Open your mouth and kiss me

3. Changed life

The next morning, my life was completely turned upside down. My mother's ward was now staffed with VIP rooms and the best medical staff, and I, who had been anxiously crouching next to her, was now living in a house with a view of the Han River. Decades of hard work that had eluded me were completely transformed by that one word from my child. So, while I felt a sense of relative deprivation and a bit of emptiness, I decided to live in gratitude for being freed from that hellish life.





"Mom, can you hear me? It's Yeoju. I believe you're listening. Even though Mom is in a brain-dead state, I believe that she will wake up like a miracle. Please, wake up. I love you, Mom."





Even though there was no answer, I was sure I would wake up. No, I had to. If Mom wasn't here, I would truly be alone in this world. It would be so miserable.





"A miracle. Isn't that foolish? To stake everything on such a slim chance of a few percent."





It was Kim Taehyung.





"There are people who live because of that hope... But why did you suddenly come here?"




"Because you never answer the phone."



"I'm sorry. It's silent."



"Next time, be sure to pick up the phone."




Taehyung's face was clearly smiling, but an unknown pressure was weighing on him.



"Yeah. I'll definitely get it next time."






***


No matter how many times I called, she wouldn't answer. Normally, I would have had someone call her, but I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to just visit her and warn her to make sure to answer the phone next time. So I went to find her, and there she was, talking to her mother. It was truly foolish. Talking to a brain-dead person. It was incredibly annoying, but I couldn't reveal it yet. Not yet. It was time to wait a little longer. I thought I should wait until Yeo-ju got used to this wealthy and comfortable life, and said with a faint smile.


Be sure to pick up the phone next time.


Yeah, I'll definitely get it next time.


She spoke with a smile. But somehow, she felt a urge to make that face cry. Hiding that thought, the beast smiled even more beautifully today than ever before. A smile so dazzling that it could captivate anyone.






Open your mouth and let me kiss you.

Short story / Author. Samsami