Chapter 31: The Scolding

Ashma looked at Yong-Sun's hands but was not ready to exit the car. As always a car was her safe space. The enclosed space of cars helped her in thinking. "That's what I was afraid of," said Ashma with sadness in her eyes.

He again shook his hands in front of her eyes so she would take it. "Don't worry I will ask her to scold you," he joked to lighten the mood.

She smiled half-heartedly at him but immediately that smile disappeared.

He looked at her face, lowered his hands and exhaled loudly. He then exhorted her, "let her process her emotions the way she wants. If she wants to love you even after you made a mistake that should be her choice. If she wants to scold you, that too should be her choice. If Bong-Cha wants to be angry at you or forgive you that too should be her choice. Don't bring your guilt into that. Don't factor your guilt into people's emotions. You cannot control other people's emotions according to you. You cannot make people hate you if they don't want to and the same goes for loving you."

She looked at him lovingly and understood what he wanted to say. She puffed her face and exhaled a long puff of air to calm herself down. Her eyes started filling with tears but she controlled herself by continuously blinking.

"And don't worry, if no one will scold you, I am sure harabuhji will definitely scold you," Baek-Hyeon chimed in with a naughty smile on his face.

"What? Why?" her sadness suddenly changed into anger.

"You berated his favourite person in the whole wide world, Bong-Cha," explained Yong-Sun.

"The bully has a favourite?" asked Ashma angrily.

"Oh, he loves his granddaughter. He always wanted a granddaughter but first, he got me. Then when Bong-Cha was born he partied all night and there was a grand feast. He called all the big names from all around the world. It was a spectacular event. I don't think even my marriage is going to be compared with her birth. And don't even get me started on her Baek-il and Dol," narrated Baek-Hyeon.

"Uhh… the what and what?" she creased her brow and asked.

"Oh, sorry, you have no idea about Baek-il and Dol. Baek-il is celebrated when the child completes 100 days and dol is celebrated on the child's first birthday," explained Baek-Hyeon.

"The dol or the first birthday is a special occasion for every Korean kid," Yong-Sun explained further.

"Oh!" exclaimed Ashma.

"And he organised a grand feast for both occasions," said Baek-Hyeon.

Ashma had no clue why she felt sad after that information but she avoided showing her emotions to both of them after all she too was a granddaughter.

"Now come out of the car. You cannot spend your night inside it," said Yong-Sun and again presented his hands to her.

"Oh, was that an option?" asked Ashma.

"Come on out," shouted Baek-Hyeon.

"Okay!" said Ashma and took Yong-Sun's hand. An electric current ran through his body giving him a warm feeling. He closed his eyes and took in the feeling of her touch. Her soft palms in his hands were giving him an amazing feel. He never wanted to let go of her hand. Even after she got down the car, he refused to let go of her hand.

Ashma looked at the door and froze. She wanted the time to stop so she didn't have to face anyone. She didn't want to find out whether all will be angry or forgiving. Yong-Sun pulled her hand forcing her to walk on the pathway towards the main door. Baek-Hyeon followed them.

Baek-Hyeon smirked at Yong-Sun. He was walking behind them. Ashma was too agitated and in her thoughts to realise that she was holding hands with Yong-Sun and Yong-Sun was too mesmerised by her touch to realise the same. He kept staring at her face and Baek-Heyon kept staring at their hands.

Like the morning, the door didn't open itself. No one came running to greet Ashma. No one came and hugged her. The door was closed shut. Two wall lanterns were illuminating the doorway. Yong-Sun pressed the bell and all three waited for the door to open.

While they were waiting, Baek-Hyeon tapped on Yong-Sun shoulder's and gestured at his hands.

"What?" mouthed Yong-Sun.

"Your hand," whispered Baek-Hyeon.

"What?" Yong-Sun still didn't realise that he was holding Ashma's hands. He looked down at his hands and immediately took his hand away. Ashma still didn't register that something was happening near her. Yong-Sun on the other hand embarrassingly looked at Baek-Hyeon and gave him a shy smile.

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"Crush!" mouthed Baek-Hyeon.

"Shut up!" whispered Yong-Sun.

