Joon Jae-You're Not Unloved

'Deen, who called you that?' Jan asked outraged.

'My teacher and a kid from class,' Deen answered. 'What do those words mean?'

I tried to compose my thoughts. How do you explain the weight of those words to a child?

'It means you were abandoned by your father,' Taewon said bluntly. I stared at him. His words stung the boy. His pale eyes were wide in shock.

'You don't have your father's name,' Taewon continued. 'Someone who doesn't fall into the norm of the society. Someone... unwanted.'

'Hyung, you didn't have to say that!' Jan exclaimed. 'He's just a kid.'

'A kid who is about to face the prejudice of the society,' Taewon said curtly. 'He'll eventually know the meaning of those words. Better now than later.'

'I believe you got your answer,' he said to the kid.

Deen didn't respond. He just silently turned back and walked out of the front door. Jan and I followed him to the cellar.

'I can't believe hyung said that!' Jan said angrily. 'I get it that the kid made a mistake but to tell him all that...'

But Taewon was right in a way. The kid was bound to find out someday. No point in sugarcoating words today. They'll only hurt more in the future. Better to get over with it as quickly as possible.

'I'll escort him home,' I told Jan. He nodded and I climbed down to the tunnel with Deen by my side. He was silent the whole way. I couldn't think of anything to tell the kid. But the shock of Taewon's words was too much for the boy. It was best not to say anything.

Finally, we reached his house.

'I'll stay with you till the babysitter comes,' I said as we climbed out of the tunnel.

'No, that's okay,' Deen said. 'I can stay by myself. By the way ahjusshi. Why am I unwanted by my dad?'

How do I explain it to a child?

'I don't know,' I confessed. 'There are many children who don't have dads.'

'Why?' he pressed. 'Why don't I have a dad?'

He was tearing up again. I knelt down and gave him a hug.

'Hey, you are not unwanted,' I assured him. 'Your mom wants you. And that's all you need.'

The child held on to me and cried. He cried until his tears ran out. I let go of him and wiped his eyes.

'Listen,' I said. 'Your mother loves you. That is enough. You are still a child. But, if you faced this on your first day at school, imagine what your mother must have faced all these years.'

'Did she really suffer more than this?' he asked.

'Yes,' I said. 'Heard worse stuff maybe. But did she ever make you feel unloved?'

He shook his head.

'There you go,' I smiled. 'So don't ask your mother about any of this. Not today. One day, when the time is right, she will tell you everything. Till then, do everything you can to keep her happy.'

Deen smiled and gave me another hug.

'Thank you ahjusshi,' he said sincerely. I patted his back.

'I'll leave this cellar open,' I said, letting him go. Give me your phone. You have one right?'

He nodded and took out his phone. I took it and exchanged our numbers. I also took his mother's number, just in case we needed to contact her.

'Here is my number,' I said, handing him back the phone. 'Call me if you need help. I'll be at the other end of the cellar, till your babysitter gets back. If anything happens, just run into it and go back to the mansion.'

'But the angry ahjusshi...'

'Won't do a thing,' I said flatly. 'And also, if you're left alone by your babysitter ever again, call me. Even if I'm not around, I'll send in someone to look after you. Now go. And make sure to text me when your babysitter arrives. Okay?'

'Okay,' Deen smiled and walked towards the house. He climbed in through the window and waved me goodbye. I waved back before climbing down the cellar.

I climbed out of the tunnel. Jan was waiting for me.

'I feel bad for letting him stay there by himself,' Jan said.

'I'll stay here,' I said. 'I gave him my number. And if anything happens, I'll head over there.'

'You gave him your number?' Jan asked surprised. 'What if he spreads it around?'

'He won't.'

'How can you be so sure?'

'Well for starters, they didn't say anything about our meeting three weeks ago. And, I trust that child. He might be mischievous. But he isn't a liar.'

'What about his mother?'

'Definitely one of our crazy fans,' I smiled. 'But her life revolves around her child. I can tell. The way she hit you to defend her child, she would do anything for her kid. She won't use her child to get spotlight.'

Jan still looked worried.

'Nothing will happen,' I assured him. 'Now go inside. I'll take care of the kid.'

He nodded and went back in. I went over to the shed and grabbed a stool to sit by the cellar. I was browsing through the social media sites on my phone when I saw Taewon coming out of the house followed by Mona. He was holding a Frisbee.

'Taewon!' I called out. He looked back. 'Where are you going?' I asked.

'Taking Mona out for a walk,' he shouted back. Before I could say anything more, he disappeared out of the gate. Strange, I thought. Didn't he already take Mona on a walk today?

I quietly followed him out of the gate. He wasn't taking the usual path but was walking up the alleyway which led to Deen's house.

I hid behind a wall and saw him walk up to Deen's house. He then turned and threw the Frisbee ahead.

'Mona catch!' he ordered. The dog playfully chased the Frisbee and brought it back to Taewon. Taewon kept on throwing the frisbee around but not too far. He remained by the house, sometimes craning his neck to peer into it before throwing the Frisbee at Mona again.

I smiled and went back to the mansion. I waited by the cellar until Deen's text arrived that his babysitter was back. I was heading back in when I saw Taewon entering through the gate.

'That was a long walk,' I said. 'Where did you go?'

'To the park,' he said casually. I didn't bother catching his lie. I smiled at him.

'I feel like cooking,' I announced. 'What do you want for dinner?'

Taewon thought for a while. 'Chicken,' he said at last.