The following weeks, preparations had started for my transfer and moving in to my mom's home city. The first thing that my dad did after our discussion was to arrange for transfer of schools. The procedures for transfer were but went on smoothly. The last days that I spent going to school, Jason was nowhere to be found. When I enquired with our homeroom teacher, he told me that he had submitted an application for an extended leave. I was worried but I shook off that thought. It's better this way... I'll have to forget him... For my own good...

When it was finally my official last day in school, I bid farewell to my homeroom teacher along with some of my classmates whom I got to know via the School Play organising committees. Thinking back now, I had spent an extremely long and lonely school life, without any friends and foes, those years were not that bad to recall now and even the final year of my high school was not a bad one. At least, I could experience things that I couldn't earlier.

After bidding everyone farewell, it was time for me to pack my stuff at home. When I reached home, I noticed that were loud chatterings and laughter echoing from inside. And even before entering inside, I knew who it was. It was the person my dad had been seeing. I felt a bit reluctant to enter the house but before I could make my escape, a voice called out to me, "Is it Finn?" The voice was gentle without an ounce of hatred and anger.

When I turned around to see who it was, I saw her. The woman, who had been able to change my dad. At first, it felt a but awkward but before it could get any worser, my dad popped out from behind the woman and when he saw me, he spoke up, "Come in Finn. Why are you standing outside?" As I nodded in reply, both of them escorted me inside. I was smiling in an awkward manner, trying to be as much polite as I could. But then, the woman spoke up and all my worries got dissolved.

"Dear, you don't have to be so tense. I think your dad has told you about me right? My name is Rachelle. Rachelle Levonsky and as you know already, I am the person your father has been seeing. I know you might be confused by seeing me here, but I just wanted to look at my soon-to-be son for the last time before you left to study for another place." All along while saying all these, she had a warm smile on her face and when I saw her trembling hands, I knew she was trying her best to leave a good impression on me and also to reassure me that she was a good person. Without having any words to actually say without any awkwardness, I just replied as straightforwardly as I could.

"Um, thank you Ms. Rachel for coming to meet me and y-yeah, dad told me about you. So, t-the thing is, I am an extremely introverted person so I am not at all good with small talk..." As I paused a bit to see my dad's reaction, he had a slight glare as if gesturing me not be rude. But I needed to speak my mind. And so, as I headed for the stairs, I continued,
"Um, I wanted to add something Ms. Rachelle. No matter what, I will never be your son in this lifetime." And *boom* I just said that. My dad had a furious expression and Ms. Rachel seemed to be saddened, but it was the truth no matter what. However, since I had kinda ruined the mood in the room, I took a deep breath and added on by turning back, as I headed upstairs, "Um, that's that, but I wanted to add that you will always be welcomed here and I wanted to say that thank you. Thank you for coming to my dad's life and turning him into a better version of him. You won't be my mom, but you'll never be a stranger for me. So, if you don't mind, may I call you as Aunt Rachelle?" The last part being asked in a shy tone.

After hearing that, she replied immediately, "Of course dear, thank you so much." And then I could hear, sobbing sounds from downstairs. When I was finally in my room, a warm feeling engulfed me. It had been ages since I felt that way. I could now feel happiness.

Thereafter, after taking a shower, I went downstairs. I helped my dad in plating the dinner and I couldn't help but notice how happy and naive my dad looked. I never knew he could make such an expression... After the plating was done, the three of us sat down and began having our dinner. However, this time it was nit a silent and lonely dinner, the three of us talked and enjoyed the small talks each of us initiated. It was a first time for me.

When it was finally time for Ms. Rachelle to leave, she once again turned around, smiled and spoke up, "Little one, can I ask for a favour from you?" I didn't know what she was about to ask for, but I just nodded and then came one of the most unique requests I had ever heard in my entire life of 18 years. "If you don't mind, can we hug each other?" After hearing that I felt kinda weird, I mean even my own parents didn't give me hugs but then when I looked at my dad's expression, he just had a subtle smile which was enough for me to agree to her request. Before she could prepare herself for the hug, I just went straight and I gave her a warm hug. She kinda seemed confused but after a few seconds, she hugged me back and then she whispered in my ears, "Even though I am not your mom, I'll always think of you as my own son. And all the very best for your new journey and don't worry about your dad, I'll take good care of him." After that, we separated from each other and just smiled at each other as if promising each other to stay healthy and safe. Both my dad and I bid her farewell and thereafter it was time for me to go to sleep.

My dad told me "Good night!!" and went inside his room, I too replied back and then went inside my room. The next day was a big one as it was sort of like the beginning of a new journey.

It was around 6:00 AM in the morning when I woke up and got ready for my flight. I rechecked my luggage so as to not leave behind anything. After that, my dad accompanied me to the ride upto the airport, where surprisingly, Aunt Rachelle was waiting. She waved at us when she saw me and my dad and then we both kinda ran upto her. The both of them hugged and kinda pecked each other, which was not exactly a good scene for eyes, but I just let them be. When she finally caught me staring, she pushed dad and smiled in a shy manner.

After that my dad and I to get my boarding pass, when it was finally approved and I got my ticket, the both of us went near Aunt Rachelle who was seating on one of the seats. My dad sat beside her while I sat near my dad. It took about half and hour or so when my flight finally arrived in the airport. So, it was finally time for me to go.

As I started walking, after taking my luggage from the checking counter, I turned around for the last time and I saw my dad. He, who always looked stern and strict, was now a sobbing mess. He was staring at me with the most warm eyes I had ever witnessed whole my life. The previous night, I had made a decision to not grow weak and act in an embarrassing way but, as soon as I saw my dad, the thought of seeing him fir the last time struck. There was no doubt that he was not the best dad, but still, in my entire life of 18, he was always there, not like some doting parent but as a person who stood tall and taught me things to remain strong. So, how could I just leave him there in such a sobbing mess?

So, after taking a deep breath, I turned around and ran up to my dad and gave him a tight warm hug. At first, he didn't exactly reciprocate but when Aunt Rachelle patted on his back, like the last push to encourage him, he stressed out his arms and finally gave me a hug. That hug was kinda like the first one in all of our years being together and now, I realised that this was the one I had been waiting for all my life. The love of my dad...

Both of us hugged each other for about 10 minutes or so, but when we heard the whistle from the security to hurry up, we reluctantly let go of each other and it was time for me to leave. As I walked away from my dad and reached out to carry my luggage, I heard a scream, "Son!! Even though I didn't show it much, I love you, alright? So, always remember that your dad will be there for you whenever you need him. Do you get it?" After hearing that, a warm feeling engulfed and I put my hand up and gave him a thumbs up.

When, I finally showed the ticket and sat on my seat, which was near the window, the reality sunk in. I was going to South Korea. And that was when before I knew it, warm liquid started to flow from my eyes. I was crying. It was then that I finally realised that the decision I took was too big such that I needed to leave my dad behind. After sobbing for a few minutes or so, I finally relaxed. The thought that I was undermining all along finally surfaced inside my head,

I'll miss my dad. I'll miss Chris. And I'll miss---- him, Jason.

There was no turning back now....
And my life would go on now in a new place....

Seoul 🇰🇷
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Picture credits: Google