Secret Santa 박지민

Chapter 7

Altschmerz

"How's the fried rice? I cooked it, "

Jimin asked with a bright and proud smile. She smiled back softly at him as he stared at her gulfing down the fried rice. He forced a small smile while squeezing her hand tightly.

"It's great, Jimin-ah,"

She smiled, lifting up her hand slowly to pat his head. Jimin rested his head down on the hospital bed, smiling as he closed his eyes while she patted his head.

"You know, I can get a part-time job if you want,"

Jimin muttered, looking up at her as she took a few more spoonfuls of fried rice. He saw her face slowly crease into a frown.

"Jimin, it's ok. We still have extra money. I will not let you get a part-time job,"

"But eomma!"

"No. I don't want to be a burden to you,"

She said with eyes filled with tears as she took another spoonful of fried rice. Jimin opened his mouth to protest but he saw the tears in her eyes and closed his mouth. It was heart-wrenching to see his mother in the state he was in especially when she was the only parent he had his entire life.

"Are you still feeling the pain?"

He muttered, squeezing her hand lightly.

"The kidney transplant doesn't hurt as much anymore,"

Jimin just forced a small smile as he used his thumb to stroke her hand. His mother smiled back at him as she continued eating her food. Jimin kept staring at her as many of his memories with his mother flashed before him.
The daisies dotted the dark caribe field of grass like splattered white paint as the saffron kite flew freely in the aegean blue sky. The laughter of him and his mother echoed in his memories. His nose stung a bit but he swallowed that lump in his throat and suppressed the tears that were threatening to flow out.
He wished that he could be of some help with the medical bills but his mother was adamant on him not taking up a part-time job. However, the health insurance was not enough and they were a few thousand dollars short.

"I'll make sure we'll fly our kite again."