Everyone in the neighbourhood was staring at them in wonder.
Minju suddenly broke out into a laughter while tears ran down from her eyes at the same time.
"Y-you slapped me? Your elder sister?" Minju said while looking at Nayeon straight in the eye.
Nayeon took a deep breath.
"I'm not like that drunk bastard. This is no dream, Minju. What you did was not my fault or anyone else's. You left without a trace, you deliberately didn't want anyone to look for you. And as for father, I would rather be anyone else's daughter in the whole of Korea."
"Hehe... you haven't changed at all, Nayeon. Hot tempered and incredibly dumb as always..."
"Would you like me to give you another slap across your pretty face, Minju?"
"I was on my way to the hospital actually. My daughter needs me and it is a very urgent matter. But I'm afraid I'll have to teach you who's older and why you must have respect for your seniors."
The neighbourhood went into a panic when the two sisters began fighting. Thankfully, some neighbours were able to pull them apart.
Nayeon coughed.
"I never...*cough* thought that a reunion with you would be this troublesome. *cough* After all, I didn't go to work today because Haerin insisted that I visit you." Nayeon continued coughing.
"I know you wouldn't come of your own accord. It must always be Haerin that should tell you." Minju said with a chuckle.
"Minju... what-"
Nayeon was cut short when Minju's phone started ringing out loud. Minju's face read that something bad had happened when she picked up the call. After dismissing the call, Minju looked up at Nayeon with teary eyes.
"T-they say that Ariyana won't survive long if I don't do the surgery soon. But I'm still working on the money!" Minju broke into tears as she said that. Nayeon sighed and took Minju's hand.
"She's been alright. Nothing worse will happen to her." She said reassuringly.
Minju forcefully dragged her hand away from Nayeon and said, "The worse has already happened, Nayeon. I'm going to loose my daughter that I suffered so much for... why is the world so cruel?"
Minju stood up and started walking away but then she suddenly stopped and turned to face Nayeon.
"Do you want to come? Perhaps, see your niece for the first and last time?" She smiled.
Nayeon nodded, and then they went to they hospital together.
They arrived at Ariyana's hospital room. Nayeon crouched down to see her niece. Ariyana was a carbon copy of her mother and was very beautiful, but it was just her sickly body at that moment.
"She looks just like you." Nayeon smiled.
Minju brushd her hand against Ariyana's pale face and smiled.
"She is sleeping." Minju said.
The sick girl's eyes opened up instantaneously. She blinked a couple of times before saying, "Mother? Is it you?"
"Yes, love. I came with your aunt." Minju replied and she kissed Ariyana's forehead.
"Aunt?" Ariyana slowly turned her head to Nayeon.
"Hello, Ariyana. I'm aunt Nayeon." She said with a warm smile.
Ariyana chuckled.
"So i really do have and aunt! Its nice to see you aunt Nayeon." She started coughing rapidly and Minju quickly gave her some water to drink.
"I promise that you'll be fine, Ariyana." Nayeon said determined.
A nurse suddenly entered and Minju instantly tried to explain why she was delaying the money for the surgery.
"I'll get the money before next week, I promise-"
The nurse interrupted Minju politely.
"Sorry, miss, but someone has already paid for the surgery." She said with a gentle smile.
Minju and Nayeon looked at eachother with no words. They were Speechless and starstruck.
"Who paid for Ariyana's surgery, if i may ask?" Minju said desperately wanting to find out.
"It was a brown haired girl that came into the hospital just now, wearing a sparkling pink summer dress. I think she said her name was, Leah Kim?" The nurse said.
Nayeon was flabbergasted.
"What? Leah Kim! Why would she pay for the surgery and how does she even know about it?" Nayeon was at a loss for more words.
"You know her?" Minju asked.
"Someone i see at work."
"You have a job!?"
"Yeah, yeah. Now enough about that."
"Shall we proceed with the surgery?" The nurse asked.
"Yes, please. Immediately.!" Minju said.
"Alright." The nurse replied and left.
Minju looked at Ariyana lovingly and said, "You're gonna be okay, my darling."
Ariyana smiled back at her. Then the two of them left and sat outside the reception to wait for the surgery to be completed.
"This will take a couple of hours." Nayeon said. "Are you hungry?"
"Why are you asking all the sudden? Aren't you still mad at me for fighting with you?" Minju asked.
"I fought with you too. I shouldn't have, after being conscious of knowing what you went through."
Minju smiled.
"Nayeon... i am truly sorry for distancing you, and everybody else. I tried to blame my struggles on everyone else, and I once thought of giving Ariyana up for adoption." She spoke.
"I wouldn't say it's fine, all that was seven years ago. But it's not too late to change, Minju." Nayeon said. "Now let's go get something to eat."
They bought tanghulu and sat down for hours until Ariyana's surgery was completed.
The doctor came out and asked them, "Are you guys waiting on Ariyana?"
"Yes, doctor." Minju replied.
"I am most glad to tell you that Ariyana's surgery was a success and she is back in her room." The doctor spoke.
Minju burst into tears of joy and they thanked him, and ran to Ariyana's room.
They saw her sleeping peacefully on her bed. Minju kissed her forehead lightly.
"Minju, would you come to Seoul city with me? Perhaps, you could start a new life." Nayeon said.
"Seoul city?" She repeated.
"When I buy my apartment, you guys could stay with me. I'll even work to put Ariyana in school."
Minju's eyes became teary.
"Yes, I'll go to Seoul with you and start me and Ariyana's new life there." Minju said and then she embraced Nayeon.
Two days later, Ariyana fully recovered and first thing in the morning, they boarded the train heading to Seoul. Since Nayeon only planned to stay for a day, she had been wearing Minju's clothes. Ariyana was very excited to move from there.
"What is it like in Seoul?" She kept asking.
"It's admirably beautiful, my love. It's where I grew up." Minju said.
"Ariyana, I'll take you to a park when we get there." Nayeon said.
"Wow, best aunt ever!" Ariyana exclaimed happily.
"SHHHHHHH!" Everybody on the train shushed them and they giggled in embarrassment.