Dr.Ban sighed in a relief as he remarked quite audibly pleased.

Dr.Ban : Found her...Finally.

Dan Hwa observed the steadily approaching gammer. Her stature shrunk a little, probably with the weight of age. And wrinkles of experience trailed her vaguely loose skin. But she carried a youthful energy in her feisty walk, that filled one with an instant fizz and vitality.

Dan Hwa : You were looking for her?

Dr.Ban : Yes. For a long time.

Dan Hwa did not further inquire him. Nor did she desire to interrupt the conversation between them, which began the moment the lady reached their proximity.

"Warm welcome! What would you take?" reacted the old woman on her first instinct, seeing two people waiting by her restaurant. Dr.Ban gesturing to halt her hurried actions, spoke in a polite tone.

Dr.Ban : Hello, Ma'am. Actually, we are not here as customers.

The concerned lady squinted her eyes up at the fairly built lad before her and noted his peculiar accent.

"You sound like a Seoul man." She commented. And he reflected a sheepish smile to her.

Dr.Ban : Ye, I am a Doctor, practicing in Seoul right now. This is my card.

He paused for a second to hand his card, before continuing.

Dr.Ban : I actually had a small business with Mrs.Kang Hye Moon. Are you she?

The elderly identified herself as the holder of the name, as she tried to focus the contents of the business card without the aid of her glasses. The ones, she probably left in her counter before going out earlier.

Mrs.Kang : What business would someone from there have with me?

Her temples creased in a light fluster only for her eyes to be distracted towards the young lady beside the doctor. As if caught a portal sight into her own youth in Dan Hwa, she warmly smiled to her.
Without any verbs, they shared a moment of connection as Dan Hwa couldn't help herself smiling back.

The only male there, bought their focuses again with his voice.

Dr.Ban : By any chance, do you happen to know Mr.Yoo Moong Tae?

Just at the name, Mrs.Kang's expressions softened and her eyes transpired gloomy. She was perplexed and somewhat overwhelmed by the strange visitors from Seoul.

Mrs.Kang : Yes, that- that's my son.

Dr.Ban : Mrs.Kang, as a part of a felony investigation operating in Seoul, I need your co-operation in the case.

A frantic response came about from the woman.

Mrs.Kang : What- what did he do? He can't harm anyone. He can't offend the law.

Dr.Ban : Yes, he didn't do anything. I simply request you to answer a few things.

The lady hesitantly nodded her approval to the request and guided her guests inside the restaurant, that she ran alone.

Minutes apart, the three could be seen seated across a table with two glasses of water presented before the two visitors. Dr.Ban took a sip, reminded of his hydration routine. Meanwhile, Dan Hwa eyed over the architecture of the house, habitually. It was very well maintained for a solo operator.

Old fashioned, but certainly not tacky she remarked in her head. Vintage infact. Any modern designer would not hate to include that vibe in their infrastructure, she added.

Brought back to the table, Dan Hwa heard Dr.Ban speak while maintaining his Seoul accent and formal appeal.

Dr.Ban : We heard that you were upset with your son, Mr.Yoo, over something. Can you tell us what exactly happened then?

The restaurant owner inhaled a deep breath only to sigh it all out at the reminiscence of that time, that wrecked her small and happy family in pieces.

Mrs.Kang : It is still so frustrating to recall that time. He married a gold digger, who also had a record of several delinquencies. But, my son was smitten by her. He believed nothing and no one, but her.

It hadn't been a month since their marriage, Mrs.Kang caught her daughter-in-law- prying on their family heirloom. The son, at night, returned home to the ladies of the house in a big fit and quarrel.

Mr.Yoo, at the young age, decided to believe his wife who was then pregnant with his son. And defended her against his own mother.

The situation started to worsen day by day, and Mr.Yoo finally figured, if their relations grew further bitter, it might be detrimental to their unborn fetus.

Therefore, he moved out to Seoul with his wife, leaving his mother all alone to herself in the countryhome.

