Quiet Strain
Jimin, sensing the tension, wanted to escape the situation.
He quickly said, "Mom, I'm finished."
"You should eat more, son. You're.." his mom began, but Jimin cut her off."I already ate a lot," he said quickly, getting up from the table.
Jimin gave his dad a polite nod. "Good to see you, Dad." Then, without waiting for a response, he hurried back to his room, grateful to be out of the conversation.
In his room, Jimin sighed in relief, but his father's words echoed in his mind. He knew his dad was serious about his studies and grades, always expecting him to excel. It was a pressure Jimin was used to, but it didn't make it any easier. Even with the trip on the horizon, his father's expectations lingered, a constant reminder of the responsibility he carried.
Jimin pushed those thoughts aside and started packing for the trip, eager to shift his focus away from the tension at home.
Meanwhile, his dad went to his room to freshen up. After a few moments, Jimin's mom approached him gently. "Honey, don't you think we should give Jimin a little break? He deserves some time to relax, like other kids his age."
Jimin's dad frowned. "What are you trying to say? Haven't we always been on the same page? Why are you acting like I'm being unreasonable? I'm not demanding he be the best; I just want him to keep his grades up that's all I ask."
Jimin's mom's voice softened. "I know, but we need to give him space. Don't you think?"
With a sarcastic smile, Jimin's dad shook his head. "Space? You're making me look like the bad guy here. You know I just don't want to hear people badmouthing my son. The only way to avoid that is if he focuses on his studies. At least I'm not pushing him like Taeoh, sending him overseas to study. I'm letting Jimin make his own choices."
(Taeoh is Jimin's younger brother, currently studying in the UK a path his parents had carefully guided him onto.)
The conversation was heating up. Sensing the growing tension, Jimin's mom chose not to press further, hoping to avoid a full-blown argument.