NewJeans × Male Reader™ |

A Silent Battle | Pham Hanni

In a bustling city filled with towering skyscrapers and bustling crowds, there lived a young man named Y/N. Homeless and destitute, he struggled daily to survive, finding shelter in alleys and under bridges. His clothes were worn and tattered, his face marked by the harsh realities of street life. Yet, despite his circumstances, Y/N carried himself with quiet dignity.

In stark contrast, Hanni lived a life of privilege. She was popular, wealthy, and admired by many. Her life seemed perfect to those who observed her from the outside. However, Hanni had a mean streak, especially towards those she deemed beneath her. She often saw Y/N on her way to school, and his presence irked her. To her, he was a reminder of a world she preferred to ignore.

"Why don't you get a job?" Hanni would mock as she passed by, her friends laughing alongside her. "Stop being such a burden to society."

Y/N, accustomed to such taunts, would lower his head and remain silent, not wanting to provoke further humiliation. Little did Hanni know, Y/N's silence hid more than just the pain of her words. He was fighting a silent battle against cancer, a disease that ravaged his already frail body. He kept his suffering to himself, not wanting to burden anyone with his plight.

One cold winter's day, Y/N's condition took a turn for the worse. He collapsed on the sidewalk, his body unable to endure the pain any longer. Passersby hurried past, too absorbed in their own lives to notice the suffering young man. Hanni, on her way to meet friends, saw Y/N lying there and felt a fleeting moment of pity, quickly overshadowed by her usual disdain.

"Pathetic," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

That night, as Hanni lay in her warm bed, she couldn't shake the image of Y/N from her mind. It haunted her dreams, leaving her restless and uneasy. The next morning, she learned that Y/N had been taken to the hospital by a concerned stranger who finally noticed his dire state.

Guilt gnawed at Hanni. She decided to visit the hospital, unsure of what she would say or do. When she arrived, she was directed to a small, sterile room where Y/N lay, his once-vibrant eyes now dull with pain. He looked even more fragile than she remembered.

"Y/N," Hanni whispered, her voice trembling. "I... I came to see how you're doing."

Y/N looked up at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Why are you here?" he asked weakly.

Hanni swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words. "I don't know. I just... I feel terrible about how I've treated you. I didn't know you were sick."

Y/N offered a faint smile. "It doesn't matter now."

Tears welled up in Hanni's eyes. "It does matter. I was awful to you, and you didn't deserve it. I'm so sorry."

For the first time, Y/N saw genuine remorse in Hanni's eyes. "Apology accepted," he said softly. "But it's too late for regrets."

As days turned into weeks, Hanni visited Y/N regularly, bringing him food, books, and companionship. She learned about his life, his dreams, and the person he was beneath the hardships. They formed an unlikely bond, Hanni's regret transforming into a deep desire to make amends.

Despite the newfound friendship, Y/N's condition worsened. The cancer had spread too far, and there was little the doctors could do. One evening, as Hanni sat by his bedside, Y/N took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"Thank you for being here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You've made my final days a little brighter."

Hanni couldn't hold back her tears. "I wish I had been kinder to you from the start."

Y/N smiled weakly. "We can't change the past, but we can learn from it."

In his last moments, Y/N found peace knowing that he had touched someone's heart, even if it was his former tormentor. When he passed away, Hanni was left with a heavy heart and a newfound determination to honor his memory. She dedicated herself to helping the homeless and raising awareness about cancer, hoping to make a difference in the lives of those who, like Y/N, had been overlooked and mistreated.

Through her actions, Hanni sought redemption, carrying Y/N's legacy of quiet strength and resilience with her. She would never forget the young man who had taught her the true meaning of compassion and humanity, changing her life forever.