Peace

In the latest episode of Itaewon Class, Park Saeroyi and his allies managed to corner Geun-won and Chairman Jang. Geun-won was finally taken to court for causing Mr Park’s death in a hit-and-run accident 10 years ago. Chairman Jang was nominated for dismissal by the Jangga board of directors as he refused to dismiss his son, Geun-won.

A lot happened in the episode. But what made me write about it today is the closing scene. Park Saeroyi stands next to his father’s grave on top of a hill, overlooking a city, and in the distance, mountains. Geun-won was sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment. A monologue ensued. He poured soju for his dad and himself. And before drinking it, he finally said, “You don’t have to worry anymore. Please rest in peace.”

The scene was incredibly emotional in itself. But those words hit me particularly hard today (yesterday?) My close friend, Zuriele, would have celebrated her 30th birthday today had she not been killed in a hit-and-run incident about a year ago. Uncannily similar to Mr Park in the story, she was preparing for her first day in her new role as a doctor to the barrios.

She’s one of the most cautious people I know. In fact, she allowed three cars to pass by before crossing. However, she didn’t see a fourth car rushing. She was almost on the sidewalk. The shopping bags were dropped where she meant to stand and her body was thrown many meters away from there. The driver didn’t stop. It was a small town and there were only nurses in the clinic a few meters away from where it happened. She was the doctor. She wasn’t supposed to start working yet but a woman was in labor and there was a death certificate that needed to be signed so they asked her to come to the clinic. The nurses already saw her as she was crossing. They just turned their backs and she was gone. And the driver didn’t stop.

It took a week before someone offered a bounty. Soon, someone reported the suspicious behavior of his neighbor. The car that left the house every day like clockwork was suddenly hidden inside the garage. The owner has not left the house in a week.

The fear must have been immense. After a week of hiding, Pastor Prior surrendered to the police. He released a video-recorded statement apologizing to the family, and most importantly to his congregation and the highly powerful people in the area to whom he served as a spiritual advisor. It was not an apology but a plea for sympathy.

He promised to cooperate. But he has since hounded Zuriele's family to convince them to settle. The offer becomes less and less every time. He pleaded not guilty. Rich and influential people seem to back him up as a seemingly straightforward case is now being dragged.

"Rest in peace." One year has passed and I still cannot say those important words to my friend whose grave sits atop the hills of Antipolo. She’s probably not affected. She’s dead after all. It’s us, the ones left behind who are craving for that peace. And I suspect that even if Prior gets imprisoned, we would not feel relieved. Just as Park Saeroyi still found the soju bitter that afternoon.