Everything Happens For a Reason, Chapter 23a
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Chapter 23: Miracle Girl… and Family?
Kim Jaejoong had been trying to feed the little princess of the house, Jung Min Young for the past hour to no avail. He even cooked her favorite food, chicken nugget, but it’s no use. She’s still chewing on her fourth spoon and Jaejoong was running out of patience. He had a meeting with the hotel where they’re going to hold the next charity gala dinner in another hour and a half too and Moonbin hadn’t come home.
Just when he was about to call the boy to check on his whereabout, a slam of the door was heard along with a shout, “I’m home!”And the boy just threw his bag on the sofa and called out for his sister, “Min Young!”
The princess knew who was home, she’d been waiting for him. So she slid herself on the floor happily, crying out, “Binnie Oppa! Binnie Oppa!”
Moonbin gladly sat on the floor to give her a hug too, “Min Young! Are you having lunch?”
“Chicken nugget. Jejussi cook for Min Young.”she told him.
“And how many times have I told you young man, no shoes in the house! Do you want your sister to pick up the dirt that you brought along?”It’s Jaejoong’s turned to say something to him. And right after he said that he saw Min Young reached on a dried mud that was stuck on the boy’s shoes.
“Min Young no! Aish, you won’t even finish your lunch and you’re picking up dirts on the floor… Binnie, the mop, NOW!” He glared at the 8 year old who obediently went to the kitchen to get the mop and swiped the floor clean all the while mumbling ‘Sorry’. He then put his shoes at the rack in the entrance and went to the kitchen where Jaejoong was holding Min Young to wash her hands in the sink.
Once he’s done he put the girl back on the floor and finally it was his turned to hug his grown up baby boy, “Welcome home…” They were standing holding each other for awhile.
“You have lunch yet?”
“No, I was hoping you’re cooking something good.”
Jaejoong sighed, “Oh baby, I’m sorry. You know that I have a meeting shortly and I just managed to fry your sister’s nuggets and tossed some salad. Wanna eat those and help me feed Min Young?”
“Yeah, okay… Can I eat while watching the TV?”
The older man decided that this one time should be ok. “Fine, go turn it on and keep feeding your sister. I’ll bring your food and the juice.” He turned to the girl who was happily explore the kitchen on her hands and feet, “Min Young, now go and eat with Binnie Oppa, will you?”
She nodded happily and sliding along behind her brother.
At the age of 3, Jung Min Young had a major attack. Her lungs failed her once again and water filled up her heart. It was already in the middle of the night when the doctors tried to revive her back to life. The next day the oncologist and pediatrician team told the family that her medication should start soon. The cancer cell was getting active and since she had been fighting it with only milk and her own body immune system, it started to spread.
It was a phase in his life that Jaejoong never ever want to go through again. EVER. During the attack until the girl had to start her medication her father didn’t shed a tear. He smiled a lot, assuring everyone that her baby girl is a tough one. Jaejoong knew that he’s fighting to not let himself break down in front of his parents, especially his Son who cried non-stop, so afraid that his baby sister would never return home again.
But little by little his mask slipped away. How couldn’t you? Seeing your 3 year old daughter gasping for breath to fight for her life… her skin was getting dark as if burnt because of the radiatiom, she vommited every milk that got into her disgestion system. And when she cried, she couldn’t even shed a tear, it’s like all liquid was dried up on her. And Yunho finally learned to be a real father for both Son and Daughter. His days were tough, watching her, discussing all medication possibilities, consoling his son… But Jaejoong was there for him. He was there when he gave up his tough façade and just crying on his knees, asking for forgiveness from God for whatever he had done wrong in his whole life for the exchange of his daughter’s health… She practically living in and out of the hospital all through the year.
Min Young celebrated her fourth birthday in the hospital… with flowers and large pretty cake designed by her big brother with Jaejoong’s help. The whole family gathered in her room with the hospital team watching the weak girl struggling for her future. At one point of time it seemed that they’re losing her for good. But it was Moonbin who refused to say that she’s not going to make it. Even when the doctors told him that life would be hard for his little sister as even they couldn’t predict what the effects of the medication is going to take shape in. The then 6 year old proudly say that he’s a super big brother who would be the one she could lean on. He prayed to God everyday just like Appa and Jejussi told him, he was sure that God would listen. And God did.
Jung Min Young could never walk on her two feet… the effects of her radiation was apparently too hard for her body. Her feet didn’t grow normally and therapy could only help to keep her motoric nerve and muscle active, so at least she could still feel stimulation and move her feet though it’s not enough to strengthen them to support her body. The other thing was her speech. She couldn’t speak in complete sentences but only partially. Through times her father, Jaejoong and the rest of the household learned to understand what she was trying to say. Since her words were limited many times what came out of her mouth could sound rude or unacceptable for common people.
