Two Worlds Apart [MiChaeng Fanfic]

25

[Flashback]

Today is not a good day.

Chaeyoung has been puking a lot nonstop from 2:00 AM until now. She's kneeling by the toilet and positioning herself to puke again. I'm right beside her gently patting her back and giving her strength. I'm trying so hard to hold my tears. But she seems to be in so much pain that she's crying.

"Mina... I w-want this to... s-stop," she said while tears are running down her cheeks. Then she puked once more. I hurriedly grab a towel and wipe it on her mouth. I also gave her a glass of warm water and helped her to drink it.

"Please drink this, love," I said as I positioned the glass to her lips.

She drank half of the glass and said, "I-I think I'm good now." She's about to stand up but fell on her footing. Good thing I was able to immediately catch her.

"Let me carry you instead." I lifted her much lighter body now and put her to bed. I checked the time and I'm surprised it's already 4:34 AM. I went to the closet and grab a small towel to wipe her. I also got another glass of warm water and put it on her bedside table.

I laid beside her to check if she's sleeping already. She has her eyes closed but it seems like she's still in pain. I gently massaged her arm to see if she's still awake and she let out a groan.

"Mina-ah... so c-cold..."

She's shivering right now. So I immediately turned off the air-conditioner and grabbed more blankets and put them on her. I also put thick socks onto her feet. Then I turned on the heater of the room.

I waited for a few minutes before I asked, "Are you feeling better?"

She nodded and said, "Thank you, love. Can you warm me to sleep too?"

Without wasting any second, I crawled on the bed beside her and hugged her tight. I kissed her forehead and whispered, "You're so strong, my love. Sleep tight now."

She let out a tear. "I'm so sorry, Mina," she gripped my clothing. "I'm really sorry... for you having to bear all of these." She buried her head on my chest and cried.

I pat her back and hushed her, "Love, it's the reason why I'm here. And don't worry about it because... I like tending to you. I want to take care of you. We'll get through this, don't worry." I didn't realize a tear also rolled down my cheek as I close my eyes and held her tight.

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes, feeling our breaths against each other's skin, listening to each other's heartbeats, and giving affection to each other, just like that. After which, I can feel her deep breathing which indicates that my baby is already asleep. Then I drifted off to sleep as well.

—-

We woke up past lunchtime already. I help her get undressed before washing up. As I lifted up her shirt, I was surprised to see many bruises all over her body. I also noticed her much thinner figure as her bones are more protruded. I can feel my heart breaking into pieces deep inside as I look at her body.

She watched me as I examine her body. She looks sad as well.

I looked at her and forced to smile as I held back a tear. "Let's get you a nice bath, love," I said.

She followed me to the bathtub as I help her wash up. She just looked at me the whole time while I'm scrubbing her body.

I notice her staring so I asked, "What's on your mind?"

She paused for a second before she answered. "I just wonder... if you'll ever get tired... of taking care of me like this," she teared up again. "I'm so sorry, love. I know it's tiring and difficult and - " I hugged her before she could say her last word as my tears started falling down as well.

"Shh, no, love. I'm alright. I'm fine. Please don't ever say that again. You're hurting me," I said as I wipe the tears off my face.

She has been crying and getting emotional a lot lately. I feel like she's feeling guilty because of the things I do for her. The past few days have been really hard on her, on us. But in all honestly, I don't really mind. She's my baby after all. I'm willing to sacrifice everything for her. I love her so much, to the core, to the bone, to the ends of the universe.

I broke the hug and looked straight into her eyes, "Chaeyoung, please don't ever say that again. Of course I won't ever get tired. Remember, we'll get through this, right? We'll fight this."

She gave me a faint smile and nodded slowly.

I patted her dry with a towel and dressed her up with warm clothing.

"Lunch time?" I smiled at her.

"I... really don't have an appetite," she looked down. "I want to rest."

"But you haven't even eaten all day. You still have to eat to get stronger. Please." I begged her. Then I used my card that always works well whenever I want to ask her a favor. I pouted and gave her puppy eyes. "Please?"

She let out a soft chuckle and nodded.

I fed her porridge with meatballs since she doesn't feel like eating. Afterwards, I made her drink the medicines the doctor prescribed.

"My head hurts," she closed her eyes and put her head on my shoulder. "It's so p-painful."

"Okay, let's get you to bed." I lifted her up and head to the bedroom.

After putting her to sleep, I decided to go to the game room to distract myself. While I was exiting the bedroom, I turned around and leaned my body against the wall with my arms crossed. I silently watch her sleep while I tear up.

Whenever I see her suffering, my heart breaks into pieces. My chest throbs in pain. And I would feel the urge to cry but I always try to hold it in then let it out when I'm alone. I need to look like a strong figure in front of her.

I turned back around and walked towards the gaming room. I played the whole afternoon while constantly checking on her in between breaks. She's just sleeping the whole time. And I guess the chemo and the cancer cells really tire her body out which is why she's feeling so exhausted. How I wish I could permanently erase the cancer cells out of her body so she won't suffer anymore.

—-

The following day, we have a scheduled CT scan and a follow-up check-up after.

I went with Chaeyoung inside the CT scan room. I watch her through the glass pane from the observing room as she goes inside another room where the CT scan machine is at. She is wearing a hospital gown. She looks so tiny in it. Then she laid down on the bed and watch as her small body goes inside the machine.

After the procedure, she switched back to her normal clothes and put on her wig. I'm also wearing a wig. Then we walked while holding hands to the doctor's clinic.

"You were really so brave in there a while ago, love," I said and caressed her cheek. "I don't think I'll even be as strong as you when I'm in your position." I reassured her.

She smiled and said, "That's because you're here with me. It's all because of you. You give me strength to go on and endure all of these."

—-

The doctor told us that her condition is the same. There are no improvements yet. Dr. Song also explained to us that the episodes she had these past few days are part of the side effects of chemotherapy. He also told me to continue monitoring her and make sure that she's taking her medicines religiously and getting enough sunlight.

If the doctors were right, we still have roughly two months left together. The past month has been a hell of a ride. We've been through so much, and I wonder what will be in store for the next couple of weeks. I just hope for brighter days.