✔︎𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 || 𝐘𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧

15. The bravest boy alive

I quietly waited in front of the hospital door, the same as always, the one with the number '35' printed on it. I could feel the nurse's gaze on me from time to time, but it didn't bother me as much anymore. I just wanted to see the boy again, and nothing could stop me—not even the judgmental stare of that woman.

Finally, after several long minutes of staring at my feet and clutching the small bag in my arms, the door opened. I looked up, only to meet the eyes of a middle-aged woman. Her messy dark hair fell slightly over her eyes, but I still noticed the dark circles beneath them. This woman used to be quite pretty, always taking care of her appearance, but now, in her sweatpants and faded T-shirt, she looked like she had let herself go. I couldn't help but notice how she seemed to age day by day, as if life was being drained from her.

But when she saw me, she still managed to smile, with that polite demeanor she always had. "Hello, Y/n."

I bowed slightly in response. "Hello, Mrs. Yang," I said.

She closed the heavy door behind her and slowly walked toward me. "You look more beautiful every time I see you," she said in her kind voice, gently tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "You're here to see Jeongin, I suppose."

I nodded "Yes, I baked him some cookies," I said pointing with my eyes at the pink bag I was holding.

Her smile grew even softer. "You're such a precious girl, Y/n. You always think of my little boy," she said, lowering her head. "You know, he's really fighting hard right now. And sometimes, I think one of the reasons he's so determined is because of you."

I blinked a few times. "Me?"

"Yes, he always says that if he stays sick, you'll be sad," her smile faded slightly. "You know, I always thought you were the one taking care of him. Always visiting him at the hospital, never leaving him alone, baking him cookies, you even saved his life just last week." Her eyes were growing wet as she spoke.

"But I think he takes care of you too, doesn't he?"

I nodded, a light smile appearing on my lips. "He does. He never stops thinking about me."

She nodded. "That's my boy..." A single tear escaped her eye. "He hasn't been feeling well lately. I'm afraid this time he'll have to stay at the hospital longer than usual. I'm scared his lungs are getting weaker day by day."

I would be lying if I said those words didn't make my heart ache. I stared into the woman's eyes, trying not to show the pain I felt. I stepped closer to her and whispered, trying to show her my braver side.

"Mrs. Yang, I'm sorry to say this, but I think you're underestimating your son," I said, seeing her blink a few times. "He's been through so much pain, but he's stronger than he seems. He's always fighting hard, and what he really needs now is someone to tell him that everything is going to be alright. If you show him your fear, he'll be scared too."

I watched as she silently cried, processing my words and nodding in response.

"You're such a sweet girl," she smiled again, wiping away her tears.

"But, oh, I'm sure you didn't come here to talk to me," she said, laughing, though it sounded forced. "Go in, and please, be the one to tell him that everything is going to be alright. I don't think I'm brave enough for that, but you sure are."

She stepped aside and gestured for me to enter the room.

"Just, Y/n, do you want some advice? If you have something to say to Jeongin, you should really say it as soon as possible. I think it will help the both of you" she said, even tho I did not quite understand what she meant by that.