Chapter 11: PTA

Han Seungwoo

I am a meter away from Dongpyo's classroom. My heart started to beat crazily and I'm almost out of breath. Sweats are dripping from my forehead and palms. My lips and hands are trembling in fear. So this is it. PTA meeting is that scary!

All eyes were on me as soon as I opened the door. Gasps and murmurs welcomed me. I was determined to step back and ran away from them but then it will only make me a coward. Their eyes were too intimidating causing me to shake in fear. It was like I stepped into the court waiting for my verdict.

Compose yourself, Seungwoo. You are a man! You are not supposed to be scared!

"A-annyeonghashimnikka," I bowed down politely. I can visibly see the sweats that fell on the floor from my forehead. I swallowed a lump in my throat before I faced them again.

To my surprise, a woman in her early 30s approached me with an entertaining smile. "Oh? Nuguseyo? Are you attending for your sibling?"

Her approach triggered everyone to approach me too. I was startled by the sudden change of atmosphere. Earlier, it feels like I'm in a horror movie but now it feels like I'm in a noontime drama!

"I'm h-here f-for my s-son," I stammered. They're making me nervous. I do hope that I can escape here alive.

Loud gasps filled the classroom. Their faces told me that they don't believe what I said. Some women fanned themselves even though the atmosphere was chilly because of the aircon.

"Who's your son?" They asked in chorus. It seemed that they were eager to know who's my son. They're trying to find a valid reason why I'm here.

"Han Dongpyo," I answered them. They creased their forehead thinking about what I said.

"Ah, Dongpyo! That child dances very well. I don't think you're the father. You don't have similarities," one of the women said while looking at her phone. She came near to me and placed her phone beside me while Dongpyo's face was flashed on the screen.

"Seyoon eomma, there are circumstances that the child will not inherit his father's features. Sometimes they look opposite because the child inherited it from his grandfather."

"You're right! My daughter Yoonah did not inherit my slim body. I asked my husband why Yoonah is stout and he said Yoonah got it from his family."

Another woman approached me while scrutinizing my whole body.

"Ireumi mwoeyo? How old are you?" She asked. It felt like everyone was so attentive when she approached me. Maybe she's the president that my father told me.

She has an intimidating look. By looking through her accessories and the way she talks and moves, I can tell that she's the richest parent here.

"Han Seungwoo, 26."

"Occupation?"

Why does it feel that she's interrogating me? I'm not applying for any position in a company. This is only a meeting and what's the fuss about? Oh, mothers!

There were at least five men but they have their talk too. I wanted to join them but the mothers were really ugh! They won't let me escape.

"I'm... I'm.."

Fck this. I'm so nervous like my life depends on my answer. Can't they see that I'm uncomfortable with what they're doing? I'm not a criminal for one its sake!

"Mwo?" She asked with authority. I can say that she's one of the rich parents whom everyone wanted to please.

"I'm a taxi driver."

Now I don't know what to do. For sure she will criticize me for being a taxi driver and it might affect Dongpyo. The kids might bully him or they will distance themselves from him because he's a son of a taxi driver.

"I can't believe it! He looks like a model or an actor. He could be the next Park Seojeon, So Jisub, Gong Yoo, Lee Dongwook!"

"How could he waste his appearance? He should be better than a taxi driver!"

"We should ask an agency to scout him!"

"He's only a taxi driver so how can he afford to send his child here?"

"Maybe his wife earns a lot."

"His wife is so lucky! Those looks are too die for.. how I wish he will be my husband!"

"My husband doesn't even have those nice skin and face when he was 26! What an unfair world."

I can hear the parents chatting about me. Seonsaengnim, sallyeojuseyo!

(Teacher, please save me!)

"What is your wife's occupation?" She asked again. I hope she doesn't have more questions. I'm too tired to answer.

"I-I don't have a wife."

My answer received violent reactions from them. Even the men at the back garnered my attention. For sure in their minds, they think that I'm a total asshole.

"Did you cheat?!" A woman shouted and I shook my head in disagreement.

"Maybe he has many women! I knew it! That kind of face doesn't look loyal."

"He's a womanizer."

"I pity his wife."

"If you don't have a wife then, what is the occupation of Dongpyo's mother?" Her left brow was raised making the tension between the two of us.

"Mollayo," I said in honesty. How could I know that woman's occupation?

"Look at that man he's so heartless!"

"How about his son? The son should not experience a broken family!"

"Shut up! He's so handsome and that is the only thing that matters."

"I can be Dongpyo's eomma. I like the child so I'm capable of taking care of him."

"Eonnie! You're ten years older than him. So he will be mine. I'm just a year older!

"Well.. you are not the only one here who's separated. But it surprised me that you don't even know the job of the mother. Don't tell me you don't know her name?" She asked me sarcastically.

"Eommeoni, joseonghaeyo but I can only answer a few questions and your question is too personal. I don't even know your names. If you'll excuse me.."

I left them dumbfounded.

What they did to me was scarier than a job interview. Perhaps, it was their way to know if they have the same status as their co-parent. If that's the reason, they should stop the social stigma they're believing. I was offended when they asked me how I was able to afford this school for Dongpyo. Aside from the fact that this school is near to home, I am working well to give my son a proper and good education. They don't have any right to judge my capacity as a father. Being a taxi driver is the only way to sustain our life and I'm proud of it. I work religiously and I don't take advantage of my passengers. What I did to Harin is an exception.

The five fathers invited me to join them. They were so light compared to the mothers. Fathers exude calm vibes that are more comfortable.

