⟨Jɪɱɪŋˈs pøʋ⟩

It's been three days. I haven't noticed any major change in Jungkook yet, but he's been talking to me a lot more than usual. I'll take that as a positive change.

I got him a cell phone since he didn't have anything on him that he could use to communicate. He also wouldn't have to wait for my dad to leave if he needs something from us. I saved his number as one of my friend's name so that Dad wouldn't be suspicious.

I gave Jungkook his breakfast after Dad was gone and was going downstairs when Mom approached me with a small smile. I smile back because I know she's got some good news for both of us.

But when she blurted out the news, I swear to God, I became the happiest person on Earth. I have never been happier.

"Dad's moving out."

She said. I hugged her tighter than ever. I feel tears sting my eyes. It's over.

It's over. It's over. It's over!

He can't hurt Mom anymore! That's something I've prayed for, for years! And Jungkook also wouldn't have to stay hidden in the attic anymore! I'm surprised I managed to keep him there for more than two weeks without Dad's acknowledgement.

I can't wait to break the news to Jungkook. Mom laughs a little and hugs me back. She doesn't stop me from crying this time. She knows how relieved I am.

"He's going to keep sending money for you and your college fees. We'll have to manage our share so that we can give Jungkook a sufficient livelihood."

I have no problem cutting down my own needs if that is supposed to help Jungkook. But I hate the fact that we're still having to live on Dad's money.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"I have something to tell you but promise me you won't get mad!"

She hesitates for a while but smiles anyway and nods, reassuring me that she won't get mad.

"I got a part-time job at that convenience store beside my college."

Mom stares at me for a little while, jaw hung low in disbelief. I knew she wouldn't take this news too well, but before I could start whining, she does.

"Jimin! Why would you get yourself into such stuff? You're still figuring things out!"

"Mom-"

"I told you not to worry about money! But you don't listen!"

"Mom!"

She sighs, annoyance visible in her voice. But I'm sure she also knows how much I hate being dependent on my dad.

"You promised you won't get mad!"

She sits on the couch and pats the space beside her. I sit down, ready to listen to her part and why she wouldn't let me have a part-time job.

"Jimin. You're still too young to take matters into your hands. It's the prime time for you now. You should be studying hard."

I am trying!

"What do you want to be?"

"...Huh?"

"What do you want to be when you're older?"

What? She knows about this. Why does she want me to repeat this?

"A psychiatrist."

She hums. She has some plan in her head and I'm sure she won't let me do this job, no matter what.

"Do you know how hard it is to get that job?"

"...Yes."

"And do you know how much your salary will be if you get that job?"

"Yes, Mom."

"So, do you prefer studying well and earning your own money or are you okay with not studying well now and having to rely on your dad's money for the rest of your life?"

I hate the fact that I can't deny this. It's true though. But I really, really wanted to try this out.

"Fine. I'm sorry."

Mom smiles at me and pulls me into a hug.

"You know I would never do anything to make you sad purposefully. I just want the best for you."

I can't possibly stay mad at Mom. I hug her back. Nothing had ever gone wrong when I listened to her. So all I can do is let time tell me my fate.

"Dad will be moving out tomorrow early in the morning. We should start cleaning up the guest room."

We pull out of the hug. Cleaning the guest room is no big deal. Mom and I had to stay there several times on several occasions. So it's pretty much clean already.

Jungkook appears from the attic meanwhile, with the empty plate in his hand. He gives me a stare and then speaks.

"I was thinking if I can provide some help."

Mom was about to deny but I was faster than Mom to accept his help. I wanted to get Jungkook involved in my normal daily routine. At least it would stop him from sitting in that attic and letting himself get swallowed by his pessimism.

Jungkook nodded and made his way to the kitchen, cleaning the plate. Meanwhile, Mom got the keys to the guest room and unlocked the door. The room smelled like freshly glazed wood for some reason and I liked the smell for some reason. The floor was a bit dusty and there were tiny spider webs at the corners. Jungkook also appears with Mom behind him with two brooms and a dusting pan.

We found ourselves gossiping a lot as we went around the room, cleaning, throwing out unwanted stuff and just having some fun. Jungkook shows interest in knowing more about us, but we can feel the sadness radiating from him whenever I and Mom are talking about special memories.

After some more time, I spot Jungkook holding an old diary. The diary that Mom had turned into my childhood album. I approached him. He was staring at the cover where a picture of me, Mom and Dad was stuck. I was merely a small baby, and Dad was smiling.

Yes, smiling.

I don't know what happened for things to take such a turn, but I'd rather forget about that and move on.

"Do you want to look through it?"

He's a little startled since he didn't expect me. But I could see the curiosity in his eyes. I take the album from his hands and open it.

The first picture was of me sitting on the floor in only a diaper, a crayon in hand, scribbling on a newspaper.

I was probably a year old at that time. So I don't remember it at all. The next picture however, I do remember it taking place. I was really sick but I had to attend a function at school. My cheeks and nose were flushed red which according to my Mom, made me look like a Reindeer.

The next was a picture of me with Mom outside a movie theatre. I don't remember what movie we went to watch, but the look on my face shows clearly that I liked it, so good for me.

Jungkook looks quite fascinated. So I wait for some time while he scans each of the photos with great interest.

The next picture was from my third birthday. It made me laugh. I had I gigantic smile on my face, cream smeared all over my mouth and the table.

"I was a messy one."

I say to myself, but hear Mom grumble.

"Yes! And I still put up with you!"

And oh. That's when I realized that I was not helping her anymore. She's dusting the floor aggressively, still mumbling that she puts up with me as a child as well as an adult.

"Okay, I got it!"

I laugh and pick up the broom again, handing the album to Jungkook. He doesn't look through it though. He picks up a rug and starts dusting the furniture. We spend the rest of the day doing so. When Jungkook's not in the room anymore, I ask Mom.

"Shouldn't we spend a day with him having fun? Like-take him somewhere?"

She thinks hard, then shakes her head.

"I'm not sure if I could afford a vacation right now, but you know what?"

She smiles at me wide.

"We could afford to bake a cake!"

Two updates in a week! Yay!