10 Years Back at The Raey’s (Seoul)

“No…! No… dear please don’t sell Huyen away. She is just a month old and she is your daughter,” my mother defended dreadfully. She was so upset when father sold Huyen to one of the trusted illegal baby seller. This was my poor parents’ conversation on that night, their unfortunate daughter left peaceful South Korea.

Mom still crying) why, Huyen? Why not the car or our old house?

Dad  : Trust me my dear, she’ll have a better life there with her American parents.

Mom: But what if they ill treat her?

Dad: My dear, we really couldn’t afford to feed another child. We have now five other children to feed. That is if, the eldest get his first pay check.

Dad was referring to my eldest brother Marcus Juinsiang Raey, he was then 17 years old and was seeking for a job to take the family out of poverty. My family’s only way of living was selling matchsticks. We have very poor business all the time. All the days of my childhood memories were just porridge without meat and we don’t even have a few stems of vegetables for a meal. That was how dad survived our family of 2 adults and 7 children. That is why he couldn’t afford to see another child suffer like us. So, he decided to sell Huyen away in a reasonable price, to a lovely, rich couple that was childless at that time. We all called them aunt and uncle and do not know their names. They were introduced to us by the baby seller when Huyen was a few weeks old.

Huyen is very special to us this is because when dad sold her away, we had a better environment to live in. Huyen’s foster parents are really kind to us. They gave us a house and a shop and through that we’re able to survive till now. They promised to take good care of Huyen’s needs and asked us not to worry because Huyen will be treated as their own daughter.    

Mom still crying in disappointment) but she’s still our child. Will we be able to meet her when she grows up? Will she be able to accept us, when we meet up again?

Dad: No matter what happens, she is still our child. We will try our best to stay in contact with her foster parents. I love her too but that is the only way for us to give her a better life and not suffer in this wooden house.

Mom: hish…hish.. I’m still feeling very upset. Dearest, I’m sorry that I’m feeling so unwell today. I need to sleep early tonight. I’ve no mood to continue talking.

Dad: Alright, sleep early. I’m sorry to make you so upset because I just couldn’t bear to see another child suffer in hunger.

Mom: You, don’t understand my feelings…you never will…hish…hish… I’m never going to forget what you have done to her!

Mom never ate for days, after the incident. We were all very worried about her, dad especially. He wondered if he made a right decision. However, mom undying love for dad, had made her forgive dad. In that moment of my life, I made a promise to my heart, “eomeoni” (means mother in Korean), “abeoji” (father in Korean), I’ll help you find Huyen when I’m old enough and have the money. I promise you both; I’ll never let you down”. This was a childhood promise to my family and me; it was to find Huyen when I’m mature enough to take care of myself. “Huyen, jamae (sister in Korean) will bring to back to Seoul, I will work hard because of you. Thank you Huyen for bringing us better living. I’ll never forget you.” (I cried myself to bed).

                                                                                               To be Continued...