TEMPTATIONS | k.j

一

THE
BEGINNING

;;

OF A NEW FAMILY
AND LOVE

2013

august 12th was the day that changed my life.
i had been told by rumors throughout the week that a child would soon be adopted. that child was me.

" get your bags ready and dress nicely. " said the head lady who was an elderly woman, around her 70s. i scurried around my closet and under my bed and quickly packed all the clothes i had into my suitcase. i walked over to one of my seniors bed. her back was facing towards me. i could tell she was not happy with my departure.

" eonni, i-i just want to say goodbye. " as i talked i felt a lump growing in my throat. i tapped her shoulder very softly. she slowly turned her body around so she could face me. a single tear rolled down her eye, while another tear formed in the other. " yah pabo you're making me cry. " she said with a weak smile and small chuckle. i stood there, kind of, well, stuck. " yah don't just stand there. give me a hug. " she steadied her feet on the cold wooden floor and stood up. she was a head and a half taller than me so as we hugged i could feel her heartbeat against my head. " thank you eonni. for teaching me everything i need to know. but also, thank you for being my friend. i won't forget you, i promise. " we heard a car pull over and we both looked out the window. she gave me a peck on my cheek before she grabbed one of my bags and we headed downstairs together.

i stood against the wall while listening to the head lady speak to the man who i presumed would be my adoptive father.
" eonni! eonni! eonni! " a small squeaky voice echoed from the kitchen. i heard a rush of small steps come soon afterwards. sooyung, one of the youngest orphans and one who've i have grown quite attached to came running and jumped on me. " eonni! are you leaving already? " i gave her a weary smile and nodded. i could see her face shatter. "oh. ok. i will miss you eonni! please take good care of yourself! " she spoke quickly, it took me some time to translate the korean into english. i smiled. "yes, and you take care of yourself and big eonni over there okay? i'm so proud of you sooyung." she giggled as i set her down on the ground.

"come here." i heard the head lady call for me. i waved at sooyung and took my bag from my senior. i gave my senior a hug before i started to walk away. "this is your father, mr. park." the head lady held my hand and gave me a sweet smile. " nice to meet you sir. " he reached his hand out and he gave me a firm shake. " it's a pleasure. you'll be meeting the rest of my family or should i say our family quite soon. they're waiting in the car. shall we? " i looked at eonni and she gave my a strong nod. i smiled and thanked the head lady and gave her a warm hug and walked off with mr. park.