CHAPTER 11 — A Beautiful Flower Has Gone Without Goodbye

It's a bit of a shock when Dalmi and her brother's world is shattered to pieces, while at that time, everything and everyone around them continues to live. After thinking about this, Dal Mi asked herself, how can the birds continue to sing at a time like this? How can people continue their loving lives? Wouldn't this make Dalmi look like she had frozen in time? And now she too has to watch this life like a movie.

However, on the other hand, Dalmi actually also thought, as these weeks and months passed, of course her life would become even more real. Nonetheless, she would never forget the point in time at which his parents' lives had stopped.

~~~

"Huhhhh..." Dalmi breathed heavily. It seemed, she was regulating the circulation in her tight chest. "If only I also had the ability to extend someone's life or change the clock of this life..." Dalmi whispered from her heart when she saw the remaining time of her life clearly depicted on her right arm.

Realizing that at that time Dalmi was staring sadly at the remaining time of her life that was clearly visible on her right arm, Zhuyang's hand moved to grip Dalmi's hand tightly. After that, he looked at Dalmi accompanied by a mischievous smile.

"I know you're not feeling well. All of us feel the same way as you. Then, we can share stories and strengths. You can tell me anything, Dalmi," said Zhuyang.

Dalmi turned to Zhuyang. "The last time I saw Mom and Dad, it wasn't supposed to be my last goodbye to them. In fact, I couldn't hold their hands any longer while they were in the hospital. And as I sit here, I feel like this is my last chance to see Mom and Dad once again, to say goodbye which I never thought I should make so soon," Dalmi said tearfully. Meanwhile, Zhuyang, Yinjun, and Changyi remained silent.

"Mom and Dad left us here, without warning or even goodbye. And I can't seem to stop asking the question "why". Even though I can see when their deaths are coming, still their deaths really surprise me. And when they leave to heaven, a small part of me died. Their smile could always brighten anyone's day, no matter what they were going through at the time. And every day for the rest of my life, I will miss them." Dalmi added more.

After that, Dalmi took his brother's hand and wrapped it in his warm hands. "One day, there will come a time when I will leave you without warning too, just as Mom and Dad have done for us. Even though I've seen the rest of my life, then told you about this, but maybe, every morning comes, you will forget about this." The words of Dalmi instantly made his brother's chest tighten.

"So, what's your plan, Noona? You said you don't have much time." Changyi replied with a sad tone.

"You're absolutely right Changyi. I don't have much time." Dalmi replied as she looked back at the remaining time that was drawn on her right arm.

"Noona, are you really sure about the clock of life on your right arm? I mean, you're in good shape from head to toe. How could you suddenly die in just 100 days? What's the cause? Was it an unnatural accident? If that's true, you can just hide at home!" Yinjun said in a trembling voice.

With tears in her eyes, Dalmi reiterated, "I haven't seen the cause yet. The dark shadow hasn't appeared yet. But one thing is for sure, this clock will never change. Never!"

Yinjun, Changyi, and Zhuyang couldn't hold back their tears after realizing that Dalmi didn't have much time left to live with them in this world.

Seeing his brother crying, Dalmi then explained again, "Everything that happened was beyond my control. Thinking why it had to be me who had this unique ability, of course not only made me angry and frustrated. But also, I was constantly burdened by worries. It's getting harder and harder to handle. I'm having a hard time recognizing the things I can't control. But I can't do anything besides let go of these worries for my own care."

Dalmi's words made her brother realize and understand, if Dalmi tries to control everything and then she worries about things that she can't control, that means, Dalmi will only make herself frustrated. She would only accept misery for the rest of her life.

"I understand that worrying will only be a waste of my time. While good and bad things will continue to happen in life. Like Mom said, I just have to stay alive and not stress over what I can't control," said Dalmi. "Oppa, Yinjun, Changyi, I'm sorry, but I really can't control everything. Our hair is put on our heads to remind us of it." Dalmi's words instantly silenced her brother.

The steps that have been determined and chosen by Dalmi are absolutely correct. While she can't control what happens, in fact, she still has the ability to control how she responds to what happens. Because that's where Dalmi's strength lies. She's always learned not to worry about what she can't control. The only thing she can control is her attitude, her efforts, and her focus every day. She does this to live her life and also for the sake of her day by being grateful for the little things.

"Dalmi, you really can't do anything to—"

Trying to be optimistic again, Dalmi confirmed to Zhuyang and her siblings, "Although I can't control my own destiny, I can control who I should be. I will continue to live as a playwright as well as a novelist, as I have always done. I will write good drama scripts for production houses, and release many novels so that my fairy tales can lift the sadness and despair of others."

"What's the point of you doing that Noona? Can't you just take care of yourself and your health? It's all very tiring for you," Yinjun replied, looking at her worriedly.

Dalmi smiled faintly at Yinjun. "Actually, there are benefits. As I write, I forget the clock of my life. Time seems to stop. You know, we will lose if we give up and cry. I will fight, Yinjun. I will do whatever I like until the end. Just try to fight me if you can!" challenge this woman.

"Mom, Dad, do you know? Actually I really hate Dalmi Noona. Why did she have to grow up to be such a firm and brave woman like this?!" Yinjun grumbled as he stared at the portrait of his parents.

Meanwhile, Dalmi, Zhuyang, and Changyi seemed to be laughing as Yinjun complained to the portraits of their parents who were on their funeral altar.

"Father said that crying means we lose. Do you remember? So stop wasting your energy just to hate me. And try to focus more on supporting me." Dalmi's words succeeded in making Yinjun forget his worries and sorrows.

Yinjun and Dalmi then wiped each other's tears, before they hugged Zhuyang and Changyi tightly. When hugging, Dalmi and his brother could feel each other's heartbeat. And for a moment they felt calm and safe, like nothing could hurt them.

Through this hug, Dalmi can stop being angry and sad for what happened to her parents. For her, anger and sadness will only kill her from within. Thus, Dalmi began to be gentle with herself. She let go of all her burdens in order to achieve happiness. She spreads love instead of fear of worry. She loves herself and all those closest to her, who were around her before it was too late. She also didn't want to waste her unhappiness on trifles.

