One Hope ∞ Nishimura Riki

Chapter 16: misses call

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Ella POV

Riki was gone now. He went to Japan . He left me behind.
I didn't understand why. Maybe to meet his family. I was happy for him. But I missed him so much.
Now, Jungwon stayed with me, and took care of me because I couldn't walk for the moment .
I started to like being with Jungwon, but I still missed Riki.
Maybe I could contact him by phone?
I tried. I send him messages. I called him.

"Hi Riki. It's me . Ella. Call me back when you get this message."

I waited for his answer. I was waiting in vain.

He ignored my messages, he never read it. Never answered. Never called me back. I tried so often to have discussions with him.
I missed him so much. But maybe that wasn't the case for him.

I remembered. They didn't want Riki going out with me. I think I should respect that choice. I didn't want him to lose his work, his passion.
I should respect that.

"Jungwon?"

He was next to me when I was thinking about Riki. He was playing with his phone.

"Yes?"

"Can we please go for a walk together?"

"Of course Ella."

He carried me in his arms to put me in a wheelchair.

"No. Can you just carry me on your back. I'm tired of sitting on this chair."

"What?"

"Please, I don't want to sit in this chair. It scares me, I feel like I'm going to be there for the rest of my life when I sit in it."

"It's all right if you want."

He laid me on the bed and crouched down to carry me on his back.
We walked together through the park of the hospital. He always wore a mask so people wouldn't take photos, and I did the same.

"Ella, why are you still so sad after all this time?"

"I missed him Jungwon."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I think I like him a bit too much."

"But, why do you like him so much?"

I didn't have the answer. But all I knew was that when I was with him I forgot all my problems. Everything were beautiful, were peaceful. I enjoyed all my moments with him. The time passed so quickly by his side.
We remained silent. I didn't know why he asked me that.

—

Jungwon POV

I was curious about her feelings but finally it frustrated me. I didn't know why.
I put her down on a bench and sat down next to her.

"What do you want to do today?" I asked

"I don't know."

"Do you want to play a game?"

"What kind of game?"

"Swing."

"I can't walked."

"I'll carry you and push you on the swing."

I carried her to the swing. And I pushed her for moment .
Then, just to tease her, I pushed her harder that made her screaming. I laughed at her reactions.

"Stop Jungwon!" she shouted, everyone were looking at us.

"I don't want to stop, it's so funny. Don't worry, you aren't going to fall."

"Stop. I'll kill you."

"Try it."

I continued to push her harder. And finally I could hear her laughing. It made me happy.

—

After few minutes , I carried her on my back and we just walked on the park. Looking at everything and we remained silent. I didn't know what to say.

"Jungwon"

"Yes Ella."

"Do you think he'll be back soon?"

"I don't know."

"Can't he answer my calls?"

"No. I don't think so. He doesn't answer me either."

"He worries me. I want to know if he's all right."

I stopped walking.

"Why do you keep talking about him when you are with me ?!" it came out by itself.

"What do you mean?"

"It upsets me that all you can talk about is him. You are with me so enjoy your moments with me and try to forget him just for a moment please."

"But-"

"No don't say a word."

I sat down on a bench with her by my side.

"Jungwon..."

"Do you think you could like me the way you like him if I stayed with you like he used to do?"

She looked at me confused. I didn't even understand me at this time. It had only been a few days since she'd woken up and a few months since I'd been looking after her that I had the impression of feeling something strange for her. I was attracted to her. She made me want to be there for her.

"I'm serious."

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