Commander Jeon

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I am under the ground, walking in the secret passage. All I have is a lantern which I stole from the library. This will also be my first time using one of these alone. If I look back myself a year ago I have came a long way. Discovering new things and fighting my fears. Oh also I had my first heartbreak. I thought I would never experience it. But it isn't experience worthy.

I am just hoping, I don't encounter any insects or snakes. Thinking about them I fasten up my pace. I am feeling cold. My cloak wasn't warming up a lot though. 

I took the right turns and finally reached the dead end. With many efforts I removed the slab from above and opened the entrance to the garden of the palace. Once I climb up to the ground level I let my self drop beside that slab. I don't have energy to reposition it yet. I haven't eaten anything and neither slept for the whole night. I believe it will be morning soon. 

Catching my breaths I get back to the work again placing the slab at it's position and looking around. Nothing has changed. It's same. My favorite fountain is still working efficiently in the middle of the garden. 

It's still dark. I can only see some light coming inside from hall of the palace. I stood up and dusted the dirt off my clothes.

Walking towards the back of the castle where graveyard is I felt chilly wind freezing me up. Reaching up the gate of the graveyard I hesitated to enter. Will it be a good idea to enter a graveyard in middle of the night. No offence to my ancestors and dear family members but it kind of looks scary in dark. "What else were you expecting from a graveyard." I whispered to myself to avoid the feeling of loneliness.

So, as a scaredy cat I am, I came back to my favorite fountain and decided to wait till the sunrise.

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"Did you miss us?" I felt my mother caressing my hair and suddenly sat straight breathing heavily. I looked around me to see if someone was here. It took me few seconds to realise I must have fallen asleep and started dreaming again. These voices and touches feels too real to be just dreams. 

It's already dawn. So, without wasting any time I went to the graveyard. The iron gate is rusted and opened with a creak. There are many gravestones of different officials, ministers and other important personalities of this town. And now my parents are here too. Looking around I saw two gravestones newly built side by side and I instantly went towards them. I saw my parents name graved on it with their date of birth and date of death and designation. 

I knelt down. Mere thought of my parent's soulless body lying under this ground just made me lose my emotions. Tears start rolling down my cheeks one by one and soon I was sobbing hysterically. I couldn't even hug them for the last time. I couldn't tell them how much I loved them for the last time. And the worst thing is I couldn't even come to their funeral. I was their only child. 

"I love you Eomma, Appa." I cried just like a child who can't live without their parents. "I miss you... I love you..." I must be looking the worst I could look but I don't care. I don't think tears will stop coming out. I put my head on my father's gravestone while looking at my mother's. And I let my tears kept flowing I won't stop them today.

"And today also I forgot to bring flowers for you. " I said in a broken voice. "I will bring your favourite roses once spring comes." I told them like they are sitting here listening to me. Winter is near so every tree around me look lifeless and old. They look sad just like me. Rays of sun came into the horizon but I can't hear any birds chirping with new freshness and happiness of the morning. Like they want me to mourn without them disturbing me.