When she said someone was ugly, she didn’t mean ugly. She just meant that that person was not as beautiful as the princess in the picture book that Jaejoong gave her. When she said that you’re stupid, she didn’t mean it either. She just meant that you’re supposed to understand what she was trying tell you. It wasn’t easy for everyone at first but it’s harder to explain to people outside the family. But Moonbin is always her knight in shining armour. He was the one who’s ready to give out explanation on her each action, always ready to carry her or lend a hand to push her wheelchair to take her to places; ready to protect her from the world who was difficult to fathom that some people had limitations but didn’t mean that they were not worth to be understood. So out of all the people in the Jung clan includind the maids and the buttle and drivers if there was anyone that she would obey and listen to; it was only Jung Moonbin.
Just like Jaejoong predicted, Min Young ate her food without a fuss, cause Moonbin Oppa helped her. After he served the boy’s food on the coffee table and told him to start eating as well he was thinking if he should take the children with him to the hotel. He could leave them with the maids at the main house but he’s unsure on what time would he be home. Yunho was going to see him at the hotel later tonight, maybe might as well bring the kids along and have a family dinner.
“Binnie… I know that you’re tired but would you like to come with me to the hotel too with Min Young? I have a meeting in another hour for our gala dinner next week, but I don’t feel like leaving you both with the maids. Gappa and Gamma are still travelling too… and your Appa is coming to join me later. We could have dinner together then, what do you say?”
“Do I really have to? I mean, I don’t mind staying at home with Min Young though.” He seemed reluctant.
“I know honey, but I’m not sure what time your Appa and I would be home and you know that your sister could get cranky if no one’s home when it’s getting dark.” He begged.
“But if you say that you should meet them in an hour then shouldn’t we get going now? And I just got homeeee…” he whined.
“Please baby? I’ll call them that I’ll be late? So you have time to get changed and freshen up a little?”
The boy sighed… “Fine, I’m changing now. Don’t forget Min Young’s bag and change of clothes.” He got up and headed to his room, but not without telling his little sister, “Min Young we’re going out now! You better behave!”
Jaejoong laughed in relieved and picked up the girl, “Now, baby girl… thank you for finishing your lunch. Let’s get ready now for a night out!”
* * * * *
The driver stopped at the Lobby Entrance of the hotel and helped Jaejoong taking the wheelchair out of the trunks. When it’s ready Jaejoong opened the van’s door and got Min Young in his arms, seated her on her wheelchair, grabbed the big bag of both children’s paraphernalia, put it under the wheelchair’s seat and let Moonbin pushed it inside while he gave instructions to the driver to go home cause Yunho would be there to pick them up later.
Just when the car started to move Jaejoong remembered something and ran after it. The card skidded to a halt and Jaejoong apologize to the driver before he took the big Barney’s plushie from the middle seat. He would have a handful Min Young that Moonbin couldn’t even console if she didn’t have her plushie. She’s just distracted right now since she’s coming to a different place than home, but it wouldn’t be for long before she started looking for it.
Jaejoong walked across the lobby to where the children had been attended by one of the front desk person who knew them well.
“Hello, Min Ji, thanks for looking after the children. Shall we go to the Ballroom now? I believe that Icksoo had been waiting for me over there, I was running late.”
The woman bowed at him, “Good evening Jaejoong-ssi, it’s just part of everday’s work and they’re nice children,” she smiled at him, “would you like them to come along or shall I arrange one room where they can wait for you?”
Jaejoong looked at Binnie with raised eyebrow but it was Min Young who replied in English, “Barrr-neyy! Min Young watch Bar-ney with Oppa!”
Jaejoong rolled his eyes, “Well, the princess already said that she wants to watch Barney. Binnie, if you need me just call the front desk and they’ll get me. You can eat whatever you want from the fridge or the bar, but make sure that your sister doesn’t touch the salty food.” He turned back to Min Ji, “Min Ji can you please help me get them settled into their room? I’ll walk myself to the Ballroom. And please leave a message to the front desk that if Binnie is looking for me just get them to call Icksoo, I’ll be with him most of the time.”
“Certainly, Sir. I’ll be checking on them once in awhile.”
Jaejoong then hugged and kissed each child, “Be good… your Appa and I will come and get you for dinner later. And here’s your Barney, baby… don’t give your brother a hard time when I wasn’t there…”
Min Young cheerily told him again in English, “Min Young good girl, Min Young wait Appa and Jejussi with Oppa!”
“Min Young stop speaking in English, will you!” Moonbin’s getting annoyed because of the stares that people started giving them.
“Oh boy, let her… you should start talking with her in English too since you’re going to an International School but you never bothered.” He nudged the boy, “Now I gotta go, I’m really really late, see you later honey!” He turned and walked away.
“Please follow me Moonbin-ssi, I’ll take you both to your room.” Min Ji led the way and the boy pouted at his sister who’s bouncing energetically in her wheelchair.
