the process.

 

However, her smile is still there, while recalling Yoongie's words. She swear, the latter is just so kind to lift her mood up. She's like an old girl already, to think she's just 9? But that made her smile, that made her flattered. She was glad she never hesitated and talk to her. She even save her. "Peng, tell me... does Omma know her? Because... I feel like she's like her. So good and lifting my mood up. But... I guess her mother is the same as Omma... No?" she giggles at her own antics. But at least, it's making her feel good. She only have little friends because of her status in life; at least she has Peng in her side to accompany her always. And now, with Yoongie, she hoped she's going to stay as her friend, for a long time.

 

Hugging her Peng again, she looked at the telephone and, "It's okay she won't call anymore. I had fun talking with her earlier. And maybe, tomorrow she will." Kicking herself out of the bed, she casually walked to the window and once again gazes up to the moon. Her lips curled into a big smile, recalling the words that she heard from Yoongie again. It's really helping her handle her loss right now. She thought she would still be crying at the moment, but no... she's even smiling. "Omma, I have a new friend. You wouldn't mind right? Because I think you sent her. She's so kind and really brave saving me from the scary bug. Aigoo, I think she's cool too. hehe. Thank You Omma. By the way, I love you so much. I'm missing you already... and I guess... I will forever miss you. Just like Yoongie said... I won't be too sad... because I know, you're still there for me... watching Joohyun. I love you Omma. Good night."

 

She close her eyes and let the air brushes her bear little face. She goose bumps when a cold air brushes against her, but it went away right away. Though her heart is still sad, it's not anymore aching much.

 

Opening her eyes again, she took once last glance to the moon before she decided to close her window and close the curtains as well. She went to her bathroom and put her stuff toy in the side, so she can brush her teeth.

 

In the middle of it, she heard the telephone ringing. Her eyes widened, and she instinctively rushed back to the bad, picking up the telephone right away. "Yoongie!"

 

"I'm sorry? But this is Lawyer Cha. Is this her majesty... Seo Joohyun?"

 

Joohyun's face turned red out of embarrassment. "I'm so sorry as well Lawyer Cha. Um, It's Joohyun indeed. Are you calling for my Appa?"

 

"Yes, her majesty."

 

"Okay." Joohyun replied while smiling shyly. She then went out of her room and casually walks in the hallway, heading to her father's office.

 

She bowed back when a maid came across with her, to stop and bow. A butler crosses path with her also, she bowed, "Fighting Oppa!" And cheered on his work. The young butler smiled and made a fist up, cheering on her as well. She smiled sweetly, as she resumes walking again.

 

"Your highness, you're not yet sleeping? You should go back to your room now!" However, whe it was Mr. Shin, the Director of the palace, and apparently her best of friend in the palace, she was asked to sleep.

 

Holding up the telephone, she replied, "Lawyer Cha is on the phone, Mr. Shin. I am just going to give this to Appa."

 

Mr. Shin instantly took the telephone. "No wonder, one of these is missing, you have never return it, your highness. Tsk,tsk." He disappointingly shake his head. But the young little princess only smiled. "Aigoo." Lowering himself, he reached for the side of her lips and wiped off that white toothpaste off. "You go to your room now. I'll take care of this."

 

"Joohyun?" However, before the young princess can comply, the King's voice was heard behind. Joohyun and Mr. Shin turned their attention to him.

 

"Appa!" Joohyun cried, running towards her father, that welcomes her with his comforting embrace.

 

"Mr. Shin, I'll take care of my daughter later. What's in the telephone?" The King asked, glancing over the device in his director's hand.

 

"Oh, Lawyer Cha is in the line, His Majesty." Mr. Shin informed as he bowed to hand the telephone.

 

Lifting up his daughter in his arms, The King accepted the device. "Thank You Director Shin. I'll answer this in my room."

 

Mr. Shin stood up straight again and flashes a big smile to both royal bloods in front of him. "I'll be just around, His Majesty."

 

Smiling back, The King turns around and casually left, heading to his room.

 

"Aigoo, he's obviously so stress." Mr. Shin mumbles, watching their backs. That dark shade around the King is definitely alarming. But he hoped that latter can handle his loss. "What's up with the princess though?" However, she realized the little princess isn't as sad anymore. "Tch, Peng. How cute for a nickname she gave to her new friend."

 

-

 

Joohyun is sitting at the edge of the bed, playing with her feet by moving it up and down, while she's waiting for her father to end the call with the palace's lawyer. She wonders what are they talking about? Because her father looks so serious. She couldn't hear what he is even speaking.

 

Well, whatever it is. She knows she has no right to ask. It's between adults after all.

 

After a while, her father finally put the telephone down and approach her in the bed. She looked at her with puzzled across her face.

 

"I'm glad to see you're not crying anymore." The King softly uttered. He tuck his daughter's hair behind her ears and flashed her a small smile. "That's it. You have to be strong."

