ANAGAPESIS

29

"Excuse me, what?"

Jaehyun almost choked on his drink, for a while doubting his ears. He laughed it off like it was not a serious matter but when he saw how tight Anne's face was as she looked at Juyeon, he was sure that she was serious.

He was called by Juyeon to drop by his diner after working not expecting to be trapped into an interrogation held by the girl who was asking 'Do you like Iris?' in the first place.

"Bro, just tell her honestly," Juyeon advised, leaning against the chair comfortably, a finger tapping the table.

"It doesn't make sense," Jaehyun sighed, clasping his hands together. "From the very beginning, I didn't fit the picture."

"Okay listen," Anne started, breathing in a big amount of oxygen. "We do know, how confused Iris is right now. Your answer might have changed something."

Jaehyun was confused about what was happening right now. Yes, they were aware of Iris' problem but how he could have changed something with his answer to the question?

"If I ever have a feeling over her, I would rather keep it to myself," he emphasized, seeming not to adore this situation right now. "I am not a person who'd steal someone's girl. Besides, it does not mean she likes me."

"Maybe you are right," Juyeon butted in, crossing his arms. "But maybe, hearing your confession would encourage her to be strong. For her to know that she still has someone who would fall for her later."

Snorting unintentionally, Jaehyun almost rolled his eyes but he kept himself from doing it, not to offend anyone.

"You two did sound nonsense right now," he chuckled, taking a sip of his drink.

A comfortable silence fell upon the three but Anne's head was working hard. She looked extremely nervous right now, anxiety clouded her.

She wanted to tell them something but was not sure if it would be alright.

"Iris has made up her mind," at last she spoke up, earning attention from the two. Slowly, Anne connected her gaze with Jaehyun, her heart shattered to deliver the news. "Iris will get married to him despite unwillingness. For her mother's sake."

"What?" Juyeon was startled, this was the very first time he'd heard it. He looked up at his friend who seemed clueless, he assumed his heart was wrenching."Bro, are you going to stay still about this?"

"She's not happy, Jaehyun," Anne added, pondering to find his eyes. "She made the decision but then she cried all the time."

Anne elaborated in detail about what had happened, of how the decision was finally concluded. Started with how Iris was getting pressured by her mother who seemingly could not be patient any longer.

Iris did think that maybe the old saying that said, everything would be fine after marriage was right. Regardless, her heart seemed not to be cooperative with her head.

Something had stopped her from feeling excited, once again.

"How is she?" Jaehyun concerned, finally realized how cryptic her postings on her social media feeds these days. It seemed like she had given up on life.

"Not sure. This time she's a bit secretive," running her hand through her hair, Anne was worried about Iris too. "She keeps saying about wanting to see me and Alice happy because she has lost hers."

It was then, that Anne received a phone call which she decided to take in private as she left the table. The guys did not question much more so still taken aback by the news received.

Juyeon is specifically concerned about his friend. He was not usually this silent, but now he did.

"There is a saying that said, if you love someone, it does not mean you have to have them," Juyeon nonchalantly said, hoping that Jaehyun could feel better, though he knew, it won't. "At least let her know how you feel."

"For what? It's too late," Jaehyun breathed out, his heart beating harder than it usually did.

"Jaehyun," Anne was panting and also shivering as she came back after the phone call. "Alice just called. She said, Iris....is in the hospital."

Wasting time no more, Jaehyun was the first one rising. The screeching sound of the chair being pushed backward had alerted other customers in the diner, eyes fixated on him.

Juyeon advised the two to go together since he couldn't leave the diner just yet due to the shortage of staff. Moreover, he did not have the trust to let Anne drive alone to the hospital, considering the amount of shock consuming her.

And so the two carefully drove to the said hospital, where Alice and Younghoon were working. Too many naughty thoughts playing in their heads, anticipating to know the real reason why Iris ended up in the emergency room.

"She's resting right now," Alice said, holding tight on Anne's hand as they walked through the hallway. "I was furious as well when she called."

"She drove all the way here?" Anne could feel her heart beating so fast, that she was almost blown up.

"You know how is Iris. She always thinks she could manage," Alice shrugged, pocketing her hands. "She fainted as soon as I saw her."

At that, Jaehyun flinched. He knew how independent Iris was after getting to know her but driving alone to the hospital when she was in pain was too much.

"She did tell me that she has difficulty sleeping these days," he seemed to recall the short conversation he had with her.

"Mhm," Alice led the way into the emergency ward, halting not too far from Iris' bed. "We should have known that she has developed mild anxiety."

Hearing it as they watched Iris frown even in her sleep broke their hearts.

"Maybe, we should leave her to you," Anne told the male who seemed too eager to check on the unconscious girl.

And like it was being planned, Iris slowly opened her eyes as soon as Jaehyun seated by the bed.

"Not expected to see you first."