~~~

"How about we say hello to the mourners who are starting to arrive and fill this place?" Dalmi asked after she and her brother finished hugging.

"I don't want to!!" Changyi replied so quickly that his siblings turned to him then looked at him with a confused expression, which was marked by horizontal wrinkles along their foreheads. "If we say hello to the mourners, I feel even more that Mom and Dad really died. I'll never be ready to say goodbye to them," Changyi said in a trembling voice. "Why do the best people have to die so soon?" He asked while holding back tears.

"When you are in a beautiful garden, what flowers will you pick?" said a man who had been standing behind Changyi and his siblings.

Realizing that a grown man had just barged into their conversation, immediately, Changyi and his siblings turned their heads towards the back. There, they saw a handsome man who came from a rich family and was born to an academic family. His father is a professor while his mother is a mathematics teacher.

"Of course the prettiest flowers," Changyi replied to Juyeon — the eldest of two siblings and lives in an area known as the conglomerate's quarters, namely in Apgujeong, Gangnam.

"Oppa, did you invite him here?" Dalmi whispered to Zhuyang.

"Do you think Yinjun and Changyi invited him here?" Zhuyang replied in a whisper as well.

"But why?" Dalmi asked again.

"It would be a big problem if I didn't invite him here. Juyeon is your future husband. How could we not tell him about his future dad and mom-in-law's death?" Zhuyang's words instantly silenced Dalmi. Especially when she saw Juyeon taking his steps closer to Dalmi and her brother.

Jun Myeon gave Changyi his charming smile after Changyi answered his question. "Changyi, your Mom and Dad aren't really dead. They're just keeping your house in the sky. They'll polish the sun during the day then light up the shining stars at night. They'll also keep the moonlight silvery bright, and in the Heavenly home above, they are waiting to welcome their loved ones," Juyeon said making Changyi's ears melt.

Oh no! Not only Changyi's ears are melting, but also Dalmi's ears. Even so, Juyeon's warm expression will never change anything from Dalmi including the feelings in her heart.

~~~