"You're Late."

Chapter 7: Under The Naked Eye

Chapter 7: self conscious

As I entered the hospital room, the familiar sight of Hyein greeted me, her attention absorbed by her reflection in the mirror. "Morning," I greeted her, but she responded with a nonchalant hum, not bothering to acknowledge my presence. Sighing inwardly, I proceeded to tidy up the dirty dishes left on the bedside table, a routine task in my role as her caretaker.

As I collected the dishes, a question formed in my mind. "Do you not like oatmeal?" I inquired, noticing that it remained untouched. Hyein's response was casual, a simple shrug that conveyed indifference. Her lack of enthusiasm for the meals provided puzzled me, prompting further inquiry. "What about the other meals? You've been neglecting those too," I pointed out.

Setting down the mirror, Hyein let out a sigh, her demeanor suddenly weary. "A girl's got to limit herself," she explained cryptically, leaving me to furrow my brows in confusion at her enigmatic response.

"Limit herself? From what?" I questioned, my tone a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "These are all protein-packed, fulfilling meals. Hyein, your mom's not going to be happy with me when she finds out you've not been eating properly-," I started to express my concern, only to be cut off by her dismissive remark.

"Oh, relax. I get it. You're like a famous doctor. You've already made it. You don't have to act like you care," she retorted, her words laced with sarcasm. Her assumption caught me off guard, and I felt compelled to defend myself.

"I do care. I care a lot, actually," I insisted, trying to convey the sincerity behind my words. Hyein's response was brusque as she picked up the mirror once more. "Well, don't," she retorted, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Setting down the tray of dishes, I felt a surge of determination. "Your health is important, and it's not only my job to ensure it's in perfect condition, but it's also my personal priority to keep people with potential like you grounded," I stated firmly. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, I tried to appeal to her sense of reason, but her reaction was less than receptive.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, dismissing my words as if they were an unwelcome lecture. "Great, here comes the Ted talk," she muttered, her defiance unyielding. Despite her resistance, I remained steadfast in my commitment to her well-being, knowing that sometimes tough love was necessary, even if it wasn't always appreciated. "I don't understand what you kids go through these days," I began, my tone a mix of nostalgia and concern. "When I was a kid, my head was always down, studying for exams. But now you all have access to all these new sources, and when all the work is done for you, it leaves room for nothing but yourself," I mused aloud, reflecting on the changing landscape of education.

"If this is about not eating because you're not hungry, that's fine. We'll issue you smaller meals so it doesn't look so drastic when you're finished," I continued, my voice firm yet accommodating. Sensing the need for a softer approach, I adjusted my tone as I broached a more sensitive topic.

"But if this is about not eating because of your body image, then you have to tell me now," I stated seriously, locking eyes with Hyein. It was crucial to address any underlying issues she might be facing, even if they were uncomfortable to discuss.

"Am I making sense here, yes or no?" I pressed, my gaze unwavering. Hyein took a moment to process my words, her expression thoughtful as she weighed her response.

"Yes," she finally replied, her voice subdued. I nodded in acknowledgment before gathering up the trays. Pausing for a moment, I considered offering further reassurance, but seeing her lost in thought, I decided to give her space to process our conversation on her own. Sometimes, silence could be just as powerful as words.