Mrs.Kang : Years passed, he totally cut off contacts with me. I had no news from them. But then, one day, I found him roaming in the neighborhood. Too hesitant to approach me.

Later turned out, to buy his trust, the wife resisted her urges of theft. And once, their second child was born, she flew away with all their savings and treasures.

Raising a newborn along with a two year old, without any kind of help, Mr.Yoo at last lost his job. All, fruiting from his inefficiency and frequently flaking from work.

Even so, he was a strong willed man to grab the next opportunity, however little money it could get him, to feed and shelter his little ones.

Few years later, with a somewhat stable life, Mr.Yoo began visiting his hometown and watch over his mother from a distance.

He didn't have the courage to face her with his cab agency job. Therefore, he was determined once he got himself a better paying and confident work, Mr.Yoo would return home begging for his mother's forgiveness.

Mrs.Kang : I brought him in my restaurant. My bubbly and full of life son was dangerously quiet and couldn't match eyes with me. I knew something was off.

Clear images of that day played before her eyes as she narrated the scenes. She distinctly remembered the time. Her body functioned a little better, she was more active and the restuarant bloomed with customers. On the contrary, her son looked drained and weary. His haggard state melted the pretentious stony heart of the mother.

Mrs.Kang : No matter how many times I asked, he never uttered a word about his issues. And simply left saying that, he would return one day. And that day, he wouldn't come alone.

The listeners were arrested inside the dwelling of her whilom : the long gone past. So much engrossed in, that neither Dan Hwa nor the psychiatrist realized the former's unintended inclusion in the very anecdote. Once again, she was present at a location, she never have anticipated to be in.

Mrs.Kang continued in a melancholic tone which had ample hints of her longing, ambiguous wait and the apprehension of an unpredictable future.

Mrs.Kang : Been five years since that day. He still hasn't returned.

As a keen observer of the tale, Dan Hwa's temples grew light tension to her words. She wondered about her son, unconscious to the fact that they were absolute strangers to her.

Her selfless inclinations to the account channelised her compassionate and solicitous nature. It was not all out in display for everyone to grab a notice at once. Causing people, to judge her character as callous and uncharitable in a split second.

The old lady's anguished narrative transfixed the Seoul residents with wonder and sympathy for her. A still moment of silence swoon through, both in the clear sky outside and the confines of the now less frequented restaurant.

It was the owner of the same, that nudged their attention back as a sudden wonder struck at her in the next moment.

Mrs.Kang : But how do you know him? It is the first time, someone came asking about my son. And what kind of investigation he is involved in?

Dan Hwa, with her persevering interest, looked over to the psychiatrist on her side with a natural curiosity.

Alternatively, Dr.Ban felt himself resilient to break the truth before the unaware poor lady.

Somewhere, from within, he could personally empathize with her yearnings. And had it as difficult to deliver the news as it would be for the lady to percieve.

He took another sip from his serve of water to stall himself some time and tried to euphemise the harsh words he had to use.

Dr.Ban : Seems like, the news haven't reached you yet.

Mrs.Kang : "The News"?

Noticing the doctor's quandary, both the old lady and Dan Hwa were captivated more towards the suspense formed. They were caught in a trepidation, Mrs.Kang surely leading the levels with her motherly intuitions.

Dr.Ban then pulled out a food coupon from his pockets and gently placed it afront of Mrs.Kang. The latter at once recognized the small piece of paper and announced it instinctively.

Mrs.Kang : It's the free coupons I gave out on the restaurant's twenty fifth anniversary. But, it has been over nine years since then. Where did you get this from?

Dr.Ban : Among Mr.Yoo's belongings... found after he expired.

Out of everything she expected to hear over the years, the news of her only son's demise was not something she had ever considered among the possibilities. Mrs.Kang could physically feel her heart sink and drop a few beats before she was struck numb to her own heartbeat.

Mrs.Kang : Ex-ex-expired? He p-passed away? My son... My...

