As a bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, she chuckled nervously into the phone, her heart racing with anticipation. She had imagined the conversation flowing seamlessly—a moment filled with deep connection, heartfelt apologies, and the nurturing support she craved from her mother. Yet, as the voice on the other end erupted in frustration, demanding her to come home at once, the warmth she had hoped for dissolved into a cold wave of disappointment.1

"KANG CHOON HEE, RETURN HOME! IT'S UNSAFE FOR A WOMAN TO LIVE ALONE IN A BUILDING."

The thought of returning home weighed heavily on her mind, but it had become a persistent echo in her thoughts. There was a time when her mother would have urged her to come back, hesitant and worried, but now she had planted her roots in this new city. She found a part-time job at the vibrant farmers market, where the air was fragrant with fresh produce and the lively chatter of vendors filled the atmosphere.

Her living situation was a stroke of luck; an elderly man had offered her a humble apartment in his building, and she felt a deep sense of gratitude knowing that her living expenses were covered. This arrangement allowed her to save her earnings for herself, a freedom she cherished.

As she settled into her new life, she felt a flicker of happiness arise within her—she was starting to form a friendship that promised to blossom. She remained hopeful that this vibrant city and its welcoming environment would not only provide her with better opportunities but also help her forge lasting connections while she pursued her dreams.

Though she knew her mother wouldn’t take the news well, she gathered the strength to share her truth. With her heart racing, she spoke into the phone, her voice trembling slightly, “Ma, I am doing fine here.”

“KANG CHOON HEE! YOU ARE A SMART YOUNG LADY, BUT WHY ARE YOU MAKING SUCH FOOLISH CHOICES?” Her mother’s voice crackled through the phone, thick with disappointment and simmering anger. Each word dripped with sarcasm as she continued, “You have the potential to become the top surgeon in one of the country’s most prestigious hospitals, yet here you are, choosing to move to a new city all alone. I can’t help but wonder, how’s that decision working out for you?” The tension in her tone was palpable, echoing the frustration of a parent who couldn’t understand her daughter’s path.

Before she could muster a response, the phone call abruptly ended, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake. Frustration surged within her as she hurled her phone across the room, the device crashing onto the soft carpet with a muted thud. As she fell backwards onto the bed, she felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. With a shuddering sigh, she buried her face in her arms, seeking solace in the fabric of her sleeves. She loathed the way her feelings hijacked her composure, causing hot tears to spill unchecked down her cheeks whenever anger took hold. Despite the fleeting joy that had initially filled her heart at the sound of her mother’s voice, a tempest of fury and disappointment swirled inside her, knowing full well that her mother would never truly comprehend the depths of her struggles.