The old man along with his wives and children entered. Hee-mang remained seated, while the young man rose to his feet and bowed slightly as the old man walked past him.
"Ah! Ha-Yoon," the old man said as he slowly stopped at the young man's side
"Yes sir" the young man said, not raising his head up. Not because he couldn't, no, but because he did not want to see any of the old man's wives. He was sure that looking at them will give away the look of disgust and hatred he was trying so hard to keep.
"If it wasn't for your father, I would not have known that my son is awake. His subjects wouldn't tell me, but they seem so willing to tell you. I see friendship matters more than family to my son."
Ha-yoon kept staring at the floor; avoiding his best friend's family was of utmost importance.
Hee-mang had still not moved from his seat. He was unfazed about what was going on around him or more like he was in a trance. He could tell he didn't know these people, and yet, for some reasons, they looked so familiar, not because he heard from the old man's words that he was his son, no. Some images were playing in his head, memories, of these people, how they treated him, how he loathed them, but the images were not clear, it was hazy.
"My dear son, Hee-mang." the old man called as he approached him.
Hee-mang finally rose to his feet and bowed slightly.
The old man smiled as he gave Hee-mang a pat on his shoulder.
"Sit son, sit. You're still recovering."
Hee-mang glanced at those behind the old man and scoffed before sitting.
Seeing him scoff, they got pissed off and sneered at him.
The old man took a seat beside Hee-mang, his silk robes rustling faintly as he settled into the jushim with the ease of someone used to comfort.
Too close.
Hee-mang suddenly felt uncomfortable for some reasons he could not tell. His head was throbbing as memories that weren't his kept pouring into his head.
"Hee-mang" the old man called gently upon seeing the frown on his son's face.
For some reasons, Hee-mang wanted them, his family, to leave. Their presence seemed to be doing him more harm than good at the moment.
He got up abruptly, and gave a slight bow like he did earlier, then said
"Father, I appreciate the fact that you came all the way down to my compound, but father, I have to go back to bed now, as I am still recovering. I'll excuse myself first."
Saying this, he didn't wait to hear anything from his father before walking out.
"Son," the old man's shaky voice said, adding to Hee-mang discomfort. The old man got up and walked to his son, then placed his hand on Hee-mang's shoulder.
"I and your family have come to check up on you, but it seems you are too tired to engage in a discussion with us. You should rest, you need it, after all the stress you have been through. If you feel any better tomorrow, do come to my chambers. We all will be awaiting your presence."
The man walked away, along with his entourage. As he walked past Ha-yoon, Ha-Yoon bowed as he walked out with his family, leaving only Hee-mang and Ha-yoon in the room.
Hee-mang went back to his meal and continued eating. The feeling of discomfort was long gone, and he was too hungry to skip meals. He heard a rustling sound then looked to his left, sitting down there was his so-called friend, Ha-yoon. He had been so focused on eating that he forgot Ha-yoon did not go with his family.
"That was wonderful." Ha-yoon said, pausing for a few seconds as if waiting for a response. Getting no response from Hee-mang, he continued
"Pretending to have lost your memories. Saying it loud enough so they could hear you. I nearly fell for it myself." he said with a soft laugh.
"Take it as you would, but I really did not fabricate anything. I have lost my memories."
Hee-mang had decided that it was best to play safe. Being given a second chance at life was no joke to him. A better face to boast of, although the family was not really what he had expected, he was yet to see how they were any better than the family he was born into. A past he kept buried and locked since he met his Unnie. A past he didn't want to remember. He wasn't ready to have them know he was not their son, that he was just a spirit possessing the body, or so he concluded, since he could no longer give meaning to what happened. He didn't want to die a second time. He didn't...
"Whatever you say young master Hee-mang." Ha-yoon said, breaking Hee-mang's thoughts.
"I'll take your words as you've claimed them to be. In that case," he got up as he didn't break contact with Hee-mang "I have to get going, so as to allow you rest early. I will be back tomorrow to continue our discussion. I hope by then that you will have remembered all that you've forgotten." he turns to leave, then stops "Good night young master."
Hee-mang watched the back of his friend as he walked out without looking back.
"Ah," he sighs "I better go get some rest."