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Jinyoung sat down at a cafe, a cup of coffee in his hand. He admired the sceneries around him. It was a busy day in Seoul. Jinyoung just went from his office, still in his suit looking sharp as ever he is enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city. Looking at cars passing through from the cafe's balcony he took another sip from his cup.Wish you could see this. Jinyoung thought.Then suddenly his phone ringed. A call was coming. He picked it up lightly and a young man's voice heard from the other line."Ah, Dad. Where are you?" asked the young man hurriedly. The soft audience's applause coming through as his background music."Relax. I'm just stopping by for coffee. Do you want some?" said Jinyoung. He finished his sip and walking through the bin, throwing his empty cup to the trash.The young man sighed. "No thanks Dad I'm fine" he refused."Hey what's with that tone? Are you mad at me?" Jinyoung said teasingly.Ignoring his father's questioned instead he asked again "are you coming?".Jinyoung sensed a hint of urgency in his tone. He gave a bitter smile."Of course, why would you doubt your dad?"A sigh washed Jinyoung's ear. His son softly answered. "This one is for mom"Both men's world stopped for a second. Jinyoung's chest suddenly felt full, his lungs were filled yet he cannot breathe. His heart missed a beat and his mind went wild."Then I'll sure come"-The seats were almost full. Audiences were patiently waiting for the last performance. Even though most of them are relatives or friends of the previous performers they all seated nicely as if something great was coming.If it wasn't for Park Jihoon the situation would have been different. He has always been the crowd attraction. At the fresh age of 20, Jihoon's career as a pianist was shining. Although he refused to be referred to as a professional musician Jihoon cannot deny he enjoyed playing music. Music has always been his best friend. His dad would have been too busy to play with him so he spent most of his time playing with a piano at their local library. That's where he spent most of his time while waiting for his dad to come to pick him up after work.Jihoon cannot blame him though. He knew his dad was doing it for both of them. Their situation wasn't always great. After being scammed his dad had to re-build everything they had now. So Jihoon put big respect to his dad even though they both cannot deny an awkward wall between them.Dad, please come. The young men prayed under his breath.Jihoon has never been this nervous on a performance. But this one is different. He remembered how hard he trained for this moment, to play this song. He sat hours playing notes by notes on a piano he got with the money he won from competition after competitions. It has to be perfect. She deserves only perfect. A loud voice of MC booming through speaker backstage followed with a audiences crowd. "With a huge applause please welcome, Park Jihoon"That's his cue. This is it. This is the moment.
For once in your life Jihoon, don't screw up.
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If only you could see this.
If only you could see him.Jinyoung sat in the back of the crowd. His eyes were brimming gladly almost at the edge of tears. His heart felt so proud it almost burst out through the room. There on the stage, his son was sitting on a piano stool, his fingers lying gently on the piano keys.
Jinyoung made it just on time. When he got into the ballroom the MC was announcing Jihoon's name. Although he failed to find a seat near the stage he is still glad he made it for Jihoon.Then Jihoon started to play. Familiar tune flowing through his ears. Jinyoung stood there with a pause. So that's why you said this is for her, Jihoon-ah.The tone got intense drumming Jinyoung's heartbeat. He could see the amount of heart Jihoon poured to play that song. That kid played with his soul. Eyes were all looking at the young performer yet not a single nerve of him was shocked with nervousness. He was in his own world and no one can disturb him. As melodies smoothly flying across the room Jihoon's play was nearing the end. The climax had passed and the glimmering pianist played his closing.It's for you mom, only you. Jihoon thought as his finger danced to the last note."Jihoon-ah" Jinyoung softly called under his breath. As if reading his son's thought Jinyoung smiled and said "she's proud of you, son"-"So what made you play that?" chirped Jinyoung. Both men are now sitting across each other near the window at a small restaurant.After Jihoon's play, they both met outside the ballroom and agreed to grab some food. Jihoon's request? Chicken. So here they are, late night both still nicely suited waiting for their order.Jihoon didn't immediately answer his father. He took a chug of beer from his can and let a sigh. Sensing his son's refusal to answer Jinyoung didn't force it out. Both are sensitive regarding that topic. One had lost a wife, the other missed his mom. None got it easier."Do you think she's happy?" said Jihoon bluntly. His eyes staring outside gazing at nothing.Jinyoung took a pause. "Definitely""How do you know?" urged Jihoon"Cause she had you"It was Jihoon's time to take a pause. Disapproval and distraught were written on his face.Eyes still glued outside Jihoon asked, "Do you miss her?""Sometimes" confessed Jinyoung. He took a sip of his beer and followed the direction of his son's eyes. Now both of them looking at nothingness. "How about you, do you miss her?""I haven't even met her" answered Jihoon laughing bitterly."She loved you" said Jinyoung"Very" Jihoon agreed.Both nodded quietly and a smile formed on Jihoon's lips. "Was she pretty?""The prettiest" replied Jinyoung "your mom had the most beautiful eyes and smile and it all goes to you". His eyes diverted to Jihoon's face. His father's gaze was replied by Jihoon as he realized how Jinyoung looking at him full of adoration and heartbreak. It crushed Jihoon's heart but also lifted him up.He always wonders what his mom looks like and every time he asked that his dad would tell him to look at the mirror. Even though people always complimented how similar he looks with his father, privately his dad would turn Jihoon's body to see the mirror and told him to smile. For his dad, his smile is his mother's smile and if he misses his mother and wanted to cry he had to smile cause then he will feel how close his mother actually are. His mother never actually left him, in fact, she gave Jihoon the best present ever that only Jihoon could ever have."You must've been so lucky Dad" Jihoon complimented. "Having mom as your wife""I was the luckiest"His son could only laugh.Jihoon and Jinyoung might not always get along like father and son. Even after all these years, there's a wall they need to break through between them. But they can always talk about her without a hint of uneasiness. It's hard at the beginning. Even to mention her name. But Jinyoung and Jihoon don't have anything to connect them other than her. So until they can find similarities Jihoon will always ask about his mom and Jinyoung will gladly answer."You haven't answered my question son" Jinyoung's turn to ask.His son gave a clue to continue."Why that song?" Jinyoung dampened smile."Ah... I told you, it's for mom" Jihoon paused. "It's her 45th birthday...""...I thought it would be nice. It's been 20 years since mom died. As a son, I never gave her a birthday gift. You told me mom used to play guitar, she learned it as an excuse cause she cannot sing. Turned out she was pretty good at it. You shared to me that she would pick up a guitar and played you a lullaby. Maybe you didn't remember but you used to hum the lullaby too. It took me hours and hours to remember how did it go. I put a little bit of me too in the song, thinking maybe — just maybe...""...I could get closer with her then."By the time Jihoon finished his explanation, a silence wrapped them around. Jinyoung now didn't dare to look at his son's eyes. Instead, his eyes averted to his can of beer. Both are wrapped in their own contemplation. Immersed in their feelings."Two plates of dakgaengjong and jjajangmyeon" said a waiter bringing their orders.Jinyoung and Jihoon quickly asserted themselves."Yes, here please" Jinyoung said making room for their food.When the waiter left them Jinyoung and Jihoon caught each other's presence once again. They locked their eyes and laughed."Shall we eat?""Don't you wanna say something first?" asked Jinyoung hinting something.Jihoon closed his eyes and clasped his hands. He prayed and said "Happy birthday mom"Jinyoung smiled. He did the same as his son and said the same thing in his heart. Happy birthday, Jisoo-yah