Life

Life passes by fast.

Innocent adolescence soon flows into manhood, as I met my lifelong partner and started a family.

I always felt sorry for my wife because I had nothing to give, but our poverty-born child was our pride and joy.

We had a son and a daughter.

The second child, our daughter, was so beautiful that I had a big soft spot for her.

As my daughter grew, walking as a toddler, saying "daddy" for the first time, it was an overwhelming feeling. Those who have never been a father will never know that.

Her voice was more beautiful than any siren, more alluring than any seductress.

'My children, I hope you will live a happier life than me.'

We opened a store with our hard-saved money.

Business was tough at first, but faith pulled us through.

We worked our everything for our children's futures.

Business developed with my research.

The gods recognized all my efforts and rewarded me with fame.

Money dipped in over a period of three years, enough to get a house. Our little store became worldwide famous. We were on a roll.

Having had the taste of making money, I became a workaholic. Happy to have my efforts acknowledged, working became a hobby.

When I finally stopped to take a break...

My wife had wrinkles, and the kids had grown so much.

To my children, when did you grow this much? You've done your best studying.

I was heartbroken because I couldn't say any of this properly.

I tried so hard to live a better life than before, but I don't remember the time I spent with my beloved family.

The day my son joined the national military, I took a break from my job for the first time.

My son smiled brightly while he talked with my wife.

"Well, Father. I'll get going." My son said as he went towards the main building.

"Please come back safely." Were the words stuck in my throat.

While my son was in the military, my daughter took her college exam.

Again, I couldn't cheer for my daughter. I worked silently, hoping she could study stress-free of money.

And when she got accepted, when I saw my daughter hugging my wife, I celebrated internally, though my face stayed a firm cold stone.

I didn't care whether she thanked me or not. I was just happy to see her crying in her mother's arms. That alone was enough for me.

And like that, time passed again.

It feels like yesterday when my son was discharged from the military service, but now he has graduated and is preparing for a job.

I watched him lose himself in redundancy, and I watched him climb up again.

And just like that, I watched him fly away.

His absence left an aura of loneliness.

He spread his wings and started a family of his own, just like I did back then. I wished him joy, just like the one I had.

My son became a husband and my daughter became a wife.

Dissatisfaction towards her boyfriend's aesthetic was easily overpowered by my daughter's affection.

I saw my wife's shadow in my daughter. As I escorted her to the aisle, I was moved by my daughter as I was moved by my wife in her youth.

After my daughter flew away, me and my wife were all that was left.

Now that they'd settled down, I thought we could relax, but before we knew it, new fletchlings had hatched out.

Once again, I returned to that store, with the image of my suffering children in mind.

My children and wife berated me for seeking money.

Yes, I know nothing but money. I am a cold man with a cold heart, a cold temperament, and a cold personality.

A cold man like me can only do this, can only earn money.

But I guess I overdid it.

My body fell ill.

Death came knocking, but I wasn't afraid.

Though I have regrets, when I reminisce about the past.

As my children cried next to my death bed, I was only thinking about one thing.

I'm sorry. I couldn't do better.

To my loving wife, in the end, I was simply happy to have been your husband.

To my children, in the end, I was happy to have been your father.

In the end, I'd still treat you better than anyone else.