Chapter 29 Reconciliation

Two weeks more and you're graduating, you're only completing your clearance and your rehearsals. Taehyung didn't go to school anymore after the two of you talked.

Maybe it was his last shot. Maybe that was your last shot. Maybe he already gave up and maybe you're the only one who wants to be with him.

Looking back, you always thought you'd graduate with him. But your lives took a turn and now he's gone.

"If you have no one to celebrate the graduation day with, you can join my family." Nayeon had offered but it was her celebration so you couldn't be there, it would be just awkward.

This kind of moments, you wished you were okay with your family. You wish that they'd go there with you. It's alright if they're cold, it's okay if they are not happy to see you, what matters is that they are with you on your graduation day.

If Kara's alive right now, you'd graduate with her. You would be so happy together and take dozens of pictures. But you'll graduate alone, you'll receive your diploma and medal alone.

"Have you chosen a Uni yet?" Nayeon asked.

You nodded, "I'll study at Korean University. It's quite expensive but I'll find ways to pay my tuition fee. You?"

"I'll be at Hankuk Uni. You know where you can find me." She grinned.

You stopped talking to her when you felt your phone vibrate in your pocket. You pulled it out and your mouth agape. Is this for real?

"What? What's wrong?" Nayeon asked when she saw you shocked at what's flashing on your phone.

You look up at her, "I-it's my father. My Dad's calling me." You almost jump at happiness.

Your tears started to form when you accepted the call. "Hello?" You answered.

"Y/n." You heard your father's exhausted voice and you became serious.

"Dad."

"Your mom is at the hospital. She wants to see you." He croaked.

You rush to the Seoul National University Hospital after receiving that call. It's been years since you last visited here, you hated this place because it only contains bad memories. You don't want another bad memory from this place anymore.

You were standing in front of your mother's hospital room, you look through the small window at the door and saw her sleeping on the bed with a dextrose in her hand. You saw your father standing near her bed, leaning on the wall, arms crossed and lowered head. He seems tired in his button down polo.

You slowly entered and you watch your father look up at you. "What happened?" You asked him.

He sighed, the fearsome image that he has was long gone, all you see is a tired man. "She fainted because of over-fatigue. She misses you, Y/n. And I'm sorry." He said.

You turn to your mother who was slowly opening her eyes now. She smiled weakly, "Y/n, come here." She said as she reach for you.

You slowly walk up to her and held her hand. You smiled sadly at her, "Hey, mom."

You sat at the edge of her bed while she held your hand tightly, softly caressing the back of it as she look at you.

"When I gave birth to the both of you everyone feared that I would risk my life or one of you, you came out first, you were crying so loud and everyone was so happy because the first baby was alive. But then when Kara came out she never made a sound, she was turning violet then and everyone was panicking inside the delivery room. We thought your sister was dead, and even with so much exhaustion and pain, I prayed to God, I prayed to Him so hard to make your sister live. And she did, but little do I know He'll only lend us a few years until He take back His angel again." You saw pain in her eyes, her voice weak but she wanted to continue her story.

"Because of what happened in the delivery room, everyone became so careful with Kara and treated her like she's the most precious kid in the world. She was our miracle baby and we feared that we'd lost her again if we don't give her extra attention.

So when the accident happened, I prayed to God again, to make another miracle for Kara, for us. But turns out you only get one miracle for each life. The miracle that I've been praying that day happened to you, Y/n. God gave you another chance to live and not leave us. He was great enough to leave one child behind to us. And we should've known it even before. We should've treated you right because you are our miracle now. The miracle that He wants us to cherish and nurture." She said, she reach for your face and you leaned towards her just so you could feel her touch.

Your eyes were watering but her tears were already falling, "I'm sorry for neglecting you. I'm sorry for being a bad mother to you. I'm sorry if I didn't loved you enough. I'm sorry that you are in pain when you shouldn't be."

You shook your head, "No, mom. It was my fault. We are in pain because we lost Kara. And I was ready to take all the pain and blame because I was the reason why she died. I love my sister so much and I never wanted it to happen." You sobbed.

She pulled you towards her until your head rests on her chest. She caressed your head as you both cry together. Probably both remembering Kara, probably both forgiving each other.

She continued caressing your hair until she fell asleep again. You slowly got off of her and sat on her bed. You saw your father watching the both of you.

"Can I talk to you?" He asked.

You pursed your lips and nodded. He went out of the room and you followed. "She kept on asking for you when she woke up after fainting." He started.

He was leaning on the wall while you leaned on the wall parallel to his. "I'm glad you called me, Dad." You were staring at your feet.

This man hurt you but you never blamed him. You're never angry at him because he is your father. He was hurting the same time you were. But you can't lie that you are also afraid of him.

"Dad, I'm graduating next week. Can you... can I invite you to my graduation?" You slowly asked.

He sighed, "I'm so sorry, Y/n. I'm sorry for the things that I've said to you. I'm sorry for hurting you, emotionally, mentally and physically. I don't deserve to be forgiven. I am such a bad parent to you and I don't want to make anymore excuses for my mistake. I was frustrated of everything, yes, but I shouldn't have poured everything on you. I'm sorry for mistreating you." He said.

And for the first time, he felt familiar. He felt like he has always been your father. It felt like he wasn't away. Like he didn't hurt you before.

Maybe all you needed was forgiveness and to forgive. Maybe all you needed was to hear this from him. Maybe all you needed was to feel accepted. Maybe this is one step to heal.

"Dad." You whimpered as you slowly reach for him and hugged him.

"I'm so sorry, Y/n." He whispered as he caress your back.

You were crying and you knew he was too when you felt his shoulder shake. This is the father that should've been by your side. And right now, he is.

"I'm sorry too." You whispered back.

He pulled away. "I will go to your graduation day. Your mom and I will be there. But I'd like to invite you as well to an important event tomorrow." He said as he cup your face.

"The judge will announce the verdict to the serial killer case that I've been handling for years. I want you to be there. I want you to watch it. Justice will be served to you, to your sister and to his other victims." He said.

What he said made you breathless. Justice for your sister was one thing, but knowing that you'll be there to watch it made it feel like you've been a part of the process.

So you found yourself sitting inside the court room in your p. e. uniform. The trial was almost over, you almost didn't make it because your teacher doesn't want to let go off the students yet.

You saw your father sitting in front of you and a man with his lawyer in suit by his side. The defendant looks like he was in his mid 40s, slightly fat and had this unclean beard. He looks like he could kill someone at first glance.

"Kang Jung Seul is found guilty and is sentenced with life imprisonment for committing 24 murders." The Judge announced that made you sigh in relief.

"This court is adjourned." He said and the police that was on the side of the defendant approached the now announced prisoner.

They held him by his arm and led him out of the court room. Everyone was whispering and happy that the serial killer was finally put to jail. Some even congratulated your father. You smiled as you watch at how busy he was talking with other lawyers that was watching the trial.

You slowly exit the court room and decided to wait for him on the benches near the court room. You watch everyone leave the court room until you saw someone that made you froze.

There was Kim Taehyung, exiting the court room. His eyes met yours and he stopped moving.

"You're here." You blurted.

"I told you I will always be on the sidelines watching you get the justice that you and your sister deserve." He said.

He kept his word. You smiled bitterly. You were staring at his eyes but you stood up when you saw your father getting out of the court room with his colleague. You pass by him to approach your father.

But he caught your wrist. You stop walking but you didn't turn to him and you knew he didn't too. You just waited for him to talk.

"Please don't break any more hearts." He muttered before he let go of you and leave.

And it breaks your heart because he sounded like he already gave up on you and watching this trial was his last mission before he forget you.