Chapter 35: The Declaration Of War

Eun-Kyung kept forcing Ashma to eat and she ate a lot of food as a result of that. On the other hand, Bong-Cha kept forcing her to answer stupid questions she had in her mind even though she knew the answers to almost all of them like her favourite book, her favourite music, her favourite colour, etc. When she had no more questions and Eun-Kyung was satisfied with the amount of food Ashma ate, they all retired for the evening.

Ashma moved to her room with a heavy heart. She didn't want to go into the room without her mother. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As soon as she opened her eyes, her phone was in front of her. She knew she had to call her grandfather and inform him but had no courage to do so. After contemplating for long, she picked up her phone and dialled for India. Even though it was time for his sleep she called his phone.

He picked the phone in one ring. "Ashu!" he shouted. "Where were you since morning? Do you have any idea how long I waited for your call?" he suddenly changed his tune and with excitement asked, "now, spill the tea."

"Nanaji!" she said in a sad tone. A drop of tear fell from her eyes.

Surya's voice became serious, with compassion he inquired, "are you okay, kiddo? Did they give you a hard time? Let me talk to them, I will show them who's the boss."

"No, Nanaji!"

"Ashu! What happened?" questioned Surya, again.

"Mom," was the only word she could get out.

"What about your mom?" asked Surya, tense.

"First promise me you won't get worked up," said Ashma.

"What happened to your mom, Ashma?" asked Surya with authority.

"See you are getting worked up."

He exhaled and said, "I am fine, tell me what happened."

"First promise, don't make me shout at you," emphasised Ashma.

"Okay fine I promise, I won't get upset," promised Surya.

"Mom had a panic attack, she is in the hospital." Ashma closed her eyes and said in a single breath.

"What?" yelled Surya.

"You promised!"

"Yeah, yeah, and I threw the promise out the window."

"She is fine now, just under observation. She will come back tomorrow," explained Ashma. There was silence on the phone. The line from India was completely blank though she could hear her grandfather breathing. "Say something," she pleaded.

"Is she fine now?" he asked in a serious tone.

"I told you she is fine," she tried to comfort him.

"What did the doctor say?"

"That the stress and travelling caused her panic attack but I think she saw Mr Park Young-Soo and got that attack. But that's just my opinion."

"That was supposed to happen. I knew something like that would happen," said Surya.

"What?"

"You meet someone you loved, after years, you will have an adverse reaction," he said calmly. "Tell me, how are you?"

"I was so scared, Nanaji!" suddenly the dam of her calmness broke and she cried over the phone.

"Hey Ashu, kiddo, it's fine. You said she is fine. There is no reason to cry, right?"

"I hate it, I hate all the crying. I am trying so hard but I was angry at her, rude to everyone."

"That too, I knew."

"Nanaji!" exclaimed Ashma and chuckled.

"Sorry, chief!" he said to make her laugh. As expected, Ashma laughed at the word 'chief'. "Now don't think anymore, when you go to meet her tomorrow, make sure she talks to me."

"Will definitely do that."

"Now go to sleep, kiddo."

"You too. Goodnight, Nanaji and give my love to Madhu Aunty."

"Will do that, bye kiddo." The line clicked and disconnected. She kept holding the phone to her ear for a few more minutes.

Her heavy heart felt lighter after talking to nanaji but still, there was a little bit of anxiety in her heart. She fell on the bed and for long maintained the same position. She was so tired of all the emotional drama that had no energy to move at all. She tried hard to sleep but the sleep was elusive.

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She jumped from her bed and came out of the door. The whole house was asleep. She looked around, the whole house was dark except for the night lights in the corridors. She followed the night lights and went up to the terrace.

A beautiful terrace garden welcomed her. The cold air helped with the pain and swelling in her eyes. The sweet smell of flowers calmed her down. She took off her slippers and softly placed them over the grass. The dew-wet grass tickled her feet. The cute bonsais were pleasing to the eyes. All the vibrant coloured flowers and plants soothed her mind. She closed her eyes and took in all the sensations she was feeling.

She was happy to find nature. It was so much better than all the human drama. Human drama was irritating and exhausting but not nature, all the different colours, all the different smells, all the different sensations were thrilling yet had a soothing, comforting effect.

