DISTINCT LOVE || TaeGyu

Chp 31

o  REAWAKENED HEARTBEATS  o

I slowly opened my heavy lids. Everything I saw was hazy and a bit blurry. I tried to move my arms, but it was as if they had turned into stone.

They felt so heavy.

I became aware that I was in a hospital, as I could see the wires and my life support machine beside me. I tried to breathe normally and compose myself.

Wow, I feel like I’ve been asleep for so long...

Suddenly, as my eyes traveled across the room, my weak heart began to race. I saw someone I never thought I’d see again in my life. They gasped in surprise when they noticed I was awake.

Their reaction shocked me the most.

"Beomie! Our baby! Don’t move, hm…
Call the Doctor!"

"M-Mom…?" I said softly, staring at her as she panicked.

"Yes, yes! It’s M-Mommy, honey bunch! Y-You still remember me!"

She cried as she gently engulfed me in a hug. I could feel her tears soaking my hospital gown.

W-What’s going on?

W-Why are they still alive?

I stared at my parents in pure bewilderment. I didn’t know how to feel. Should I be happy? Confused? Scared?

Suddenly, the door opened.

Everything was still blurry, but I saw a man dash toward me. He opened my eyes, and I flinched as he examined them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Choi, congratulations! Your son so brave, he survived. This is a moment of great celebration. However, we need him to adjust first, to stay calm, and avoid panicking." The Doctor announced.

I slowly closed my eyes.

I didn’t know why, but I felt so tired.

When the man left my room, along with the others who had checked on me, my parents quickly kissed me and cried hard. I was shocked when I reached out to them and saw how thin my hand was.

My bones were so visible.

How did I survive in this kind of body?

"M-Mom… D-Dad…" My voice cracked, and my throat felt dry–so dry it was as if I hadn’t drunk water for centuries.

"Baby… Don’t push yourself too hard." Dad reassured me, kissing my temple.

But I couldn’t stop myself.

I needed answers. It was too confusing, and fear was creeping in. What was happening? Why were they here? Was this the afterlife? Was I in heaven? But why did it feel so real?

"W-What’s going on? A-Am I in heaven?..." I whispered.

They both looked at each other, startled, before my mom began crying even harder. My chest squeezed in pain at the sight of her sobbing so much. My dad smiled at me, but I could see the sadness behind it.

"Honey bunch… You don’t remember anything?" he asked gently, caressing my hair.

Remember what?

"Guess you don’t, baby. We’re sorry… We weren’t good parents to you. You didn’t deserve this…" Dad said, his voice breaking as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"W-What are you saying, Dad…? I love you…" I said, furrowing my brows. Why were they apologizing to me? What were they talking about? Wait—what really happened?