He clambered up the steps gingerly but surely, determined to reach his goal - the top of the slide. Tiny fingers gripped onto the handlebars, his bright eyes sparkling with anticipation and his mouth agaped with excitement, baring his milk teeth. The sun was beating down mercilessly on the balmy June afternoon. In spite of the elements against his odds with the beads of perspiration gathered upon his furrowed brow, he hurled himself up the next step. Almost there... he thought. His sweaty palms start to lose grip and slowly slipped away from the final hurdle. He was about to wail upon his fall when he felt a strong arm lifting his body, stopping the fall. The stranger supported his shoulders without effort, propped him back up onto the ladder and gazed into his eyes. Who is this strange Ahjussi? "Go on Youngbae, you can do it" he urged with a gentle smile and encouraging push onto his back. "Ahjussi.. you know my name?" He looked back at the stranger with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. His Umma cautioned him to be wary of strangers. But he does not fear this Ahjussi, his slight smile and gentle eyes gave him an odd sense of familiarity.
Seunghyun lightly chuckled and the corner of his eyes crinkled, which belied his usually cool and detached mien.
"Go on.." he gently spurred him on.
He switched his attention back to his goal. Climbing back to the top with a renewed ferocity. Beaming to himself.
He was giggling and clapping his hands with glee as he descended the slide with a whoosh.
He looked around for the Ahjussi but he spotted his Umma instead.
"Umma!"
He scurried towards her and collided into her legs and hugged her.
"Umma! I did it!" He gazed at her with pride and satisfaction, happiness written all over his face along with sweat and grains of sand scattered along his arms.
"Oh my sweet youngbae-ah! Umma is so proud of you!" she cooed at him and stroke his soft hair away from his face. Dabbing the dampness away from his forehead and cupid's bow; she smiled at her son and gave him a peck. She has naturally dark locks with a hint of mahogany, set against her alabaster skin. Her brown eyes were as warm as her smile. A gentle breeze lifted up wisps of her hair, as it glistened under the summer sun. Casting a warm halo around her head, she looked like an angel, a perfect being. Perfect except for the scars of her past. As she held him, she didn't noticed that a man was admiring this exchange between a mother and son from a distance.
Seunghyun glanced surreptitiously in their direction with a turmoil of emotions raging through him.
He hung his head low as he covered his eyes.
Why? Why didn't I love her back the way she loved me?
Why did I have to hurt her?
Is this the only way I can make her happy again?
Youngbae could have called me his Appa...
Youngbae has his eyes, his fire. But he has his Umma's sweet, genial smile.
He looked upon them and he's resting on her lap while sipping from his juicebox. Lena looking on her son and smiling with content.
He closed his eyes and a memory flashed across his mind as she gave him the same smile after placing the ring on her dainty fingers. Her smile had faded as the years went by, to be replaced by her tears and tortured screams.
He tightened his jaw and balled up his fists.
Maybe..if we could start anew? Make new memories as we build a new life together? Together with our son Youngbae. We would be a complete and happy family. I would do everything in my capacity to make it right this time, for you, and for our son.
Forgive me please.
He gathered his courage and stood up. Approaching them apprehensively. His breathed quickened and his palms moist.
Youngbae was smiling to himself then he saw Seunghyun approaching.
Casting a tall, handsome figure with his fringe sweeping across his dark eyes upon his pale skin. He could have been one of the young eligible bachelors roving around downtown Seoul with his polished looks and confident stride. But beneath this facade lies a broken man, chained to his past. A past he cannot hide. A past which he must face. He took a deep breath.
Youngbae's eyes lit up and he tugged at his mother. "Umma umma! That's the Ahjussi that helped me get up to the top. I almost fell off. " he exclaimed while pointing to Seunghyun.
Seunghyun was nervous but he smiled gently at Youngbae and winked.
Youngbae giggled at him.
Lena turned to Seunghyun and looked at him blankly.
"Ahn yong .. Son-saeng-nim.. thank you for your help! My boy is a clumsy one." she started and bowed at him.
"Ani.. he is a strong boy.. Le- " Seunghyun stopped himself and chuckled; turning towards Youngbae, patting his head.
Youngbae beamed to himself and grabbed Seunghyun's fingers. "Come play with my Ahjussi!" As he tried to drag him towards the sandbox.
Lena held back Youngbae and chided him, "No Youngbae, you have had enough playtime the whole day and you've got yourself dirty all over, it's time to head home and shower my dear."
Youngbae pouted, crossed his arms and looked down onto the floor.
Lena coaxed him, " but I will reward my dear Youngbae with your favourite ice cream."
His expression soften as he grinned and his eyes crinkled, just like the way Seunghyun's did.
Seunghyun couldn't help but broke into a smile at Youngbae. His son.
Not noticing that Lena was eyeing him with curioisty as she sensed a familiarity. He shared the same eyes as her Youngbae. Thick lashes that shield those dark orbs, emanating a sense of mystery and intensity.
Seunghyun offered his hand " I'm Seunghyun, Youngbae is a very special boy, you brought him up well."
Lena took his hand tentatively.
Her soft hands were marred by a 3 inch-long scar running lengthwise across. Seunghyun saw and a pang tugged at his chest. Resisting the urge to cupped her hands and soothe her scar, Seunghyun gazed into her eyes with emotion. Lena was slightly taken aback by his intense gaze, quickly looking away. She cleared her throat and said:
"You can call me Lena. My Youngbae-ah.. he's a handful even before he came into this world. But he is my child and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat."
Lena, my jagiya...
"Omo, I might have said too much, sorry but I do feel like I have known you somewhere before .." she trailed and furrowed her brow pensively.
Afraid that her thoughts will trigger memories of the past. Seunghyun quickly added "Oh I do stroll around this park frequently as I live around the neighborhood, you might have seen me before but we haven't actually met." He lied, every weekend, he would take a drive here to the outskirts all the way from the heart of Seoul, just to catch a glimpse of them. The forlorn man has been watching from a distance at the mother and son's bonding. He could have been a part of it. Almost.
(... to be continued) coz it's past bedtime!
Gosh ! how i love writing fiction!
This song would be apt to set the mood for the story. Enjoy!
