Withered - Chapter 18: Chapter 18
You are reading Withered, Chapter 18: Chapter 18. Read more chapters of Withered.
"Abortion?! It's sinful! Are you out of your mind?! You're basically taking the life of a tiny human being. And it's your child Mina yah.. I'll always support you but this is just wrong" Sana shouts, standing in front of her little sister who's sitting surrounded by the three. They spend their weekend in Jihyo's house to avoid their parents and to find solutions for Mina's condition. The girl has been crying nonstop after knowing that she's pregnant, lose her appetite, insomnia and again locking herself. She speaks her mind to save her dignity and to end everything. She knows she's being selfish but she can't bear how the society will look at her.
"This is not my child! I never wanted this to happen!….Dad and mom, they'll be disappointed at me... Have you thought what will people say!? You don't even know how I feel!" Mina rebukes between her sobs, hitting her stomach for every word she utters. For Mina, her world just ended.
How is she going to go about her life without any sense of normalcy or security or dignity? She's too embarrassed, too afraid. She will become that kind of girl, the one they talk about in the news when some man rapes someone and the judge or cop justifies it by saying the girl is asking for it or she put herself in that position or that she is giving a mixed-signal. Mina doesn't want to be that girl. She doesn't want to seems like she's weak or irresponsible or promiscuous or vulnerable. If she has to kill the child to save her life, why can't she?
Momo by her side, trying to calm and stop Mina from hitting herself. Jihyo sigh as she squat and hold the younger's hands "Listen, this child is something beautiful come from something terrible. This pure innocent child can be light and joy. We love babies. We'll always beside you.…….We can do this" She assures.
They stay silent as they watch Mina weeping. It's impossible to hide Mina pregnancy, but they will try their best to cover it up until they come into something. As for the girl, she doesn't say anything. The image of a cute baby before her makes she feels better. Mina always likes children but having them this early had never crossed her mind. Maybe the child can be the one and only reason that stops her from suicide. Maybe the child can bring happiness and love. That's what she thought at the very moment.
* * * *
Mrs Myoui knows that something wrong with Mina. The symptoms that she shows can only mean one thing. She's getting worried when her daughter's sickness becomes severe and, how Momo and Sana acting weird and defensive these days. As a mother, somehow she can feel it. The uneasy gut.
She asks her daughters when Mr Myoui goes to work leaving them alone. The three sits across Mrs Myoui at the dinner table. No one has the courage to tells the truth. They never saw their mother look so terrifying, they could die from the stare. It takes a few minutes before Sana opens her mouth. She tells Mrs Myoui everything since they know they can't avoid this. Sooner or later it will happen, so there's no use to lie plus Mina's stomach getting more and more visible making it no way for them to hide the fact.
"M-m-mom?" Momo holds her mother's hands slowly but snapped when Mrs Myoui pull her hands while she looks so unfocused. She covers her face with her palm as she cries. She can't explain what she feels, or what she should do.
"I-Is this true?" Mrs Myoui asks Mina who's looking down, fidgeting with her finger as she cries. She feels a sense of guilt, thinking that if only she'd done more to protect her child this wouldn't have happened. "And why do you just tell me now. It…must be hard" Mrs Myoui stands and walk closer to the youngest, hugging Mina as she rubs the latter back to console her. "I'll talk to your father about this. It's not your fault so stop crying. It makes me sad, okay" Mrs Myoui wipes her daughter tears and smiles at the girl. She can't deny that she's mad, but creating fuss only make it worse so it's better to accept and learn.
That night, she goes to her daughters' room and gives them each a kiss on the forehead while they are sleeping. She takes time when it's Mina's turn. She sits on the bed beside the girl, stroking her hair and finally kisses her forehead as tears escaping her eyes. Even she can't imagine the pain Mina is going through. She decides to support her and not to question the girl's decision.
To give birth to the child.
* * * *
"F-father" Chaeyoung utters as he stands from the bench he's been sitting on. Mr Myoui had listened to her wife about Mina and he basically going crazy. He never thought that Chaeyoung out of anyone could do that. He doesn't believe it and calls Chae to meet at the park so he could explain himself.
Chaeyoung heard from Sana that their parents already know and he better prepared himself. When he got a ring from Mr Myoui, he almost fainted from nervousness but have to take responsibility."Father.. I-I'm sorry---" his word stop when a fist hit the bridge of his nose, stumble and fall for the impact. He quickly regains himself, standing with his hand in his back and waits for another punch then he got it right on his left cheek. Spit the blood before again, he pushes himself to stand and wait for another attack but it stops.
Mr Myoui shut his eyes and exhale deep breathe. He sits on the bench, stares into nothing while Chaeyoung fall on his knees. "Stand up, and sits." He follows Mr Myoui command and settles down properly, his eyes never leaving the ground. "If it's random people, I'll kill him but…it's you. I've heard from Momo that Mina doesn't want to meet you again...but she's pregnant right now. What are you going to do about it?" Mr Myoui growls. Chaeyoung stop breathing, he doesn't remember how. Unable to speak as the word pregnant bounces around inside his skull. Is it wrong that somehow, a small part of him, that tiny spark that almost covered by guilt, is actually happiness?
