Reasons to live

I can see how Jr. is thinking really hard. He looks at me and looks away. I start talking. I tell him the whole story grandma told me and how Mark convinced me to think over my prejudice and go talk to him.
“Oppa, you have to trust me. I really really want to know what happened. I already lost dad, I- I don't want to loose anyone anymore. Maybe I can be a possible donor. Please...”
“Ahreum... I have to think about it. And we have to talk to mum. Let's just go down.”
“Geu- geulae...”
I'm a bit disappointed. I don't know what I've expected, but I can understand that he's confused and he needs time to think about it. Mark grabs my hand. I startle. What was that? I look at his smile and it makes me smile unwillingly. He presses my hand.
“Gwenchana, he's a reasonable person. He just needs some time. It'll be fine, trust me.”
I nod.
We enter ajuma's room. She is awake and she looks at us astonished. I blink not realizing that we're still holding hands. Suddenly I let go of his hand. Ajuma laughs, her laugh is really beautiful. I can understand why dad couldn't forget her.
Jr. walks over to her bed, still holding the photo I gave him. Didn't he hand it back to me?
“Omma, do you remember this photo?” He shows it to her.
“Ye, sure. But how did you know where I put it?”
“I don't. It's Ahreum's.” I blink. I thought he needed time to think about it.
“What are you saying?”
“Omma, this man on the picture... It's dad, isn't it?” Ajuma nods.
“It's also Ahreum's father. He died a year ago. Now Ahreum is alone. I know you never talk about dad, but I think it's time to.”
Ajuma looks at me. I don't know what to do, so I take Marks hand again. He looks at me with an encouraging smile. I summon up all my courage and look at ajuma.
She finally says.
“Ye, I should have thought of it as I saw you yesterday. You take a lot after your father.” She sighs.
“Anyway... I really really loved your father. I still really love him, but he is the son of you grandmother and I'm just a painter without anything but love for him and art... and for you two. Your grandmother, my mother-in-law, didn't really like me. We got married without her permission, because we really loved each other and we were young and impulsive. We thought that one day we'll get her to like me. She just needed time, but it wasn't like that. She did not like that I'm a painter at all. She always said that I should rather be at home, cook, look after the house and do housework etc., etc... I gave birth to you two beautiful, but I wanted to keep painting. I think that's the last straw that broke the camel's back. She finally came to me and said that I have to leave, if I leave now I can take you, the girl, with me. If I don't leave now, I'll have to leave both of you behind. But at that time Jinyoung was really ill, I couldn't just leave him behind. So I packed my things and left with Jinyoung. I'm sorry I had you left you behind Ahreum, my beauty. I think I was better like that then letting you kids live in an always arguing family.”
I don't know what to say. Grandma lied to me. How could she? Thank God. No, thank Mark for preventing me from making such a grave fault. Thank you, Mark in my head for stopping me from prejudging her.
I slowly walk toward ajuma... Ani, omma. I slowly walk toward omma.
“Ahreum. Mianhae. Jeongmall mianhae.”
I just hug her tightly. I feel a teardrop escaping my eye.
“Ani. Gomawo. Gomawo for letting me know the truth. Gomawo for not being a cold heartless person. Gomawo for bringing me to this world. Gomawo, omma, gomawo.”
I'm now crying. I'm not alone, I have a family. I have a omma and a oppa. Appa would be really proud of me.

Notes