66 : People Who Are Worse

With Mrs. Bong around, Eun Young got the helping hand she needed. Mrs. Bong encouraged her that night to have some rest and when she did, she couldn't believe that she was knocked out for almost 15 hours! After numerous sleepless nights, she finally got the rest she's been craving for. That's why she was very energetic and relaxed the next morning. Her body indeed appreciated that deep slumber.

The next day, Eun Young decided to return to work. She's been gone for almost a week and now that Mrs. Bong's professional house managing skills were present, she had nothing left to do. And so to prevent herself from idleness that often leads her thoughts wandering about, she made up her mind and went back to work. As expected, a mountain of tasks were waiting to be accomplished. There was so much to do! Nonetheless, it was a welcoming sight for her because she knew that it would help distract herself from her personal issues.

Eun Young began with the paperwork sitting on her desk. She hasn't even been there for five minutes when the door unexpectedly flew open. "You're back!" Dal Rae exclaimed. "I ran here as soon as I knew." She said, closing the door behind her.

Like the other employees who asked her, Dal Rae also asked Eun Young how she was doing. Her absence was unusual for everyone that they really couldn't help but worry. Some assumed she was sick. The others thought she took some time off with her family for a vacation. However, Eun young didn't give anyone a specific reply. As a result, no one in her workplace knew about what truly happened. Not even Dal Rae.

That same night, she finished her shift early to take the kids and Mrs. Bong out for dinner. If there's one thing that she would never want to stop doing, it was spending time with her loved ones. Besides, it's been a while since they enjoyed each other's company outside of their home's walls. Eun Young thought that this tactic could also help the kids miss their father a little less since they were spending more time with her. Even though she already got used to telling them that Min Jae was away for work purposes, she couldn't fathom how much longer she would have to lie and hide it from them.

Eun Young was on her way out of the hospital when she encountered a young boy. The little boy accidentally bumped into her. His eyes were already puffy from crying and Eun Young could guess that he was completely distracted to even notice his environment. Sympathizing with the child, Eun Young held him by the shoulder and squatted so that she met him by the eye.

"What's the matter dear? Are you hurt?" She gently asked. Instead of orally answering, the boy shook his head and continued to wail. Eun Young rummaged her bag and after a few seconds, she produced a pack of tissue and offered it to the kid. "Calm down... It's okay... You're gonna be okay." She comforted.

Eun Young led the young boy to the lounge where he can sit down and calm himself. She patiently rubbed his back and waited for him to feel comfortable enough to talk to her. Minutes slowly passed and soon, the little boy let out a sigh as he finally regained his composure. "Are you hurt somewhere?" Eun Young asked again. As a doctor, she was used to asking that first. She had to make sure that there was nothing serious to be concerned about.

Again, the little boy shook his head in response. He wiped away the remnants of his tears with the sleeves of his jacket. However, in that moment, she noticed that half of his left sleeve was dangling. It was as if he was missing a limb! Eun Young wondered if it was accidental or congenital. Nonetheless, she returned her attention in comforting the disheartened child.

Having thought of something, Eun Young went ahead and asked. "Oh, are you lost? Do you need help finding your parents?"

The boy stared absentmindedly at the tiled floor. After a few moments, he finally responded. "Madam will be very mad at me." He muttered. Eun Young was left confused with his response. "Madam will lock me up and scold me again when she finds me." He softly said and soon after, tears began to well up in his eyes again.

Madam?

"Who are you calling 'Madam' dear? Did you happen to come across mean lady somewhere?" She asked next, trying hard to comprehend what he was trying to say.

The boy shook his head again. "She... She was the wife of the man who found me in the dumps when I was born." He confessed.

Eun Young could only blink in response. This poor child was abandoned by his own mother. And to think that the new home he found didn't sound any better, Eun Young's heart ached for the little one. "I don't like Madam. She scares me..." The boy murmured. "I really wished her husband didn't always have to leave for work. He's a lot nicer and he wouldn't make fun of me because of my arm."

Eun Young turned to look at him. Pretending not to have noticed, she replied. "Your arm? What's wrong with it? Can I take a look?"

The boy hesitantly looked at Eun Young but in the end, he did show her. He was indeed missing a limb. She didn't notice any scars so it couldn't be an injury from an accident. It really seemed congenital. She was left with the conclusion that if it wasn't caused by a genetic mutation, it was possible that his mother tried to abort him before.

"It's ugly." He commented. Insecurity was evident in the tone of his voice and Eun Young couldn't help but feel worse.

"Don't say that. You're created like that with a purpose! You're not ugly just because you look different, okay? I've met people who are worse..." She trailed off. "What I'm trying to say is that, don't look down on yourself sweetheart. Even of other people are cruel, don't ever stoop down to their level. The world needs kinder people than it needs beautiful people." Eun Young said.

As if on cue, a woman suddenly approached them and grabbed onto the boy's arm. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Didn't I tell you to stay close to me?!" She exclaimed.

The woman noticed Eun Young watching from the sidelines. Afraid of embarrassing herself, she apologized. "I'm sorry. I was just really worried. Thank you for looking out for him." The woman said. She then turned to look at the young boy and Eun Young saw that there was fear all over the child's face. She was about to offer a professional advice to the woman for the little boy's sake. But before she could, the woman firmly tugged the child's arm as they went on their way and exited the hospital.