Letter 5

Jemina collected her thoughts and snapped out of her daydreaming, returning to her bed, where she allowed herself to release the tears that were ready to engulf her. She held the items Yeona had given her tightly, but hesitated to open them. What could be inside the box? And what had Yeona written in the letter? There was a slight fear of what she might discover, but she tried to calm her heart and rationalise the situation.

Would someone go through all this trouble just to reject her feelings? It seemed unnecessary and sadistic. Jemina couldn't imagine Yeona being capable of cruelty. With her adorable pinkish hair, big round eyes, and chubby cheeks, she was convinced that no malicious thoughts could exist in her mind.

Feeling a bit better, Jemina decided to open the envelope first, despite initially considering the box. She mustered the courage to sit up in her bed and mentally prepare herself for whatever awaited her. Taking a deep breath, she finally opened the letter.

Even though she had convinced herself not to expect a response, Jemina couldn't help but feel overwhelming happiness. She was relieved because there was no way Yeona would go through all that trouble just to reject her. Her heart was ready to burst, and she needed to prepare herself for the words that lay before her. Everything would be alright. She started reading, taking in each word with a deep breath.

"To my beloved J...

Starting a letter is as difficult as you mentioned in yours, and I wanted to find a unique way to express my feelings for you. Your words have touched the depths of my soul, and I want you to know that they have had a profound impact on me. When I found your letter on my desk, my heart skipped a beat, drawn to the honesty and vulnerability within your words.

I want you to understand that your feelings are not unrequited. From the moment we met, you captured my heart with your kindness and gentle spirit. Every interaction we've had has been cherished, and the connection we share is something truly special.

I understand the hesitations and fears you expressed in your letter. It takes immense courage to share such deep emotions, especially in a world that often misunderstands or dismisses love that falls outside societal expectations. But please know that I am here, reading your words with an open heart, and I want nothing more than to embrace the beautiful connection we have.

Your presence in my life has brought so much joy and warmth, and I can't deny the fluttering of my own heart whenever I see you. The fact that you've fallen in love with me is both a blessing and a gift that I hold dear. I wanted to come up with another original way to show you how much I love you because my words may be brief and insignificant in comparison to yours. I'm sorry for the delay.

"Oh God, oh God, oh God..."

Jemina, who had never before prayed to God in this way, was on the verge of losing her composure. She couldn't stop grinning, and her heart was filled with a warm feeling she had only experienced once before in her life. That girl was already driving her crazy. This was the happiest she had ever been.

She wanted to open the box next, but just as she was about to, her father and siblings returned from the grocery store. Startled by their sudden arrival, she quickly tucked the box into her school bag. She then stood up and went downstairs to see her father.

"You should quickly put away the groceries. I'll start cooking after praying," her father said.

Her mother was still asleep, and her father began grumbling.

"Whenever I come home, she's always sleeping. I should have married a Moroccan! Instead of snoozing,

I wish she would greet me with a wonderful dish when I get home."

He laughed awkwardly and returned to the room he shared with his wife.

Jemina knew their relationship was peculiar. They no longer pretended to have love for each other. She believed that if they were still together, it was because of her and her siblings. After sixteen years of coexistence, it wasn't unexpected.

People often claimed it was for the kids.

But was that really the case? Did they prefer to subject their children to their fights? Did they want their children to endure their mother's foul moods, their physical altercations, the sound of cups smashing against the wall, the slaps, the loud shouting, the constant rants, and the foolish and ignorant jealousy? Or even the internal pressure to remain silent, because these were all adult problems.

Nobody should have to worry that their father might leave them one day because he can't handle it anymore.

Jemina was no longer young enough to be affected by it, they always said. When the adults who were supposed to care for and cherish her and her siblings fought, she took care of her brothers. After a day, a week, or a month, they would always reconcile, so there wasn't much cause for concern. She had grown accustomed to it. The only response she allowed herself to have was her mother's repeated instructions to ignore them.