The most dreaded news anyone could ever receive, was tasted well by both Dan Hwa and Dr.Ban freshly. They had no words of console to sound to the lady, but to silently give her the space to absorb it.

Mrs.Kang had no signs of tears in her eyes. She sat frozen, staring into a blank space. Not reacting, not mobile. Absolutely petrified and devoid of any stimuli and expression.

Among the two visitors, Dan Hwa felt an uncomfortable resemblance of herself in the stillness of Mrs.Kang.

As if a past unhealed wound lost its cover in a flash second and posed an unduly vivid graphics of the scene.

Far into the gleaming and well lit white corridors, she saw herself walking with reluctance in her stance and a throbbing heart inside. Her throat dry and sweat fusing out from her forehead, Dan Hwa looked at her Uncle's eyes for a silent answer.

All she received was a regretful head shake. It seeped into her senses with an excruciating pain and a never ending sense of guilt. Dan Hwa's eyes lacked the same emotions as in the old woman's. The tears she needed to shed. The laments she needed to express. She was suddenly robbed of all her conscience and needs.

The brutal nature of reality ran over her so horrendously, it left her severely numb. The strangling grip of mental torment and woe made Dan Hwa lose all the normally expected mourn and grief responses.

She sat like a living corpse on the waiting benches with a completely blank screen in her head. For a moment, it seemed like she was unconscious of her own presence.

Before Dan Hwa lost her way inside the Erstwhile Inn of her mind : the dwellings of the past, she was alarmed to the present day by the psychiatrist's call. Not to her, but to the owner of the restaurant. That wakeup call seemed directed towards her in a peculiarly personal note.

Dr.Ban : Please, don't hold it in. Grieving is your right. And you should not feel guilty or ashamed for expressing it out loud.

As a completely innocent viewer, Dan Hwa observed the changes teased in the facial curves of the woman sitting across them.

It appeared, the lady was slowly being bailed out from the cage of temporary paralysis and immobility. Although, she could not shed tears instantly, she began to show nervous sweats and mild panting.

Dr.Ban : I will get you some water.

Dan Hwa silently watched him walk away to the counter and very ordinarily pour a glass of water. What resisted her from looking away, was the slight dilation observable in his eyes. She noticed his vision fixed on a picture frame decorated on the counter table. But couldn't see its contents herself.

Few steps away, the doctor was bewildered and flabbergasted by the sight he received. He realized the familiar ring to the name of the Yoo siblings' father, Mr.Yoo Moong Tae. He observed the frame from close : Mrs.Kang holding on the arm of a young man. Both were smiling bright in the picture.

Dr.Ban : Is this...

His words trailed off, unable to voice himself at the unexpected chains of past connecting each other. He was fearful to confirm the embers of his doubt. But, it rightly reached him beyond his will, as Mrs.Kang answered him just what he had meant to ask.

Mrs.Kang : Yes... that's my son.

The familiarity, the apprehension, everything made sense to him now.

Dr.Ban immediately rested the frame back at its place as he grasped on the glass of water nonchalantly. He held his grounds steady and unwavered, not letting his emotions break into his professional life. At least, in that gathering. He mentally tightened his mask and carried on as casually as he could afford.

In a short while, seeing Mrs.Kang a little appeased from the hydration of her throat, the doctor planned to deviate her attention to elsewhere.

Dr.Ban : It appears, you might have not known much about his later life. On that matter, I am glad to inform you that, you have two grandchildren.

As if the psychiatrist could read her concerned expressions, he quickly affirmed their safety.

Dr.Ban : The granddaughter, is in safe custody of the child care home. She was the one to hand me that coupon too. And... her older brother is still under active search.

Mrs.Kang : Goodness! Are they offenders? Did they do something wron-?

There was evident fret in her voice and speech. And the doctor did not want to further add to it.

Dr.Ban : Mrs.Kang, please calm down. They are perfectly all right. They are still underage and might've tripped into a bad spiral in oblivion and lack of conscience.

