Chapter -3- An undesired adversity

Friday 22nd February, 1430       12:00pm

Yes, its me.

The prodigious 'me'.

Atleast, that's what thou might think of a lass like me, who's born different, and has been seeking for acceptance and opportunities in this backward fellowship. Though, I, have been inborn here, with an idosyncratic mind and body, which not a living soul shall probably be able to relate to...I still think highly of myself.

And, not only is this about me, but also my 'awestrucking conceiving story', that has turned out to be the leading gossip of the entire Hanyang, for the past few years..or so?

ever since, I was born, which is....around 18 years ago, I have never failed to grasp one's attention...with my distinctively mesmering eyes...which is atleast a good reason in which I used to believe....turns out...no.

hmm...superstions you call them huh? or rather illogical and impractical beliefs, that Sejong's sovereign has decided to fall for, since a thousand years.

oops! I shouldn't call him by his name! He's been ruling for 18 years now, even though his condition has gone from an indisposed one to an ailing health. To be honest, this is a fragment of my concern too, as he's been the best monarch for us, over the years-

"Dear, would you perhaps, lend a thought in helping me out with the laundry?" demanded mother, not quite surprised of my indecency, during midday.

"Fine! I'm coming!" I retorted in infuriation, as I had to stop writing mid-way and had to shut my diary, without objection.

I kept my soft, blue feathered plume pen aside, which I had recieved on my 18th birthday, that had just gone by, a few days ago.

The feeling of being present next to an opening to the nature and practising calligraphy or other dexeterous works, was that of a heavenly aura.

As far as I can remember, that was my favourite spot in our house. No matter what the reason, whether I felt lonely, agitated or happy, the cool breeze that gushed through the strands of my hair, would never fail to relax my body and mind.

My dream-like thoughts were interrupted by mother's high-pitched yet stern voice, followed by her loud footsteps that neared me.

I knew that once you get on her bad side, death would be too kind, and this ideal was followed by both me and my father who have unfortunately faced the monstrous side of my mother in the past as well.

I held up my heavy skirt, and stood up, tightly grasping and taking the support of the wooden wall.

I wobbled my way out in the heavy Hanbok, trying my best to stay out of mother's perennial vision, and to ease the completion of chores and fastening it's process.

The list of tasks was well placed in my memory, and my day started off just so.

It was repetitive and tedious to be doing this everyday, but going against my mother wasn't the best option either.

After the completion of chores, that felt like an everlasting task, mother called out for me, in a tone that seemed more like an eager cry.

I had, to some extent, expected her to burden me with another list of exhausting activities, but this time it was something much different.

"Dear, I certainly understand that you have been reliable and kind enough to help your mother since dawn, but I feel terrible to disturb you now, with another order." She said, with a slight frown.

"That's nothing to be concerned about, mother." I replied, while assuring her with a smile.

"There...in that pouch..are a few bronze Tongbo coins. It would be of great favour, if you are considerable enough to deliver them to the Hwang household." She said, pushing a strand of my hair, behind my ear.

"The Hwang household..?" I thought to myself.

As far as I could recollect, the Hwang household was the richest aristocratic family...here...in Hanyang...

"We have an incomplete and delayed dept to pay. It would hurt our name, and create a bad impression...if we withhold from paying them...any further." She said, with a sullen look.

"Then I shall take my leave, forthwith." As soon as I uttered the words, I grabbed the pouch, and walked out of the door with mere exaggeration, and found my way out, the entrance.

God forbid, that I forget to pull a strand of my hair down to cover my mismatched right eye, like the last time I had visited the market.

It had been no time, but I had already found myself amidst the busy and bustling crowd of people, pushing and walking past one another.

After a mere trance, my mind had finally opened up to the current reality.. that I had, now set my foot in an area that had nothing but detestation for me.

I hung my head low, trying to sheild myself from the stares of hatred and disgust, that felt like thorns piercing into me...but what left me in distress, were their hurtful words, that pierced through my heart.

At times, I would run home with a dry lane of tears imprinted on my face, to which...mother would already know the answer.

"Look! It's that one-eyed freak!" Shouted one of the young group of adolescents, who were known to be highly impudent.

"I've heard that....she's cursed..." Whispered one of the girls, which was intentionally loud enough for me to hear.

"Here you go! Some ugly and raw tomatoes, just like you!" Yelled another..before picking up a few tomatoes and hurling them at me...one by one.

I clenched my fists and hustled my way,  out of the crowd with giggles and comments racing towards me, which I decided to overlook...for the time being.

I pushed against people, causing some to fall, or turn towards me...with an infuriated look, but I didn't bother.

I shut my eyes, and depended on my legs to take me wherever possible...far from this hellhole.

I was so deeply driven into departing from such a region, that I paid no attention to my surroundings, or whichever area...I had now entered.

It was an unfamiliar district, that was surrounded with a smell of unsettling pungency.

I tried to look around, and find someone, to ask for directions.

It seemed like a wasteland, with old wooden barrels and a few untidy workers in rags, who passed me looks of suspicion in every step I took...

I felt like an unwelcomed visitor, with sharp stares that came towards me..from every direction..giving me a nervous shiver.

The sound of my footfall on the uneven and bare ground, suddenly felt as if it was accompanied by somebody else's.

I slightly turned my head to the side, looked behind from corner of my eye..to see around two or more men steadily walking, almost an inch apart.

I felt uncomfortable and knew that these men were upto no good and definitely had an unpleasant intention.

I tightly gripped the pouch full of money fastened my pace, soon starting to run...just to hear the footsteps behind  me...getting louder and louder.

I ran the fastest I could, with my heavy breath that echoed across the wasteland.

I turned around, out of anxiety..hoping to see them running as fast as I was, but all I saw..was an empty road..with an eerie sound of the wind blowing.

I took a breath of relief, and stood right there...heavily panting...when I felt a sudden pull...right before my head being pushed inside a jute bag.

I punched and kicked in the air, trying to free myself from their tight grasp..but the more I moved, their grip tightened on me.

Soon...for an unknown reason..it felt as if my body was floating in the air, feeling numb and not being able to protest.

I wanted to shout, and cry for help....but no matter how hard I tried...nothing would come out..

It felt as if...I had lost my voice...and there was absolutely nothing I could do to aid this adversity, other than letting my tears roll down my cheeks.

"This is the end..I guess..."

"This is the end..of me..and everything"

Were the only words that kept repeating in my head, as my vision started to blur, along with everything fading out into pitch black.

All that was heard...was an eerie silence.

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