𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 | 𝘥𝘰 𝘬𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘰𝘰

⤖ chapter four

           Minkyong was greeted by her grandfather upon entering the hospital. He looked drained, his lips were pale and his countenance was downcast. She immediately asked where her sister was and he led her to her room where some other patients were also in. 

"Oh my goodness..."

Lying on the hospital bed, her sister met her eyes. Minkyong couldn't recognize her at first. For she had lost hair compared to the last time she saw a picture of Minyoung. She lost weight and was thinner than her usual slim appearance. The assistant director didn't know what happened but all she could only do was run to her sister's arms and bawl her eyes out.

"What happened to you?" the younger cried, clutching to her older sister's arms.

"I missed you too, Kyongie," Minyoung chuckled, stroking her sister's head.

Withdrawing from the hug, Minkyong took in every inch of Minyoung's face, her eyes stained with tears that were travelling down her cheeks.

"Unnie, what happened to you?"

"I have cancer, Minkyong-a."

She said it like it's not that serious. However, there was a hint of sadness in her voice, as if she's already accepted her fate and that slowly, it's taking over her system and there's not much to do about it even if she had undergone therapies and everything that can help her get better.

After one year of staying in Italy, she was diagnosed to have cancer. She was staying with her boyfriend and they did everything to treat this deadly illness. Minyoung told her grandfather and Minkyong everything that they need to know. She was supposed to surprise the two of her arrival, but something happened in the airport.

On her way to the Immigration, Minyoung fainted and she was immediately rushed to the hospital. Hence, they called a relative of Minyoung.

"I'm sorry for coming with short notice," the 27-year-old chuckled, in which Minkyong frowned unto. Noticing the scarf that covered Minyoung's shoulder, the assistant director beamed.

"You still look gorgeous, Unnie. I bet Gray Oppa can't even take his eyes off you,"

The designer only smiled at her younger sister's words, gaze redirecting to somewhere else. She knows Minkyong would eventually ask about her relationship with Gray, but maybe she won't ever be ready to tell her.

"Are you okay? Do you need anything? Do you feel comfortable?" the assistant director asked, fiddling with the bed linens and her sister's pillow to help her adjust.

The older could only chuckle at her sister, heart warming at her sweet concerns. It's been a while. She truly missed her.

Some of the patients who are sharing the same room had their own business going. But one particular girl who looks younger, smiled at their way. She was by herself. Minyoung smiled back at her.

Instead of going about her precious sister's case, Minkyong chose not to touch that topic. For now, she wants to brush off the heavy problem and act as if Minyoung has just arrived from a trip and came back with interesting stories she would very much listen to willingly.

"So, tell me about Italy, Unnie.."

Minyoung's eyes twinkled, as if the mere name of the city brought a gush of enchantment to her. The young lass could tell how much her sister loved her work. Leaving it might be as heartbreaking as parting ways with her family.

The designer then told her every wonderful thing she has encountered in Italy. Their company, their work and the interesting culture of the people in that city. As she went on about it, Minkyong felt as though she was brought to Italy by her sister's stories. It sure have been two amazing years in her sister's life.

"How about Gray Oppa? He should've come with you!" Minkyong chirped. The older's expression changed upon hearing the name again.

"I made a scrapbook of every place I've gone to..." she dodged to answer.

Their grandfather handed a book to Minkyong, in which she took and flipped every page without letting a gasp strained.

"Wah!" the polaroids that were pasted on the book contained famous places in Italy that the assistant director had just seen in Pinterest as she dreamt of travelling, like her sister.

"I'm so jealous,"

The older giggled at Minkyong's remark.

"Someday, we'll go there. Together."

Chatting soon exhausted the designer. Minkyong told her to get some rest since she had just come from a long flight. As Minyoung turned to the other side to get to her comfortable position, Minkyong faced her grandfather who was silent the entire time, sitting next to Minkyong's bed.

She motioned for them to talk outside as she wished to talk to the doctor who checked Minyoung's condition to have a better understanding about her sister's illness. She was told that it's just getting worse, and that the cancer is just spreading to different parts of Minyoung's systems.

"What are we gonna do, Harabeoji?"

In the hallway, the two sat by the chairs aligned at the side. Minkyong's grandfather reached for her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"She'll get better. We have to be strong for her, Minkyong-a."

"I can't even look at her for too long," she wept, head hanging low as tears streamed down. The sight of her sister pains her when she knows she could have been there for her when she's suffering from her sickness.

Minyoung was a ray of sunshine. She's just like her younger sister, but she's taken over her father's serious side. She and Minkyong are like knit together, however, as they grew and became adults, they had to take different paths. But here she is. She's back. But she came bringing heavy news along. It breaks the assistant director's heart to see her sister in a position she does not deserve.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Heaving a heavy sigh, her grandfather pulled her in an embrace, patting her back.

"We'll be alright, honey."