UMMA’S POV

History repeats itself?

How many times have I been praying for my kids not to follow my footsteps? I’ve been praying the very

same prayer every morning and even before I sleep…but one of them ended up like me.

Dara, poor Dara…she has been fighting like hell to keep herself from spiraling downwards. Why didn’t I convinced Jong-Kyu to return in our province and start a family there? Rumors won’t kill me…I thought bringing my family here would save them from gossips and all…what I didn’t expect was this.

Jong-Kyu should have stood his ground years ago…then our children wouldn’t be in this dilemma…then Dara wouldn’t have been in this dilemma.

Poor Dara.

Poor Jong-Kyu.

I should be blamed for all these.

This is all my fault.

I took a deep breath and called out my daughter’s name…

END of UMMA’s POV

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Running away.

No, I wasn’t running away. Why would I, right? I mean, I just live temporarily at my parents’ hometown at my father’s sister and help her in her food business and what’s wrong with that? Besides I should practice what I finished right?

No, I wasn’t running. I wasn’t, okay?–

“Dara…”

I dazely stared at her. What’s wrong with her? “Sorry, ma…do you need any help?” I asked trying hard to sound normal…look normal.

Instead of replying, she threw the question back at me. “Do you need any help?”

“Ne?” I stared at her and watched silently at her sitting beside me. I carefully tucked my hair behind my ear looking away. I was afraid she can see my eyes…I was afraid that she read the pain I was in. I was afraid that she could tell that I need help.

“I’m sorry.”

Why?

I glanced back at her and realized that she was starting tearing up. God, what’s wrong? Why was she apologising to me? She didn’t do anything wrong to me. This was all my fault—not hers. I should be the one apologizing and not her. “Umma, I should be the one saying sorry…”