"I-I'll take responsibility" Chaeyoung stutters in his word. It's painful to not see Mina for the past few weeks and how he handles the mixed emotions he feels every single day. How he wants to kill himself whenever he stands in front of a mirror. Now, there's an opportunity for him to make things better and even excited for the unborn child.
"I'll talk to them later…and I still haven't forgiven you…" Mr Myoui leaves the scene with his clenching fist and heavy step as he walks away. Whilst for Chaeyoung, he really wants to raise the child even if Mina hates him, he'll apologize again and again until the girl opens her heart. He will not lie about his feelings either. When the time comes, he'll definitely tell her.
* * * *
The Myoui gather in the living room with Mina beside her mother. "I want to raise this child alone" Mina states as she rests her hands on his stomach, not making any eye contact with anyone. Her mother supports her decision and will help with the care of the child. She always wants a grandchild so she's not exactly opposing her daughter's words.
"No, you can't. That child needs a father. Chaeyoung wants to take responsibility for it. We know that he's a good guy just.... This is an accident…he didn't mean it..We all know that. Let him be your husband" Mr Myoui sigh, giving Mina a faint smile. He thought that is the right thing to do even though his words against her daughter. If they persuade her a little bit more then maybe Mina could change her mind.
"Accident? He didn't mean it? Drinking can never be an excuse…it's unacceptable behaviour of him. Why he can't control himself?! Is he trying to blame it on alcohol or are you trying to say it's my fault, that I'm so weak to protect myself?" Mina spits "I will raise this child alone and I don't need anybody!" Mina loses her temper and starts shouting. The thing that she keeps thinking about. We can't blame the girl for her aggressive behaviour after everything.
Sometimes the trust that is broken is so huge in its own essence, that we are not able to forget it. Even if they come to you saying sorry for what they did, you only wish to take the blame on yourself for trusting them. How can she be with him when she can't trust him anymore? She's upset that from now on, she can't believe him.
Later that night, Mina feels guilty for yelling on her parents and thought that she needs to apologize for misbehaving. But she will stick with her decision although she knows deep inside her that it's not Chaeyoung's fault entirely. She forgives him, really. But no matter how hard she tries, the memory of that night is still there. She wants to forget and be happy but It seems like herself is more broken than she thought.
Mina pulls her blanket up to her shoulder as she curls into a ball, hugging her knees. She closes her eyes, hoping that she can sleep in peace without any nightmares.
First, I'll always protect you.
Second, I'll never hurt you.
Third, I'll love you and care for you as a friend and little brother
"Liar"
"This is not my child! I never wanted this to happen!….Dad and mom, they'll be disappointed at me... Have you thought what will people say!? You don't even know how I feel!" Mina rebukes between her sobs, hitting her stomach for every word she utters. For Mina, her world just ended.
How is she going to go about her life without any sense of normalcy or security or dignity? She's too embarrassed, too afraid. She will become that kind of girl, the one they talk about in the news when some man rapes someone and the judge or cop justifies it by saying the girl is asking for it or she put herself in that position or that she is giving a mixed-signal. Mina doesn't want to be that girl. She doesn't want to seems like she's weak or irresponsible or promiscuous or vulnerable. If she has to kill the child to save her life, why can't she?
Momo by her side, trying to calm and stop Mina from hitting herself. Jihyo sigh as she squat and hold the younger's hands "Listen, this child is something beautiful come from something terrible. This pure innocent child can be light and joy. We love babies. We'll always beside you.…….We can do this" She assures.
They stay silent as they watch Mina weeping. It's impossible to hide Mina pregnancy, but they will try their best to cover it up until they come into something. As for the girl, she doesn't say anything. The image of a cute baby before her makes she feels better. Mina always likes children but having them this early had never crossed her mind. Maybe the child can be the one and only reason that stops her from suicide. Maybe the child can bring happiness and love. That's what she thought at the very moment.
* * * *
Mrs Myoui knows that something wrong with Mina. The symptoms that she shows can only mean one thing. She's getting worried when her daughter's sickness becomes severe and, how Momo and Sana acting weird and defensive these days. As a mother, somehow she can feel it. The uneasy gut.
She asks her daughters when Mr Myoui goes to work leaving them alone. The three sits across Mrs Myoui at the dinner table. No one has the courage to tells the truth. They never saw their mother look so terrifying, they could die from the stare. It takes a few minutes before Sana opens her mouth. She tells Mrs Myoui everything since they know they can't avoid this. Sooner or later it will happen, so there's no use to lie plus Mina's stomach getting more and more visible making it no way for them to hide the fact.
"M-m-mom?" Momo holds her mother's hands slowly but snapped when Mrs Myoui pull her hands while she looks so unfocused. She covers her face with her palm as she cries. She can't explain what she feels, or what she should do.
