CHAPTER 15 — 100 Days : 23 Hours : 23 Minutes = Death Like a Thief

"Zhuyang, Dalmi, Yinjun, Changyi… When we reach the end of the road, then the sun sets for us, we don't want there to be a ceremony in a room full of gloom. Because we don't want you to weep for the souls that have been set free. Cry for a liberated soul? Is it because you miss us here? If so, then you can do it. But don't let sadness overwhelm you and keep your head down for too long. Instead of letting sadness overwhelm you, you better focus on remembering the love we have shared with each other. You may miss us, but let us go too. Because this is a journey that we must go through. In the end, we each have to go our separate ways. It is part of God's master plan. This is a step on the road to a real home. When you feel lonely and hurt, then go to friends you know and laugh at all the things we used to do," Yoora said from a distance when she saw Zhuyang being hugged by Seoyul, while the other three children watched them.

"Your mom is right," said Jingmi who was standing next to Yoora. "Let the two of us go. We have a lot to see and do here. You don't have to tie yourselves to us with tears. Be happy that we've been together for so many years. We always give you our love and you can only guess how much love we have given you in happiness. We thank you for the love you have shown us all this time. But now it's time for us to travel without you. Have a little sorrow for us and let your sorrow be comforted with trust. We part only for a while. So, bless our memories with in your hearts. We will not be far from you, because life goes on. So if you need us, call us and we will come. Even if you can't see or touch us, we will be near you. If you can listen with your heart, then you will hear all our love around you softly and clearly. And when one of you has to come here alone, we will greet you with a smile. We will also say in a bright and eternal light to say welcome home." Jingmi looked at his children one by one with his smiling eyes.

~~~

Not only smiling at his children, but also Jingmi smiling when he saw Seoyul's tight hug to Zhuyang as if to say that when he and Yoora died, then Zhuyang and his siblings shouldn't be looking at the floor in sorrow. Instead, Zhuyang and his siblings had to hold their heads up and look up at the sky boldly. For there their hearts have been sent to heal themselves, and their dead parents will remain in their hearts forever.

"Zhuyang, I know my words seem weak at times like this. Life is precious and death is like a thief. Your pain right now I can't fully understand either. But I will stand beside you in the dark. Remember Zhuyang, love is a bond. It means that death will never be able to separate your love and your parents' love. Even if they are lost from your hands, they will always be in your heart forever." Seoyul said after hugging Zhuyang.

Zhuyang stared blankly at Seoyul while confirming his words from the bottom of his heart. According to him, Seoyul's words are absolutely true because on days when the world told him to heal and move on, the healing that came from those closest to him was not healing for his injuries.

Seoyul's words to Zhuyang were not something useful for healing broken bones. Because of the sadness and grief that Zhuyang felt, they were all part of his heart. Sadness and sorrow arise when a part of him has been lost.

However, Seoyul's words would help Zhuyang to recover, just not as the world wanted. His words could make it easier for Zhuyang to breathe, even though he still felt pain and sorrow. But after hearing Seoyul's words, Zhuyang realized that love and longing would never go away because that was the beauty, ferocity, and power of the love that he and his late parents had.

"He looks like a king who came to comfort the sorrow in the hearts of everyone here." Changyi grumbled so that Dalmi and Yinjun turned to look at him. "If only, he was Dalmi Noona's fiancé, I would be stronger to face the grief I feel right now," he said.

"Is he really a king sent by Mom and Dad by permission from God to save us from grief." Yinjun chimed in. "If he's not a king, why haven't we seen him with Zhuyang Hyung all this time. Is he hiding him?" Yinjun asked with a confused expression.

"I think so," Chanyi replied. "The words that came out of his mouth made my ears melt and the sadness in my heart is healed. Whereas before this, Juyeon Hyung said good things too. But I don't know why, the vibe I feel is very different." Changyi said honestly and very frankly.

"You're right Changyi!" Yinjun said in a slight whisper. "But wait!! I feel familiar with his face. Have we seen him somewhere?" Yinjun tried to remember.

"Perhaps you've seen him in Heaven!" Changyi answered.

"You mean I died once and then came back to life?" Yinjun glared at Changyi, while Changyi giggled. "Honestly, I'm curious myself, where has Zhuyang Hyung hid Seoyul Hyung all this time. Why was he surprised when he saw Seoyul Hyung come here? Has Seoyul Hyung not lived in Korea all this time? Is he a descendant of royalty? But he and our brother are friends, right?" Yinjun asked incessantly with great curiosity.

Changyi and Dalmi shook their heads in unison. "Don't know!" Dalmi replied. "I don't know who he is and where he comes from. I've never seen him with Zhuyang Oppa so far. And also, there's no picture of him in the photo album of Zhuyang Oppa's memories with his friends," Dalmi said clearly.

"Don't you feel familiar with Seoyul Hyung's face?" Yinjun asked.

"Nope!" Dalmi replied firmly while shaking her head. After that, Dalmi and her two younger brothers ended their conversation when Seoyul and Kim Seok walked past them to go to their parents' funeral altar.

In front of the funeral altar, Seoyul and Kim Seok paid their last respects to the late Jingmi and Yoora. They opened the mourners and then placed Chrysanthemums on the altar of Jingmi and Yoora's funeral. After putting down the Chrysanthemums, the two men knelt down and bowed down to the portrait of the late Jingmi and Yoora.

