To Be or Not To Be A Family - Chapter 100

For the next few days, the family prepared for their departure to Goseong Wanggok village. The whole of Korea was sent the invitation for next Saturday. All the gifts and presents were getting wrapped. The servants prepared a lot of kimchi for the party. The decoration team was booked. The caterers were booked. Media was pitched outside the Park mansion and Man mansion.

All three families were busy packing their clothes and gifts to give to the happy couple. All the suitcases were packed. Cars were ready. Trucks and minivans were filled with food products. One truck was booked only for the gifts. All were ready except four people. Young-Jae was getting ready for his meeting.

Meanwhile, Young-Soo, Yong-Sun and Ashma were busy with their work. Ashma was so impressed with numerous handicrafts that she was unable to choose between them. The Hanji, the Najeonchilgi, the beautiful design on Korean ceramics, Korean hand embroidery & Jogakbo confused her mind on how to use them. One idea she had was using Maedeup in designs. Another thing she was sure about was Hapjukseon (traditional folding fans) which models could walk with.

After visiting the factories, Young-Soo decided to take her to handicrafts market and art galleries. First, they visited Namdaemun and Dongdaemun, which were the largest and most popular markets. Wherever she went people used to gather around her as she was most famous in Korea now. One because of Salt’s apology and another because of representing Korea and its most popular influencer in her fashion show.

The whole day she spend window shopping and taking pics of all the handicrafts she found. She bought a few pieces of handicrafts for her team and family members.

The next few days she visited galleries. First, she went to Korea Craft & Design Foundation Gallery in Insadong. The whole gallery was devoted to craft and design. The whole day, she spend learning Korean crafts and spend all her time in the library.

The next gallery she visited was the NEW Hanji Culture and Industry Centre. The recent centre was opened to enhance the art of Korean paper. More than 400 hanji products were displayed there. She participated in the seminar to learn how to make handcrafted hanji products. She was loving the research she was doing.

The happiest person on the planet earth was Young-Soo. He was spending quality time with his daughter and never once she was angry at him. He taught her everything, and like a curious child, she was happy to learn. she used to take notes on her phone and then dump all the information on her laptop. After reaching home, she used to compile all her research and sent it to her team.

Yong-Sun wanted to talk to her alone but she was too busy with her work to talk to him. Ashma on the other hand was happy that the inevitable was getting delayed. She didn’t want to break his heart and her work was delaying it.

Then came Sunday, all left for Goseong Wanggok Village leaving Young-Jae, Yong-Sun and Ashma behind. The moment was approaching when Ashma would have to break Yong-Sun’s heart. She was distraught the whole day. All were busy leaving and the whole house was in chaos.

Vidhi was about to leave the house when Ashma asked, “will you be okay?”

“I will be fine,” Vidhi blinked her eyes and reassured Ashma.

“Mom!” exclaimed Ashma. She was insinuating if her mother was again trying to work her cunning magic on Young-Soo.

“Don’t worry. I won’t become cunning Vidhi once again,” assured Vidhi.

“I didn’t mean that,” Ashma felt guilty as her mother understood what she was saying and was not feeling alright saying such words to her mother. In short, she was calling her mother, a home-wrecker.

“I know you are concerned for me as well as others. I learned my lesson. Young-Soo was never my happiness,” promised Vidhi. She placed her hands on Ashma’s shoulders and composed her.

“Young-Soo?” Ashma was shocked her the full name from her mother’s mouth.

“I have no right, I had no right, to call him Soona, you were right, only Eun-Kyung can call him that,” said Vidhi, with a kind smile on her face.

“I love you, Mom,” Ashma threw herself in Vidhi’s arms and hugged her.

“I love you too sweetheart,” Vidhi tightened her grip. “And thank you for stopping me from making such a big mistake.”

“You told me never to bow down before wrong things. You taught me to always fight no matter who was standing before me and I did that. I did what you have been teaching me since my childhood. So if I did a good deed, I did because of you,” appreciated Ashma.

Vidhi gave a big smile to Ashma and said, “My daughter! I am so proud of you.”

“I am proud of you,” replied Ashma.

“I am sorry for wearing this cast and lying to all,” apologised Vidhi.

“Yeah, you started the lie and now you will have to finish it. Just a few more days, Mom,” said Ashma.