He let out a sigh before he started pushing the girl’s wheelchair, following Min Ji.
Despite her limitations, God indeed is fair. Min Young had a brilliant brain above average. She started recognize English words at the age of 5. She picked up the words from western cartoons on tv. They found out when Moonbin was drawing and coloring for her. Even after he grew up, the boy still loves painting and drawing. Min Young pointed at the picture and said,’Rainbow!’ Everyone thought it was just a coincidence. But then when her Gamma opened her pop-up books, she pointed at each picture and speak in perfect English: ‘Balloon! Flower! Butterfly!’ At a boy’s picture she shouted, ‘Oppa!’ at a man’s picture she said, ‘Appa!’
Jaejoong quickly faced her, “Min Young, how did you learn English?”
The girl was laughing madly looking at the confused faces around her, ‘Oppa speak English, Binnie Oppa study English! And Barney speak English! Elmo speak English!’
Moonbin was enrolled in an International School half a year earlier and had been having an intensive private English lesson at home to help him socialize with other kids who are mostly from overseas or having parents working at the Embassy. They always let Min Young playing around him as long as she didn’t interupt his study and voila! She studied with him too and been captivated with English ever since, thanks to Barney, Dora and Sesame Street shows on cable TV! As a result, all the maids and the butler were also started to study English thanks to her order of, ‘Kibum-ahjussi is Uncle! This is called bread, and Cookie Monster loves cookies, not bread. Hee Joon-ahjumma is sleepy like Big Bird…’
Since then Jaejoong and Yunho watched her intently and noticed that she also excelled in Math and she had good memory. So they tried to enroll her at a regular kindergarten but she only lasted for 2 months. Other than because she had brains capability above average compared to children her age hat made her thought playing houses was stupid and all the other chilren were also stupid, she was also very moody. When she said she didn’t want to play or study, she wouldn’t. The teacher said that she wasn’t a good example to other kids and disruptive in class. Jaejoong almost punch one teacher when she told them that she’s more suitable to get into school for children with disabilities. For them, it’s pretty much the same as saying that she’s retarded. Yunho strictly told the school that he was going to sue, and that shut them up and let her go in peace and high recommendation for better school.
After that they decided to home school her starting the next term, but Jaejoong who stayed home most of the time also spent time to teach her basic knowledge, Binnie helped. And it still an amazement to them how quickly she picked up or memorize something that she was taught. They’re so proud of the little princess who beat the odds from ‘not being able to get through her fourth birthday’ to ‘let’s get everyone to speak English’.
As for Moonbin… No one could understand how a child of his age could stick to a promise that he made to God when he wasn’t even in school to take care of his little sister. He did. He’d rather go home to care for Min Young than playing balls with his friends after school. Jaejoong was a little worried about his social skills. He has many friends in school, but right after school he’s back to being ‘Min Young’s Oppa’. They told him that he didn’t have to do that, Jejussi and everyone else could watch over his little sister, but he wouldn’t budge. Min Young had become his world and his moon. Nothing more important that Min Young even though the girl got on his nerves many times.
But no one ranked higher for the children than Jaejoong. Not even their father who’s Second Best if compared to their Jejussi, it’s undeniable. Jaejoong had resigned from the Agency a few months after Min Young’s fourth birthday. He finally realized that it’s no use to continue working if he couldn’t stop worrying about the children when he wasn’t home. It wasn’t fair for the company, it wasn’t fair for the children. Though Yoochun regret his decision and his boys complained hard, Jaejoong needed to sort out his priority. And the children were the most important for him.
Appa Jung then offered him to set up a Foundation to raise fund for sick children, as an action of gratitude to God for letting Min Young grow up like she is today. While in the hospital they met many parents in despair, those with limited financials to continue medication for their beloved children and lost hopes to see their children grow up and have a future. It broke their hearts to see the bitter truth and Jaejoong welcomed the idea enthusiastically. JiHye also helped on the Board Committee.
The Foundation held a Charity Gala Dinner twice a year, in April and October. As a well known and famous actor, Yunho supported the program by attending each dinner and bringing along his fellow celebrity friends to perform for free at the dinner. The invited guests could also make a special request such as a ‘kiss’ or a ‘hug’ from the celebrities for a certain amount of donation. They had been very successful and helped to get 3 children to get a heart surgery, 2 more to continue their chemotherapy and on preparation for a heart transplant for a 10 year old girl which required an enormous amount of money. Jaejoong & Yunho always met the candidates personally and brought along Moonbin and Min Young to meet them too. So even from young age, the children had understood what ‘emphaty’ and ‘sympathy’ meant.Other than that, Min Young is a good example for the children’s parents that there’s no such thing as disabilities, only HOPE and LOVE could help them get through the obstacles.
Finally… Jaejoong found the true call of his life.
* * * * *
(Chapter 23b)
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