Through The Window

7. Trauma

Wonyoung jerked awake, her chest heaving, sweat clinging to her skin. In her nightmare, she had been back at her house, the figure of the one person she never wanted to see looming over her.

“Hey! Open the door, you little bitch!” the voice had screamed.

She’d cried out in terror, but now, in the safety of Yujin’s apartment, the echoes of that fear still clung to her. Her hands shook as they hovered over the small knives scattered on the floor beside her. She couldn’t bear it anymore. She was tired. She felt dirty.

No one would ever want someone like her.

“WONYOUNG!”

The familiar, steady voice of Yujin cut through her panic. She looked up and found him there, eyes full of concern, voice calm but firm.

“Wonyoung… look at me,” he said softly.

Tears streamed down her face as she obeyed.

“Wonyoung… give me those knives.”

She shook her head violently.

“Listen to me… hey, Wonyoung! Look at me, please,” he urged.

“NO! I’M TIRED OF ALL OF THIS! IT’S BETTER IF I DIED!”

Her wrist lifted toward the blade. Yujin’s hands shot out, gripping the knife. Blood welled from his palms, but he held on. She tightened her grip in panic, refusing to let go.

Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her close.

“LET ME GO, YUJIN!” she shouted.

“No… not until you listen to me,” he whispered.

“I’M DIRTY INSIDE AND OUT, YUJIN! PLEASE LET ME GO!” she cried. “I don’t deserve to be happy… just let me die…”

Yujin held her tighter. “Wonyoung… I don’t know everything you’ve gone through, but this isn’t the way. This isn’t the answer,” he said, his voice full of warmth and determination.

“I’M DIRTY, YUJIN!” she protested again, pushing him violently.

“What do you mean by that, hmm?” he asked, his voice soft yet unshakable, trying to calm her.

She struggled, but his hold didn’t falter.

“No… you’re not, Wonyoung. You’ll be okay,” he whispered.

Her body trembled as the weight of her secrets spilled out. “NO, YUJIN… I LOST MY VIRGINITY!” she blurted, everything she had hidden for so long finally released.

He froze for a moment, but his grip on her remained steady. “What makes you say those words, Wonyoung?”

“Please… let me go, Yujin. Your hands are bleeding because of me,” she whispered, guilt and fear mingling in her voice.

“No. Let me hold you for a few more minutes,” he murmured.

“Let me go,” she insisted.

He stayed still, his presence a quiet anchor. Her gaze softened as she noticed his bloodied palms, and she finally allowed herself to tend to him.

“Yujin… your hands must hurt. Please… let me treat them,” she said, reaching out gently.

“It’s… not as bad as what you’ve gone through,” he replied softly.

“Yujin… please,” she whispered.

He leaned closer and murmured words that made her heart skip. “Please… be strong for me, Wonyoung.”

“I’m not good enough, Yujin… I’m sorry, but I can’t,” she admitted, voice shaking.

“Just this once… for me… I need you,” he said quietly.

Her breath hitched. “Y-Yujin… what are you talking about?”

“I love you, Wonyoung,” he admitted, the words almost trembling as they left him.

Her mind froze. “Y-Yujin… are you in your right mind?”

“Of course I am… and I know what I’m saying,” he said firmly.

“It’s… so sudden… don’t you think it’s too fast?”

“I know how you’ll react, but… I need you now. I just want to court you,” he said, his voice steady, warm, and unwavering.

She stayed silent, unable to speak, the weight of his words pressing on her chest.

He hugged her again, and for a few long, quiet minutes, they simply held each other. When they finally parted, he looked into her eyes, smiling gently.

“I won’t force you to accept me… I just couldn’t keep my feelings bottled up. I’ll give you time… I just want you to be happy. You deserve it, Wonyoung.”

Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for his, pulling him to the couch. “Sit,” she murmured.

He obeyed, and she turned to fetch the first aid kit. But before she could move, he pulled her gently onto his lap. Her heart raced wildly.

“Oh…!” she gasped, springing up immediately, cheeks burning as she ran upstairs to get the first aid kit.

Returning, she took his hands and carefully cleaned the wounds, bandaging his palms. She patted his hands gently. “Done,” she said softly.

He looked at her with a smile. “I’m sorry, Wonyoung… I’m really sorry.”

Her heart thumped as his hand cupped her cheek, caressing it.

“No need… I’m okay,” he said.

“No… you’re not!” she whispered back.

“Hey… calm down. See? It’s not hurting at all.”

He tried to clap his injured hands together, and she stopped him. “Hey! Don’t do that!”

“I’m okay now… you worried for nothing, Wonyoung,” he reassured her.

“I… cooked something for us,” she said softly, realizing he had been injured and couldn’t eat properly earlier. “It’s just simple… since we didn’t get proper groceries.”

He took her hand and led her to the dining room. “Sit here,” he said, adjusting her chair. “Wait… I’ll bring the food.”

“No, let me—”

“No, just sit. I’ll handle it,” he said firmly.

“But… your hand—”

“I’m okay, Wonyoung. Just sit.”

She sighed, conceding.

He returned moments later with a steaming plate. “Alright… dinner is ready!”

Ramen and toppoki. The aroma made her stomach growl.

“Test it!” he urged.

“Woah… it’s delicious!” she exclaimed.

“Really?” he smiled.

“Mm-hmm! Eat as much as you want,” she replied, smiling warmly.

“Thanks, Yujin,” she said softly.

“Don’t mention it,” he returned the smile.

After dinner, she cleaned up the dishes while Yujin sat in the living room. Suddenly, she felt a hand wrap around her back.

“No! Don’t touch me! Get off me!” she gasped, panic rising.

“Hey… hey, it’s me… Yujin,” he said softly, keeping his voice calm.

Her body shivered as trauma gripped her. Her breathing became shallow, her vision blurred, and darkness crept at the edges.

She sank to the floor, trembling, the memories of her past clashing violently with the warmth of the present.