"Annyeonghaseyo... Dongpyo appa imnida."

I greeted them before sitting down.

"I'm Yuvin, Junho's father."

"I'm Hyeongjun's abbeoji, Kookheon."

"My son is Lee Eunsang. My name is Lee Midam."

"Minhee appa imnida. Park Seonho."

The last one was familiar to me. He was wearing a friendly smile all the time.
"Annyeonghaseyo! Cho Seungyoun imnida. Dohyon is my son."

Where did I see this man?

They all gave me warm smiles but Seungyoun's smile was the best. Don't get me wrong okay? He can be a model too.

"I heard that you're 26," he said. "I'm 24."

I didn't expect that he will be younger than me but he looks young.

We were chatting for about 30 minutes. I introduced myself as a taxi driver and when they told me about their occupation, I felt little.

Yuvin is a househusband who takes care of his children. He's an aspiring beauty vlogger. He uses his wife's products in his vlogs to promote it.

Kookheon is a househusband too but he's a part-timer choreographer. His wife works for their living and he's just cool with it especially since they have two sons.

Today is Lee Midam's day off. He's a music teacher in his studio. Some of the students in this school study music at his school.

Park Seonho was once an actor. I didn't notice him because he said he was always portrayed as an extra. Today, he's running a café.

They already knew Seungyoun's work because they saw each other in previous meetings. Seungyoun is a police officer. I remembered he gave me a ticket before because I was driving too fast. He got a higher position too.

I can hear whispers from the mothers. They were not only talking about me but to the other men too.

"Why do they look good together?"

"This school has the finest fathers!"

"They can debut like SHINee!"

"I'll make a fan club for them but it will be exclusive for us. Hahahaha!"

We were all silently laughing at what he heard. The fathers were so cool and friendly. I am at ease at last.

"I'll excuse myself first. My wife will hit me if I can't sell these." Song Yuvin showed the number of beauty products that he brought. He departed from our circle and moved to the mothers. The mothers were giggling and it looks like they will buy all of his products.

Our chats were interrupted when the teacher arrived.

"Annyeonghaseyo seonsaengnim!"

She busied herself on the whiteboard. There were already things that were written there and I just noticed it now. Those mothers distracted me big time.

"Seungwoo-ssi.. don't mind those nosy mothers. They will stop pestering you if you ignore them. You're a new face at this meeting and it excites them when someone new arrives. All they want are new pieces of information and someone they will look down. You've got looks just like me so brace yourself." Seungyoun whispered to my ear as if he experienced it before.

"Don't get me wrong but you're lucky," he said making me wonder.

"Lucky for what?"

"Lucky that you don't belong to the upper class of the society. They will crawl to you like a worm and won't stop until they got you on their side."

"I'll prepare a salt to sprinkle on them." I joked and we laughed.

The teacher was standing in front to let us know that the meeting will start.

"Good morning, parents! Thank you for coming here." She looked at the sheets in her hand. "Looks like everyone is present."

"Our agenda for today is the upcoming family day that will happen next week."

Her statement was showered by the excitement of the moms.

"Isn't it too soon? We should prepare a grand family day. My sister who's a teacher in the U.S always prepared the event one month ahead. She's working at a prestigious kindergarten school too just like this school. So I suggest that we should move it." It was the mother who kept on interrogating me. She was standing like a statue that everyone praises. Except us.

I feel bad for the teacher who only followed the school because truthfully, she doesn't have any say about this.

Rich parents have the principal on their hands. They are manipulative that make the schools toxic. Students are the most affected by the crazy minds of their parents. School slowly becomes a danger zone. In every corner of the world, they always make it a competition.

Everyone agreed with her except for us, Dads. We remained silent to the unpleasant remark.

"Mrs. Jung is always blatant. Opposing the school is her forté and.." Midam made a hand gesture gesturing that I should go closer to him. "The principal is under her spell." He whispered making sure that I can only hear it.

Dohee saem apologized and she promised that she will tell the principal about it and we should not worry.

"So the family day will be moved. For further details, I will post them on the school's website. We will make sure that everyone will be satisfied with our preparations. There will be games that you will love and please be sure that you will settle the payment a week before the family day." Dohee saem said confidently. It was like she was already used to the negative remarks by the parents.

"Thank you for today parents!"

We stood up and I can hear the clicking of cameras. They took selfies and some of them asked us. We posed in the camera with a respect.

"Everyone will go wild when they see this! The school's income will rise because I bet next year, a lot of parents will make their children enroll and transfer here!"

I was almost faint with her fantasy. They will make us an ambassador of this school without knowing? They should at least pay us. What a capitalist, Seungwoo.

Yuvin remained in the classroom to continue his business. Seonho hyung dragged us out from the crowd before everything can go worse.

"Those mothers will continue to ask you so we better get away from here! We don't want to socialize with them anyway. They're a bunch of judgmental mothers." Seonho hyung ranted.

"That's why I don't want my wife to attend this meeting," Kookheon seconded.

They invited me to hang out with them for a moment but I refuse.

"I still need to work guys."

"Arasseo. But next time, you should come with us." Seungyoun tapped my shoulder.

"Annyeong!!"

I was walking on my way to the parking lot. I looked back to the school while I'm playing with my keys.

Attending the PTA is not bad at all. Yes, I was annoyed but this is a part of being a parent. Being afraid won't do any good for me and Dongpyo. I need to learn the basic environment of parents. And that basic environment is the school.

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Btw, can you suggest any kpop song for this chapter? I can't think of any.

Just comment here.

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