Things were gradually returning to normalcy. The past that always haunted Jun and Ai came to a close and leaving those dark days behind them, the glitter of a hopeful and bright future greeted them with a smile.
But before Jun could embrace that future with Ai, he had to first face the most difficult conversation of his life with a person super important to him and who now stared daggers at him and Jin with her arms folded to her chest.
"So I guess there are some things that you two are more comfortable sharing with your father than me, is it?"
The two brothers, Jun and Jin, were kneeling on the floor with their hands on their knees and backs straight but with beads of sweat forming on Jun's forehead as they faced their mother. Jin, on the other side, was slightly fidgety but still maintaining his poise.
"It's not like that, Mom," Jun had difficulty swallowing.
"Is that so? But what I heard was that you had gone straight to Jinhai once you realized you were reborn. Or perhaps I misheard?"
Jun opened his lips and then closed them, not knowing how to express himself.
"I remember that day. You were acting strange and asked me to cook all sorts of dishes for you. I also asked you what was wrong, but you didn't tell me," Nana's voice turned edgy.
"...I was figuring things out myself…"
"And yet you went straight to him to share such an important event regarding you which is fine because Jinhai is your father and he has the right to know. But I am your mother too if I may remind you."
Jun was now having a hard time breathing too. He peeked at Jin for any help but instead Jin only said, "Mom, in my defense, I never told about my rebirth to Dad either. He figured it out on his own," he said in a tone as if he was the safest person in the world.
Which he wasn't.
Jun inwardly facepalmed.
Do you really have to look so proud?
Nana smiled which didn't feel like a smile. "Oh so you mean you didn't show bias? Well then as your reward, you will kneel for two extra hours."
"..."
"Why am I getting punished?"
"If you keep taking pride in wrong things then only my punishments await you, Jin," she barked.
"My legs are already hurting, Mom."
"Good. Let them hurt for two more hours."
"..."
Nana shifted her attention to Jun, who didn't know if he should feel pitiful for his little brother or not. She narrowed her eyes, watching him like a hawk. "Why is it that you couldn't share this with me?"
Jun pursed his lips, somber. "How could I tell you that you died because of my shameful actions? I made you weak and tired. I only made you sad and pushed you away," his dark brown eyes teared up. "With what face could I have told you that I had shot Jin? I was the worst in my past…"
"But you showed that side to Jinhai. Then why not me? Did you think I will stop loving you?"
"...I don't know, Mom," his voice choked, "You have always held our family tightly together and I was the one to break it in the past and bring so much sorrow. I destroyed all the happiness you built over the years in this family. I was afraid to confess to Dad too. But I told Dad because I wanted him to punish me for my mistakes. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to be disappointed in me and push me away like I did to you- Ouch ouch!"
He yelped in pain as Nana twisted his ear hard. "You two boys…are hopeless! You seriously thought that I would have thrown you away? I am not ruthless like your father to disown my son from the family. By the way, he is facing his own punishment."
That's why Dad looks so dead these days, Jin wondered.
"You all gang up among yourselves and leave me out of all important conversations! Do you think I am too weak to break so easily? Your mother has weathered far too vicious storms in her life and I didn't yield in front of any of them. If I am not there when my children need me the most, then who will be? Do you think an important thing like my children dying once and coming back to life is something that should be kept from me?"
They lowered their heads with guilt. "I am sorry, Mom."
Nana wanted to scold them more but with their down and regretting expressions, she couldn't be any more harsher. With her eyes turning misty and wet, she touched the back of their heads and pulled them into her hug. "Both of you have suffered a lot…Now I want you two to be lots and lots of happy! And no hiding things from your mother from now on!"
Jun hugged her back and smiled. "I promise, Mom. This time, I will be the happiest and I will keep everyone happy too."
Jin said after a pause, "...Hm. Me too, Mom."
Nana nodded hard and wiped her eyes. "But you will still keep kneeling."
"..."
*Click click*
"Yes, yes, let them keep kneeling!"
"They are looking so dashing~"
Jun and Jin narrowed their eyes and turned back to see the twins laughing and taking their funny pictures.
"Ahhh for a change it's so pleasing to watch the most responsible and mature siblings get punished~" Jian winked.
Nian sniffled. "My heart is overflowing with pure joy."
Two seconds later, the scene had a dramatic change as the twins kneeled beside Jun too.
Huh? Why did we join them?
Nana smacked their heads hard. "Don't think that I don't know that you knew the truth too but didn't bother telling me! You father and sons! Nobody cared about me to tell what was going on! Do you even think of me as your mother?"
"..."
"..."
"So keep kneeling! And Jin, you for two extra hours."
"..."
"Mom, I already apologized!" He whined.
"So the two extra hours will change your heart for good once and for all."
She left them to their misery and shut the door behind her.
Jun sneered at the twins. "Welcome to the party. How about you take the pictures now?"
The twins exclaimed at once. "Shut up!!"
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading experience