Suddenly the door opened and Pyo In-Ho appeared. He pitifully looked at Ashma and gestured her to get in. Baek-Hyeon softly placed his hand on her waist and slightly pushed her in.

With her head hung low, Ashma entered in. At her sight, everyone sitting in the living room stood up but no one moved an inch towards her.

"How is your mom? How are you? Are you alright? What did the doctor say? When will she be back at home?" she was showered with a lot of questions. She couldn't tell who asked what.

"Enough! Shut up everyone," shouted Young-Jae. Suddenly the chaotic environment turned quiet. It was the quiet before the storm. There was not a single sound in the living room. Ashma kept her head lowered, she didn't dare look anyone in their eyes.

Suddenly Young-Jae questioned, "how is your mother?"

Without looking up she answered in a soft tone, "she is fine now. They gave her a sedative to sleep."

"When she will be back?" inquired Young-Jae, again, in an authoritative tone.

"After evaluation, most probably by tomorrow."

"So, she is not going to die," screamed Young-Jae.

Ashma suddenly raised her head and looked at him with astonishment and surprise.

"Harabuhji!" shouted Baek-Hyeon and Young-Sun simultaneously.

"Sonja! Not a word." He warned both the boys. He then addressed Ashma directly, "you! Your mother is not going to die, right?"

She again lowered her head as she understood where Young-Jae was going. "Yes, sir," she replied.

"Then how dare you shouted at my sonnyuh, my bongie. No one speaks to her like that. No one calls her names and you called her murderer. What did that child ever do to you? She just wanted to meet you, she fought with me to bring you here and you said such harsh things to a child. What kind of cruel person are you? Didn't your mother teach you how to talk to anyone? In the morning you were rude to me even though I am your elder, then at night, you scolded my favourite person that too in front of hospital staff and strangers. I can take whatever you say to me but if you ever say anything to my sonnyuh I will make your life hell.

"I don't care how famous you are or if my sonnyuh is your fan or if she wants you to stay here. I don't care the whole world knows you, if you ever cross me or say another harsh word to my sonnyuh, you will answer to me. Now take your things and get out of my house. The moment your mother gets out of the hospital, get out of my country and never look back. Forget that you ever met with us." Ashma never spoke a word.

"Shiahbuhji!" said Eun-Kyung.

"Ahppa!" shouted Young-Soo.

"Shut up, everyone!" he reprimanded his family. He again addressed Ashma, more like shouted at her, "you didn't hear me, collect your things and get out of my house."

Ashma stood there in silence taking in all the insults and harsh words Young-Jae threw at her. He kept berating her for shouting at Bong-Cha but she kept quiet. Everyone tried to stop Young-Jae but he listened to no one. Bong-Cha kept staring at Ashma without saying a single word to her.

Ashma was prepared to get scolding from everyone but no one else spoke.

A tear fell from Ashma's eyes. Without looking up she said in a sad voice, "I am very sorry. I am very sorry Mumma, I am very sorry, Bong-Cha, I am very sorry Mr Park Young-Soo, I am very sorry Mr Park Young-Jae, I am very sorry, everyone. I just saw my mother in distress and lost my cool. That doesn't justify my saying all those things to anyone. If you can find it in your heart, please forgive me and I promise you will never see my face ever again." She bowed down to everyone and stood in the same position for minutes. Tears kept falling on the carpet.

When no one spoke for minutes, she stood up and walked upstairs. After a few minutes, she appeared with two suitcases behind her. Baek-Hyeon and Yong-Sun moved to walk up to her to help her but Young-Jae gave them a death stare. They froze in their path. Pyo In-Ho went up to her and helped her bring the suitcases down.

After reaching downstairs she moved towards the door. Before she could exit, she turned again towards everyone and again bowed down. "I would like to apologise again for my behaviour. Please try to forgive me. I am really very sorry." She wiped her tears and started moving out.

"How dare you?" shouted Bong-Cha. Ashma halted in her path. She welcomed her scolding with a smile on her face. She turned towards Bong-Cha.. Young-Jae was smirking as he was happy that his granddaughter was ready to scold his enemy.

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