{ 2 identities, 1 story }

The truth of Chunyo's death shocked Sohmi. After reading the note, Sohmi mind went blank, her whole body felt numb and the sense of nothingness entered her.

Slowly a gush of pain pierced through her heart and she felt a droplet fell on her pale cheeks. It was the rain. Water droplets came down like rocks, every droplet that hit her made her feel weaker.

Her legs bend, knees touching the ground and the rain became heavier ; downpour. Loud roaring from car engine can be heard miles away, this startled Sohmi, and as the roaring engine became louder a flash of light infront of her also became brighter.The car came to a halt, the light ever brighter, and one of the person inside the car sent chills down Sohmi's spine.

It was him.

"click" the door swung open and Chunyo greeted her with a heavenly smile and reach out for her. Her hand inched towards his palm and she noticed that as she move closer, his hand started to vanish away. And not long before, there was nothing left except for the dead leaves on the floor.

"Chunyo, come back!!!!!!!!!"
"Sohmi!Sohmi! Doctor, quickly come !!"
Sohmi opened her eyes slowly, her vision blur, and only hospital beds could be seen everywhere.
"Hyemin?"
Once again she felt droplet splashing down no on her cheek.

"Boohoo...you still remember me! I thought you won't wake up or something..."

"Where's Chunyo?"

"Ch..Chunyo? You don't know he is...er...DEAD?"
"How can that be? I just saw him..."
"You insane? You have been sleeping for 2 months!"
Sohmi closed her eyes, hoping she could see Chunyo again, and wished she had never woken up.

"Sohmi? Don't go into coma again!!! Please!!!"

"I am okay...-.-"

"You sure "mute girl?" " Hyemin stood up.

"Yeah..fine fine.." Sohmi casted a fake smile at her.

"Then i'll be leaving. If you need me i will always be around." Hyemin flashed a smile full of hope at Sohmi and stepped out of the ward.

The familiar road infront of her house brought back painful memories. Sohmi was greeted by an aroma of Chicken Soup. Heavy heartily, she stepped into her house. A spread of food were served on table, ready to be eaten. As Sohmi approached the dinning table, she was interrupted by a series of clashing sounds ; stirring soup with laddle. Driven by curiousity, she twisted her head towards the kitchen and saw her mum cooking her favourite dish ; Chicken Soup. Just when she was about to call out for her, her mother dropped the laddle and fell hardly on the floor.

"Mum!" shouted Sohmi and hurried over to her side "are you okay?"
"Yeah...i am okay.." she replied faintly."Lets go have dinner."

Sohmi was worried , but did not persue to question her mother. So, she went straight into her room after having a few spoonfuls of rice as she did not have the appetite. She felt guilty for not finishing the meal specially prepared by her mother.

Then, Sohmi began to feel sad, numb and alone. Staring at the walls surrounding her gave her a sense of "security" and hoping that time will be able to heal her wound.

To escape reality for a moment, she pressed the pillows against her head and weep silently. Not long after, she went into a deep slumber.

The following day, after brushing her teeth and washing up, she dragged herself towards the dining table for breakfast. This is the first time Sohmi ever felt so lethargic and restless after hitting the covers so early.

Just when she was about to let out a huge yawn, something stopped her. It was her mother. As usual, she cooked Sohmi's favourite egg omelette and was ready to serve her and even the slight grin on her face was there. However, something was slightly different today. She is limping.

"Mum..." Sohmi questioned slowly "why are you limping?"

"Ermm..." Sohmi's mum pondered " i sprained my leg..nothing much"

Judging from her mother's facial expression, Sohmi could tell that she's hiding something from her. But as her daughter, Sohmi also trusted that her mother wouldn't hide anything serious from her.

"Mum...let me rub some oilment on your leg?" Sohmi suggested.

"It's okay ah girl..." Her mother grinned.

"Ah girl ah..."

"Yes?"

"If one day mum isn't around...promise me you would stay strong alright?"

"Mum! Don't say unauspicious things !" Sohmi exclaimed and ran into her room.

Back there, Sohmi was very upset about what her mother told her just now. The events that happened recently made her feel so drained and worn out. Ever since the death of Chunyo, Sohmi has not been smiling. And now..her mother...

"Why am i always alone..why?!" Sohmi thought bitterly to herself.

Suddenly, the faint vibration on the floor startled her. Sohmi couldn't believe what she's seeing when she opens the door.

"Mum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sohmi shrieked in horror and sprinted towards her mother ; who was lying motionless on the floor.

"Mum..?"Sohmi quivered"You alright?"

"Bring me to my room ah girl."

Sohmi promptly agreed without saying another word.

"Are you sick?" Sohmi asked as she put a pillow under her mother's delicate head.

"No i am not...just getting old..."

"But..you ..."

Sohmi's mum placed a finger on her lips and continued.

"Listen ah girl...mum can't be by you side forever right..so, you have to stay strong and optimistic to fend yourself in the future. I know Chunyo's death had a great impact on you but please get on your feet because even how sad you are..he wouldn't come back. Promise mum okay?"

"Y..e..s..mum" Sohmi mummbled.

"Ahh yes, this is a photo of your distant cousin, Dave"Sohmi's mum told her and handed the photo over.

"Let him see this photo..he will know who you are and he will take care of you"

"But mum..why?"

"Nothing in particular...it would be handy in the future.."

"But...mum..you are not..."

"Trust me. *cough cough* And forgive mum for not telling you I have diabetes"And Sohmi's mum shuts her eyes.

Sohmi was dumfounded by the truth that her mother is having a serious disease. And more importantly..she kept it from her.

"Mum!!!!!! You can't do this to me!!! Please...p..lease" Sohmi shouted in despair and tears streamed down like tap water on her face.

Everything around them seem to freeze for the time being. The house which was once filled with warmth and laughter was now overwhelmed with sadness. Staring at her mother's face turn paler and paler by the moment made Sohmi cried even louder. The death of Chunyo and her mother , her two loved ones, came too sudden for Sohmi to handle. She's at her wits-end. Just then, the phone rang.

"Hello..Hyemin speaking. How's your illness auntie? And is Sohmi around?"

"SO YOU KNEW IT ALL ALONG !" Sohmi shouted into the receiver.

"Sohmi?! Hello?! You there?!?!" Hyemin panicked.

*tooooooooooot* The line was dead...