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Seoul, South Korea
Jisoo
"You have stage 1 breast cancer."
My breath hitched the moment those words rolled down from my doctor's tongue.
"Don't worry though, you can be treated. We discovered it early and there shouldn't be any problems with the treatment." The doctor reassuring smiled at me. I smiled back, but inside I was feeling mixed emotions. I was glad that I could be treated, but I was afraid of going through chemotherapy or my illness getting worse.
The doctor gave me another appointment so that we can decide on which hospital I'm going to do my treatment.
I headed home with a heavy heart. My parents didn't know that I'm ill. They weren't even aware that I've been going to the hospital lately and today I'm telling them that I have cancer.
I reach for my phone in my bag and call my boyfriend, Doyoung. He's always been there for me and always gave me the best advice when I wasn't really sure of what to do in difficult situations like this. However, he didn't answer. Honestly, I'm not surprised. These days he's been feeling distant. I called him a lot of times but he never answered, he would just send a text saying he's busy or he's in a meeting.
We stopped going to dates on weekends. I once went to his house to cook him some dinner but he came home really late and in the end I fell asleep on his couch. I once doubted him of cheating on me but his coworker who is also my friend said that he stays really late in the office. His friend told me that he doesn't know why, he said that the company isn't 'that' busy these days.
I tried to talk to Doyoung but every time I bring the topic he gets angry and just leaves me hanging. I don't like the thought of us fighting so I just forgive him and it's the same never- ending cycle of our relationship.
I got home and I've decided to just be straight-forward to my parents and just tell them the truth.
"Mom, dad? I'm home!"
"Honey, you're back? We're in the living room!" My mom shouted from the living room.
I kissed them on the cheeks and sat on the couch opposite theirs. I guess my mom saw straight through me as she asked "Is there something wrong Jisoo?"
I heaved a deep sigh and spoke up, "Mom... Dad... I have breast cancer."
My mom dropped the remote and my dad abruptly snapped his head towards me.
"Is this true? You're not joking, right?" My mom said and I could hear the pain through her voice.
I nodded and my mom ran to me and pulled me into an embrace. "I'm sorry, oh my god. Can it be cured?" She said, choking on her tears.
"Yeah it is. Don't worry." I smiled trying to reassure her and at the corner of my eyes, I saw my dad standing up and pulling me into a hug while leaving a soft kiss on my forehead.