"I-Is this true?" Mrs Myoui asks Mina who's looking down, fidgeting with her finger as she cries. She feels a sense of guilt, thinking that if only she'd done more to protect her child this wouldn't have happened. "And why do you just tell me now. It…must be hard" Mrs Myoui stands and walk closer to the youngest, hugging Mina as she rubs the latter back to console her. "I'll talk to your father about this. It's not your fault so stop crying. It makes me sad, okay" Mrs Myoui wipes her daughter tears and smiles at the girl. She can't deny that she's mad, but creating fuss only make it worse so it's better to accept and learn.
That night, she goes to her daughters' room and gives them each a kiss on the forehead while they are sleeping. She takes time when it's Mina's turn. She sits on the bed beside the girl, stroking her hair and finally kisses her forehead as tears escaping her eyes. Even she can't imagine the pain Mina is going through. She decides to support her and not to question the girl's decision.
To give birth to the child.
* * * *
"F-father" Chaeyoung utters as he stands from the bench he's been sitting on. Mr Myoui had listened to her wife about Mina and he basically going crazy. He never thought that Chaeyoung out of anyone could do that. He doesn't believe it and calls Chae to meet at the park so he could explain himself.
Chaeyoung heard from Sana that their parents already know and he better prepared himself. When he got a ring from Mr Myoui, he almost fainted from nervousness but have to take responsibility."Father.. I-I'm sorry---" his word stop when a fist hit the bridge of his nose, stumble and fall for the impact. He quickly regains himself, standing with his hand in his back and waits for another punch then he got it right on his left cheek. Spit the blood before again, he pushes himself to stand and wait for another attack but it stops.
Mr Myoui shut his eyes and exhale deep breathe. He sits on the bench, stares into nothing while Chaeyoung fall on his knees. "Stand up, and sits." He follows Mr Myoui command and settles down properly, his eyes never leaving the ground. "If it's random people, I'll kill him but…it's you. I've heard from Momo that Mina doesn't want to meet you again...but she's pregnant right now. What are you going to do about it?" Mr Myoui growls. Chaeyoung stop breathing, he doesn't remember how. Unable to speak as the word pregnant bounces around inside his skull. Is it wrong that somehow, a small part of him, that tiny spark that almost covered by guilt, is actually happiness?
"I-I'll take responsibility" Chaeyoung stutters in his word. It's painful to not see Mina for the past few weeks and how he handles the mixed emotions he feels every single day. How he wants to kill himself whenever he stands in front of a mirror. Now, there's an opportunity for him to make things better and even excited for the unborn child.
"I'll talk to them later…and I still haven't forgiven you…" Mr Myoui leaves the scene with his clenching fist and heavy step as he walks away. Whilst for Chaeyoung, he really wants to raise the child even if Mina hates him, he'll apologize again and again until the girl opens her heart. He will not lie about his feelings either. When the time comes, he'll definitely tell her.
* * * *
The Myoui gather in the living room with Mina beside her mother. "I want to raise this child alone" Mina states as she rests her hands on his stomach, not making any eye contact with anyone. Her mother supports her decision and will help with the care of the child. She always wants a grandchild so she's not exactly opposing her daughter's words.
"No, you can't. That child needs a father. Chaeyoung wants to take responsibility for it. We know that he's a good guy just.... This is an accident…he didn't mean it..We all know that. Let him be your husband" Mr Myoui sigh, giving Mina a faint smile. He thought that is the right thing to do even though his words against her daughter. If they persuade her a little bit more then maybe Mina could change her mind.
"Accident? He didn't mean it? Drinking can never be an excuse…it's unacceptable behaviour of him. Why he can't control himself?! Is he trying to blame it on alcohol or are you trying to say it's my fault, that I'm so weak to protect myself?" Mina spits "I will raise this child alone and I don't need anybody!" Mina loses her temper and starts shouting. The thing that she keeps thinking about. We can't blame the girl for her aggressive behaviour after everything.
Sometimes the trust that is broken is so huge in its own essence, that we are not able to forget it. Even if they come to you saying sorry for what they did, you only wish to take the blame on yourself for trusting them. How can she be with him when she can't trust him anymore? She's upset that from now on, she can't believe him.
Later that night, Mina feels guilty for yelling on her parents and thought that she needs to apologize for misbehaving. But she will stick with her decision although she knows deep inside her that it's not Chaeyoung's fault entirely. She forgives him, really. But no matter how hard she tries, the memory of that night is still there. She wants to forget and be happy but It seems like herself is more broken than she thought.
Mina pulls her blanket up to her shoulder as she curls into a ball, hugging her knees. She closes her eyes, hoping that she can sleep in peace without any nightmares.
First, I'll always protect you.
Second, I'll never hurt you.
Third, I'll love you and care for you as a friend and little brother
"Liar"
End of Withered Chapter 18. Continue reading Chapter 19 or return to Withered book page.