His Little Butterfly

44 - You Became My Universe

Knowing that Jin would be attending many meetings that day, Yuna didn't bother calling him about the call she received from Irene's mother. What she did instead was send him a text message when she got to the location of the meet-up. She navigated her way towards the escalator that  would lead her to the hospital cafeteria where Irene's mom would be waiting.   

Though she haven't met her in person, Yuna had seen her picture multiple times on Irene's social media account which is why she spotted her right away. Her resemblance with her daughter was just so noticeable, you wouldn't doubt who she is.  Approaching her, Yuna bowed and introduced herself. The older lady nodded in acknowledgment and gestured for her to take a seat.

"Would you like to have some tea or coffee?" She asked her. 

"Tea would be great, thank you Ma'am." Yuna replied politely. The older lady gestured for the server to come over and after Yuna ordered, they resumed talking.

"You can call me Mrs. Han." The elder lady said with a smile. "I've met your mother and grandfather in a business convention before." 

Yuna knew she didn't invite her just so they could talk about her mother and grandfather. She waited for what was coming next, and she didn't have to wait that long.

"I understand that you're Seokjin's girlfriend, is that correct?" 

"Yes ma'am, I mean Mrs. Han." She answered. She could feel the other lady's eyes scanning her as she spoke. It made her feel intimidated, she is the mother of Jin's ex. 

"It was sad when my daughter and Seokjin had to end their relationship after years of being together. I really liked him, because he was good to Irene and they go way back when they were young. I know that we can't really control fate, but sometimes you just have to make a deliberate move to make things work for you." She stops to drink her tea. "That is why I asked to meet you in person."

Dialogues like these would be reserved for dramas, but it's happening for real in Yuna's life. She just didn't know what to do at that moment so she chose to listen to what the other lady was going to say.

"Irene didn't want any of her friends to know about what's going on with her, but I thought you should know, and I will also be telling Seokjin personally. My daughter will get mad at me for this, but I'll take the risk." Mrs. Han's voice started to break making Yuna sit up in surprise not knowing how to console the  other lady. But she managed to pull herself together. "I'm going to take you to her room so you can see her for yourself. We will talk again after."

Yuna hesitantly followed Mrs. Han towards the elevator where she pressed the 9th floor. When she first heard that they'd be meeting in a hospital's cafeteria, she had wondered why. She deliberated with herself whether this was a scheme or not. She told herself that Irene's mother wouldn't be doing anything like it. Right now, it's starting to get clear that Irene's confined in the hospital for some reason. She hoped that it's not a trick.  Although she's used to facing problems on her own, right at that moment, she wished Jin was with her to hold her hand. She didn't know how she was supposed to feel at that moment.

As they reached the 9th floor, they made a turn after a couple of steps until they reached the room which had Irene's name on it. 

"Let me go in first so I can tell her you're here." Mrs. Han entered the room and Yuna could hear the muffled sound of Irene's voice inside. She sounded upset. That couldn't be fake, she told herself.  After a few minutes, Mrs. Han stepped out and she motioned for her to come in. She looked like she had cried. As soon as Yuna went in, Mrs. Han closed the door, leaving just Irene and herself there.

Irene's bed was propped up so she was sitting. She looked pale, her eyes sullen and it seemed as if she had lost weight. It's only been a week since they last saw each other, that was when that incident at Jin's place happened. Yuna finally allowed the thought she was holding back to come, is Irene here because of that incident?