“Thank you for not telling dad about anything,” appreciated Vidhi.

“Come on Mom, I had to keep your secret,” assured Ashma.

“I will see you in 5 days,” said Vidhi.

“Yes, you will.”

“Bye,” said Vidhi.

“Bye, Mom.” Vidhi turned to go towards the car.

But she halted in her path, turned around and said, “And Ash!”

“Yes, Mom?”

“Don’t do what you are thinking of doing?” said Vidhi.

“What?” asked Ashma.

“Don’t break his heart,” whispered Vidhi.

“Mom!” exclaimed Ashma.

“I got my heart broken that does not mean your life will be the same as mine. He likes you, everyone knows that. You will not become like me. I assure you,” said Vidhi.

“How? How did…” Ashma was shocked. She never told anyone about anything yet her mother understood everything.

“I am your mother,” said Vidhi with a teasing yet confident smile.

“Were you sherlock holmes in your previous life?” asked Ashma shocked.

“Now you know my secret,” laughed Vidhi.

“Ha-ha,” Ashma started laughing out loud. “Take care, Mom.”

“You too.”

While mother and daughter were saying goodbye, Bong-Cha and Young-Jae were saying goodbye.

“I will miss you, Harabuhji,” pouted Bong-Cha and hugged him.

“I will miss you more?” Young-Jae tightened his grip.

“Why can’t you come with us?” asked Bong-Cha.

“You know why?” said Young-Jae.

“Yeah, yeah your work, always work,” Bong-Cha rolled her eyes.

“Your idol is working too, you are not saying her anything,” pouted Young-Jae.

“Who? Ashma! She is your granddaughter. She is one step ahead of you. She will never listen to anyone,” said Bong-Cha.

“Oh, she won’t listen to anyone?” Young-Jae was getting annoyed. ”

“She is more stubborn than you,” said Bong-Cha with confidence.

“No one is more stubborn than me,” sulked Young-Jae.

“Do you want to win even in a negative trait?” Bong-Cha was surprised.

“I always win, Sonnyuh,” said Young-Jae.

“Not with her,” teased Bong-Cha.

“Hey!” exclaimed Young-Jae.

“Sorry, please come soon,” she again hugged him.

“I will try,” said Young-Jae.

“One thing is good in all that,” said Bong-Cha.

“What?”

“You can spend a good time with her,” teased Bong-Cha.

“Please!” chided Young-Jae.

“Why don’t you give her a chance?” asked Bong-Cha.

“Because she is irritating,” replied Young-Jae.

“Not more than me,” said Bong-Cha with pride.

“I find her the most annoying in the world,” said Young-Jae.

“Ha-ha, see you soon,” laughed Bong-Cha.

“Yes, dear.” Young-Jae kissed her forehead and said goodbye.

All said goodbye to each other and the house was empty. In-Ho and Iseul remained behind to take care of Young-Jae and Ashma, rest all the servants went with family members. Park family was followed by Hei-Ran, who was followed by the Man family. Servants were in their separate car. All the trucks and minivans followed them.

Young-Jae looked at Ashma, Ashma looked at Young-Jae, they both rolled eyes at each other and ran to their room. Ashma was faster than him. She ran upstairs, looked at Young-Jae and teased him, “I won again, you lost, old man.”

“You won because I am old,” chided Young-Jae after reaching the top of the stairs.

“That’s what I have been calling you, old man, at least you acknowledged it yourself,” teased Ashma.

“Haa…,” he laughed sarcastically. “Leave me alone.”

“As you wish. I don’t have an itch to talk to you,” snapped Ashma.

“Then why are you talking?” said Young-Jae.

“Why are you listening? Go run to your room. You might reach there after a millennium,” mocked Ashma.

“Oh wow! Making fun of my weak bones, and old age?” asked Young-Jae.

“Now you understood, what I think about you, old man,” laughed Ashma.

“Get lost,” snapped Young-Jae.

“Your house is not so big that one can get lost in it. Come to my house, then you will learn what a big house is,” mocked Ashma.

Young-Jae rolled his eyes and said, “talking to you is a waste of time.”

“Thank you!” said Ashma with a large smile and teased him.

Young-Jae rolled his eyes and went inside his room. Ashma stood there grinning from ear to ear, she loved bantering with Young-Jae.. She loved annoying him, she loved frustrating him.