PATIENT #102191

III

Yi Xing watched as the television flashed the news about his current condition, he sighed deeply then turned the television off.

"Oh shit!" he cursed when he realized Airah must have watched the news! "Is there something wrong, Yi Xing?" his manager asked "N-Nothing, don't mind me." he brushed his hands through his hair, what if she recognizes it was him in the news? "Yi Xing, you can always tell me what's bothering you, okay? You can always trust me." Manager Woo told him "I know. Well, I... I actually met a girl here, she's from next door."

"Do you like her?" Manager Woo had a teasing expression on his face "Will you stop doing that? You look very creepy." they both laughed "Why don't you answer me?"

"She doesn't know me, first of all. She's jolly and nice. If you meet her you will surely get me." Manager Woo stared at him for a moment, he's trying to analyze him through his expression and seems like the girl he was talking about is really nice, he's also happy Yi Xing found a friend in the hospital "But she's getting discharged soon." he noticed how Yi Xing sighed, he knows him so well and he's surely sad about it "Don't worry, Yi Xing. Let me handle it."

Manager Woo has been there from the very beginning for Yi Xing, even when he started as a trainee in SM Entertainment, he watched him grow throughout these years and he saw how lonely idol life is for him. Especially now that he's away from his brothers.

He smiled at Yi Xing and thought of something, as his manager he's his responsibility. He asked him if he knows her hospital room number and her mame.

Manager Woo went out of the hospital to grab some food, when he came back he went straight to Airah's room, he knocked thrice and a teenager welcomed her "Uhm, Sir do we know you?" she asked "I am here for Miss Airah? I came here because of Yi Xing." she gave her a curious look as she fully opened the door, she said something he couldn't understand.

"Yi Xing?" Airah looked at him "Well, he told me about you and I think it would be nice if you can join him on his lunch. He hasn't been eating well these days due to stress." Airah didn't think twice and asked her sister to help her stand up "Where is he?"

Manager Woo called Yi Xing's nurse to request his transfer to another room, he received a message a while ago before he came back that they successfully transferred him "He's on room 25." he answered "Oh, I see. Mr. Woo, how are you related to Yi Xing?" her nurse came and she helped her sit on the wheelchair "We're... we're close friends."

"Hey, Kylla, you can leave me now. Tell Papa and Mama that I'm fine alone." Kylla took her bag and reminded her to take care of herself "I'll see you tomorrow, Ate! Mama will visit you later! Bye!"

Airah took the sheep stuff toy with her, Mr. Woo lead them to Yi Xing's room "Hi!" she greeted, Yi Xing's eyes widened as he saw her "Y-You're here!" he looked at his manager who's only raising his thumb "It's the first time I'm seeing you without a face mask." she said and he couldn't react "Here I brought this." she showed him the stuff toy "Did you name him already?"  he asked "Not yet, do I need to?" Manager Woo and Nurse Li are busy preparing their lunch as they talk "I name my stuff toys. Just that this one is new so when I gave it to you it has no name yet."

"I see! Mr. Sheep will do for me!" she happily said "That sounds good to me."

Yi Xing rarely eats with someone since he's living away from his family, Manager Woo can't be there for him all the time too, so he felt very happy he can share his food to someone "Thank you!" Airah told Manager Woo "Come on, eat. He told me you're not eating well, you told me you want to dance again right? Eat." Yi Xing took a spoon full in his mouth "Good!" Airah said.

"Eating alone is lonely, isn't it?" he looked at Airah who's busy with her food "I don't like to eat alone. When I was in college, I used to wait for my friends before I eat, we would go somewhere and buy food then we will stay in the park near our university. I lose my appetite whenever I don't have anyone during meal time. I end up not eating. And you, Yi Xing, you should eat!" he gave her a big smile "I will keep that in mind!"

They both felt so full after eating their lunch, Manager Woo left because he had some errands to do and will be back to bring them some snack "Here look, this is how I look like when I was in elementary." Airah showed him her photo on her phone "You look cute on your uniform." Yi Xing zoomed her photo "I look cute and fat. Really really fat. Hahahaha!" they were talking about their young selves. Airah knew Yi Xing has never played outside because of personal reasons, he didn't tell her why "That's sad. Playing is fun. It's the best stage in a child's life."

Yi Xing at the young age starred at movies, so he had a little time to play. He grew up getting used to seeing cameras focused on him and reporters interviewing him. It only stopped when he entered the SM Entertainment. He had to focus on his training, now he's earning all his hardwork since he was a kid and he's definitely proud of it "Let's eat dinner together too!" Airah suggested "I will ask Manager Woo to buy food for us! Hmm, tomorrow morning, let's eat pancake!"

"I love pancakes!" Airah felt excited but she suddenly realized something "Did you say Manager?" Yi Xing mentally slapped his head "Uhm well, he... he owns a little restaurant out there, he's managing it that's why I call him Manager Woo." Airah gave a small nod and continued to talk about food. Partly, what he said is true, Manager Woo really owns a restaurant but he doesn't call him manager because of it. He looked at Airah who's happily telling him what she wants to do as soon as her therapy finishes...

This is lying. But what can I do? He's feeling a little guilt for not telling her the truth and he only wants to keep her that way. What if she changes her attitude towards him if she knew who he is? They have barely known each other for a couple of days but Yi Xing is feeling something really strange in him... he can't pin point it.

"Hey, are you listening?" Yi Xing stared at her with a shock face "Y-Yes! I was just thinking."

"What were you thinking?" she asked "Nothing serious, it's just me and my thoughts."

"I'm sorry if I am too talkative, I'm born like this. Hahaha." she said "No! No, don't be sorry. I should be the one apologizing for spacing out. You're fine the way you are. I like that you're open."

Silence.

Airah bowed down and Yi Xing looked away. Just in time Manager Woo came in with a paper bag in his hand "Who wants some food?!" he happily asked "Hey, what's with this aura?" he looked at the two patients "Okay, whatever." he said as soon as he realized no one's going to answer his question.

After a few minutes, Airah was still busy eating the snacks Manager Woo gave them a knock caught their attention "Excuse me, is Airah there?" it's her mama! "Ma! I'm here!" she waved her right hand, Manager Woo welcomed her mother and talked to her "Good afternoon, Yi Xing. You're the friend Kylla mentioned. Thank you for keeping my daughter a company." her mother bowed down a little "I should be the one thanking, ma'am." they shaked hands, her mother went to kiss her forehead.

"How are you doing?" she told her she's fine and she didn't feel any pain today "That's good. You need to rest, I think we should go back to your room." she nodded and looked at Yi Xing "Hey, I gotta go now. Uhm, thank you for the food." she said, Yi Xing gave the sheep stuff toy back to her "Thank you too and take care of Mr. Sheep."

"Ma, can I eat dinner here?" she asked her mother "I told Yi Xing we will eat dinner together, please?" she looked at Yi Xing and smiled at him "If that's what you want, Airah. I can cook for you if you want." her mother offered "That's a great idea, Ma! Hey, Yi Xing, Mama is a great cook you'll love her dishes!" he had a big smile around his face as he waved his left hand at her.

"I'll see you later!" he said "See you!"

Yi Xing sighed. Airah's gone and he had a very good time with her today. Truth to be told, he's looking forward for dinner tonight.

He looked at his manager smiling like an idiot at him "Don't look at me like that." he threw his pillow at him.

He should get ready for dinner.