Sweetheart || BBANGSAZ

4. Friends Don't Do What We Do

My leg was bouncing a million miles per minute, and I was feeling more anxious than I'd ever been. I hadn't been in a hospital since I was born, and just the thought made my nerves jittery.

"Everything's gonna be okay," Kim whispered near my ear, her voice soft and reassuring. I exhaled shakily and gave a quick nod. I felt her hand on my thigh, and when I looked up, she was staring right back at me, steady and calm.

"Hanni Pham?" I heard the nurse mispronounce my last name, and I quickly stood up, feeling a wave of dizziness hit me. "Here," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The nurse nodded and gestured, "Right this way." I followed her, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other despite the room spinning around me.

The door swung open, and there was my ma, layin' in the bed with her eyes closed. I rushed over, and the nurse started jabberin' about restin'. Thank god Kim was there to catch all the details, or I wouldn't've heard a word. I took my ma's hand, squeezing it gently.

"Ma? Can you hear me?" I asked, my voice wavering.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. "Hanni bear," she croaked.

"Ma, where'd you get Xanax from?" My voice cracked, and the nurse had already left. Kim was right by my side, lookin' at my ma with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I'm sorry, Hanni. I'm sorry for bein' a coward," she said, her voice thick with regret.

"Ma—" I started, but she cut me off.

"No, ever since your father started drinkin', I've been too lenient. I'm sorry for the pain I caused," she said, her eyes welling up.

"It's okay, Ma," I said, tryin' to keep it together. Her gaze shifted from me to Kim.

"Who's this?" she asked.

"Oh, Ma, this is Kim. Kim, meet my ma—well, my foster ma," I introduced.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ma," Kim said, her tone polite.

Ma smiled warmly. "Such manners. This one's a keeper, Hanni," she said. My jaw nearly hit the floor.

"Ma! We're just friends," I protested.

She gave a soft hum. "Of course, that's what I meant," she said, her eyes twinkling.

Still holding Kim's hand. "But I gotta say, Hanni, you've done well. Not easy to find someone who's good to ya in this world."

Kim gave a small smile, clearly touched, while I stood there feeling awkward.

"I'm just glad you're awake, Ma," I said, trying to refocus the conversation. "We're gonna get through this, okay? No more of this nonsense."

Ma nodded slowly. "I know, honey. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused. I've been so lost for too long."

Kim squeezed my hand, and I gave her a grateful look. "We'll figure it out, Ma," I said firmly. "One step at a time."

The hospital room fell into a quiet moment of reflection. Kim gave Ma a reassuring nod before turning to me, her expression softening. "I'll step outside for a bit, give you two some space."

"Thanks, Kim," I said, watching her leave. As the door closed behind her, I turned back to Ma, trying to steady my nerves.

As Kim stepped out, Ma's eyes narrowed, and she took a deep breath, her voice low but urgent. "Hanni, I need to talk to ya 'bout somethin'. This girl, Kim, I've heard around town, their life..."

I cut her off before she could go further. "Ma, you don't get to lecture me on this. You're the one who's been messin' up, not me."

Ma looked taken aback for a second, then her expression hardened. "I'm just tryin' to look out for ya. This gang stuff—it ain't good news. Kim's caught up in it, and it's dangerous."