MINE

23

"Ji Hwa-ya, did you drop him off?" Yoongi asked over the phone.
"Yeah. I am on my way to work now. You are leaving for Europe in the evening right?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Um...Is Jin-ssi going too?" I asked hesitantly.
"No. Uh...did you guys talk?"
"No...I am just wondering if he is okay." I bit on my lips.
"He is fine I guess. He doesn't really like depressing atmosphere. He will be okay. And by the way, Tae told he would drop by in the evening at yours."
"Oh okay."
"Okay, gotta go pack. Bye."
"Bye."
He hanged up.

I placed my phone down and sighed. I looked out of the windshield.

....

The day was hectic and as soon as it was lunch time, I rushed out to pick up my son. The school brought back memories of my own ans those made me feel bittersweet. Yoongi was a major part of my school life. My future plans changed because of him. I sighed...

I checked the time on my watch and frowned. Almost every kid came out of the school. And top of that, I was a little late because of the traffic so my son should have ben waiting for me. The parking lot was almost empty with only a few cars left. I grew anxious about it so I went to talk to the gatekeeper.

"Anneyonghasaeyo." I greeted with a nod.
The old man smiled and greeted me with a bow. "Yes, maam?"
"Uh...actually my son hasn't come out yet. Can you check inside once?" I asked politely.
"Oh, really? Let me call the authority." He said and dialed in the telephone.
I waited impatiently, growing worried. Min Gyu was new to the whole environment and he wouldn't just lurk around anywhere else.

"Yeah? There are no kids. Everybody came out? Okay...I get it." He hanged up and looked at me.
"There are no kids inside. Guess someone else picked him up." He told.
The first person came to my mind was Jin. But he would tell me first.

Without hesitation, I called him.
"Hello?" He answered.
"Hi, Jin-ssi. How are you?" I asked.
"Fine."
"Are you home?" I asked, biting on my lips anxiously.
"Umm...no. I am out of town, fishing."
My heart sank and I started to panick.
"Uh...okay. have fun." I hanged up and quickly called Yoongi.

He didnt pick up. He wouldn't pick Min Gyu because he had a hectic schedule for the day. My last option was Tae. I crossed my fingers and dialed his number.

"Noona." He greeted.
"Taehyung-ah, is Min Gyu with you?" I asked.
"No. I am in the building, practicing. Why? What happened?" He asked.
My heart started to ache and I broke into cold sweat.
"By any chance, could Min Gyu be with Yoongi?" I asked.
"Umm...no. Hyung is busy. He needs to leave in the evening."
A huge lump rose in my throat. Somebody must have picked him up.
"Noona. What's wrong?" He asked, worried.
"I...I came to pick Min Gyu up and he isn't here."
"What! Did you call Jin hyung?"
"He is out of town."
"Where are you now?"
"At Min Gyu's school."
"I am on my way. Dont worry, Noona." He hanged up.

I went to talk to the principal and got the whole school checked. Min Gyu was nowhere and my peace of mind was breaking. Where did he go? With whom did he go? I had told him not to talk with strangers.

Taehyung arrived in the meantime and talked with the authorities. I had lost words. My child had disappeared. Tae complained about the irresponsibility of the authority. But it wasnt their fault. Parents should arrive on time to pick their child up. And it was totally my fault. If only had I been there a little earlier. If...

"Noona. Let's inform the police. " Tae suggested.
I nodded, completely at the edge.

We went to the police station. I explained them the whole situation and all they told me was to wait. If it is kidnapping, the kidnappers would call for money. But how on earth could I wait while I had no news about my child? How could stay calm.