Mrs.Kang took the escape hole guided by the doctor and could feel her breaths now at the distraction. She visibly tried to avoid the thoughts of the inexplicable affliction, and the incomparable agony of losing a loved one. The old lady, actively tried to focus on the ones she found new identities to.

Mrs.Kang : Where are they? I want to meet them. Please take me there, Professor.

The psychiatrist assured her cold trembling hands with a gentle tap of humanity and warmth.

Dr.Ban : Mrs.Kang, the concerned officers of this case will soon reach out to you from Seoul. And accordingly, after their verifications, they will unite you with them. I was only here to confirm if my research was on point.

Mrs.Kang : But, how are they- how will-...

She was evidently restless, both the guests interpreted her reactions mentally.

Dr.Ban : Besides, even if I take you with me now, you wouldn't be able to meet them right away before the verifications are performed. So, I suggest you to rest tonight in the comfort of your home. They will be fine and waiting for you.

The grandmother was very hard to be consoled in true sense. And the guests would be a hassle to care for in that state, they reflected on their own.

Therefore, even with the outer facade of a slight improvement, Dr.Ban and Dan Hwa signed to leave gradually. Giving her the space to allign her disfigured mental mess, was the choice they felt the best to pick.

They exited the restaurant with heavy and glum hearts. Both having painful recollections of their pasts, were barely functioning in the present.

Dr.Ban : Dan Hwa-ssi. Would you mind delaying our unfinished conversation in the next session?

Dan Hwa : Yeah, sure.

Dr.Ban : Thank you. Be careful on your return. I will take off from here.

Transparent from the rush in his speech and stance, Dan Hwa did not bother to offer him a ride back home. She noted his unease and change of mood that the framed picture teased in him.

Dr.Ban received a clear nod from her and without much formalities, he began to walk away heading towards the bus stop. Solitude and despondency embraced him as he took heavy steps in the windy weather.

He attempted to unmatch the images of the picture frame to that of the one in his head. Under a sombre mien, he wondered how funny fate had played him and what more twists and turns he was awaiting in the future to unfold.

Crossing the lush green valleys of meadows and heavy foliage of the countryside, inconsistent flashes of beams peaked at his face. Helping his subconscious to transition into his Erstwhile Inn. The place where jubilant rattles and squeals were a melody of his once sparkling and bouyant home. The home that no longer had a spiritual existence.

Without his beloved souls adding the much needed vibrance and life to his current dwelling, it was a merely house. Not a home.

Regardless, under his closed eyes, with the zephyr hugging him tight and the running wheels giving him a gentle rock, his visits to that Inn were ever so pleasant. There was a wistful smile waxing a sense of pleasure in his face. That exuberant reminiscence comforted him.

Nevertheless everytime by the end of the play, the pessimistic voices came around. And reported him of the decreasing details in re-production of that old and treasured time.

Memories were fading away...

No matter, how firmly he tried to grasp on them. Every second he was moving forward into the future, the past was slipping behind.

In its aid, even the seemingly tough and composed Doctor, Ban Jin Sang, attempted to stop his clock. It was his benevolent spirit to never tolerate any mistreatment towards an innocent, that he was still alive.

Proving that girl, from five years ago, innocent became his sole purpose to live. Since then, he had been digging out the core of the catastrophe that engulfed so many innocent lives and severely wounded their associates.

Surrending before his perseverance, the celestial empires finally met the hours to gift the answers he had been ardently looking for. And granted him the strength to reach the very roots of the case.

The same day, a different location, in a different setting and a blank mind, Dr.Ban was seen walking along a deserted and darkened corridor. Headed somewhere with a fancy little white box. The top of which said, "Cremè Bakes" in a whimsical golden calligraphy.

The psychiatrist's steps immediately halted at the perception of someone familiar inside the same room he was headed to. Before they could notice him, he retrieved a step and rested himself in a hide.

He quietly wondered to himself, "Why is she here?"

____

☻
Any guesses?