Sancutary | 박성훈

18: From Bad Day To Even Worse

After the family gathering near midnight, Maena still tried to study because she had a big exam the day after tomorrow. However, in the morning she woke up with a terrible migraine and it had continued all day until now and she couldn't concentrate in the morning lectures. And on top of that, the big test was already tomorrow. 

Maena was with Bora in the library finishing the previous lecture's assignments. Maena was just pretty quiet and tried her best to listen to what Bora was saying. "Maemae, are you okay?", she then asked with a little sigh. "I can see you're not."

"Yeah, I've just had this terrible migraine since morning.", Maena replied.

"You should go home and sleep. Take a break from the studying. You're overly overwhelmed with the work, and stressed, I can see that. Just.. your health first, babe.", Bora spoke gently. Maena knew she was right, but she can't help it that she's falling behind in classes and doesn't want to fall a grade behind too.

"You're right. Maybe I should. But I'll just go get painkillers from the nurse and I'll be fine.", Maena said and stood up from her chair. 

Bora really meant for her to go home, but guess she didn't get her whole point. She just sighed softly as Maena started packing her things and soon left the table to go to the nurse. She doesn't know what to do as a friend at this point. They have an exam tomorrow and more are coming these days, so everyone is under a lot of work but Bora knows that Maena is doing too much. She has a lot to think in her free time too that can also cause stress for her. Bora also knows that Maena wouldn't admit it if she really isn't fine.

-

Sunghoon was just finishing up his paperwork for the day. He stops earlier now because he has started taking those sleeping pills. It takes about half an hour for them to take effect, and for that half an hour he might feel dizzy or otherwise just feel weird, but that's part of the medicine, even if he doesn't like the feeling at all. He just takes them because of Maena.

He knows that Maena has been in her room studying all afternoon and that she had a migraine in the morning. She's been studying a lot these days and occasionally goes to the kitchen to get food but today she hadn't been to the kitchen at all which meant she hadn't eaten. It made Sunghoon a little concerned, so he wanted to go check up on her.

Sunghoon walked towards the upstairs, which he has almost marked as Maena's zone, because he doesn't use the upstairs much anyway. The door to the girl's room was ajar so he just knocked softly on it and then entered inside. She was sleeping at her desk on top of all the books and papers. 

One part of him wanted to leave her to sleep there, but the other part wanted her to sleep in her bed in a better position than that. However, he chose the second one. He walked over to Maena and lightly touched her shoulder. "Maena.", he called but not loud so she doesn't freak out or anything.

Maena woke up slowly, perhaps not realizing what was happening at first. "Oh, ugh. What?", she mumbled while rubbing her face. 

"Go to your bed to sleep, sleeping in that position is not good.", he urged. 

"Yeah, I'm just going to finish reading these notes before going to bed.", she said and started looking for something from the heap of notes and assignments.

"No.", he said firmly and placed his hand on the desk to prevent her from doing anything. She looked up to him in confusion. "Look, I understand you in this.", he started and crouched down next to her chair to be at the same height. 

"I know that studying is important and you stress about it. But you're doing too much. Your body is suffering and you have to put your well-being before this.", he spoke gently and Maena listened his every word. His words were so soothing and it made her want to cry again, but she didn't. And he has never spoke to her like that, like in a real concern of her well-being.