Boy, grandmother, korea by Sounghyun (guided reading books .txt) 📕

We arrived in an old Hannok house. It was colored with white and brown and has many traditional utensils. All the rooms had sliding doors and it was all made out of wood that lasted for 49 years. My dad knocked on the wooden doors and heard tiny footsteps going to the door.
“Nuguseyo (who are you)?” my grandmother said before opening the door. She didn’t have peephole. ‘So this is my grandma’s voice’ I thought.
“Omma. Na ya. Mun yeoro. (Mom. It’s me. Open the door)” Yelled my dad.
The door opened and there I saw, my grandmother that I haven’t seen for 10 years. I immediately bowed and said.
“Annoyhaseyo. Kim Chun woo imnida. (Hello my name is Kim Chun woo.)”. I saw her smile fade as I said my name. I felt angry but I just let it pass. She told us to come in and while she prepared food, I was starring up the sky and let out a small sigh.
“Chun woo why are you sighing? Didn’t you know sighing can decrease your life span.” She said while sighing. Ever since my mom lived in America, she felt comfortable using English.
“Aish. Then why are you sighing, huh?” I said at her while a replayed my memory that happened yesterday.
FLASHBACK
“Chun woo ya” My parents both called me. I ran upstairs and stood there looking at them weirdly.
“Omma. Why are you packing up? Are you guys going somewhere?” I said.
“Chun woo ya, were going to Korea, so pack your bag.” They both said.
I was so excited to go and meet my grandmother. I went to my room and got my traveling bag. Inside I put 4 t-shirt, 5 pants and 2socks etc. I didn’t bring a lot because I knew that my parents were going to buy me clothes. I packed my diary and every necessary thing. After I was done I headed to my parents door. I was about to knock on it when I heard talking.
“Jagiya. How are we going to tell him?” ‘Tell who? Me? Tell me what?’ I was full of questions until.
“Its okay. He doesn’t know that were leaving for a month because of the economic problems. He thinks were going on a fun vacation.”
“But-“
I dropped my bag, which made a loud crash. My parents headed to the door and found me staring at them frightened.
“Chun woo ya.” My dad said weakly.
Tears were threatening to fall and when my mom saw that she came to me and hugged me saying everything will be all right. Then I went to sleep in my moms lap. When I woke up I was already in passengers seat in-between my parent.
END OF FLASHBACK.
“Chun woo, lets eat fruits.” Said my mother, handing me a fork.
“Okay. Thanks.” I replied, not interested in the fruits.
“Chun woo. PAY ATTENTION. Your grandmother is here. Show your best attitude.” My dad yelled.
“Okay. I’m sorry. Sorry halmonnee.” I said with true sincerity but my grandmother looked away with an irritated face. When I saw the face my grandmother made I frowned. ‘I’m working so hard to get acknowledgement from my grand mother but why doesn’t she care about me one bit. What am I suppose to know? But one thing is sure that I’m not giving up!’ I excused myself to the restroom. I don’t remember when the last time I went to the bathroom was. When I came out of the bathroom, I only saw grandmother watching TV. ‘ Great this is my chance. ‘ I went close to my grandmother. My grandmother turned to face me then face back to the TV. It was so awkward so I started a conversation by fake coughing. When I got her attention. I spoke.
“ Halmonnee where’s my parents?”
“They went shopping.” She ended her sentence quickly and quietly. It looks like she doesn’t want to talk at all. I wanted to continue the conversation so I said.
“Why? Which shopping mall did they go to?” I kept on throwing out questions that she had to give me a stern look for me to shut up.
“Aish. You ask so many questions.” She said as she ruffled my hair. I froze and felt happy so I smiled. My grandmother saw that and she laughed. ‘Yes I made her laugh’ but when she noticed that she was socializing with me she turned back to the screen and didn’t dare turn to my side. I pouted and decided to take a look at the house. While I was checking every thing in detail, something catched my eyes, it was a small door that was different from other doors due to the color. I wanted to open it and look inside but it would be rude if I just entered. I heard a knock on the main door and I opened it. I saw my parents but they were angry. They told me to put the grocery bag in the kitchen and I did because when they’re angry they hit you 2 times harder. You followed them to their room. I politely closed the door and sat next to them.
“Aish. I can t believe the have no respect for elders.”
“Come done yeobo they’re just stupid. They know nothing. Juenchanayo.(Its okay)”
They suddenly faced me and said.
“Chun woo ya, don’t be like them okay?”
