Perfect World

Chapter 41

Chaeyoung POV

I woke up by the bright sun through the window. I remember everything last night and I knew I was in Mina's room. I haven't seen my mom's grave in couple of years. And I was lost at words. I thought that going there would give me some answer and feel the comfort of closure. My dad isn't visited her grave in a while since the funeral but I did. Yet I simply stop thinking that I could try to move on. I realised then I didn't feel the comfort of Mina next to me with her warmth embrace like usual.

I look over to her side and the bed was empty. I scrunched my eyebrow in confusion. What time is it? What day is it? I scuffled looking for my phone but it was no use. It wasn't in sight. I heard padded footsteps coming near the door. I sit up hoping that is Mina but instead Ray. The golden beast pounced on me by a seventy pound retriever. I let out a loud groan and fell back into the pillow where I once laid. The slobbery drool fell upon my face.

"Ray!" I heard a loud voice, Mina's voice.

"Jeez, get your big dog off her." Another one voice said.

Wait. Is that Somi? I soon felt the pull away from therapy dog and sat up to see both of them next to each other. My heart started to hammer in the chest. I was in fear of what was going to happen next. Both of them were standing in front of me yet, soon I felt Somi hugging me.

"Uh, what's going on?" I asked confused.

I give Mina a confused look, but she just shook her head looking aggravated.

"Well. You see, Somi here crashed the night and the dance turned out to be a disaster." Mina said.

Oh. Her words refreshing my memories except I didn't know Somi was going to stay over. I kind of was hoping it just her and I. Realising that Somi was still hugging me on my side. I gently tugged her off of me and now Mina were sit next to me.

"Do you want to shower?" She asked softly.

My mouth felt dry and gross. I could still feel my make up heavy on my face and I realised I was still in a dress.

"A shower would be great." I said.

"You can just pick out some clothes after you are done. Also we have to talk to you later downstairs." Mina said.

After showing I felt relieved. I heard talking within her room but it seemed to disappear afterward. Going through her closet, I grabbed a pair of dark grey sweatpants and a dark green loose crop top. I realised I haven't eaten a while and I can start to see my ribs. I lifted the top a little and ran my fingers over my stomach. I let out a sigh. The television in her room was on which was the weather. I heard the lady speaking in her professional tone.

Winter is coming. I let out a sigh. I made my way downstairs. Knowing that it was December got me excited. Christmas was coming up which happened to be my favourite holiday. Before I could enter the living room, I stood in the hall eavesdropping on their conversation. I usually wasn't the one to do this but Somi and Mina were standing near each other.  

"So, I called your father and he went through the files. Her mom did check into our hospital." I heard Mina's mom voice.

Wait. Were they talking about my mom?

"Guys, I don't think we should do this." I heard Somi cut in.

"We will only go through with it if Chaeyoung wants to know. I just wondered if she ever came to my parent hospital." I heard the hesitation in Mina's voice.

Eh? Why did they want to know? I felt my heart sink with pain thinking about her. She left me the letter but I never understood why. I never got closure. My mom was sitting on her bed on day being whole looking better than ever. My dad and I were there and within a second. I shook my head from the thought. I walked towards the living room and they notice my presence. I first look at Mina and her smile was small but not bright like her usual self. Something was bothering her. After that, I look at Somi. Her eyes were filled with happiness but regret at the same time.

"Uh-what's going on?" I asked.

"Why were you talking about my mom?" I asked.

Everyone stood quietly.

"Come sit." Mrs. Myoui broke the silence.

I sit down next to Mina without a second thought but the tension between both Mina and Somi was still in the air.

"Honey." Mrs. Myoui let out a sigh.

"So, the girls came up to me last night and we got talking. I have heard some parts of the story but what really caught our attention was, your mother." She explain.

Again, I felt my heart sink even more from the painful memories.

"My husband went through the files and found your mom was checked into the hospital that we work at." She said.

"Why do you guys want to know?" I said bitterly.

I mean why were they talking about my mom in the first place.

"Chaengie." Mina said held my hand softly.

"I think that, knowing the small details can help you get some closure." She said.

I didn't peep a word. I couldn't. I knew she was diagnosed with Cancer but I felt a shudder of eerie thinking that I missed something. I was only ten until she passed. I only have some letters and photo.

"We don't have to if you don't want to though." Somi blurted.

I look over to Mina and she nodded in agreeing with Somi. I felt my shoulders sink. I'm already going through a lot this year and my mom was a big part of my life. I guess I would like to know about her more about what went on.

"Yeah, okay." I sighed.

Mrs. Myoui nodded her head and give a light smile. Her legs were crossed but soon she stood up facing all of us.

"Okay. I will look into it more. But, don't expect more." She said.

I felt Mina grip tighten. I look up and her dark brown eyes captured mine. She smile at me.

"Would you like to grab something for breakfast?" She asked.

That actually sounds great right now. Well, considering I could see my ribs again.

"Well! I think I'm just going home. I have to finish my college applications." Somi interrupt.

"I think that would be great." Mina said happily.

I saw both of them give a deep glare to one another which scared me. What was going on in their mind? Somi then headed upstairs and grabbed her things.

"Okay, I'm going home now. But, Chaeyoung. Please think of what I'm saying last night. I'm not going to pressure you. But, please consider everything I said. I- Just I can't lost you one more. I love you." She said, kiss my cheek and pulled me to hug.

I can see Mina was not so happy but I also can see she try to compose herself. Then, Somi grabbed herself a cab and go home. While Mrs. Myoui stayed glued to her phone and as Mina's dad he was nowhere in sight meaning he was at work. After changing again, we took off to Sharon's bakery. There's a lot people here. The weather was cold and the beginning off December start to kick in. I wonder when the snow is going to hit. The smell of the delighted apple crumb muffin quickly hit me and my stomach growled lightly.

"Don't worry. I will grab you one." Mina said, tease me.

She looked over her shoulder with a grin. She always knew what my mind was set to, well sometimes.

"How about you grab a table and wait for me there." She said.

I nodded an we split up. I passed multiple tables, all filled with other people sipping on coffee and eating bakery goods which made me even more hungry. I spotted a table in the far back corner near the kitchen area and sit on the cushion waiting for Mina with the glorious muffin. I start to get nervous about the thought of my mom and looking into the details. I was little and only knew she died of Cancer. What if there was something more? I mean I never knew her exact problems and there could have been something else. The doctors told me, she would have enough time with me until the beginning of high school. I start to mess with my finger. I was fidgeting and I was hurt. Do I want to do this? I mean, what do I have to loss? I felt warm hand on mine knowing it was Mina. I relaxed from the tension in my head. Her other hand held a plate with the muffin waiting to get in my mouth.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked.