Reasons to live

I see someone standing in front of my house, but I only recognize him as I was nearly at my house.
It's Mark. What does he do in front of my house?
“Annyeong, Mark.”
“Finally... Ahreum, where have you been? Don't you know, that I was really worried as you just left?? I told you, that I would bring you home from now on. And then you don't even show up in the restaurant.”
“Mianhae, I was in the hospital.”
“Muh? Are you hurt?”
“Ani, there was something with Jr.'s mom. I didn't trust him to get there alone without getting run over by a car or something.” I sigh thinking of his mother. My mom...? Wait, stop thinking about her.
“Oh, so how is she.” He asked worried.
“Not so good, she needs a donor as fast as possible. But don't you want to come in? Or do you want to stand here?”
“Ehhh... If it doesn't bother you.”
“No, no, just come in.”
We enter and I give him dad's old slippers. I offer him something to drink, but he says that he is fine. He just sits on the couch and looks around. Suddenly he says:
“Ahreum, this photo... Is this your family?” Pointing on the framed photo of me with dad and my mother.
“The woman in the picture looks just like Jr.'s mum.” I sigh. Even he thinks so. What should I do? I finally decide to tell him.
“Yeah... I thought the same as I saw her in the hospital today. I actually don't know what to think anymore. I wish my dad could be here right now telling me what happened as she left.
I think I should start at the beginning. When I was really young my dad and my mother were really happy, but just like on day to the other my mother decided to leave. I was just two or three years old back then. She just took her things and left little Ahreum and her loving husband and never came back. My father never told me this like that, that's what my granny once told me. She said that my mother left, because she was a heartless, cold woman, who only focused on her career. My mother was a painter. And that's when my father fell in love with her, he saw her painting, all happy, covered in paint, just focused on painting. He never forgot her. I just can't understand how. She left him.” I can feel how tears are running down my cheeks. Suddenly Mark leans over and wipes away my tears.
“You really missed your mother.” I blink.
“I guess you're right.”
“Ahreum, you have to consider that what you think is not the truth. You just know one side of the story, you have to hear the other side and then decide.” He strokes my head.
“Maybe you're right. My dad said the same before the crash. We've had an argument before he went to Paris. It was because of my mum. It was her birthday I think and he started talking about her and talking about buying her a present. He always did it. Every year since she left he brought her a birthday and anniversary present. That I was just really in a bad mood and he started talking about her. I suddenly told him to stop that. I said, that she'll never come back, that she was cold and he were just wasting his time. He didn't say a word and slapped me. He never did before. I'm such a bad person, that I did not only not say goodbye, I also cursed him to never come back.” I start crying again. “It's all my fault. If I had only said goodbye... I- I-...”

*Mark's P.O.V.*

It nearly broke my heart as I saw her crying so much. I don't know what to do, so I just embrace her and tell her that it's okay. I can see how big the sorrow must have been. I guess she never talked about it and now everything is just breaking out of her. I'm glad I'm the one she entrusts herself. As she finally stops crying. She just looks at me and says:
“Gomawo, Mark. Thank you for listening and thank you for not running away because of my ugly personality. And mianhae for your shirt.” She gives me a crooked smile that made my heart flutter.
“Ani, thank you for telling me. And your personality isn't ugly. It is as beautiful as you are. You okay now?” She blushes.
“Ye” She looks at the time. “Muh? It's already seven o'clock!! I'm gonna make you something to eat, if you're hungry.”
“Oh, that would be great.” I say and my tummy answers me with a rumble, that causes her to laugh.
I discover, that Ahreum is a really good cook. She looks way better after eating something, but I can see that there is something else bothering her. She looks reserved and thoughtful. While eating she finally told me, what she's thinking about.
“Mark, I think it's possible. I've seen her. Jr.'s mom. She looks really like the woman in the picture. Also, their names are the same. When I was with her, she told me something about a girl she knew, who has the same name as me and would be at the same age. Maybe she's really my mother.”
“Hmm... I think she's a painter and about her husband... Jr. never talks about his father.”
“A painter... That can't just be a coincidence. I guess I really missed my mom, but I never realized it. I just covered it with accusations and pain. Rationally seen, I don't know her, neither do I know the whole truth, I just totally prejudge her. I just really wanna know her. Even if Jr.'s mum is my mother or if it's someone else. I really want to find my mother and ask her for her perspective and get to know her.”
“I think you should talk about it with Jinyoung. He may know something: We should also talk with his mum.”
“I have go to the hospital again. Would you please accompany me? I don't think I have the courage to face her alone.”
I'm happy. She wants me to go with her. I'm at least a friend to her. My tummy is turning somersaults inside.
“Of course. I'll always be by your side if you need me.”

Notes