~~~

When Seoyul and Kim Seok were kneeling and prostrating in front of the funeral altar of Jingmi and Yoora, Dalmi was busy watching Seoyul and Kim Seok from a distance. While Dalmi focused her eyes on the two handsome men, beside her, it turned out that Juyeon was also focused on watching Dalmi since Dalmi saw Seoyul and Zhuyang hugging.

"Dalmi, are you okay?" Juyeon whispered while continuing to watch Dalmi's face with his eyebrows furrowed.

Dalmi then turned to Juyeon. After that, she shook her head. "No!" She replied.

"But you look a kinda paler than a while ago," said Juyeon.

Suddenly Dalmi was surprised after hearing Juyeon's narrative. He was silent for a moment. Juyeon's words instantly reminded Dalmi of the clock of life that was clearly drawn on her arm.

"100 days: 23 hours: 23 minutes," said Dalmi from the heart. Then she took a deep breath for a moment, before she looked back at Juyeon.

"I'm just a little tired but I'm fine. You don't have to worry," Dalmi replied without telling Juyeon the truth.

"Are you sure?" asked Juyeon again. Then Dalmi nodded her head quickly. "Dalmi, you can rest for a while. I will accompany Zhuyang, Yinjun, and Changyi here," Juyeon said.

Dalmi shook her head again. "No! I'm fine," she said firmly.

"Okay!" Juyeon gave up facing Dalmi's stubbornness. "But please don't be too hard on yourself. You also need to rest. If you don't want me to take care of you, then take good care of yourself. And also don't hesitate to delegate tasks or ask me for help." Juyeon warned Dalmi firmly.

Dalmi nodded her head. And at the same time, two women came to the funeral home. They approached Dalmi and his brothers to greet them with a bow. Jiyoung and Bitna didn't try to shake hands with Dalmi and her siblings as a grieving family. Because the handshake is seen as an expression of joy by Korean society. So the handshake was deemed inappropriate for funerals.

"Dalmi, I was really shocked and couldn't believe it when I heard this sad news. Your parents had to leave because of a sudden and very fast event. I am sorry for the loss of loved ones. They are very beautiful souls and I can't imagine the pain your heart is feeling right now," Jiyoung said while crying in front of Dalmi who looked kinda tougher than a few moments before.

Jiyoung is one of Dalmi's best friends since junior high school. The woman who has completed her studies at Sogang University majoring in psychology, chose a career as a psychiatrist and opened her own clinic located in the Gangnam area. In addition, Jiyoung also has her own bookstore, which is located in the same area as her clinic. Jiyoung's bookstore is called Dream Book Store.

"Today, I am very sad. My heart is broken because I have lost Mrs. Yoora and Mr. Jingmi. They are the best people in my life." Jiyoung added again. "I sympathize with the loss of your parents, Dalmi. Because of that, I have rushed here to express my condolences to you and your family. I would also like to directly send my warm and loving condolences to you and your family. May God always bless you with His love while you are grieving. And may the light of His presence be a continuous source of comfort," Jiyoung said with her trembling voice.

Dalmi looked at Jiyoung with teary eyes. Her heart was touched by the warm and friendly sympathy and condolences that Jiyoung conveyed to her. It is not easy for Jiyoung to express her sympathy to Dalmi when she is grieving. Because, even though Jiyoung is Dalmi's best friend, she still can't understand one hundred percent how difficult Dalmi's situation is. Jiyoung couldn't understand how hard it was for Dalmi to deal with the loss.

"Jiyoung, I don't know how to put it. But I'm very happy to have you here and to see you here," replied Dalmi with a trembling voice. "Your presence makes me find comfort and strength in the feelings of grief that bind me right now. Apart from my family and other friends, your coming here reminds me even more that I am not alone in going through this. Thank you very much, Jiyoung." The tears that had been piling up until they were jostling in Dalmi's eyes, finally fell.

However, just as the tears rolled down Dalmi's beautiful face, something else also fell on the surface of her face.

"Gosh! Dalmiiii!!" Simultaneously, Jiyoung and Bitna shouted. Instantly their screams shocked Zhuyang, Yinjun, Changyi and even Seoyul. Especially when they saw Dalmi unconscious. Dalmi fainted and her face looked very pale.

"Oh my God... What is this?" Yinjun asked from the bottom of his heart. "Is Dalmi Noona just tired or something happened to her? Does this have something to do with the clock of life?" This handsome young man whispered.

"God... Please don't let anything bad happen to our Dalmi Noona." Changyi's heart chimed in.

~~~