She saw a beautiful wood carved swing in front of her. Ivy was wrapped around the swing poles. Fairy lights were hung overhead all over the terrace. It looked as if she was in a fairyland or a fantastical castle. She ran her fingers over the chain of the swing and slowly sat on it. Swing faintly squeaked. She swung slowly making a faint squeaking noise. It acted as white noise and calmed her further. She closed her eyes, raised her feet in front of her and enjoyed the swing.

Suddenly a noise of approaching footstep forced her to open her eyes. Young-Soo was standing before her with a sweet smile on his face. She froze in her position.

"I see you found my spot," he said sweetly.

"Oh sorry, I didn't know." She moved to stand up when he stopped her by raising his palms in the air.

"No, no please be seated." She sat down. He inquired, "can't sleep?"

"I didn't mean to wake anyone up," she said with guilt.

"It's okay, I was awake." He approached her and asked, "May I?"

She hesitated and said, "I would prefer if you won't sit with me."

He chuckled, "that's okay. I was asking if we could talk."

"About what?" she asked him indifferently. Even though she was talking with him she showed no emotions, rather she felt no emotions. On the other hand, he was glad that she was at least talking to him and not shouting at him with utmost disgust on her face as she had inside the hospital.

"About your mother."

"What about her?" inquired Ashma.

"I just wanted to tell you that she will be fine."

"I know that," she said stoically.

"I also wanted to tell you that I am sorry because I was not there for you. Believe me, I wanted to, but I would like to be now. I would like to know you as my daughter. I would like to treat you as my daughter and would like for you to try to accept me as your father," he suggested as well as pleaded.

She stood up immediately and faced him, "I don't want a father, sorry to say this. I am not here to make new relationships. I came here because I was tricked. I came here because I was manipulated. I came here because I was a fool. I just came here for my mother. I don't want a relationship with you or anyone so please don't bother. I don't want to be rude anymore. So, we can have a civil conversation but no conversation as father and daughter. Do you understand?"

His heart broke into a million pieces, yet he said yes to her every demand. "If that's your wish, I will accept it but remember you can talk about anything with me."

"I will remember that. I should go to sleep. I have to go to the hospital tomorrow." She wished him goodnight, unsympathetically and walked away without glancing back at him.

"Of course," he said after she went away. His face lost its smile. He stood there sad and defeated. His own daughter wanted nothing to do with him. She didn't want a relationship with him. He knew he was too late yet in his heart, he had a faint hope that someday she will accept him.

She again followed the night lights and started walking towards her room when suddenly a door flung open on her left side and Young-Jae appeared before her. She rolled her eyes at the sight of him.

"You must be so happy now," taunted Young-Jae. He had his hand folded over his chest.

"Why do you think that?" inquired Ashma.

"Because you are living in such a big house, freeloading on my money, having all the luxury in the world for you," said Young-Jae with disgust.

"Ha-ha," she laughed hard.

"What?" Young-Jae relaxed his demeanour and asked with confusion.

"You call this house, this is the size of our servant quarters," she taunted back. "And if you want I will pay you for living in your hut. It must be equivalent to peanuts, I suppose."

"How dare you?" he gritted his teeth.

"Don't start that tone with me, old man. I am not your family, I won't take your abuse," said Ashma, angrily.

"Abuse?" He was hurt.

"I am a tit for tat kind of girl, if you hurt me I will hurt you back, ten folds," warned Ashma.

"You have no idea who I am, I can ruin your life," said Young-Jae with squinted eyes.

She sniggered loudly. "You already ruined my life, your one decision ruined the lives of so many people I can't even count. So let me make a promise to you. No, a vow." She grabbed his hand, placed her palm in his palm and vowed, "I hereby solemnly vow to never let you be happy in your life, no matter where I am." She jerked his hand away.

"How dare you?" he enunciated.

"Ahh… enough with your 'how dare you." She air quoted. "Don't you know any other phrases? And as for freeloading, send me the bill, I will pay for living here, no matter what the amount. You have no idea how rich I am, you poor, old man."

She walked away and went inside her room, leaving him perplexed.. The war was declared.

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