Divided Heart

Kang Ji-Eun

Hello, my name is Kang Ji-Eun, but many call me Ji-Eun. I am 21 years old and I'm going to study in the United States at a university. My dream is to become a great chef, so I chose to study culinary arts. My parents helped me with this. They invested in my education so that I could get a scholarship abroad, and I chose the United States.

I have long, dark, and well-cared-for hair. I love my hair. I have fair skin, dark eyes, and I always wear casual clothes. People like my smile; they say it's contagious and that I have very beautiful teeth. I must admit, I like my smile too.

When I heard the news that I would be studying in the United States, I was thrilled. My parents supported me all the way, and now, I was about to say goodbye to them. My father's name was Kang Hyon-Suk, and my mother was Kang Yeon-Woo. My father was a 48-year-old man with slightly graying hair, forming a gradient, he wore glasses, had slightly tanned skin, and always dressed formally. He owned a cosmetics company that was very successful in South Korea. My mother's name is Kang Yeon-Woo. She's 45 years old, has wine-colored hair, dark eyes, fair skin, and a friendly smile, similar to mine. They say I inherited her smile. My mother is a homemaker but also works from home for various companies. She has her income.

At this moment, I was at the front door with a wheeled backpack in my hands. My parents were with me and seemed emotional about my departure. They know I will do everything to stay in touch with them, especially because I love them, and if I am where I am, it's thanks to them.

"Daughter, you've grown so much. You're off to college. I'm so proud of you," my mother said with tears in her eyes.

It took me a while to get to college, but I had my reasons. Personal problems arose in my life, leading to severe depression. It took years to recover from depression, and now that I'm feeling better, I decided to turn my life around. I owe everything to my therapist. She helped me, and now, thanks to her and myself, I'm achieving this milestone that I never imagined would be within my reach.

I hugged my mother, and then my father came over to hug me and said, "You have no idea how happy I am that you've achieved this, my princess. I'm sure you will achieve your goals. I have faith in you."

"Daughter, I need to tell you something I discussed with your father," my mother said, and I gave them my full attention after separating from my father's embrace.

"Yes?" I asked, confused.

"We're a bit concerned. It hasn't been long since you overcame depression. Are you going to be okay?"

I gave a smile to my mother and replied, "Of course, Mom. My friend Tam-Hee will be there to take care of me."

My parents raised their eyebrows, and my father asked, "Are you talking about Man Tam-Hee?"

I simply nodded, and they exchanged glances.

"But I heard she got sick and died. How did...?"

"I thought the same thing, Dad, but she messaged me yesterday and explained the situation. She did it to escape her ex-boyfriend who lives in the United States. After she faked her own death, her boyfriend moved to Mexico. He doesn't even know she's alive yet."

Man Tam-Hee is like a sister to me. She moved to the United States two years ago when she was 21. Now she's 23 and will start culinary school with me. She moved to the United States to work and met her abusive ex-boyfriend there, so she decided to fake her own death. I don't know how she did it, but judging by how things went, she did it very convincingly. When I mentioned that I was going to the United States to study, she said she would take care of me, that she knows how the system in the country works, and she would help me.

After processing what I said, my father said, "Come on, daughter. I'll take you to the airport."

"Alright, Dad," I replied.

My mother looked at me with a smile, and I returned the same. From what I could tell, she wanted a hug, so I went to her when my father picked up the wheeled backpack and looked at both of us. He smiled, and I went to him, waving to my mother.

It's painful to leave without taking my parents, as they have their lives here in South Korea, but I will do everything to stay in touch with them, especially because I owe everything to them. I know I have their support, and that fills me with pride. I'm proud of myself, especially for overcoming depression. It was a complicated situation, involving the loss of my ex-boyfriend. After I found out he died in a violent car accident, I never wanted to open up to love again. Today, if it happens, I confess to you that I don't know if it will work out or not, especially because everything reminds me of him. What if I'm destined to be alone forever?

I snapped out of my thoughts when I arrived at my father's sleek black car. I opened the door, and he did the same after placing my backpack on the back seat. I took the front passenger seat, and my father got into the driver's seat. He took the key, started the car, and we drove away from our white house with wooden windows. We were heading to the airport, and from this moment on, my life would change in every way, not just because of the change of countries.