"Mom."
My whisper echoed through the halls of the mansion. The doors welcomed wholeheartedly. The breeze blushed the temperature. My Mom froze in goosebumps. She looked bewildered, halting herself from feeding Chakan. Wide-eyed, she put the bowl of soup on the table and made her entire body face me.
The face of awe suddenly paused into dark and emotionless. Those eyes which nourished me with love had now shortly vanished into thin air. I don't wanna dare to take a guess whether her eyes speak of love or hate towards her own daughter. But it kills me. I don't know how you were without me and Dad but our hearts shed tears every day for you. The dinner doesn't seem lovable without you. The house doesn't seem full even though I and Dad survive there.
"How are you, Mom?" I asked in my pale voice but she suddenly turned her back and mouthed, "What brought you here, Moon?" Her voice pierced my skin. Sheds blood but it's invisible to her. Her eyes are murk. All she sees is mist. Invisible me. She doesn't care.
"You." I replied. She looked at me with her unbearable vengeance filled eyes. But for what?
"You didn't come home. Might be not missing us, right? But we miss you, Mom. I'm here to see you."
I wish upon those dandelions to call you home back. I want you to miss us too. I need you to have dinner with us either. I want you to go through all odds to love me freshly once again. I desire you to chase me around the streets holding a broomstick. I hope we laugh and love each other once again…, Mom. I wanna scream these all out but all I could do is shut my mouth until your heart melts, your eyes shed tears, clearing your vision. So that you could see my heart turning black. See Dad's dry eyes. He used to cry every night recalling you. Have you cried for us, Mom?
"You better head back. Didn't I teach you not to enter the place where you weren't invited?"
"You did, Mom. But Dad taught me to enter any place where you live." She abruptly turned her face away and replied, "Do as you wish but one thing." Peeking at me, she continued, "Don't ask me to come back, Moon."
"Why aren't you ready to come back home, Mom?" She didn't reply. I walked towards them but stood at a line not really making my distance make her uncomfortable.
"Mr. K, please take father upstairs." My Mom ordered. Mr. K, Chakan's personal assistant who handles everything regarding his private wills. Mr. K had been with Chakan since his childhood. They grew together after all.
"Leave before I start screaming on you." I smiled beneath my breath. "It's alright. I missed your voice, Mom." She gave me a death glare and walked swiftly into the kitchen. I just stood there all solemn. Until I hear her say something.
"Come, sit here." I quietly followed her orders unless I saw her arranging the dishes. I glimpsed in awe when she responded to me with her raised brows. Maybe questioning me.
"Why…these all?" She abruptly stopped arranging and looked at me with her pale face. I already started stammering but said nothing. "Have breakfast first. I know you didn't have it." I was quiet and smiled short, seeing her love remained constant… Toward me. Then, why don't you just come back? Chakan has his people to look after him…, doesn't it?
"What happened? You don't like garlic bread?" She stated. I kept my fork and table knife down and pronounced, "Not that. But you forgot that I don't like strawberry smoothies." She took a simple amount of veggies in her mouth and crushed them down, making me feel ignored. By laying some veggies in my soup bowl, her sharp eyes gave me attention.
"I gave you water, not a strawberry smoothie. Whatever is kept on the table doesn't mean to be for you. Well, that smoothie is for Mr. K."
"I-I see…" More than just a statement, it was like an insult to me. I don't know how to take it as it's my Mom. I'm just speechless. Fighting all alone when my own people are against me.
"I don't think taking me home is the only sole reason for you."
I adopted silence but effortlessly said, "I will accept." She spared me a slight glance. "What will you accept?"
"I will accept Chakan as my Grandfather." Hearing me, she was dumbfounded. Held a blank face and asked for assurance, "What did you say?" I responded, "You heard me right, Mom."
"Don't you hate him? What changed your mind suddenly?" She asked while eating her crumble. While sipping the water I looked at her side bangs and stated,
"Win some, lose some. To get something, you have to lose something, isn't it what Dad often says?" We didn't cross our sight when I only kept staring at her lips. She smiled, making me reflect. "Good learners come from good teachers."
"Good line, Mom." We shared the slightest smiles. It was like all my burden crossed down the aisle. The closer I grow to my Mom, the better I get. Just, why don't you come back, Mom?! Argh!
...…
My hands gave a pale knock on the door. A feeble voice grew out, "Yes?" I walked in leaving all my pride and dignity behind. He looked at me as if he was anticipating my arrival. How further eye!
"Come, sit." I took a chair quietly. When my body fell on the chair, I don't know how long I went quiet just to adjust myself from calling him 'Grandpa'. That chokes me to death. Suffocation creeps in me like a disease. I could defeat anything but him… I don't know why. Maybe because he is a father too. Father of my birth father. Does my birth father forgive me if I give pain to his father? That thought often brings my throat to dry. Haa…
"Moon?" I immediately stood up swiftly. Anyhow, I have to face reality someday. Why don't we consider the day as today? I bowed entirely with request and asked generously,
"Please send my Mom back to her family, Grandpa. I request you."
...…
When I reached my home, I saw him…. Sitting on the door frame. Tenebrous and pale. Aah, I can't digest his disappointment. I clenched my heart at the point that I couldn't bring what he only asked for. Now, I can't go inside with empty hands.
I turned around and gasped, "Mom?!" That scream literally touched my Dad's heart. My world felt like it's melting. All I could feel was dopamine dashing across my body. For a Moment, I was the happiest person in the whole world.
"Sweetheart…" Oh, Dad. With joyful tears, he embraced my Mom as tightly as he could.
Thank you, Grandpa. It was too hard to accept a few people, who would have thought that they were worth our beloved's happiness. I accepted a lot of people without actually hurting them. Accepted Tangwen even though she cheated me through fake identity. Accepted Taeng even though she backstabbed me. Accepted Dillon even though he killed my birth father. Accepted Zachary even though she caused us hell. Accepted my Mom even though she had a second marriage. Accepted Uncle Ren as my father through all the possibilities. Accepted Chakan even though he took everything from us. Finally, I accepted myself for who I am.
Through these all, A Moon was made. It was me.
"You finally came back. I missed you a lot." My Dad said emotionally. Oh god, how naive.
"I missed you too, Honey. I wish I was earlier." We wished the same, Mom.