It felt as if I was dealt a harsh blow.
Missing? Auntie?
I'd just seen her a few hours back how come she….
My chest tightened inadvertently. I refused to imagine the worst.
I manoeuvered through the streets unsure of where I was headed. I had to find her, Auntie was the only family I had now…
Nothing must happen to you Auntie..
I was suddenly pulled back by someone, I gasped crashing into their arms.
A familiar scent of freshness engulfed me. Sensei..
I slowly calmed down only then did I hear the blaring sirens from incoming cars. I had almost run into the streets, if Sensei didn't pull me then…
"We'll find her, don't worry." Sensei said soothingly patting my back. My shoulders shook, I buried my face in his chest unable to hold back my tears.
"These past few days, I thought Auntie was recovered if only I had payed more attention to her then perhaps..
Perhaps she—" my throat constricted my voice breaking.
It was my fault, it had always been.
"Sehyun doesn't need to blame himself, you've been there for her more than we were as her children. I feel ashamed…"
I heard Auntie's daughter say. I pulled away from Sensei's hold, and looked at her. "When did Auntie go missing?" I asked my voice slightly hoarse.
"Well, we had something to discuss with mother and so a meeting as arranged but when I arrived, she was already gone."
"She's not at the store too?" I questioned. She shook her head. "No, that's why I came to you, I thought since you had a close relationship with her she may have visited."
My head pounded. She couldn't if she relapsed. Auntie may be lost, confused and scared.
She might not even be aware of her surroundings.
"Sensei, I need to check the store."
See if something was off or if Auntie may have left something I could use to figure out where she might be.
"Alright, let's go."
We turned to leave but Auntie's daughter spoke again. "I've checked the store, there's nothing useful there." She sounded alot calm—calmer than she was when she came home.
I spun around to look at her, "Ms. Like you said earlier, you might be Auntie's daughter but you weren't the one by her side-- I was therefore, I need to check myself." I was irked. Upset by the fact that her eyes said something different than her words.
It was suspicious but I wasn't going to conclude without getting my facts straight.
"SeokAh. Just call me SeokAh. I'll put a call to my siblings see if they'll be arriving today." She said and left.
I watched her leave. Her shoulders didn't tremble anymore, she seemed somewhat unbothered by everything.
I frowned. I knew they were busy with work and hence we're not able to stay with Auntie but, seeing how unfazed SeokAh was, everything began to feel strange.
Sensei grasped my hand. "Let's go, don't think too much about it."
I turned to face him. "Sensei also finds it odd?"
He gazed ahead. "We can't be certain."
Right. She might be trying to collect herself not to make me worried.
I should be positive.
Sensei and I headed for Auntie's store.
Upon our arrival, I saw Auntie's rocking chair outside at its usual spot. That was where I saw her last—her teasing smile remained fresh in my mind.
Auntie's mind was clearer than ever, why would she suddenly relapse? She never went missing during her previous episodes, she would always lurk around by the store.
But this was different, what would make Auntie abandon her cherished store? Just how much did she forget this time around?
I walked inside the store. It wasn't locked—inside, the previously arranged shelves were all in disarray.
I stood shocked. What's this? Did a robbery happen here?
I rushed to the counter checking the drawers if Auntie's money had been touched.
Nothing. Not even a single bill was missing.
Then….
I gazed back at the scattered shelves. "Why?"
"Two things. Someone did this on purpose or they were searching for something but couldn't find it so, the store was scattered instead…."
Sensei bent down picking a damaged ramen cup.
"To rile someone."
He looked up at me. "Destroying what's important to someone to get them to abide by your demands." He didn't sound as if he were speculating, he sounded certain.
Like those detectives in mystery books I read occasionally.
"Then, does that mean…"
Auntie was threatened? By who?
Sensei stood up walking towards me. "Whatever they were after must be very important seeing they didn't touch the money." He added.
"Who would do such a horrible thing? Auntie's fragile…" my heart ached. What was so important to them that they damaged Auntie so bad?
"Who knows? Maybe a loan shark? Maybe something worse." Sensei said casually leaning on the counter.
He knew. He knew who did this but he wasn't going to say because, all of this had nothing to do with him.
My gaze dropped.
Or I…
In this matter, I was only an outsider. There was an extent to what I could do or say regardless of I and Auntie's relationship.
I exhaled sharply suddenly feeling exhausted.
"Sensei, everything is going to return back to normal right?" I asked despite knowing the answer myself.
"Somethings can't be fixed once broken. Even if fixed, it can't return back to normal—Like Auntie."
"She must've reached her limit for her to fall apart." He added.
I noticed the scarf auntie was knitting previously discarded by the corner. I walked over and picked it up. "I need to find her. See if there anything I can do. I, refuse to give up on Auntie.
Auntie has always been sincere with me, so I just can't stay with my hands crossed without doing something."
"If that's the case then, Auntie's children have some questions to be answered," Sensei said walking over the counter.
He ruffled my hair. "I like Sehyun's never giving up attitude the most."
I straightened my hair staring dazely at him. "Sensei, don't mess around." I mumbled.
"There, you're returning to the Sehyun I know." He leaned in towards me. "Continue having that look in your eyes. That look of innocence suits you more."
I bit my lips trying to refrain from smiling.
He pinched my cheeks. "Leave all the thinking and talking to me. Sehyun just keep smiling."
****
We headed over to Auntie's house. It wasn't far from the store so Auntie wouldn't suffer from the exertion of walking a far distance.
By now, the sun hung over the horizon casting a warm glow over everything it touched. This was perfect for a picture however the timing wasn't right.
Auntie's house was just like another house in Gangwon—barely standing. The roof tiles were already broken, the crack lines on the wall and gate more than obvious.
However, despite this, the house remained modest and mind refreshing with a blossoming garden of sunflowers in the courtyard. This was so much like Auntie—old yet blossoming.
I knocked on the door patiently waiting for a response. The door opened minutes later, a little girl by the door. Her almond eyes brightened up. "Mother, there's two handsome guys by the door! Should I let them in?" She asked bubbling with excitement.
Seoul accent. So this was what they sounded like.
Completely filtered.
The door opened widely SeokAh's figure revealing. "Oh, you're back? Come on in." She said with a smile. It wasn't untill then did I realize how fake her smile was.
I didn't mind.
Sensei and I entered. The little girl scurried after her mother her eyes darting playfully towards us.
I smiled at her and she squealed excitedly but her grin was soon replaced by fear as her gaze shifted beside me.
"Sensei, quit scowling at her, you'll scare her away." I muttered.
"Exactly." Sensei replied his voice flat.
"Jaeyi, go play upstairs with your brother." SeokAh said with a smile--another fake one. Jaeyi nodded her eyes shrinking in her sockets as she ran upstairs.
Just what the hell was wrong with everyone?