 

"But Appa... You are sad." Joohyun pout her lips. "Don't be too sad, okay? Because Omma is still with us, though we can't see here. She will always watch us over. Smile even if your heart is not smiling."

 

"Of course. I'm staying strong, for you and me honey. Um, I'm just so tired again. You know Appa is so busy earlier."

 

Joohyun took her father's hands and massage them just them just like she always does. The King's heart flutters while watching her daughter and feeling that soft pressed of her little thumbs. It overwhelms him - that a young girl like her daughter cares so much for him.

 

As time passes, he can see his wife through her. She and Joohyun are really like twins. But their daughter is the little version.

 

He chuckle a little when she looks at him and smiled so big. "Aigoo, why are you cute and adorable?"

 

"Appa, I haven't tell you."

 

"Hmm?"

 

Joohyun pause for a moment before she replied, "I made a friend with a stranger."

 

"What?"

 

"But don't worry, Joohyun knows what she's doing. She's really kind Appa, that's why... I really can't help myself and befriend with her. You wouldn't mind, right?"

 

Instead of scolding his daughter because it's not right to befriend with random person, The King finds himself defeated, and could only smile. His daughter looked like she's happy with this friend eh? Her smile tells it all. "Who?" Yet, he wouldn't miss this and wanted to know the name of this person.

 

"Yoongie." Joohyun never hesitated.

 

"Yoongie who?"

 

Joohyun mentally face palmed. "I didn't get her surname. But she told me her name is Yoongie."

 

"Okay. Just as long she's good to you. Appa wouldn't mind."

 

"Chincha!?" Joohyun exclaimed. "It's really okay?"

 

The King chuckles. "Wae? You don't like it?"

 

"Of course I do!" Joohyun throws her arms around her father's waist. "Thank You Appa! This means so much to me!"

 

"When did I forbid you on something eh? Well, except for going outside alone without your bodyguard."

 

Out of a sudden, Joohyun's bright face turned gloomy, because she was has this uncertain feeling about meeting her new friend again. She slowly leaned out to look at her father in the eyes. "Appa... I don't know if we will meet again."

 

"Why not?"

 

"I only saw her in the hospital, earlier. She's one of the patients there, Appa." Joohyun cutely and sadly pouted. "So I guess..."

 

"That's not a problem. You can visit her if you want. But not at times like this, where we have to be in the palace to lead the funeral of your mother. Maybe after the funeral? Is that okay for my princess?"

 

Joohyun hugs her father again. "Thank you again Appa." As her bright smile went back.

 

The King rubs the back of his daughter, as he sighed now in contentment. Giving joy ti his daughter is always his joy, besides his late wife. Now that he only have his daughter, he will give all his attention now to her. He's now determined to be a great father for his only precious daughter.

 

Suddenly, his eyes caught the attention of a small envelope on top of the night stand. He was reminded by his real intention for bring his little princess in his room.

 

"Joohyun..." Reaching for the envelope, he looked down to his daughter, hugging him still.

 

"Hm?" The little girl only hummed.

 

"I want to give you something, honey. Can you let go of me first?" The King asked softly.

 

Obediently complying, Joohyun raised her brows when she saw the envelope in her father's grasp. "What is that?" She pointed and looked up to her father.

 

"I've found this together with your mother's stuffs when she left for China. She wanted to give this to you I think. Because it has your name." The King flipped the envelope, showing a text of his daughter's name. A handwritten from his late wife.

 

Joohyun curiously took the envelope and asked for her father a permission to open it, by looking up to him.

 

"Go ahead."

 

And with that cue, she opened the envelope gently. She was greeted by a necklace and a paper inside. First thing she took, the paper, then it wonders her why the necklace's pendant has to be a ring? A silver ring, precisely.

 

Slowly, she raised it form inside and once again glance over her father. "Appa?"

 

"I don't know about that, honey. It's not the wedding ring. It's totally different."

 

Looking back to the ring, she noticed there's this three letters she can see inside the ring. "KBA. Isn't this Omma's initials? Kim Bo Ah."

 

"Yeah, honey. It looks like."

 

She put the necklace down first then took the paper. Unfolding it, she doesn't know what to expect in the letter, as she just began reading.

 

Dear Joohyun,

 

How's baby doing? I'm sorry if I have to be away for sometime. But you know I'm doing this for others.

You must be feeling lonely every meals without me. I miss you already my baby.

But just one more week - I'm off to Korea. Hehe.

Take care of Appa always for me, Okay?

I love you my princess <3

 

P.S. The necklace ring together with this letter is so precious to me.

This is the first thing that I bought here in Beijing, not for me but for you. You see the letters?

It's Omma's initials. So I would always be by your side, even if I'm not there with you.

 

See you soon my little princess~

 

Love,

Kim Bo Ah

 

Please Subscribe to read the full chapter