“Mommy! Please stay alive… don’t leave us…” Minji said in an almost inaudible way hence her crying.

“My baby, I cannot be with you any longer… so please take care of your little sister. Haru is born a little early and I trust you all as well as your father to take good care of her." hushed their mother.

“Mom please… we need you. Haru needs you…please don’t go.” Chaerin pleaded and tears flow freely on her cheeks.

Bom and Dara being the two eldest stood behind the younger ones as they cry silently while their father stood on the foot of the hospital bed, carrying the newborn, Haru. Their mother looked up to them with pleading eyes and the four them hitch their breaths, knowing that the dreaded time has finally arrived.

“Bom, Dara, I know you two will be wonderful examples to the young ones, Chaerin, Minji, follow your sisters orders and always listen to them, honey, I am sorry for leaving you like this but always remember that I love you and Haru… my love, my baby girl, please grow up well and healthy… I love you my ladies…” after smiling dearly to everyone looking at her, she closed her eyes slowly and bid farewell to earth.

Life after their mother’s death was never easy; their father passed away just a couple of years after having been sick with pneumonia which he never bothered getting treated. The well-off family started to go bankrupt without the head of the household to take care of the finances and the mother to look after their needs. Good thing that the four of them were no kids in mind having their parents educate them fully about how to survive life and what not.

Bom, having been 13 years old at that time was able to get them all still going to school and was able to provide them still shelter and comfort in their parents' house. She sought assistance from their parents' friend who made sure that the five of them are still eating at least three times a day. Hyun Suk, unfortunately has a family of his own and living in a fixed income, he isn’t deem enough to feed additional five children. Dara took care of the household chores while Bom is busy making sure they go through every day and Chaerin’s focuses are Minji and Haru. Having their parents’ innate abilities and personalities, the four sisters have been able to cope positively with life despite their hardships; except their growing baby sister.

“Unnie, it says here, that babies at age two should be able to talk at least and understand a little but why is it that Haru looks like a breathing doll?” Minji inquired as she looked up to her sister, Chaerin.

“You have noticed that too, huh. Well, I will ask my teacher tomorrow what it could be.” Chaerin tapped her chin as she answered Minji.

Their youngest sister, Haru, stopped getting monthly check ups from a pediatrician hence their financial situation. Though their father made sure she got all doses of vaccines necessary upon her birth up to his time. The four of them realized Haru is healthy, physically speaking, but somehow growing too slow paced for her age. There were times when they call Haru, she will just look at them blankly and stare at them even they already motioned her to come to them, that proved them she wasn’t deaf though. Her severe crying, or much better described, wailing in the middle of the night and sometimes inaudible words made them sure she wasn’t mute as well. Their toys whom Haru inherited was still as good as new since the baby doesn’t seem interested to play with it nor even touch. Haru is, as Minji described, like a doll that breathes, drinks milk and then sleep. She is too quiet for a two year old turning three soon.

“Guys! I have a good news for you! Hyung Suk ahjussi came up with a very bright idea to help with our finances.” Bom came rushing through the front door, holding up a brown envelope in her hands.

“What is it?” Dara came out of the kitchen while wiping her hands on the apron. Minji carrying Haru and Chaerin following behind them, came out from the living room adjacent to the kitchen.

“Hyun Suk ahjussi got hired from a recording company who’s currently scouting for talents!” Bom exclaimed and was greeted with baffled faces by her sisters.

“So?” Chaerin said with her eyebrows up in the sky. Even at 8, Chaerin never lose her chill and angsty attitude toward her elder sisters. She stood by her parents’ description as the angsty and strong willed Chaerin.

“So that means he hired me to be one of those talents and the company will be compensating me with my singing abilities!” Bom wasn’t bothered by her sisters’ dull expressions; she continued to get excited with the great news.

“But Bom, what about school?” Dara was the first to react about learning matters. If their parents were alive, their father would be very pleased that Dara pushes her sisters to study hard and use whatever resources they have to  learn as much as they can.

“I can do that later or while I am singing! I just can’t say no to this golden opportunity especially when we have this very cute baby doll to buy milk every other week… come here baby Haru.” Bom couldn’t help but be very happy to have found a new source of income for the family now that Haru is growing up fast. She napped Haru from Minji and peppered kisses all over her face. As usual, Haru didn’t giggle nor smile like normal reaction should be, she just stared blankly at her eldest sister.

“Speaking of Haru… Minji and I have actually observed something about her.” Chaerin started and the two older sisters looked their way.

“We think she needs to see a specialist on behavior. There is something she is missing out for a normal kid.” Minji finished with a small pout on her lips. Her childish action and expressions are nowhere far from the year with Chaerin. Minji is a bright and bubbly kid whose future would definitely be a fantastic one so unlike their youngest sibling.