13 November 2017 | Nursing Home | 18.00
"Eo oppa! Wasseo?" Chaeyeon smiles. She looks beautiful, as usual.
"I'm sorry I'm late." Minhyun said, kneeling down to reach for her hand.
"It's okay. I'm not going anywhere." She smiled, shaking his hand playfully.
Minhyun overlooked the window "Ah, the sun already sets. I was planning on taking you out."
"Aniya, gwaenchanha oppa. I'm not feeling like going out today."
"Eo jinjja?"
Chaeyeon nodded. "Geureom, what should we do today?"
"Hmm what would be fun?"
"Let's just watch the TV! My favorite drama will air soon!"
"Geurae? Call!" Minhyun helped her to sit on the couch. He reached for the remote and sat next to her.
"Channel 4, oppa." Minhyun changed the channel.
"Wah it's about to start!" He put the remote beside him and reached for Chaeyeon's hand. They were laughing all the way. Minhyun never took his hand off of Chaeyeon's. He caressed the back of her hand lightly with his thumb.
Chaeyeon felt a bit sleepy, because of the pills she took. She snuck her head to Minhyun's chest and hugged him. Minhyun wrapped his hand around Chaeyeon's body. "Are you sleepy?"
"Mmm, a little." Minhyun kissed the top of her head and caress her hair lightly. Then, "Kkkrrrkkkkk."
Chaeyeon loosened her arm, lifted her head and looked at Minhyun's face. He was flustered. "Oppa, are you hungry?"
"Mmmhh... A little." Minhyun smiled sheepishly.
Chaeyeon burst into laugh. "Is it time for dinner already? Why don't you tell me? I was having too much fun." She giggled.
"It's okay. I'll just order in. You know, that place at the corner serve this really delicious jjajangmyeon."
"Really?"
"Eum. I'll call them and ask the nurse for your dinner okay?"
"Okay." While Minhyun made the call, Chaeyeon sat there blankly, placing her hand on her belly. "It'd be nice to have jjajangmyeon for dinner ☹"
15 minutes later, they began the feast.
"Masisseo?" Minhyun slurped his jjajangmyeon like somebody wanted to steal it.
"Eum. Wan~jeon~" Chaeyeon smiled at his response.
"Ah that must be nice." Chaeyeon pouted her lips. She looks even cuter. Minhyun slowed his pace. He stopped and placed his chopsticks. "Alright. I'm gonna let you cheat this time."
"Oppa!"
"But just a little."
"Jeongmal??" Minhyun nodded. His hand's ready to feed Chaeyeon. Chaeyeon looked around as if she was going to get caught. She slurped it fast and chewed. "Ahhhh oppa... Neomu masisseoyo!" She sighed at the taste of it.
"Geuji?" He smiled.
10 minutes later, Minhyun already cleared the table and tidied things up. He looked at his watch. It's 7.55 pm. The last bus to Seoul operates at 09.00 pm. He still has an hour with her.
The doctor and the nurse came in. She does her routine to Chaeyeon. Checking stuffs, monitoring her condition, helping Chaeyeon with her medication. Minhyun saw her out and asked about Chaeyeon's current condition.
"Doctor, I'm sorry but I think we haven't met before."
"Ah yes, I'm Dr. Yoo."
"I'm Hwang Minhyun. How is she, Dr. Yoo?"
"She's stable for now. Her vitals are great. She's doing fine."
"Ah that's good."
"It is, but unfortunately, a few things are certain about this disease. All the reported cases of ALS said that the patient would gradually lose control of his/her motoric nerves. The rate is different for every patient, based on his/her condition, but the degeneration is almost fixed. In Chaeyeon's case, it's slower. But, we don't know what will happen tomorrow, so we better be prepared"
"Yes... I understand Dr. Yoo. Thank you so much."
"Anytime, Minhyun-ssi." She hesitated for a second, then "Hmmm about, Chaeyeon's father. Do you happen to know why he isn't visiting her?"
"I think he's busy with his work. He works abroad."
"Ah I see. That is such a pity."
"I think if he can, he'll love to be here. But he needs to make a living, to provide for her, especially now."
"How about her mother?"
"Chaeyeon's mother died 3 years ago. On a accident."
"I see... I'm sorry about that. I just got transferred here so I'm in the process of getting to know my patients."
"Ah, I see..."
"At any rate, I'm glad she has you." She lightly tapped my shoulder. "I'll get going then." Minhyun bowed to her. He slid open the door to Chaeyeon's room. Chaeyeon is reading her favorite book. A collection of poems.
"Mwohae oppa? What took you so long?"
"Ani...geunyang."
"What did you talk about with Dr. Yoo? You look all gloomy." She teased him.
"Anigeodeun!"
"Arasseo, arasseo. Anja." Chaeyeon taps the sheet next to her. Minhyun obediently sat.
"Here, I'll read it to you."
...And so through the years
Like a hero he stood
Working to give
All that he could
His presence was important
And we loved to see him smile
For no one in the world
Could emulate his style
And so, dear Dad
My best memory to recall
Is the gift of your presence
The greatest gift of all.
-Memories of Dad by Rebecca D. Cook, 2006-
Minhyun could hear a stifled sob. Chaeyeon tried to get up. She was shaking so bad. Minhyun reached to help her but she stopped him, "I can do this. Please." Minhyun let go of his hand. Chaeyeon got on her wheel chair and rolled her way to the bathroom. Minhyun heard the tap water running.
Two minutes passed and the sound of running water didn't stop. He decided to check her. Chaeyeon was sitting there, with a messy, wet hair. Minhyun closed the tap and kneeled. Chaeyeon's hands are in tremor.
She looked at him, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Oppa... I can't even wash my face."
"Chaeyeon-a..."
"I don't want you to see me like this."
"Chaeyeon-a..." Minhyun held her while she cried louder. When the tremor subsided, Minhyun helped her wash her face and combed her hair. He took her to the bed, laid her down and tucked her in.
"Chaeyeon-a, oppa...can not be here any longer."
"I know..."
"You'll be fine Chaeyeon-a. I'll ask Nurse Cha to take care of you."
"Of course they will. It's their job." She managed to smile a little at her own joke.
"There she is. My Chaeyeon is back." Minhyun smiled and pinched her nose.
"Arasseo. Ga, oppa. You'll miss the last bus."
He kissed her forehead softly and forced a smile, "Jalja, Chaeyeon-a. Na kalke."
"Josimhae oppa. Itta bwayo." Chaeyeon smiled as he left.
YOU ARE READING
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