Sun-kissed

Chapter 2

The beeping sound of the blood pressure monitor greeted him as he woke from a deep slumber. The room was dim; the only source of light came from behind the head of the bed. Feeling slightly disoriented Dong Youngbae, also known by the stage name "Taeyang", tried to shift his body into a more comfortable position on the crinkly hospital mattress. But it was difficult because his left arm was bandaged tightly across his chest and he could feel a cast of some-sort, weighing heavily on his right leg from the knee down. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in his upper left shoulder took his breath away and he inhaled sharply.

"Don't move," advised Kim Boram, his manager. Youngbae could see him slouching in the sleeper chair in the corner of the room, his tall gangly frame stretched out in front of him. A constant presence near his side for the past seven or so years, Boram was Youngbae's friend and confidant. He helped other artists at YG Entertainment from time to time, but Youngbae was his main assignment and responsibility. He was like an uncle figure in Youngbae's life. They spent a lot of time together, on the road and during Youngbae's free time on vacations and shopping trips. It was no secret that Boram's sense of style had greatly improved once Youngbae got his hands on him. However at this moment, Boram's black hip-hop skeleton t-shirt and matching black cargo shorts belied the serious concern and worry on the older man's face.

"What time is it?"

"It's nearly 6PM. Your mother and brother were here a few hours ago, but you were still sleeping. How are you feeling?"

"My shoulder hurts quite a bit and my leg feels like it's on fire. What happened?"

"Well last night," his manager began, "you decided to complete a running somersault again. Didn't I tell you that stunt was dangerous?" Shaking his head, Kim Boram continued, "Your right leg was got caught in the path of the pyrotechnic machine when it went off. I think the force also was enough to knock you off balance and you fell off stage. Unfortunately, you landed on your left shoulder and got the wind knocked out of you as well. Jiyong got to you first, but when you didn't respond, we called for an airlift. You were flown here to Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul. You suffered a second degree burn along your inner right calf and dislocated your left shoulder. The doctor says it should be 2-3 weeks before you completely heal. Here, drink some water."

Moving cautiously, Youngbae reached for the offered cup and took a sip. The cold liquid ran down his dry throat and a sense of nausea assailed him almost immediately. He shoved the paper cup away. "When will this dizzy feeling go away?"

"Oh, that... well, you also have a slight knot on the left side of your head which could be contributing to your dizziness. It's also a side effect from the pain medications you're receiving because you haven't had anything to eat yet. It should go away once we get some food in you."

There was a knock at the door. Boram walked over to answer the door and soon thereafter, a nurse walked into the room baring a tray with a syringe and medication vials. She looked mid-thirties, was slightly overweight, and had chin-length hair. As soon as she spotted Youngbae, her hands started to visibly shake. She placed the tray down near the foot of the bed. "Annyeonghaseyo, my name is Soon-yi and I'm here to give you more medicine."

Youngbae nodded slightly and the nurse went over to his intravenous bag to insert more medication into the tubes. She kept stealing glances his way, but Youngbae pretended to not notice, as he was used to being stared at over the years. When she finished updating the computer with new stats, she gathered her materials and announced her leaving. But before she reached the door, she hesitated, turned around and blurted, "Can I please have your autograph? I'm a huge fan!"

"No, no, no... no autographs please," warned Kim Boram as blocked her access to Youngbae. His nearly six foot tall frame intimidated the nurse and she backed away slightly.