CHAPTER 10: THE PAST OF MIN -HO
Another funeral ceremony for Min-ho's father is held, where his stepmother plans to send Min-ho away from her own family. Having already lost his mother and father, his eyes fill with tears as if he has nothing left to lose. However, Arya's father stands by him and effectively resolves the issues between Min-Ho and the members of Min-Ho's stepmother's family.
"Honey, how is our girl doing? Has she opened her eyes? I am truly sorry for not being with you. Did you read the messages I sent you about the issue here? I am at the funeral of Park Chan Wan, the husband of my late sister, Park Bo-Young. My mother has tired, she looks dull since learning about her daughter's death. The boy Min-ho cries a lot, and I think he knows he won't stay with his stepmother," Arya's father says in a call with Maya.
Maya responds in a dull voice, "Husband, Arya still hasn't regained consciousness. I understand your situation over there. I read your messages about your sister's family. Please come home quickly with that boy and be kind to him as he's already in depression. See you, bye."
After talking to his wife, Arya's father goes straight to Min-Ho and tells him, "I am your biological mother's elder brother, Park Hyubin, and the old woman is your grandmother. We both came here to pick you up for our home."
In the middle of the funeral ceremony, Arya's father picks up his mother and Min-Ho to go to Min-Ho's home and pack up his things.
As Arya's father was driving his car to Min-ho's home, he tells,"As you have learned that your stepmother doesn't want you with them, pack up your things and come join us in the car over there. I promise we will never leave you and we are family."
At Dr. Lee Bo-Young's hospital, where Arya was admitted, Maya waited outside with a heavy heart. A nurse called her to see Arya as she opened her eyes. Maya rushed towards the room where Arya was admitted, and the doctor also arrived. She said, "Arya looks too weak, so be mindful of her health condition, and most importantly, don't say things that hurt her emotions." Maya nodded.After paying all the hospital bills, Maya and Arya took a taxi to reach their home.
Min-Ho reached his home to pack everything. He packed the things related to his studies in one bag, and in another, he gathered all his clothes. Approaching his study table, he saw a photo of him and his father smiling. After watching the photo, he paused, reflecting on the memories.
Then he comes outside of his home after packing everything, and he sits beside his grandmother in the car. His inner voice echoes, "I am Park Min-Ho. I love the new fashion trend, and my ambition is to become a model. My mother died when I was one year old. Later, my father married my stepmother. My stepmother never hated me until she gave birth to her own. I thought my stepmother was my biological mother until the age of fifteen when my stepmother and my father had a fight, and I overheard it. I went straight to my study room and cried for my real mother. The woman I adored as my real mother is actually my stepmother, and it's the first betrayal I experienced in my life."
"Recently, my mind came to normal, and I was happy that my father would be there for me. My father never scolded me for my poor grades, and he always supported me in every action. He even liked my posts and videos on my Instagram account, and his loving comments made my days even happier. I had an interest in everything at school like nature, the dining hall, friends, and teachers, except my studies. The most important thing in my school life is my girlfriend, Kim Jiin. At the age of fourteen, Kim Jiin became closer to me, and she was the one who proposed. I accepted her proposal. I would help her by taking pictures, and she would assist me in completing my homework.She is my partner in social media videos, and her father is my father's business partner too. I have authority at my school as Kim Jiin, the rich and beautiful girl, is my girlfriend. Now, everything has changed due to my father's suicidal death."
"My father's wish is that I should be in a better position in my future, and I shouldn't depend on anyone. Hereafter, I will focus on what my father said."
"A few hours ago, the internet was filled with video clips of my father dancing with a girl in an abnormal manner, and the comments section was literally targeting my father's behavior. I got tagged by some people in posts related to my father. I read some comments filled with hatred, so I deactivated my Instagram account for months. My father's side of the family didn't even treat me as a human, and now I am moving in with my mother's side of the family. All my mind is thinking about the reactions from my classmates and Jiin. I know my classmates will definitely comment on my father's behavior, but what about my girlfriend, Jiin? Will she accept me?"
Arya's father stops the car, reaching home. He knocks on the door, and Maya opens it with a happy face, welcoming her mother-in-law and Min-Ho. Min-Ho is deeply involved in his own world, not responding properly to Maya.With a headache, Grandmother informs Maya to prepare dinner for her as she is tired from the journey. Arya's father goes to his car to carry Min-Ho's luggage inside his room, and Maya guides him on the way. Min-Ho merely nods in response to Maya and lays on the bed, his eyes filled with tears.He tries to close his eyes, but his mind repeatedly reflects on his father's best moments with him. In the next room, Arya eats porridge, unaware of Min-Ho's arrival.