One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 27

Katarina's POV

The hospital room was eerily quiet, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of the monitor beside David's bed. The cold, sterile light above cast shadows that stretched across the walls, making the room feel too large, too empty. Masyadong malamig dito. I shivered as I watched my younger brother, his face pale, his leg encased in a cast. Every inch of him looked fragile, and my heart clenched at the sight.

But atleast I have Mari who can look out for Sarang while we're here, I know my daughter is smart enough to understand the situation.

David, my baby brother. I was supposed to protect him. But here he was-broken, and it was my fault. It's all my fault.

Our father sat in the corner, barely keeping his eyes open. He had been refusing to leave since the accident, even though exhaustion was written all over his face. He didn't want to leave David, as if his presence alone could keep him safe. Ganun talaga si Papa. Laging nandiyan para sa amin.

I walked over to him, gently placing my hand on his shoulder. "Papa," I whispered softly. "Umuwi ka na muna. You need to rest. I'll stay with David."

He shook his head stubbornly, his eyes still glued to David's face. "Hindi ko pwedeng iwan ang kapatid mo. Baka magising siya. Kailangan n'ya ako rito."

"Papa, I'm here. I'll stay with him. Please, you need to get some sleep," I insisted, kneeling in front of him. "You won't be able to help him if you're too exhausted."

He sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes. The years of worry had deepened the lines on his face. "Sigurado ka?"

I nodded. "Oo, Papa. I promise. Umuwi ka na. I'll call you the moment anything happens."

Finally, after a long silence, he stood up slowly, giving David a tired look before bending down to kiss his forehead. "Magpahinga ka rin, anak," he murmured to me, before heading out of the room.

Once the door clicked shut, the room felt even colder. I walked over to David's bedside and pulled the blanket higher over his chest. Masyadong malamig dito. I hoped the thin hospital blanket would help, though I knew it couldn't take away the coldness I felt inside.

I was about to sit down when I noticed his eyes. They were open. Watching me.

"David," I whispered, my heart jumping. "Gising ka na pala."

He didn't say anything. Just stared at me, his eyes heavy with something I couldn't quite read. Guilt? Pain? Hurt? I felt a lump rise in my throat.

"Do you need anything? Water? Gusto mo bang tawagin ko yung nurse?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, trying to be strong for him.

But he just looked away, his hands fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. The silence between us was suffocating, pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.

"David..." I whispered, my voice cracking despite myself. "Please tell me what you need." I blinked back tears, but they were already spilling over, streaking down my face before I could stop them. Don't cry, not now. But I couldn't help it.

"I'm so sorry," I choked out, my body trembling. "I'm sorry for everything I said. I'm sorry for not understanding."

David's hand, weak and shaky, reached out and brushed the tears from my cheek. "Ate, it's not your fault." His voice was so soft, so fragile.

But it was my fault. How could it not be?

The words I had thrown at him in anger, during our fight, replayed in my mind. The frustration, the disappointment I had hurled his way without thinking. I should have known better. I should have seen how much he was hurting. I was supposed to be the older sister-the protector. And yet, I had failed him.