I just nodded because I was too scared I might give the wrong answer. Then my parents looked at each other and nodded. They told me that they were going to show mw my room and I followed behind. Every footstep felt like a heat beat. I’ve waited so long for my room and now I’m going to get it. I opened the door and I set my own bed. Sadly, there wasn’t a bed so I had to put layers of blankets on the floor. I wasn’t used to it but I need to endure it a little and then I would have my bed back. Slowly I drifted to sleep.
I woke up by the large argument by my parents. I folded my blankets and changed my clothes. I went outside and saw grandmother making Kimchi stew. I greeted her and I watched her as she dropped the rice in the bowl. Before she could bring the food out, I said that I will bring it and I helped her. I wanted to get close to her and one of the best ways is to help out a lot. We sat down at the table and I looked at my parents glaring at each other. I just laughed at their childishness. We ate and sadly I was the last to finish. I put the dishes and thanked my grandmother for the wonderful breakfast. My parents called me to their room. I sat down and signaled them to speak.
“Chun woo were going to move back to the states in 5 days.”
“Why so sudden. I thought we were staying for a month?”
“Well my friend said that America’s economy is getting better.” I was so devastated about my dad’s choice. I was having fun here and working hard. I wanted to visit everywhere in Korea with my whole family. But know I guess I wont have a chance anymore. I couldn’t do anything. Even though I persuade him he still doesn’t change his mind to leave for America. ‘I don’t get it, how special is America to him? Is America more special then my happiness?’ My parents knew I was sad so they tried to brighten up the mood by saying, “Lets go buy ice-cream.”
I loved ice cream. I cant live without it, you could say I’m addicted but that sounds mean. We went to a near by store and got ice cream. I thought of my grandmother and thought I should by her an ice cream too. When we arrived home I ran to my grandmothers room and saw her trying to massage her back. I went to her and gave her the ice cream she took it and ate it slowly.
“I will massage you back. You seem in pain.” I said giving a weak smile. In my surprise she smiled back at me. I then sat behind her and started to massage her. I didn’t know how long but it felt like 5hours. My hands were red but I ignored it. My grandmother said to stop massaging her and goes back to doing my thing. I kept saying that I don’t mind but she gave me a glare so I backed away. The other three days were the same no interesting things. Wake up, eat, help grandmother with her garden, write in my diary, watch TV and sleep. In the past few days, I felt like my grandmother is finally opening up to me because she tried to feed me fruits and asked me if I wanted anything for lunch. I woke up in the middle of the night because I couldn’t sleep and tomorrow will be the last day. I decided to play games in my phone. When I stopped playing the game and looked out the window I could see the sun rising. I checked myself on the mirror and found dark circles around my eyes.’ Great now I look like a panda.” I mentally slapped myself and noted that I should never Ever stay up all night. I got dressed and headed to the front yard and stared at the sky. So beautiful. I sensed someone beside my I turned around thinking it would be my mom but it wasn’t it was my grandmother. She turned around and smiled at me. Then she took my hand.
“Your hands are so pretty and young just like you.”
“Thank you. Your hand is pretty too.”
She just smiled and then pulled out something from her pocket. It was a small box wrapped with calendar paper. She put it in my hand and said, “Chun woo ya. I’m sorry that I have been nothing but rude. Please forgive me. I thought you were different and naughty like the other kids but you proved me wrong. I am proud to have you as my Sonja (Grand son)”
“Me too. I’m lucky to have you as a halmonnee (Grandmother) but what is this?”
“It’s a little gift from me. Open it when you go to your plane. Arasso.(okay?)”
“Okay.”
“Chun woo are you ready to leave?” my father asked behind me which startled both me and my grand mother.
“Yes dad. Where’s mom she’s already in the car.”
“Already”
“You didn’t see her. Well I guess not because you two were so into your conversation.”
“Stop pouting son or you’ll look ugly”
“I’m already ugly”
My grandmother and me laughed when he admitted it. It was time to say good-bye. I cried, which made my waste my time. He dragged me to the car and droved to the airport. When we were entering the plane I remembered my grandmother’s word and opened the box. Inside there was a letter written in perfect English and there was a small but ancient frame. The letter said.
To Chun woo my loving grand son. By the time you would read this I would be in my room crying. I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you. I realized that you wouldn’t give up and I was touched by that. I wish you good luck and come visit again. You know how long it took. 6 hours. Internet these days are slow.
From your loving grandmother
I laughed at how funny my grandmother was. I fell asleep in