Bubble

35. Ruin

After leaving Hyunjin in a small cafeteria area with Seungmin and Han so Hyunjin could convince Seungmin he was perfectly fine, Bonita decided that she ought to check up on Minho. Before doing so though, she went down a few levels to the gift store in the hospital. She didn't want to go see him empty-handed, especially when she knew it was her fault that he was in the hospital to begin with.

'Why wasn't he more careful?' she thought as she began to make her way down the narrow aisles of the gift shop in search of something thoughtful for him.

Her wandering eventually led her to an aisle where there were tiny plush animals. Bonita's eyes scanned their faces before landing on a tiny tan and white kitten plush near the back. It reminded her of Minho's cat, Mittens, so she immediately grabbed it. As she walked towards the front of the store, she noticed there was already a couple standing there. It was none other than Minho's parents.

Tightening her hold on the plush in her hand, she stayed back a few feet as she watched them looking at the flowers. They were looking at some white tulips, studying them as if they were considering buying some.

"He's allergic to those, you know."

Hearing a voice behind them, his parents turned to look at her standing there. Bonita didn't know what made her feel more like a child in front of them: the fact that her clothes weren't as expensive or well-arranged as theirs, or the fact that she looked like a kid, standing in line holding nothing more than the plush animal in her hands.

"Excuse me?" the man started. "Were you talking to us?"

Bonita took a breath and nodded.

"Minho is allergic to tulips," she said. "So don't get those for him."

"Oh, I see," said the woman with a frown. "What would you suggest we get him then?"

"He doesn't want anything," said Bonita. "Nothing you can buy him anyway."

Even though Minho had never talked to her about why he had distanced himself from his parents, it was pretty evident now. They seemed to be the type of people that thought money could solve all problems, including rebuilding a bridge with their son.

"All he needs and has ever wanted is your love," continued Bonita.

The two of them fell silent after that as Bonita bowed her head to excuse herself. She went up to the cashier, putting the plush animal down before digging money out to pay for it. As she did, her eyes caught sight of some helium 'Get Well' balloons behind the counter.

"Can I also get one of those?" she asked, pointing out a mint colored 'Get Well' balloon since mint was his favorite color.

His parents were still standing off to the side as she gathered up her purchases and moved to leave. As she stalled in the doorway in order to tie the balloon to one of the kitten's paws, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning her head, she saw that it was Minho's mother.

"Do you think it's too late for us to make amends with our son?" she asked.

"It's never too late to do anything," Bonita said, "but you need to give him time to let you back in. Don't force yourself back on him."

"I understand. You must really care about him."

"I do," said Bonita as she felt her chest pang. "I care about him more than he realizes."

Leaving the gift shop then, Bonita made her way back upstairs to the patient room where Minho was. Just as she was reaching it, she saw Changbin escorting a very sick looking man away. Approaching the room, Bonita knocked on the door, waiting for Minho's voice before opening it.